some folks asked a few quesions in the thread below about the 2472 running in march, and i figured i would post some clues as to what is currently going on over there.


First, it was asked what GGRM hopes to acheive being a seperate entity from PLA. Well, simply put, the goals of the organizations are completely different. PLA appears to want to run their tourist railroad and restore a car and a locomotive every few years (or more) and put it in to service on their railroad. GGRM, from what i have observed, seems to want to build a rolling display train of Southern Pacific/pool passenger equipment circa 20s-50s to show off at various places in the state, and if they are really lucky, maybe outside the state.

they are getting nearer and nearer to that goal each year. Last year,the 2472's 1472 day rebuild/overhall was finished. The 2979 lounge car was put back together enough to run in PLA's train of lights, featuring a completely rebuilt vestibule, stadco railgen, new(ew) wheelsets, its the only heated and fanned car (soon to be AC as well) on the NCRY, and was primered, now it is to be painted two tone grey by this spring, hopefully in time to be ready for the march steam up and will be named after the late Niel Vodden. The Oakland is nearing completion as well, the waukeshas are almost completely rebuilt, almost all plumbing is functional, and the heating and air is being completed currently. from what i have heard, this year as soon as thing settle down after march, work will commence on the F-unit #6378, as its in way better mechanical shape than the '80, mechanically, its been baby'ed enough that it should still be in very very good mechanical shape. While work commences on the '78, the UP RPO needs some minor body work and paint, plus some mechanical work including truck and brake rigging. then i would think the 293 shasta coach, which pla uses from time to time on their trains. Also i just want to note, as i think its very impressive, it was mentioned to me by a few people that a large majority of the work you will see on the 2979,lounge car was done in a period of about 6 months. from rust bucket to gem. So what do they want to accomplish as a seperate organzation? Alot obviously.

i'm not an official of ggrm, and i wont claim to be a member on this message board. everything mentioned above about future plans is subject to change at ANY time, and i dont claim any of it to be true, so take it with a grain of solt...or here- say.