Trains crossing the border from Tecate, Mexico are typically inspected at Campo due to convenience and access. No one (passenger or crew) is allowed off the train until the Border Patrol releases it. If the photo special was supposed to stop for photos between the border and Campo, the Border Patrol would have to inspect it first. Clearly a logistic oooops.

SP 2353 was rebuilt by the museum under the old boiler rules. Due to a miscalculation of time available, it was taken out of service early to be requalified under the current rules. Cracks were discovered in the corners of the firebox (blamed by some on not allowing enough time to warm up from a cold start). The engine is repairable, but it will take a substantial investment. There is a small group of volunteers that work about once a month on steam. They reassembled 2353 and it is preserved in excellent cosmetic condition in the main display building. The steam volunteers are slowly working on Coos Bay #11 Alco 2-8-2T, but progress is slow and not substantially funded. It was decided to work on #11 over other engines due to its relatively good condition (it did see limited operations years ago on museum grounds) and its size and wheel arrangement make it the best candidate for regular operation upon completion.

The SP 2353 did operate over the SD&AE into San Diego, but the only remaining SD&AE owned steam engine #104 is also at Campo, was originally SP #2720. Another "local" engine obtained in 2011 is GE 70T M&ET #613 originally built as SP #5119 which spent most of its SP life assigned to the SD&AE branches out of San Diego.

Normal power for museum trains is either an xUS Military GE 80 ton rebuild, a late SSW GP9R (3873) painted in Black Widow (lettered for SP instead of SSW per donation terms). #613 gets out on occasion (will be repainted to SP some day), and work continues on an xMilitary MRS1 and fairly recent GP9 that was originally an SP low nose that had to be trucked from Camp Pendleton due to lack of an active rail connection.

Check their website before visiting. Pacific SW Ry Museum Their hours and train schedule varies widely depending on the season. There have not been any trains to Tecate in many years due to tunnel damage, and current operations are from Campo west to the international tunnel. The majority of museum income is now derived from specialty trains especially their North Pole Express. The group returned to primarily volunteer status years ago, and new volunteers are always welcome. One returning volunteer who had been active as a teenager recently returned after living elsewhere, and is now working on the same UP 576 chair car on its second restoration that he volunteered on 30 years ago.