Railtown 1897 Offers Behind-the-Scenes Shop Tours every Tuesday Morning!

Visitors Will See the Famous Sierra No. 3 Up-Close & Personal Plus Learn About Current Projects Underway

 Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) will now offer special, behind-the-scenes Shop Tours on Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon on an ongoing basis beginning March 26, 2013. Interested visitors will be treated to an up-close and personal view of routine maintenance and specialized work happening on current projects in the historic Roundhouse as well as in the Tri-Dam shop (a Cold War-era machine shop used to repair, replace or service parts for operating equipment, cars, steam and diesel locomotives). Keep in mind, parts for steam engines — and sometimes vintage diesel locomotives — cannot be purchased and must be manufactured on-site making Railtown 1897 SHP one of the most accessible places around to watch this specialized work being performed.  Along with educating visitors about our fascinating rail history, maintaining and repairing steam engines and diesels is an important part of the mission of Railtown 1897 SHP.

The weekly two-hour Shop Tours begin with a brief slide show that provides background of current projects to date.   After the video, a knowledgeable volunteer host will guide visitors to the historic shops to meet and ask questions of skilled paid and volunteer staff who are actively working on projects and activities that keep the historic shops alive.

Open daily, Railtown 1897 SHP Shop Tours are included with Park admission, which is as follows: $5 for adults, $3 for youths ages 6-17 and free for children five and under.  More information about the Shop Tours or Railtown 1897 SHP is available by calling 209-984-3953 or visiting http://www.railtown1897.org.

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The Sierra No. 3 and Santa are set to make an historic appearance in Sonora on December 1st!

Tuolumne County’s most famous movie star will make her first appearance in twenty years in Sonora on December 1st

Come see the Sierra No. 3 lit for the holidays, and with Santa on board!

Sonora, Calif. – On December 1^st, for one night only, The Sonora and Twain Harte Rotary Clubs and the Kiwanis Club of Sonora in cooperation with Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, the Sierra Northern Railway, the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, J.S. West, and Sierra Pacific Industries will bring “movie star” Railtown’s Engine No. 3 to Sonora to say “Thank You!” to the community for helping “Keep Railtown Rolling” and to show off the recent restoration of this historic locomotive.

The event will be held in front of the Tuolumne General Hospital (Hospital and Washington Streets) from 5 to 8 pm.

For the first time since 1992, the Sierra No. 3 will make an appearance in Sonora, on Saturday December 1^st from 5 until 8PM, at S. Washington Street and Hospital Road.  Visitors will have the opportunity to climb aboard and visit with Santa while the train is in Sonora.  Hot Chocolate, carolers and lots of holiday lights will be part of the free event. Parking is available in the Tuolumne General Parking lot.

Thank You Tuolumne County

The Sonora and Twain Harte Rotary Clubs have joined together for this unique event as a way to thank the people of Tuolumne County for stepping up to help ‘Keep Railtown Rolling’.  Members from the community donated thousands of dollars in 2012 to support the park which was threatened with closure this year for the third time in 10 years.  The last operating weekend for train rides at Railtown will be December 15^th & 16^th, and will be pulled by the Sierra No. 3, with Santa on Board!

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Getting Ready for the Season!

One of our most popular cars– the 599 Mountain Observation Car, presents maintenance challenges due to the same open sides which make it so enjoyable to ride in.  In the winter, it is almost impossible to keep the weather out, which results in peeling paint and requires a lot of upkeep.  Our amazing volunteers are giving it a cosmetic facelift– removing wooden seats for repainting, as well as patching and painting the floor.  It should be ‘back on track’ for our first wildflower train on April 14th. 

Volunteer Sam Cook unloads another seat from the interior of the 599 car in preparation for painting.

Volunteers Dave Deutsch and Dave Gibson with some of the bench elements for painting in the carpentry shop.

Revamping the Cincinnati Milling Machine

One of our most useful pieces of equipment went down on us last year.  After many years of faithful service, the transmission gear box failed.   It is one of our new machines, housed in the Tri-Dam building, so most visitors do not see it.  Keep in mind that the term ‘new’ is relative, here.

The Cincinnati #4 Horizonal Mill with Powered Overarm, Circa 1954, is new, in comparison to the machines in our historic belt-driven machine shop, but in 2012, most folks would not consider it new.  This piece of equipment came to us around 1993, from miliary surplus at Rough and Ready Island.  It is heavily used in the shop, for everything from milling the crosshead guides on the No. 3 during restoration, to boring brake adjuster brackets, to re-boring couplers. 

Its a very useful light-duty powered overarm mill.  The overarm is an accessory which essentially converts the horizontal mill into a vertical mill, as needed. 

Our cohorts at the California State Railroad Museum picked up a heavy-duty overarm at the same time we aquired ours, and its been in storage ever since.  This one is about twice as heavy as our old one, but we were able to get our hands on a factory print of the circuitry.  Our district’s amazingly gifted electrician, Steve Spath, rewired the crunchy old motor leads, and designed custom electrically controlled circuitry.  In early February, Steve spent two days with George &  Phil, in the shop, where they installed and tested the new arm.  Just like new!

The old overarm attachment, ready for retirement.

Steve Spath puts finishing touches on the electrical for the "new" overarm attachment.

Voila! The replacemnt arm in position, and ready to go.

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Today at Railtown

 

“Fueling the Railroad” Stationmaster Ron White shows Jr. Volunteers Trevor and Warren how to make coffee.

Fire Patrol set to begin

 

Sierra No. 3 coming into station for the first run

 

And. . . coupling up

Thanks to Jr. Volunteer Trevor for his photos

Also see us on facebook.

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This Weekend at Railtown (April 16th & 17th)

Wildflower Train on Saturday!

Saturday April 16th, we will be running our hard-working Shay, No. 2, with trains at 11, 12, 1 2 & 3. 

With the beautiful weather, our consist will be:  The 599 & 597 open cars, and the 14, closed car.  The 597 & 599 are former Canadian Pacific cars, built in 1914, and the 14 car is a former Southern Pacific Pullman “Suburban” built in 1923.

At 4:30, our final Wildflower Train of the season departs with park rangers from New Melones on board to intepret the wildflowers of the region.  There are two planned photo run-bys as part of this train, which give visitors an opportunity for an intimate view of wildflowers, and experience the Shay No. 2 side gears, in action and close-up.  Tickets are on sale at online until midnight Friday, or at the window on Saturday.

Diesel 1265

On Sunday, we’ll be running our fuel-sipping, 1952, Ex-Army Diesel 1265 (nicknamed “Rosebud” by the crew).  This locomotive came from the Rivebank Ammo Plant in 2006, and was brought back into service and painted last year by volunteers at the park.  It will be pulling the same consist as Saturday.

Also on Sunday, a private motorcar club, Motorcar Operators West, will be running from Oakdale to Jamestown, using the turntable and stopping over for the afternoon before their return trip.  They are scheduled to arrive around 10:30 AM, departing  just prior to our 2PM train.  This is a great opportunity to see over 30 unique motorcars (track maintenance vehicles used prior to the advent of the hi-rail truck), and see the turntable in action. 

2009 Motorcar Day

As always, don’t forget to come out and see the locomotive as it is brought out of the roundhouse and on to the turntable on Saturday morning around 9:30, and when it is “put to bed” right after the last train of the day. 

See you at the park!

Find us on facebook.

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Whistle (while you) Work

The Sierra No. 3 ran on time last year, but there were a few minor details we had to defer.  For example, replacing the water delivery lines to the injector, which were getting very thin in places.  And repairing the whistle.

The iconic whistle from the No. 3, has become raspy over time.  The top is a cast iron five chime whistle, of unknown origin, with a brass base.  The original seat was cast integral with the base, and had become worn over time, as had the valve. 

Our crack team of locomotive artisans (Tony and Joe) got to work over the winter, and a new valve seat and valve were machined and inserted, restoring the “voice of High Noon”.  The locomotive was steamed up today, and we took the opportunity to put it though its paces.  Beautiful!  Hear it for yourself this season. 

Cast Iron 5 chime whistle, valve, pins and lever

The original valve was cast, the replica is machined bronze.

Top view of whistle, with casting number "2557"

Base of the whistle (where it attaches). The original seat was worn, so it was machined out and a new seat pressed in.

The whistle in position on top of steam dome (whistle is on the left--in the steam, safety valve is on the right)

To see a video of the new whistle, see the Railtown facebook page.

The first official opportunity to ride the Sierra No. 3 this season will be Sunday, April 10th on the hour from 11-3, regular ticket prices apply.  Tickets sold at the window on the day of excursion.

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Tickets on Sale Now for Future Rides on Sierra No. 3

Tickets are now on sale for all 2010 Sierra No. 3 Excursion Rides, which include August 7 &  8, September 4 & 5, and October 2 & 3.  On each day, regular excursion trains leave the station at 11, 12, 1  & 2.  Sometime around noon the Sierra No. 3 will emerge and be on display, until the 3 & 4:30 PM excursions leave the station, pulled by the Sierra No. 3.  These rides will include a stop, a photo run-by, and refreshments will be served on-board.  Space is limited, and advanced tickets are strongly recommended, and are available online at http://railtown1897.org/railtown/doc.asp?id=551 .  Any available tickets will be sold on the day of the event, at Railtown. 

Currently, the maintenance work continues in the shops at Railtown, and can be observed in the Roundhouse during normal operating hours.  In addition to routine repair and maintenance to some of our historic cars, the Sierra No. 3 is also receiving some attention to repair a failed bolt at the connection between the distribution pipe and the valve chests (see photos).  The distribution pipes, which are made of cast iron, convey the steam from the boiler to the valve chests (to the pistons).  Even the slightest leak at this joint can result in a loss of power, which was what was experienced on the final run of the 4th of July weekend.  A cursory inspection immediately revealed the problem.  It also marked the transition from restoration to routine maintenance, which is constant in any roundhouse where steam locomotives are in service!  This is a relatively quick repair. 

This is the head-on view into the front of the locomotive (smoke box) with the front door removed. The curved pipes coming down from either side are the steam distribution pipes, which feed the valve chests, which in turn feed the pistons. They are sealed with a machined ball seal, and secured with bolts.

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Sierra #3 Moves Under Own Power!

After hours of anticipation, the lighting is documented by the Kailuna staff, as well as Maggie Beck from the Sonora Union Democrat.

White stuff!

George Sapp and a fan.

Norm mixes up the "secret goo" to graphite the smokebox.

After some last-minute adjustments, Phil tests the steam whistle.

Norm paints on the graphite, Phil, Joe & David make more last minute adjustments.

A handsome engine.

As the shadows lengthen, with George at the throttle, the locomotive moves out of the roundhouse--then back--then out again--then back.

What’s next?  More fiddling and fine tuning!  But, an exciting, and major, milestone!

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Motorcars at Railtown this weekend!

Railroad Motorcars on Display at Railtown!

Private Club to Travel by Rail from Oakdale on June 12th, 2010

Motorcar Operators West using the turntable at Railtown last April.

JAMESTOWN, Calif. – On June 12th, Motorcar Operators West, an organization of private railcar owners, will be traveling by rail from Oakdale to Railtown.  Approximately 40 of these vintage vehicles will be on display at Railtown from 11AM to 2PM.  They will be using the Railtown turntable to turn around, which will enable visitors to see both motorcars, and the turntable in action.

Two historic Jamestown motorcars will also be on display.  The Hetch-Hetchy RR No. 19, with a body built in 1919 by Meister and Sons of Sacramento, placed on a standard White motor Company ¾ ton truck frame, with a self-contained turntable, was used during the construction of the Hetch-Hetchy Dam.  An original Sierra Railway, Model-T railcar will also be on display.

Railroad motorcars have been in use by railroads for over 100 years.  They are gas powered cars that are used to inspect track, supervise crews, or haul equipment.  Use of motorcars has been phased out over the past couple of decades in favor of Hy-Rail vehicles, which are standard road vehicles with retractable guide wheels that can operate on road or rail.

Stop by and see the motorcars, as well as the recently restored Sierra #3, which is on display in the roundhouse!  Tickets are now on sale for excursion train rides on the Sierra #3, starting July 3rd.  They can be purchased online at www.railtown1897.org.

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