WHEEL CLICKS

.MARCH 2010

BIG DOME TO THE BAY EXCURSION People were enjoying the scenery along the way while the (This article is adaptedfrom the original story posted online staff prepared for the first meal of the day to be served after by Andrew Novak, a staflmember on the to the Bay. Oxnard. We made the station stop at Oxnard and had three more Photographs with the article appear on Pages 4-5.) passengers boarding. We now had all our passengers on the PRS members and guests experienced historic passenger train and once again we continued north. After Oxnard, we equipment ranging from a magnificent 1908 Yosemite Valley began gearing up for the lunch meal which was cold turkey and Railroad to 's only remaining .ham sandwiches, fresh hit, and chips. on a three-day "Big Dome to the Bay" over January 16, 17, and We served the lunches to the passengers sitting upstairs in 18, 2010. Except for walking and a short taxi ride, the entire the dome, at the tables in the lower level of the dome, and in the excursion was accomplished by rail. PRS was treated royally by sections on the Forum. Those who booked a room in the Forum our hosts at the Railway and received enthusiastic could eat in their room if they chose. After leaving our next stop service from Amtrak crews along the way. at Santa Barbara we fmished serving lunch and now had about ONBOARD THE three hours to start planning for the evening meal which we Saturday was the first day of the long-awaited Excursion would be picking up in San Luis Obispo. As we left Santa Number 538. The PRS volunteer staff included Marti Ann Barbara we saw the former Southern Pacific business car Santa Draper, Will Walters, Rob Markowitz, Annette Markowitz, Barbara that is now on display next to the station Andrew Novak, and Lany Jennings, who served as Pullman We arrived at San Luis Obispo early so we had enough time Porter aboard the National Forum. We were joined by Wes to get the trash off the cars, load the food onto the cars and not Frishkorn, an Amtrak lead service attendant who was our lose any of our passengers. Marti Ann and Andy ako walked up bartender in the dome car. to the head end of the train to meet with the conductor to discuss Andy arrived at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal at the baggage off-load in Oakland The Conductor said Andy 8:00 a.m. and took up his post at the Amtrak Groups area which could ride in the "ten car" from San Jose to Oakland to be close was the designated meeting area for our passengers. Rob and to the front and keep an eye on the bags after they were off- Annette joined him soon after and they checked the people in loaded. While walking up to the head end of the train Andy and accepted their checked baggage. The first passengers began recorded the consist of our train. The lead unit was, appropri- arriving at 8:45 a.m. and we had all 49 of the Los Angeles ately, Amtrak 99. The consist was: passengers by 9:45 a.m. Then Rob and Andy began taking the 99 (P42DC) bags from the group meeting area out to the baggage cart for 85 (P42DC) Amtrak to load. The Amtrak baggage handlers tagged all 37 of 453 (F59PHI) 1206 (ex-ATSF Baggage Car) our bags and Andy took charge of our claim checks. When Marti Ann arrived at the station we escorted our large 3207 1 ( I1 Sleeper) group up to the platform to wait for the Starlight's equipment to 320 15 (Superliner I Sleeper) arrive with the special cars for our excursion group on the rear: 32007 (Superliner I Sleeper) . 39974 (Pacific Parlour Sonoma Valley) the PRS National Forum, a Pulhan Standard 6-4-6 sleeper built in 1955 for the Union Pacific; and Amkak 10031, a Great Dome 38066 (Superliner I1 Diner) built by Budd in 1955 for the Great Northern, originally num- 33033 (Superliner I1 Lounge) bered 1391 and named "Ocean View." This is the last dome car 34059 (Superliner I Coach) 34508 (Superliner I1 Coach - Video Game Car) in the Amtrak fleet. Will and Larry had spent the night onboard preparing the National Forum. It was a good thing that they 340 14 (Superliner I Coach) PAR 1207 (ex-UP 6-4-6 Sleeper National Forum) were on board because the Amtrak coach cleaners had not been 10031 (ex-GN Great Dome) told that the car was going to be used on an occupied excursion. With a reminder, however, the cleaners had gotten to work and Leaving San Luis Obispo we began working on the dinner put in plenty of extra effort to get their car ready. The two cars, meal which consisted of appetizers and a Southwest chicken with the "Big Dome to the Bay" drumhead designed by John Jay salad. The entire staff spent the next couple of hours dishing up meals and serving them to passengers and then cleaning up the Ulloth especially for our trip, made a beautiful sight backing into trash generated by these meals. As with the lunch meal, we Track 10. We departed at 10: 19 a.m., 4 minutes off the advertised. The served food and drinks in three locations in our two cars. Once we had taken care of an the passengers, the staff could enjoy train made a stop at the Van Nuys Station, and by the next stop their dinners. at Simi Valley, we were ahead of schedule and had to wait for [continued at BIG DOME on Page 31 time. Page 2

Apr. 9 Membership Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Alhambra Room, Fri. Joslyn Center, 210 N. chapel Ave., Alhambra.

MEETING PROGRAM by Russ DAVIES March 12: Railfair 1981 at Sacramento, . The WHEEL CLICKS Pacific Railroad Museum staff will present a DVD from the MARCH 2010 VOLUME 73, NO. 12 California State Railroad Museum. Be there, and bring digital briefs. EDITOR ...... DICKFINLEY April 9: Long-time Southern California rail fan and photog- TECHNICAL EDITOR ...... CHARLES VARNES rapher, Alan Weeks, will present a slide program covering MAILER ...... JOHN STALLKAMP miscellaneous Santa Fe in the 50s and 60s. Some of us Opinions expressed in unsigned articles are those of the editorial board, and do have seen previews of this in e-mails from Alan, and this not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Society, its officers or directors. one will be great! Be there,.and bring sMe briefs! Opinions in signed articles are those of the author only. All rights reserved. ISSN: 004311744. 02010 BY PACIFIC RAILROAD SOCIETY, INC. MEMBERSHIP REPORT by VIRGINIAGRUPP Published monthly by PACIFIC RAILROAD SOCIETY, INC. The Society ' is a California chartered, nonprofit organization of those who share an interest At the PRS Board meeting on February 5,2010, there were in railroad operations, travel and history. Address and telephone are the same no late renewals, and one new member voted in. Dave Frevele as for Pacific Railroad Museum. is a new member with seniority number 45 1. PARTICIPATRVG MEMBER ...... S35.00 per year SUSTAINING MEMBER...... $50.00 per year CORPORATE MEMBER ...... $100.00 per year ALAMEDA CORRIDOR EAST LIFEMEMBER ...... $500.00 Next winter, trains will travel up to 30 feet above a mile-and- PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM is operated by Pacific Railroad Society at a-half stretch of Valley Boulevard spanning from east of North 210 W. Bonita Ave., San Dimas, CA 91773. Telephone: (909) 394-0616. Puente Avenue to west of North California Avenue in Industry. Museum e-mail: [email protected] Open Saturdays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; The construction is one of 20 rail crossing projects spearheaded Wednesdays: 1-5 p.m. by the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority. MUSEUM COMMIlTEE CHAIR ...... LINDSAY SMITH Construction on the $92 million project started in 2007 and EXCURSION DIRECTOR ...... MART1 ANN DRAPER should be completed in November or December 2010, according WEBMASTER ...... RUSSELL HOMAN to officials. INTERNET Home Page: http://www. pacificrailroadsociety.org Over the holidays, about 50 men and women doubled their production to transform 6 million pounds of steel and 27 cubic BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PACIFIC RAILROAD SOCIETY,MC. feet of cement into two overpasses at Sunset and Orange PRESIDENT ...... WILL WALTERS VICEPRESIDENT ...... MART1 ANN DRAPER avenues, and more than a mile of retaining walls that will SECRETARY ...... BILL SMITH support the heavy trains. TREASURER ...... NICKTEEL Oficials expect rail traffic to increase by about 150 percent DIRECTOR (2008-2011) ...... DAVE ABBOTT over the next few years as industries increasingly turn to the DIRECTOR (2009-2011) ...... VIRGINIA GRUPP DIRJXTOR (2009-2012) ...... DAVID HOUSH comparatively low-cost transportation provided by trains, DIRECTOR (2009-2012) ...... KEN RUBEN according to officials. DIRECTOR (2009-2010) ...... LINDSAY SMITH "The conditions we have now are unsafe," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte. "Traffic backs up and people cross at terribly PRS NEWS - ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES congested spots. "If we are serious about making sure we Mar. 5 Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Valencia Room, Joslyn improve our economy, we have to have these goods coming in," Fri. Center, 210 N. Chapel Ave., Alharnbra. Chu said. "This is really a lifeline to much of the nation." Mar. 6, 13, Pacific Railroad Museum work party, 10:OO a.m. In the meantime, officials say motorists need to stay off the 20,27 to 4:00 p.m., 210 W. Bonita Ave., San Dimas. tracks. "Our only message is to implore people to be cautious Sats. Committee meeting: March 27. and err on the side of safety when you're going across the rail Mar. 6, 13, repair days, 8:30 a.m. to ?, Saunders crossing," Union Pacific spokesman Tom Lange said. 20,27 Yard, Noakes & Herbert Sts., Commerce. Regular TRAIN BRIDGE IN EL MONTE Sats. Days: 6,20; Extra Days: 13,27. Com. Meet.: 20. The Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority recently Mar. 12 Membership Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Alhambra Room, applied for $33.6 million from the Department of Transporta- Fri. Joslyn Center, 210 N. Chapel Ave., Alhambra. tion, which would help pay for a train bridge over Baldwin Apr. 2 Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Valencia Room, Joslyn Avenue in El Monte. ACE expected to hear about the money in , Fri. Center, 210 N. Chapel Ave., Alhambra. January. If the agency gets the cash, construction could start by Apr. 3, 10, Pacific Railroad Museum work party, 10:OO a.m. spring and would last about two years, officials said. 17,24 to 4:00 p.m., 2 10 W. Bonita Ave., San Dirnas. The state is supposed to sell bonds to fund transportation Sats. Committee meeting: April 24. projects, including $337 million for ACE. But California's Apr. 3, 10, Rolling Stock repair days, 8:30 a.m. to ?, Saunders budget woes have scared off investors and the money might be 17,24 Yard, Noakes & Herbert Sts., Commerce. Regular delayed. The state cash would help pay for a $500 million Sats. Days: 3, 17; Extra Days: 10,24. Com. Meet.: 17. trench near the San Gabriel Mission, which would route the WHEEL CLICKS MARCH 201 0 Page 3

tracks under several busy streets. from the former Western Pacific Station at 3rd and Broadway. The agency also got word in January of a delay for local With all our passengers present and accounted for, it was now Measure R tax funds. The county's Metropolitan Transportation time for bed. Authority was scheduled to say when ACE would get $400 STEAM, RAM, AND CARS FROM THE PAST million fiom the tax, but officials now say that decision could be The first stop Sunday morning for most of us was the pushed back a few months. Buttercup Grill and Bar located next to our hotel. All the The federal money would really help grease the wheels for passengers and staff received a meal coupon with the hotel room the $1.1 billion 14-intersection phase of projects. The Baldwin for a free breakfast. Avenue bridge, where the federal money would be applied, is After breakfast many chose to walk over to the Amtrak one of those 14. station at Jack London Square. Once again we had a taxi loop So far, ACE has completed five intersections. And ACE going for those that preferred a ride. It was starting to drizzle. officials are optimistic the agency will get the cash to continue. When everyone was at the station we began assembling them on [Info. from Pasadena Star-News] the platform. Train 727 arrived right on time and we boarded cab car 8301 [BIG DOME from Page 11 for the trip to Niles for our special excursion train on the Niles At the Salinas Station there is now a display of historic Canyon Railway and a visit to its operator, the Pacific Locomo- railroad equipment that includes former Southern Pacific 0-6-0 tive Association (PLA). GE 2052 was 1237, a wood reefer, and former SP 726. This display pulling our train. Amtrak trains do not stop in is located between the passenger station and the former Railway Niles and this stop was made just for our group. We had de- Express Agency (REA) building. The REA is now home to the cided ahead of time to station at least two staff members at each Monterey and Model Railroad Club. door on the Amtrak car to help passengers off the train since With dinner served and our train underway again, we began there is no platform at this stop. Larry and Andy were at one figuring out what supplies we would need for the trip back on door while Will and Rob were at the other exit door. The Monday. We had exhausted a fair amount of our stock of drinks Amtrak conductor and assistant conductor also assisted, along and we decided we would have to make a supermarket run with PLA volunteer staff, giving us about four people at each Sunday night before leaving Monday morning. It just so door. happened that Sunday was the Norcal Bus Fans Marin County Niles Canyon ~ailwa~(NCRY) had their excursion train excursion and several of Andy's friends would be in the Bay parked on a track next to the Amtrak train. We all walked over Area with buses. Andy made a call to his fiiend Josh to see if he to the NCRY train and began boarding. Leading our train was could swing by after the excursion on Sunday and give us a ride Quincy #2, an ALCO 2-6-23 (tank engine) built in 1924. to a supermarket. He agreed to help out and so we were set for Behind #2 was NATX 8502 which is a tank car used as a boiler the supermarket run. Not long after Andy's call, Josh spotted water supply car. The first in the train was NCRY our train outside of Gilroy from a truck stop. 1830, an open-air observation car that is also used as an ADA The train arrived in San Jose ahead of schedule and as car by the NCRY. This car was originally a Santa Fe heavy- planned, Andy walked up to the "ten car." The "ten car" is weight Baggage car that was converted into a boom tender for usually the first car behind the baggage car and is reserved for the wreck train in Winslow hna.Only a small portion of the the train crew. Normally the "ten car" is a transition sleeper, but original car body remains in the center of the car. Arizona and on today's train it was just a regular Superliner Sleeper. The Eastern Combine 453 was next in the train. This car was conductor let Andy use one of the on the lower level acquired by Southern Pacific in 1924 when they absorbed the and as we waited for time, Andy briefed a couple of railfans on Arizona and Eastern. In the 1950s, this car was used on the the platform about PRS and the two private cars at the end of the Sacramento Daylight. train. Bringing up the rear of our train was a true gem of a passen- We departed San Jose on time and Andy and the conductor ger car, Yosemite Valley observation 330. YV 330 was origi- discussed our group and the cars we have in our collection. The nally built in 1908 and operated on the YV until that railroad conductor was surprised that PRS does not have a steam engine. ceased operation in the 1940s. After service on the YV the car - When our train arrived in Oakland, Amtrak was there with a went north to the Yreka Western and later had its trucks re- baggage cart to transport our group's baggage to the station and moved and was converted into a restaurant called "The Diner." the passengers began claiming their bags outside the station. Eventually, the car was moved to the city yard in Yreka and The last task of the day was to get from the Amtrak station began to deteriorate. In the late 1990s, Wes and Claudia Swift at Jack London Square to our hotel, "The Inn at Jack London purchased the car and moved it to Morgan Hill in 1995 where Square." This hotel used to be Best Western Inn at the Square restoration work began on the car. Ten years later it was moved , and many years ago was the Thunderbird Lodge. The hotel is to NCRY. Since its arrival at NCRY the car is now back on about five blocks from the station so some of the passengers trucks and is operational. Wes and other volunteers have done opted to take taxis while most of us walked in a big group. It a fantastic job bringing this historic and unique car back to life, was an interesting walk through the produce district at night. but their work is not complete. They still have a considerable It was not raining when we walked from the station to the amount of work to do on the interior of the car. hotel, but it had rained prior to our arrival since the ground was Once everyone was onboard the special excursion train, we wet. Our hotel was nice and was located right across the street departed the NCRY station at Niles. Just outside the Niles Page 4 WHEEL CLICKS MARCH 201 0

Amrrak Conductor Glen Lane takes the shove of Amtrak Train 14, the Coast Starlight, into Los Angeles Union Station on January 16, 2010, with PRS Pullman porter Larry Jennings at the vestibule of the National Forum. The tail sign proclaims the "Big Dome to the Bay. '" Photo by John Jay Ulloth

Former Quincy No. 2 at the head of the PRS special goes "guts out" rounding the curve for aphoto run-by on the Niles Canyon Railwqy, January 17,2010. Photo by Marti Ann Draper The cfrumhead at the rear of Amtrak's Coast Starlight proclaims PRS excursion no. 538, the "Big Dome to the Bay. " The sign was designed by John Jay 0110th Photo by A&ew Novak

1 **2---- .Special excursion train operated on January 17, 2010, by the Pacfz Locomotive Association's Niles Canyon Railwqy for Pacific Railroad Society. Lead locomotive Number 2 was built in 1924 by Also for the Quincy Railroad It is followed by water Sharon and Jerry Mittelholiz and Besty Barnett were among the tank car NAl'X 8502, open-air observation car NCRY 1830, 52 passengers who joined PRS over the long holiday weekend of former Arizona & Eastern combine 453, and Yosemite Valley January 16-18for the "Big Dome to the Bay" excursion. Observation car 330. Photo by Marti Ann Draper Photo by Marti Ann Draper WHEEL CLICKS MARCH 2010 Page 5

Amtrak's 10031, formerly the Great Northern Railway Ocean View, is the last dome car in Amtrak service. It was especially provided for PRS to use on January 16-18 for our excursion to Oakland and back. Photo by Andrew Novak

-- Yosemite Valley observation car Number 330 looms out of the drizze andsteam like a viswnfiom the past on the occasion of PacrJc Railroad Society's visit on Januaty 17, 2010 to the Niles Canyon Railway operated by the Pacific Locomotive Associa- tlon No. 330 wm lovinRly rescuedfrom obscurity and destruc- tion by Wes and ~laudia-Swijiand is once again fit to operate Excursion participants line up to board our special excursion in passenger service. Photo by Marti Ann Draper cars on Track 10 at Los Angeles Union Station. Larry Jennings assists at National Forum. . Photo by Andrew Novak

,- Conductor Alan Seigwarth is on the rear platform of Yosemite -. Valley Observation car number 330. Other crew members lined up directly across fiom Amtrak's Capitol Train Number included engineer Jonathan ffiger and Fireman Charles 727 at Niles, Calfornia, on Jan- 17, 2010. This special stop Fram, both of whom donned authentic bowler hats to add to the enabkdparticipants to make the entire trip using rail transpor- early-1900's ambience. Photo by Marti Ann Draper tation only. Photo by Andrew Novak Page 6 WHEEL CLICKS MARCH 201 0

station we made a reverse move onto one leg of a wye to wait for fellow bus fans Nate Lane and Andrew Horton aboard. It was the regularly-scheduled passenger train that was coming into quite startling to see the sight of a Portland transit bus, complete Niles from Sunol. After the regular train passed us we continued with two bundled-up passengers looking for all the world as if into Niles Canyon toward the museum's facility at Brightside. they could have just boarded at the comer, pull up on Third The rain stayed away for most of the morning and we were able Street just for us. After introductions, we were driven to a to make one photo run-by in the canyon before arriving at Lucky's in Fruitvale where Marti Ann and Will were able to pick Brightside Yard. This provided the opportunity for some up the needed supplies. The bus was great for hauling supplies, wonderful shots, although Bill Farmer and his megaphone were but we were not sure how we would get into the highly-guarded sorely missed when it became apparent that one person on our West Oakland Amtrak Maintenance Facility to load them onto trip did not understand how a photo run-by works and waked in the National Forum. We did have some trouble fmding the best front of another person's shot. At Brightside, we backed into the way into the yard and we went on a scenic tour that included siding to wait for the regular train to pass us on its way back to passing the former Western Pacific yard office in Oakland. Will Sunol. At this point the rain was coming down pretty hard and was able to convince the security guard of our legitimate purpose PLA considered canceling the tour of the yard. Our hosts (or maybe the guard thought it was just too bizarre to have a city decided to make the yard tour optional, and those who did not .bus drive up to his shack on a dark and rainy Sunday night, so want to brave the elements could remain on the train. the occupants must be telling the truth). So, he let us drive 36 1 Those who braved the elements were treated to the sight of into the Amtrak facility. a wealth of historic passenger and freight equipment, including It turned out that Nate and Andrew were also railfans and examples from the entire history of diesel-electric engines. A everyone on board helped with the grocery off-load in exchange highlight of the tour was getting to see former SP Krauss-Maffei for a quick tour of the cars. Our group had dinner back at the 90 10 which is undergoing restoration by PLA volunteers. 90 10 Buttercup and one of the trip passengers who joined us for was built in 1964 in Germany and eventually became a camera dinner also joined us for a bus ride back to the coach yard to car for SP. It is the last surviving KM and was donated to the return Will to spend the night on the Forum to make sure things California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) in Sacramento were in order for the next day. where it sat for many years, neglected and vandalized. In 2008, Josh was nice enough to take the rest of us back to the hotel, CSRM donated the 9010 to PLA and work has begun on a ending a long day and a great adventure. cosmetic restoration of the locomotive. PANORAMIC VIEWS OF POUNDING SURF Our tour concluded after the regular train passed Brightside Monday morning found Lany and Will onboard the cars= on its way back to Niles and we boarded the excursion train once they pulled into Oakland Jack London Square station. The rest again, From Brightside we continued east to Sunol where we of the crew and our passengers, along with Wes the LSA, who would be stopping for lunch. When we arrived at Sunol we had gone to some special trouble to secure the ice for our spotted former California Western rail motor car M200. The homeward journey, waited in the rain for the trip south. regular passenger train operates li-om Niles to Sunol, and the As the group began checking out of the hotel the rain picked M200 operates from Sunol east to Hearst where the NCRY has up. This morning we had a taxi loop and the hotel courtesy van a connection with the Union Pacific. Winterail co-host Vic shuttling people to the station. As our group assembled in the Neves was the conductor on the M200 that day. Across the station, we began collecting the checked baggage and checking street from the station is the Sunol Jazz Cafe where we had in the passengers. For the trip south we turned over 34 bags to lunch. The food was served buffet style and was very good. Amtrak. Amtrak Train 1 1 arrived ahead of schedule in Oakland After lunch the regular train arrived from Niles. The rain had let and had to wait for our cars to be brought from the coach yard. up at this point and the sun was trying to come out but never did. GE P32 switcher 505 finally arrived with the Forum and the With everyone back on board we departed Sunol and. 10031 just as Train 1 1 was scheduled to depart Oakland. Once returned to Brightside for one last meet with the regular train. the cars were secured to the end of the train, we quickly loaded Once the regular train passed us, we had the line to ourselves the passengers and were on our way back to Los Angeles. and it was smooth sailing back to Niles. PLA president Henry The first meal of the day was our continental breakfast Luna and his wife, Connie, took Marti Ann from Brightside to consisting of cold cereal, muffins, Danish, and fruit along with the Centerville Station so she could board our Capitol train in a variety of drinks. While the light fare was fme for most of the advance and find out where our group would be on the train. group, some passengers jokingly asked for "eggs over medium." Amtrak train 742 arrived right on time at Niles and once again Like Saturday's trip north we served the food and cleaned up the we carefully loaded our passengers onto the Amtrak train. As trash afterward, making several trips through each of the two we had done earlier, we had our staff, PLA staff and Arntrak cars. a staff to assist with boarding our passengers. With the recent storms, the water in the Elkhorn Slough was On this leg of the trip we rode in cab car 6965 with F59PHI high, and our train had a speed restriction through the area. In 2006.providing the power for the train. a couple of places you could look out the windows in the lower STAFF TAKES A MIDNIGHT MYSTERY TOUR ON BUS level of the dome car and see nothing but water on either side of Once back in Oakland everyone was on their own and for the the train. This slow order added an additional delay to our train staff this meant grocery shopping. Josh arrived around 6 p.m. and we remained late most of the day. Just before Salinas we with his former Portland Flxible "new look" number 361 with began serving a variety of snacks. We served Chex Mix, mixed WHEEL CLICKS MARCH 2010 Page 7

nuts, dried fruit, M&Ms, and Fritos to rave reviews. modified the tail sign so it would fit on the dome car. The weather provided dramatic vistas of crashing surf, green Especially, we thank the volunteers who spent their long hills, and sharp cliffs. Before reaching Paso Robles, we were weekend helping passengers, answering countless questions, chased by a rainbow which was highly visible to the east for handling bags, keeping the plumbing working, and "slinging over 20 minutes. hash:" Annette Markowitz, Rob Markowitz, Andrew Novak, Once again, we would be having a meal catered by Kacee Larry Jennings, Will Walters, and Marti Ann Draper. We hope Rohr and Shani Halloway brought onto the train at San Luis the sight of the California coastline ffom the Great Dome and the Obispo. Since our train was running late we would not have as joy of watching Quincy No. 2 on its steam-enshrouded rush much time at San Luis Obispo as we did on the trip north. We made their hours of work seem worthwhile. loaded our food on board and Andy had just enough time to make sure the trash was in the clear before we left. The train left SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA close to on-time thanks to some padding in the Amtrak schedule. RIDERSHIP Once the dinner was onboard the train, the staffbegan weekday, systemwide, average trips during serving the meal which consisted of appetizers, chicken with December 2009 were 37,532, which was a decrease from the mushroom sauce, rice with vegetables, and cake for desert. By previous month of 8 percent. Metrolink weekday, systemwide now we had the meal service down to a system. At Grover passholders on Amtrak during December were 1,906, which was Beach we took the siding to wait for Train #I4 and we spent a a decrease from the previous month of 5 percent. considerable amount of time waiting. The sun was setting as the [Info. from Metrolink via Charles Vames] crew sat down for dinner. With the last meal service complete, the staff had a few NEWS by MIKEGONDRON minutes to relax and enjoy the miles as they rolled by before Caltrain looks to benefit from the Obama Administration's arriving in Los Angeles. In Oxnard we dropped off the same recent release of $8 billion in federal funds to develop high- passengers we had picked up there on Saturday and then we speed rail. California's share of that money will come to $2.34 continued south. billion, and by partnering with the California High-Speed Rail Our train arrived in Los Angeles about 5 minutes ahead of Authority, Caltrain will be able to advance programs such as schedule. The passengers all exited the train and went to electrification and grade separation that will assure its financial baggage claim where they retrieved their checked baggage. viability and improve the overall safety of the system. Initial work w-ill involve beginning construction on previ- - Some of the staff spent about an hour after we arrived making sure the Forum was secure and that we had any supplies off the ously approved grade separation projects and moving under- car that needed to come off. ground cables to make room for track expansion. Actual track MANY CONTRIBUTED TO TRIP'S SUCCESS laying could start as early as late 201 1 or early 2012. In spite of the rain, the trip was a success. This was mainly In spite of increased monitoring of activity at the West because of the extraordinary effort of the volunteer participants, Meadow crossing in Palo Alto, including the hiring of a private starting with the Rolling Stock committee which readied the security fm, a 19 year-old male managed to circumvent all of National Forum for this adventure: Wayne Saunders, Bob it and step in front of Train No. 196 at about 11 :45 p.m. on Alexander, Stan Ames, Stuart Spencer, Bob Alton, Ted Crevel- January 22. The suicide was the first fatality of the year for ing, Ted Campbell, and especially Will Walters, who devoted Caltrain and the fifth by either a student, graduate, or incoming countless hours to completing the current air brake job and doing student at Gunn High School in less than a year. The incident all the things necessary to make the car safe and ready to be took place about 500 yards north of the a~tualcrossing and out transported to Amtrak. of the range of vision of the guard stationed there.

We also need to thank Henry Luna for arranging for the + Caltrain ended 2009 with two fatalities on December 3 1 in magnificent steam train ride, visit to Brightside, and lunch on separate incidents. The first occurred around 6 a.m. when a Sunday. Our thanks go out to all of the volunteers who make the woman stepped in front of a northbound train at Santa Clara. A Niles Canyon Railroad work so amazingly well. Thanks to Wes few hours later, at Auzerais Avenue in San Jose, a man drove his Swift for his work on the 330 and for coming with us to person- pickup past a stopped vehicle, and around the lowered gates, into ally talk about this historically important car. the path of a southbound train. The deaths were the 18th and Our acknowledgments go out to Amtrak for specially 19th of the year for Caltrain, one short of the record of 20, set arranging for us to use their dome car and for the fine service back in 1995. afforded to us. Teresa Hughey gave the project the "green light" When fatalities occur, they wreak havoc with Caltrain's and Billie Ernest arranged for the movement of the Forum, while schedule. But other things can cause delays too, such as wheel .local managers in Los Angeles, including Jack Wilson, Eliseo chair lifts that won't retract, red signals, and engines that either Nora, Charles Roebuck, and Job Guevarra made it happen. won't start or fail en route. Lately, the delays have been so Chris Martinez at the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board numerous that Caltrain addressed the issue on its website, arranged for our group space on the Capitol. Henry Luna made apologizing, and trying to explain why "stuff' happens. it possible for us to make the direct connection. Apparently the CEMOF Maintenance Facility hasn't been the John Jay Ulloth of Ulloth Graphics donated his time and mechanical savior they thought it would be. artistic talents to design the unique drumhead, and Will Walters On January 18, Caltrain ran its annual Freedom Train in WHEEL CLICKS

.MARCH 2010

BIG DOME TO THE BAY EXCURSION People were enjoying the scenery along the way while the (This article is aahptedfiom the original story posted online staff prepared for the first meal of the day to be served after by Andrew Novak, a staffmember on the Big Dome to the Bq. hard. We made the station stop at Oxnard and had three more passengers boarding. We now had all our passengers on the Photographs with the article appear on Pages 4-5.) PRS members and guests experienced historic passenger train and once again we continued north. After Oxnard, we equipment ranging from a magnificent 1908 Yosemite Valley began gearing up for the lunch meal which was cold turkey and Railroad Observation car to Amtrak's only remaining dome car .ham sandwiches, fresh hit, and chips. on a three-day "Big Dome to the Bay" over January 16, 17, and We served the lunches to the passengers sitting upstairs in 18, 2010. Except for walking and a short taxi ride, the entire the dome, at the tables in the lower level of the dome, and in the excursion was accomplished by rail. PRS was treated royally by sections on the Forum. Those who booked a room in the Forum our hosts at the Niles Canyon Railway and received enthusiastic could eat in their room if they chose. After leaving our next stop at Santa Barbara we finished serving lunch and now had about service from Amtrak crews along the way. ONBOARD THE GREAT DOME three hours to start planning for the evening meal which we Saturday was the first day of the long-awaited Excursion would be picking up in San Luis Obispo. As we left Santa Number 538. The PRS volunteer staff included Marti Ann Barbara we saw the former Southern Pacific business car Santa Barbara that is now on display next to the station Draper, Will Waiters, Rob Markowitz, Annette Markowitz, We arrived at San Luis Obispo early so we had enough time Andrew Novak, and Lany Jemings, who served as Pullman Porter aboard the National Forum. We were joined by Wes to get the trash off the cars, load the food onto the cars and not Frishkorn, an Amtrak lead service attendant who was our lose any of our passengers. Marti Ann and Andy also walked up to the head end of the train to meet with the conductor to discuss bartender in the dome car. Andy arrived at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal at the baggage off-load in Oakland The Conductor said Andy 8:00 a.m. and took up his post at the Amtrak Groups area which could ride in the "ten car" from San Jose to Oakland to be close was the designated meeting area for our passengers. Rob and to the front and keep an eye on the bags after they were off- loaded. While walking up to the head end of the train Andy Annette joined him soon after and they checked the people in and accepted their checked baggage. The frst passengers began recorded the consist of our train. The lead unit was, appropri- arriving at 8:45 a.m. and we had all 49 of the Los Angeles ately, Amtrak 99. The consist was: passengers by 9:45 a.m. Then Rob and Andy began taking the 99 (P42DC) 85 (P42DC) bags from the group meeting area out to the baggage cart for 453 (F59PHI) Amtrak to load. The Amtrak baggage handlers tagged all 37 of 1206 (ex-ATSF Baggage Car) our bags and Andy took charge of our claim checks. 3207 1 (Superliner I1 Sleeper) When Marti Ann arrived at the station we escorted our large 320 15 (Superliner I Sleeper) group up to the platform to wait for the Starlight's equipment to 32007 (Superliner I Sleeper) arrive with the special cars for our excursion group on the rear: . 39974 (Pacific Parlour Sonoma Valley) the PRS National Forum, a Pullman Standard 6-4-6 sleeper built in 1955 for the Union Pacific; and Amtrak 1003 1, a Great Dome 38066 (Superliner I1 Diner) 33033 (Superliner I1 Lounge) built by Budd in 1955 for the Great Northern, originally num- 34059 (Superliner I Coach) bered 1391 and named "Ocean View." This is the last dome car 34508 (Superliner I1 Coach - Video Game Car) in the Amtrak fleet. Will and Lany had spent the night onboard preparing the National Forum. It was a good thing that they 34014 (Superliner I Coach) PAR 1207 (ex-UP 6-4-6 Sleeper National Forum) were on board because the Amtrak coach cleaners had not been 1003 1 (ex-GN Great Dome) told that the car was going to be used on an occupied excursion. Leaving San Luis Obispo we began working on the dinner With a reminder, however, the cleaners had gotten to work and meal which consisted of appetizers and a Southwest chicken put in plenty of extra effort to get their car ready. The two cars, salad. The entire staff spent the next couple of hours dishing up with the "Big Dome to the Bay" drumhead designed by John Jay meals and serving them to passengers and then cleaning up the Ulloth especially for our trip, made a beautiful sight backing into trash generated by these meals. As with the lunch meal, we Track 10. served food and drinks in three locations in our two cars. Once We departed at 10: 19 a.m., 4 minutes off the advertised. The we had taken care of all the passengers, the staff could enjoy train made a stop at the Van Nuys Station, and by the next stop their dinners. at Simi Valley, we were ahead of schedule and had to wait for [continued at BIG DOME on Page 31 time.