Passenger Trains > Ex-UP 5430 set to join "Troop Train"

Greetings to all,
Pacific Trail (formerly Amber Trail), EX UP 5430 (44 seat, 1950 Pullman Standard) will again ply the high iron with its debut on the Pearl Harbor Day Troop Train running Dec. 6th this year. Pictured is the freshly painted vestibule ("SP style", to match Overland Trail). The car has not seen action on the high iron for a number of years. Car was stuck with other equipment at Hunters Point when SP put a kibosh on extra curricular activities by the mid 90s. Last mainline use was when the museum provided some extra equipment to the peninsula line during the 94 world cup soccer games in the Bay Area. Car is painted two tone gray (and will be striped and lettered to represent an SP car) to match Overland Trail (sorry UP aficionados), but will not be "labeled" until after the troop train run ... just am out of time!

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Your car looks terrific and I wish you luck with its operation. I have spent much time in the bygone days working on passenger cars on another railroad and I can appreciate what you have done to make the car look presentable.

This is great news for all us fans of the classic, comfortable, roomy long-distance lightweight coaches of the bygone era. Many of us have been lobbying Conductor Bill to get this coach back on the High Iron for years and it will be a real pleasure to see it finally out on the main line again in private car service.

Congratulations, Bill!

Looking forward to seeing the old girl stretch her legs.

During better days! Being used on the peninsula during the '94 soccer world cup compitition. (with thanks to Marty for the picture)

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EX-AM 4403, EX-PC 3003, EX-UP 5430. Purchased from Black-Wong Railcar in '83 and spent first year of new ownership with minimal restoration on the Ventura County Railway. Newly arrived at King Plastics in Orange, CA (circa '84) for storage and more restoration.

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Ill-fated, "almost made it" trip to LA few years ago with hope of joining steam train to San Berdoo. Car returning home with tail between legs over flyover.

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What a tease ... so close, yet so far!! The poor Amber Trail, just a wall flower.
Already sidelined in the pocket after being rejected by officials for various defects (major defect, A/C damage account mishandling by delivering railroad).

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Pacific Trail about to get its freshly rebuilt trucks ... new chapter in its life as it gets ready to race on the mainline once again.
For you keen eyed passenger car knockers ... what's strange about that truck?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/14 21:30 by SFO.

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Matt Wiles has labored much to help return the Pacific Trail back to a presentable condition. The car suffered much neglect in the past decade as the "red headed step child" but fate has recently smiled upon her.

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nice car

Our annual troop train is always a super fun trip with veterans, re-enactors, barber on board and so much more ... if in the area and not riding, at least come down to the depots and wave!

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How about donating proceeds from the trip to worthy veterans causes? Pretty models wearing "pinks" and getting their picture taken has little to do with veterans issues. Politics aside nice to see the car running....

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How about "donating" proceeds from this trip to help keep these private cars in operation? That's an expensive hobby at best.

Yes, there are serious issues close to a veteran's heart nationwide. That is certainly why we like to lift them up with free tickets on the troop train (our specially invited guests, approximately a dozen in number, who speak to our travelers) Other vets interested in joining us get deep discounts (from 50% to 25%). I wish we could do more, but after running our troop trains for over a decade, we're lucky if we can give a small honorarium to our various volunteer participants after each trip.

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