So I visited the Niles Canyon Railway a few months ago, and was able to see the beautiful collection they have, especially their two operating 2-6-2T's, not to mention their gorgeous diesel collection (the 918D looks fantastic).

However, I also was able to see Golden Gate Railroad Museum's stunning equipment. Their 4-6-2 Pacific No. 2472 was glistening in the afternoon sun. How I miss those days of it running on the peninsula. I was talking with some other photographers there, and it seems the locomotive is taking up too much space and the maintenance costs are just astronomical, and cutting it up for scrap was even brought up as a possibility! However they beat the odds! The skilled GGRM crew worked and worked, and got it up to FRA standards, and rumor has it, it will RUN on the Niles Canyon this President's Day, the 18th! I don't know the next time it will ever run, especially if the possibility of scrap is in it's future. I'm not taking chances though, I'm going to go at least visit, and if I get to see the famous engine run I'll be a very happy railfan.