30 Years in the Canyon May 21, 1988 to May 20, 2018 Niles Canyon Railway

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Niles Canyon Railway ran the very first car May 21, 1988. This was after the volunteers built up 1.6 miles of track from the Brightside yard to Sunol, CA. That very first run used this vehicle.

 

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May 20, 2018 was the 30TH Anniversary of the running of trains (cars) in the canyon.

A Pioneer celebration was held for many of those who were originals in group of railroad volunteers for the Pacific Locomotive Association (PLA).

With the M200 recently repainted to its original colors, the engine refurbished and more new track the M200 made her debut.

Come ride along with the one of a kind Skunk Car M200

From the www.ncry.org web page

California Western M-200
CW M200 6-46 Skagit Steel & Iron Works, MAC Division, January 1926
B-B (Only rear truck powered) / diesel-hydraulic / 21 tons

History: Built new as Longview, Portland and Northern Railway #20, Longview, WA; Trona Railway #22, Trona, CA; Acquired by California Western Railroad in 1941 as #M200, Fort Bragg, CA; Acquired, unserviceable, by PLA, July 1975; Restored to service, used on CPRY to 1985.

Inaugurated passenger service on NCRY May 21, 1988. In service, Brightside, CA

 

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Not only was the Skunk Car repainted but the Sunol Depot was also repainted and the sign updated.

Old station paint and sign. Wood was replaced in the lower parts of the depot sides, the sign was taken down and refurbished to be (hopefully) reattached before May 20, 2018.

 

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Sunday is also a regular excursion train run. The train heads West while for the special M200 run it will head East.

 

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The check in desk was open early for the Pioneers to get tickets for the first ride and their program.

 

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Who doesn't like donuts?

Inside the Sunol Depot upstairs.

 

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Many of those at the reunion had not seen each other in many years. Friends always....

 

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The band and Boy Scouts came out to play and parade the American Flag.

 

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Sunday is the regular excursion train that will head West to Niles. The M200 will head East towards the newer unopened (for public rides) section to Verona.

 

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Brian Wise (son) and Howard Wise (dad) the SP 9010 Krauss-Maffei Crew Chief. As the story goes Brian was around 5 years old when his Dad Howard brought him to Castro Point (where the original railroad started). Brian grew up at the yard there and learned to repair locomotives. After the PLA moved to Brightside Yard Brian was 23 when he was the Engineer on the M200 May 21, 1988 for the Inaugural Run of the Niles Canyon Railway.

Currently, Brian works and operates locomotives for the Mt. Rainier Railroad https://mtrainierrailroad.com/

Of course today he will be operating the Skunk Car M200 as he did 30 years ago.

 

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The 10:30 train headed to Niles leaving the track open for the M200 to cross back towards the station.

 

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M200 is in front of the Pioneers ready for the opening ceremonies.

 

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