Steam & Excursion > Pacific Coast Railroad Roundup

While big steam power in the form of Santa Fe 3751 ruled Fullerton Railroad Days in Southern California, the Central Coast was host to smaller steam power at the Pacific Coast Railroad Roundup. Developer and rancher Rob Rossi opened up his 3 foot gauge private railroad to the public for the first day of a two-day fundraiser to benefit the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. In addition to a 1927 Vulcan 2-4-0 once used in the TV series Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman and a 1897 Porter formerly operated by the Carowinds amusement park in Fort Mill, South Carolina, a small Plymouth diesel formerly owned by Hercules Powder was also on display. In addition to all day train rides in ex Santa Fe and Disneyland coaches, behind the two locomotives, other attractions included vintage automobiles, hit and miss engines, a concert by the San Luis Obispo County Band, live stem and model railroad exhibits and a Barbecue. The event continues tomorrow from 10 am to 4 pm.

Here we see the 2-4-0 approaching the boarding area and a portion of the hit-an-miss enging display.

Africansteam

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Approaching the display area.
Africansteam

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On the one and one half mile loop.
Africansteam

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The Porter making a light enginge move.
Africansteam

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The Plymouth Diesel.
Africansteam

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Another view of the Porter.
Africansteam

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Gee, what a nice little operation. Is that on part on the old right of way? Nicely done there, Jack.
Looks like you got all of the sunshine yesterday, it was miserable up here!
Tom

Tom,

The trackage is all new construction. The Pacific Coast only made it as far north as San Luis Obispo.
Santa Margarita is at the bottom of Cuesta, north of SLO. It is a lovely little run.

Cheers,
Jack

We would have loved to have gone to see this but they wanted all tickets purchased in advance by April 25th. They have no further future events listed for the Vulcan on their website. My impression is that it does not get out much. Is this correct?

The railroad is privately owned by Rob Rossi (as is the Ranch), but he will occasionally open up the Ranch for various charities/school groups and to benefit (of course) the SLORRM, which he's a life member of and where most of the PCRy's volunteer crew is also involved. The Vulcan has been the primary locomotive used on the line, as the Crown/Porter "Melodia" isn't exactly favored. Mr. Rossi also owns 2 more of the Disneyland "Retlaw One" coaches, which are being restored off-site by SLORRM volunteers Brad LaRose and Jim McEntire, as well as the railway's CMO, Phil Reader. There's some other interesting equipment up at the Ranch...inclduing the ex-IRCA business car "Cuscatlan".

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africansteam Wrote:
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> Here we see the 2-4-0 approaching the boarding
> area and a portion of the hit-an-miss enging
> display.
>
> Africansteam

There was a 2-4-0 at Chama when I was there in 1983. Is this the same locomotive?

Thanks

The locomotive in Chama was a 2-4-2, former Hawaii Ry. Co #5. Bob Keller, its owner, shut down his "Tahoe, Trout Creek & Pacific" in South Lake Tahoe, CA, when he was awarded the contract to run the C&TS, and moved the 5 with him. The locomotive now operates a few times each year at the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association in Kent, CT, on loan from owner Richard May. Dr. May brought the locomotive to various events in California and Nevada (including Railfair) after its restoration between 99 and 2000.

Former Kahului Railroad #12 was also at Chama for a time, which was later rebuilt by Stan Matthews (Shop Services) in Iowa for Gary Norton's "Silverwood Central" in Idaho. Silverwood Theme Park sold the locomotive via a broker to the Colorado Historical Society in March. It's the supposed steam motive power for the CHS/Railstar Georgetown Loop on May 28th.

What a great weekend of railroading! Here are some more pics:
http://www.bittercreekwesternrr.org/050507.html

Jamie