Steam & Excursion > Niles Canyon Railway Question

How many miles does the NCRY cover for their trips?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/15 04:31 by apollo17.

Around 12 and a half but with the Northern Division under construction to Pleasanton, will add another 4.5 miles, one way.

I recently discovered that the PLA now puts their monthly newsletters online.  We are now able to see firsthand the progress on the march north to Pleasanton.  Hopefully they can develop turning facilities there as well so larger steam power can run face first in both directions.  Should be very interesting to see this extension develop over the next few years.  I'm not sure which I like more; seeing track get built or see steam locomotives undergo restoration!

TrackGuy

PLA has track in place up to the UP crossing of the PLA route and the hiway....there are track panels stacked just east of the UP crossing on the PLA line and the road bed has been graded, so its a case of laying the panels and the following u with the ballast.....

TrackGuy Wrote:
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> Hopefully they can develop turning
> facilities there as well so larger steam power can
> run face first in both directions. 

Is there anywhere currently on the RR where an engine can turn?

There are no wyes or turn tables on the line so far...Its possible the e Nile wye could be used, but I don't know if UP will let tit happen..

Cumbresfan Wrote:
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>
> Is there anywhere currently on the RR where an
> engine can turn?

We have a wye at the Niles end that will be in service soon.  It does not connect with the UP.

That (unfinished) wye at the Niles end looks like it will be a VERY tight radius- will it handle the 2472?
SR

BoilingMan Wrote:
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> That (unfinished) wye at the Niles end looks like
> it will be a VERY tight radius- will it handle the
> 2472?
>
I don't know.  It was designed to handle our 6 axle diesel locomotives. 

The wye as configured is too tight.  The two centercab GE's have been turned on it recently.  Anything larger is going to have to wait till it gets a switch changed out and realigned once more.  This is supposed to happen in the near future.

Hey, as long as I've gotten into a Niles Canyon thread, and assume some Niles folks are following this: I passed along a pair of cast number plates from a pair of signals in the canyon. Anyone know if they ever made it to the Niles group? They'd sure look good up on a pair of style B's!
I can't quite remember the exact numbers- but they belong to a pair facing West & East that were just east of Niles.
SR Bush
Dutch Flat

S.P. 2472 can comfortably go through any curve suitable for a SD-9.  No problem.

To get in and out of Hunter's Point Shipyard, S.P. 2472 had to go through curves far tighter than the Niles wye.  The initial limitation was iinsufficient flexibility of the 4" water supply hoses between engine and tender.  This was solved by switching to more flexible heavy-duty suction hose, increasing hose length, and adding a mid-hose chain hanger to keep the middle of the hose from drooping too low.

Also, the buffer betweeen the locomotive and tender is normally snugged up nearly tight for smooth riding.  We installed a heavy-duty ratchet wrench on the buffer slack adjustment screw, so it can be quickly backed off for maximum flexibility around very tight curves (never needed at Niles Canyon Railway), and quickly tightened up for train operation.

- Doug Debs

BoilingMan Wrote:
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> Hey, as long as I've gotten into a Niles Canyon
> thread, and assume some Niles folks are following
> this: I passed along a pair of cast number plates
> from a pair of signals in the canyon. Anyone know
> if they ever made it to the Niles group?

Do you know who you gave them to?  I could put you in touch with our signal group.

Yeah, I gave them to Vic (Winterail) because he was a member, and lived nearby.
Sigh...
They're probably in Oregon now!
I'll give him a call.

Anyway, they're the original pair from the canyon and you guys should have them.
SR

BoilingMan Wrote:
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> Yeah, I gave them to Vic (Winterail) because he
> was a member, and lived nearby.
> Sigh...
> They're probably in Oregon now!
> I'll give him a call.
>
> Anyway, they're the original pair from the canyon
> and you guys should have them.
>
Thanks!  I am sure that our signal group would love to have them back where they belong.

Along with my K-M operating manual?

Out

Yep- Vic still has'm- they're in a shipping container in his yard in OR..
With any luck I'll retrieve them at Winterail next year, or the AFT reunion a few months later- by & by I'll see they make it home to Niles.
SR

callum_out Wrote:
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> Along with my K-M operating manual?
>
>
Please elaborate.

5 X 7, or so, loose leaf book on care and feeding of those ML4000 things, doesn't everyone
have one of these?

Out