It looks like Southern Pacific 2472 is the new Niles Canyon Railroad yard goat. It's been converted to RCL operation with a steam belt pack. Although it still requires a fireman, the engineer can now annoy him by blowing the whistle remotely track side. The strobe which warns people of RCL peril has been recently added.

LOL, okay…I dunno why the strobe showed up, but I doubt RCL steam operation would be viable! :-p

it was a great morning in Niles Canyon, and I'm glad I did the first train out. Niles Canyon Road was becoming congested with bicycles, motorcycles, foamers, and sight seers. Therefore I just decided to go follow the first run out. Then I stopped for a roast beef sandwich at the Jazz Cafe across the street from the NCRY depot in Sunol. Then it was back to PG. Not a bad day of foam.


SP 2472's strobe on the cab at Sunol, California.


Trains were well patronized with lots of families.


SP 2472 gets a ride to Niles on the back of the WP geep #713 as it departs Sunol.


SP 2472 prepares to leave at the wye at Niles, California.


A nice fire engine from the Whitney Fire Deparment was parked in the back of the Jazz Cafe in Sunol.

Sam Reeves
Pacific Grove, CA
Sam Reeves Photography
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