We stopped at Cooperstown and it was announced that the steam engines would be posed for pictures beside each other then McCloud River 18 would be wyed and placed at the end of the train, while Sierra 28 would be wyed but would run to Warnersville for water and a photo runby would occur with just McCloud River 18 before making its way to Warnersville. That would give Sierra 28 plenty of time to be watered.
Chris and I decided to stay on the train where we were as it overlooked the wye on which the engines would be turned. A few minutes passed before McCloud River 18 made its way around the wye.
McCloud River 18 went around the wye but it was discovered that the west switch did not have a switch stand, so the crew could not throw the switch. Pry bars were acquired from Sierra 28 a few minutes later to throw the switch by hand and while McCloud River 18 waited for that to happen, Sierra 28 then took its turn on the wye.
Sierra 28 came around the wye then stopped behind McCloud River 18. Off went the pry bars and the crew worked at throwing the switch by hand, using the pry bars to move the switch points.
The cab of Sierra 28. The switch was thrown and McCloud River 18 pulled forward to clear it.
McCloud River 18 waiting for the switch to be thrown by hand.
McCloud River 18 reversing onto our train.
The switch was thrown again and Sierra 28 started towards the mainline.
Sierra 28 on its way to the mainline and Warnersville to get watered as McCloud River 18 had already been watered there on the eastbound trip. Once the switch was thrown again and all passengers were aboard, McCloud River 18 took control of our train, leading it westbound towards Oakdale.
The view from my seat when I stood up. We travelled back west over a mile and soon stopped for our next photo runby.
McCloud River 18 after I stepped off our train.
Reverse move five.
Photo runby six. We reboarded and ran to Warnersville, where we found a waiting Sierra 28, which was added to the point of our train. Once on the move again, we proceeded to the Dodge City Curves for the final photo runbys of the day.
Running west of the turkey farms.
Another view forward then back.
Photo runby seven.
Reverse move seven.
Photo runby eight, after which we reboarded and returned to Oakdale.
The light on McCloud River 18.
Over the tender shot.
The Sierra Railroad Baldwin S-12s set out-of-service in the yard.
The remaining Sierra S-12 sat outside the Oakdale shops. We returned to the boarding area and with that, it ended a fantastic double-headed steam excursion on the Sierra Railroad. A special thank you to Henry Luna and all involved who did their part to make this such a special trip.
The Journey HomeI called Amtrak in Santa Ana and cancelled my train home then Chris called Southwest Airlines and managed to get his Sacramento flight cancelled. We stopped in Turlock for snacks and at the Tulare Rest Stop, I checked e-mail before driving home. Good music of Neil Young and the Poxy Boggards made time fly as we arrived at the Santa Ana station at 10:34 PM, then I drove home, arriving three hours sooner than if I had taken the train. I had a good night's rest at home before starting another week of work at McFadden.
