We checked in at their station - built
entirely of rail cars (left) - located
at 330 South Sierra Avenue in Oakdale, CA 95361, before the 11:30
special train departure. Lunch and beverages were
provided.  The old Oakdale
Train Station, now the Cowboy Museum and "Spur of the Moment" shop,
just one block from the Sierra Railroad offices.
|
 Codee welcomed
us on board for our steam rail adventure.
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| On this date,
the Sierra Railroad was getting a new parking lot and a new ramp
approach to a new 400' boarding platform with overhead archway from
which guests can board the train.
|
At the head of
the train was the guest of honor, #18.
|
 Get to the
station early if you want shots of the engine (above). Otherwise,
riding on the train doesn't provide much opportunity to see the engine
except on curves unless you are on a special trip which provides runbys.
|
 The interior of the cars was most impressive. |
 The last car in
the consist (above) has no windows and provides the best place for
exterior shots of the countryside and the rest of the train while going
around curves. It also has an open vestibule where you can view
the tracks.
|
 Inlaid wood and
comfortable booths were in one car.
|
 This car had
beautifully upholstered booths and mirrors at the end making it look as
if it went on forever! I couldn't resist the opportunity for a
self-portrait (right) in one of the mirrors onboard.
You may have noticed the ceiling fans, there was still air conditioning throughout, making it very comfortable although it was warm outside. |
 |
 Yet another beautifully appointed car. |
 The author of
this newly released book was on board.
|
 Craig Macho,
Staff Reporter, was onboard to do a local story for The Oakdale
Leader. craigm@oakdaleleader.com
Victoria Krippner of Silkwood Fine Wines, 1420 F Suite 100, Modesto, CA 95354 was onboard with samples of their red wine. |
 |
 Our runby point
was a dirt road with a RR crossing, so we had a nice crossing for
offloading and we didn't have to be on private property waiting for the
train to back up and come steaming by. A nice clear stream
running across the road which provided drinking water for cattle in
adjoining fields.
|
 Chris Hart was
onboard to answer interviewers' questions.
|
 Sue watched
from a comfortable, air-conditioned seat inside as we waited for the
runby outside.
|
 Luckily, there
was at least a barbed wire fence to use as foreground in photos of the
train during runby.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 A second runby
provided an opportunity to be on the sun side of the train (above).
The train has a silver exterior with Sierra blue and yellow trim and accents. |
 |
 An ancient
cattle guard, to keep range cattle off the railroad.
Some cattle had gotten through the delapidated fence onto the right-of-way, but avoided being hit by the train. Thus the reason for a 'cattle catcher' on train engines (right). |
 |
 Conductor Randy
(right) was at hand to help guests off for each runby.
|
 |
 We reversed
back to town after the runbys. The car without windows was an
excellent place to shoot photos of the engine as we rounded curves in
the rolling countryside.
|
 From the
vestibule, we could see the empty track stretching through the brown
pastureland.
|
 |
 These twin oaks
suggested the origin of the town's name, Oakdale.
The Conductor (left) keep a close watch as we backed to town. This trip usually has the engine run around and pull the consist back to town. |
 |
 No. 18 gave us a great photographic and learning experience! |
