Steam & Excursion > night steam on NCRY

Was told this is first time since 2019 that Niles Canyon has run dbl headed steam. These are after getting back to Sunol at 830. Its too bad this wasnt run in early aug when more light would have been out eastbound from Niles.
These first 2 are nice with the backlighting. And the 3rd is nicer with light getting water. But...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/26 22:53 by SP3201.

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then I moved my car to the dark side for a bit of light which is all the camera needs. And volla things got magical.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/26 22:53 by SP3201.

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and a few more

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last one is leaving Niles at 758pm and I had to do some major lighting up. But the sounds were awesome.
Heading west the RD3 pulled the train with CV4 following close behind. At Niles CV 4 coupled to train while RD 3 did the runaround and then coupled.
Conductor Brad did a wonderful job and was nice to see him on the rails again.
 

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In 2026, NCRy operated 2-6-6-2T Clover Valley Lumber Co. 4 on the Sunday 10:30am and 1:00pm public excursion trains in March, April, May, & August, plus special events (July 4th, wedding charter, etc). 2-6-2T Robert Dollar Lumber Co. 3 will do the same in September & October.

Both of these locomotives operated on the Saturday August 28 Hot August Night train.

- Doug Debs

Great photos Ron.
Regards, Jim Evans, NCRy VP

I can't wait until they go all the way to Pleasanton.  If someone in City Hall at Pleasanton could understand, both steam trains and parking can be accomodated in the lot right across from the current "end of line."  The line needs to go all the way to the old depot.  Pave the lot with asphalt, but the tracks in the pavement.  Make it available for parking M-F, and let the steam train have it on the weekends.  Win-win for all.  No loss of parking, and steam trains get to unload passengers with $$$ to spend right in downtown Pleasanton.  It would be a big hit during the County fair, during Thanksgiving, Christmas, the 4th, etc.  Folks in Pleasanton need to understand that, and see the bigger picture.  Passengers LOVE getting off a train, right in the middle of town.  It makes them feel welcomed, and then they open their wallets and spend money.

Again, it can be a win-win, parking spots saved, and tracks for the train.  It doesn't need to be exclusionary.

Great idea until the NIMBYs get involved.  Even if the project comes no where close to any residential district, it's a sure bet that the NIMBYs will find a way to get involved and make sure the project doesn't happen.

coach Wrote:
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> I can't wait until they go all the way to
> Pleasanton.  If someone in City Hall at
> Pleasanton could understand, both steam trains and
> parking can be accomodated in the lot right across
> from the current "end of line."  The line needs
> to go all the way to the old depot.  Pave the lot
> with asphalt, but the tracks in the pavement.
>  Make it available for parking M-F, and let the
> steam train have it on the weekends.  Win-win for
> all.  No loss of parking, and steam trains get to
> unload passengers with $$$ to spend right in
> downtown Pleasanton.  It would be a big hit
> during the County fair, during Thanksgiving,
> Christmas, the 4th, etc.  Folks in Pleasanton
> need to understand that, and see the bigger
> picture.  Passengers LOVE getting off a train,
> right in the middle of town.  It makes them feel
> welcomed, and then they open their wallets and
> spend money.
>
> Again, it can be a win-win, parking spots saved,
> and tracks for the train.  It doesn't need to be
> exclusionary.

Ah yes, coach, with another simplistic win-win post that doesn't bother to look at the big picture of insurance, legality, procedures, rules, regulations, and how many government entities are operated. 

Why stop in downtown Pleasanton.  Go through Pleasanton and turn north on the former San Ramon Branch and connect to Dublin! 

Thanks for the pics.....