Passenger Trains > Westbound Mini "California Zephyr" at Keddie

One hundred years ago today, on November 1, 1909, WP track gangs from east and west met on the steel bridge across Spanish Creek near Keddie and foreman Leonardo di Tomasso drove the final spike. In contrast to the gold spike ceremonies on the first overland railway just forty years before, no decorated engines met head to head before a cheering crowd; no magnums of champagne were broached. The only spectators were a pair of local women and their little girls.

Today, the 100 year anniversary was commemorated by the westbound mini "CZ" on Spanish Creek Bridge in Keddie, which paused for a few moments so those on board could listen to a brief overview of the historic moment then raise a glass of champagne to toast the occasion. Shortly after the brief stop, the train took the signal and proceeded west.

Happy Birthday WP and the Feather River Route! Incidentally, in addition to 2009 being the centennial year for the WP, it also marks the 60 year anniversary of the launch of the original California Zephyr, as well as the 25-year anniversary for the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola where the WP lives to this day.

More on the history and construction of WP's famed Feather River Route is here...

http://www.wprrhs.org/wphistory_50candles/wphistory_50candles_pt1.html



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/09 15:25 by trainjunkie.

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trainjunkie Wrote:
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>
> Incidentally, in addition to 2009 being the
> centennial year for the WP, it also marks the 50
> year anniversary of the launch of the original
> California Zephyr

Actually, it's the 60th anniversary of the CZ launch.

Nice shots!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/09 13:59 by CalZephyr.

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Oops, sorry, wrong key. Of course, I've copied and pasted this all over the place already. That's what I get for rushing and not proofing carefully. Thanks.

CalZephyr Wrote:
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>
> Actually, it's the 60th anniversary of the CZ
> launch.
>
> Nice shots!

Very nice photos in this thread and the images at Portola.

Thanks for sharing.

Mike,

Awesome shots in your threads. Great stuff! Thanks for being out there.

Yes, we did indeed toast the WP onboard.

"Please join me in a toast to remember the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Western Pacific, and to remember the men and women who built it and those who kept it running. Thank you to you all."

Z

I enjoyed a coke onboard since I don't drink to celebrate. A story will be coming soon!


Chris

zephyrus Wrote:
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> Mike,
>
> Awesome shots in your threads. Great stuff!
> Thanks for being out there.
>
> Yes, we did indeed toast the WP onboard.
>
> "Please join me in a toast to remember the 100th
> anniversary of the completion of the Western
> Pacific, and to remember the men and women who
> built it and those who kept it running. Thank you
> to you all."
>
> Z

And those that KEEP it running....WP Still lives on 37 acres in Portola CA.

I echo the sentiments of others about your photos of a place I've yet to visit. In the second shot, it appears that someone is out on the trestle to the left.
Kim Heusel