Labor Day Weekend SP #2472 Steam Specials August 30, 2008

Pacific Locomotive Association and The Golden Gate Railroad Museum will again team up on Labor Day weekend (8/30 trough 9/1) to run series of passenger and photographer trains on the Niles Canyon Railway using the GGRM’s ex-Southern Pacific steam locomotive #2472. The P8 Pacific class locomotive has a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement, and weighs in at over 150 tons.

These excursions were very popular when they were last held over the Memorial Day weekend with full trains on all trips. Once again the 2472 will pull trains through the scenic Niles Canyon on Saturday and Monday. Sunday the 2472 and other historic cars will be on display in Sunol during the normal PLA Sunday operation.

The special event for Saturday morning (8/30) will be a 1946 all Harriman car Photographers Special. This photo special will feature a train painted in the traditional green color and will provide several of photo runbys and will depart Sunol Station at 8:30 am to take advantage of the morning light in the canyon. Limited seating will be available; so order tickets in advance.

Family trains will depart at 1:30 and 3:00pm on Saturday afternoon (8/30), and will feature “open cars” in addition to the Harriman cars from the morning train. In addition, Southern Pacific business car “Oakland” will be added as a “First Class” car to the train. On Monday (9/1) Family Train departures will be at 10:30am, 12:00am, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm from Sunol

On Sunday (8/31), heritage railroad equipment owned by the GGRM will be on display at Sunol Station. This includes Railway Post Office UP 5901, Steam Locomotive #2472, and Business Car SP 141 “Oakland.”.

The Photographers Train will be $65. The family trains will have open and closed cars with tickets prices at $25 for adults and $10 for children. Refreshments will be sold on board. First Class service will offered for a limited number of passengers aboard the Business Car Oakland for $50 each (adults only) on the Saturday and Monday family trains; adult beverages and snacks will be included in the fare.

Official Website: http://ggrm.org/news_view.aspx?articleid=38