Nostalgia & History > 1957 Santa Cruz steam special

Anyone have photos of the double headed Consolidations on the steam excursion from San Francisco to Big Trees in 1957? I'm not sure which engine pulled the train to Watsonville Junction, but two 2-8-0's took the train from there.

Ed

SunTan Specials?

Well, this is 10 years earlier, but here's the first 1947 suntan special double header, re-starting after the war, according to the photo.

http://zierke.com/shasta_route/picpages/suntan-special_at_santa-cruz.html

It's nice to see that the scene is so little changed. The pier extending out from the boardwalk is gone, and the large pedestrian overpass structure over the street is gone, but superficially much is the same, including the crowds of people and cars. :) I think directly in the foreground bottom where the fence is, that's where that skate park is now.

Also, this is interesting:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAA-9986.jpg

Looks like a GS-4 Daylight to me :)

--M

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/09 22:00 by Harlock.

More Suntan photos here:
http://www.yesteryeardepot.com/sp46.htm

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

Ed There is a Will Whittaker video that shows two excursions to the Santa Cruz area. One appears to have employed the 3224, followed by the 2923 doubleheaded with the 2758. The other used San Diego & Arizona Eastern engines 26 and 103. However, both trips appear to have been earlier than 1957.

Cheers,
Jack



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/09 08:04 by africansteam.

There is a good chance I am in that August 1947 photo. The train parking by the building at least while we got off is what I remember. Yes and the sand and ocean were right there. I sure remember we did not have to walk far. My family and I went on a few of these trips. We would leave from Palo Alto and the ride was free in that our father worked for S.P. (Roundhouse Foreman-Bayshore) and at some point we all had our very own S.P. pass. I was just 5 years old when we went the 1st time so again I could be in that crowd somewhere.

Somewhere in my collection is a copy of someone's home movies that I think may have been that 1957 trip. IIRC, the power from SF to Watsonville Jct. was 4-8-4 SP4402. From Watsonville Jct. to Santa Cruz (and beyond) were two 2-8-0s, one of which was an ex-Cotton Belt 2-8-0 (SP2864, I think). I may have photos of that trip, but am not sure. Will advise. - Tony J.