I was the Assistant Conductor on the first "Test Run" last night of the Niles Canyon Railways, "Train of Lights", sponsored by the Pacific Locomotive Association. There are two trains this year, a seven care "Niles Train" and an ll car "Sunol Train". The power for the Sunol train was supposed to be the WP 918-D F-7 on the east end and WP GP 713 on the west end. As we were about to get the power out of the house, F-7 would not turn over and it was determined that the batteries were dead. Howard Wise had just finished the 90 day inspection on his ex-SP Black Widow SD-9E-#5472 nee NWP Omitrax #4423 as was listed as stand by power. We witched the house track at Brightside Yard and a put the SD-9 on the point and whistled off to Sunol to pick up our VIP Passengers. We proceeded to Niles and then headed back up the 1% ruling grade back to Sunol. Needless to say the sound of the SD-9 working up through the Canyon was mussic to my years. The usual practice with a heavy train, (nearly 1000 trailing tons) is to have the Geep on the rear shove at times when our speed drops below 15 mph, however, with the 1750 horses and 84,000 of T.E.,the SD haD no problem maintaing track speed and no help was needed last night from the WP geep with the SD-9 on the point. With the 918-D back on line, the big SD is back slumbering on the House track awaiting its' next call.