It is very ironic that you guys mention LAKEVIEW and the Lake County Railroad. Back in the mid-1950's one of many STEAM excursions that was operated for various railfan clubs by the Southern Pacific was the "BACKWOODS SPECIAL"-- three days, three states, 1200 miles, seventeen car passenger train of all heavyweight equipment and ELEVEN locomotives, including 4-8-4's, 4-8-8-2's and even an AC-9 (2-8-8-4). Price was $ 30.00 coach// $ 43.00 Pullman..

One of the highlights of this excursion was a trip off the Modoc Line onto the Lakeview Branch and operation all the way to the big stone station at LAKEVIEW itself. At this point, the crowd disembarked from the train and stood around while the late FRED STINDT conducted some kind of official ceremony.
I mention all this because this film footage of the Lakeview Branch is included in the fantastic new SP video: "SP STEAM FANTRIPS" (70-minutes), never seen by the public before.
ALL the major steam fantrips from 1951--1958. Produced by Greg Scholl with major technical assistance from Phil Gosney--Evan Werkema and Ken Shattock.

Here is more info:

[www.youtube.com]

[www.trainvideodepot.com]

Cheers to all.

KRK