Cog Railway at Pikes Peak
May 8, 2021
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
The official name today is The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. It is reopening this May after a 3-year, 100-million-dollar project to totally rebuild the railroad. As luck would have it, Jamie got to ride this cog railroad in late 2017 just before it shut down for renovation. He'll share photos from that 2017 trip as well as a little history and detail about this railroad that will soon celebrate its 130th anniversary since the first passengers were hauled on June 30, 1891. You'll never guess what that first group of passengers was...
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Cog Railways (Wikipedia)
How Do Cog Railways Work
History and Tragedy of the First Mountain Railroad
List of rack railways (Wikipedia)
Gazette article about reopening
Construction of the new cog railway
Testing the New Snowplow (video)
Manitou Springs, CO
Seven Falls
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Modeling Central Coast Railroads at the Museum
April 24, 2021
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Michael Burrell
John Marchetti works on a Pacific Coast Railway bridge. Sadly, John, a key force for the Museum generally and the Central Coast Model Railroad in particular, passed away recently.
Michael will share photos and stories about the construction of the Museum's 1200 square foot model railroad, focusing on the Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy) section. He'll also share the contributions to the model and to the Museum by John Marchetti over several decades.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Marre Hotel model
Marre Hotel
California Short Line Railroad Association (CSLRA)
April 10, 2021
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Don Norton, CSLRA Executive Director
Don will share what the California Short Line Railroad Association (CSLRA.org) is all about. Short line railroads play an important role in the overall transportation picture in California. From San Diego to Shasta, from San Francisco Bay to the Sierra Foothills, short line railroads haul a wide variety of products: everything from imported goods in containers to agricultural products, lumber to petroleum products, and even passengers on a few tourist operations. Often locally owned and operated, short line railroads are an integral part of the local communities through which they operate.
The video/audio recording is here.
Lost in the Details: Gauge, Couplers, and Brakes
March 20, 2021
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Glen Matteson
Glen chats about the history and ins-n-outs of: track gauge, couplers, and brakes. Details include why each matters, how they're measured, and varieties of each.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Automatic gauge changing (video)
The Day The Gauge Changed (video)
Email Glen
Speeders on the SMVRR
March 6, 2021
10:00am PST
Presenter: Jamie Foster
During 2008-2010, the Motorcar Operators West (MOW) association of motorcar/speeder operators ran excursions on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR). Join Jamie as he shares photos and stories from those events.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR)
Motorcar Operators West (MOW)
North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA)
2010 Speeders on SMVRR
2008 Speeders on SMVRR
Sept 2009 Speeders on SMVRR
Nov 2009 Speeders on SMVRR
SMV Railway Express (Railbus) #9
Rail Excursion to the Huntington Library
February 20, 2021
10:00am PST
Presenter: Rob Himoto
In 2014, folks from the Santa Maria Valley Railroad did a rail excursion from Paso Robles to Los Angeles and visited the Huntington Library while in the L.A. area. Join Rob as he shares pictures and stories from that trip. Of course the rail experience was fantastic, but surprisingly so was visiting the Huntington Library. The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad intends to offer a similar excursion when post-COVID rules will allow.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Huntington Library
Langham Huntington Hotel
Remnants of Railroads in the Santa Maria Valley
February 6, 2021
10:00am PST
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Sisquoc Depot is now a home.
Over the years, Jamie took advantage of many Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad field trips, led mostly by Kevin O'Roark, that, as his wife pointed out, ventured forth "to see stuff that wasn't there any more." Exactly! Join us for Jamie's photos and commentary from these various field trips covering stretches of the Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy) and the Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR) that have long since been abandoned. The "rarest mileage" of our journey will be to the farthest eastern end of the SMVRR at Roadamite (near Palmer).
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Railroads of the Santa Maria Valley (Madson)
Pacific Coast Railway (Wescott/Johnson)
BETTERAVIA: Memories of a Modern California Ghost Town (Madson)
Field trips by Friends of the SMVRR:
- PCRy 2019 Field Trip
- PCRy electric 2019 Field Trip
- SMVRR/PCRy Roadamite/Palmer 2018 Field Trip
- PCRy 2016 Field Trip
- SMVRR/PCRy Roadamite/Palmer 2015 Field Trip
- PCRy electric 2014 Field Trip
- PCRy May 2013
- Betteravia 2013 (w/links to Sugar Mill pics)
- SMVRR/PCRy Roadamite/Palmer 2012 Field Trip
- SMVRR/PCRy Roadamite/Palmer 2011 Field Trip
Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad
Sinton-Brown article, Shirley Contreras
Stock Yard/Stock Pass newsletter article (Sinton Brown Railroad)
Betteravia brochure
SMV Historical Society Museum
Things To Do in Los Alamos, CA
Views from the Observation Car
January 23, 2021
10:00am PST
Presenter: Jamie Foster
If you ever get a chance to ride in an observation car on the end of a train, do it! Jamie and his wife Lynn have had numerous chances to do just that, and he'll share some photos with commentary from those experiences. There will be views along the Starlight Route (L.A. to Portland), Donner Pass, Surfliner (L.A. to San Diego), and Omaha, NE.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Omaha Trip: UP Heritage Fleet
Tioga Pass: San Diego to L.A.
1/28/21 Friends Online Presentation: The Silver Lariat on the SMVRR 2006/2007
Swanton Pacific Railroad
January 9, 2021
10:00am PST
Presenter: Charlie Crabb
The Swanton Pacific Railroad represents over 105 years of railroad history. The railroad is located in Davenport, California on the Cal Poly Swanton Pacific Ranch and operates 1/3-scale steam locomotives that were originally built for the 1915 Pan Pacific International Exhibition. Charlie Crabb will tell us about the early history of the locomotives, how Al Smith worked to establish the Swanton Pacific Railroad, and how a group of dedicated volunteers continue the effort to preserve railroad history. Charlie will share with us impacts that the recent CZU Complex fire had on the railroad. Finally, he will bring us up to date on efforts to recover from that devastating fire.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Pan-Pacific International Exposition
Saga of the
Overfair Railway Pacifics
Swanton Pacific Railroad (Wikipedia)
Swanton Pacific Railroad (Cal Poly)
Overfair Railway (video)
Support the Swanton Pacific Railroad Recovery Effort
Skunk Train Railbikes
December 19, 2020
10:00am PST
Presenter: Gary See
The Skunk Train (California Western Railroad) has run from Fort Bragg to Willits for more than 100 years but has been cut in two since the latest tunnel collapse at milepost 3.6 in 2016. While the railroad continues to try and secure funds to reopen the line, they have built custom "rail-bikes" and take groups of riders on a 7 mile bike ride up into the redwoods. You peddle your way up the canyon and back but battery operated motors provide assistance when needed. Gary and Pam See took the trip last year. During this session, Gary and Pam will share photos and video clips of their trip and discuss this totally different way to "ride the rails".
The video/audio recording is here. The video clips that were shown during the Chat did not make it to the meeting recording; separate links are provided below.
Links:
Loud-Quiet clip
Promotional clip
Skunk Train Railbikes
Sierra Railroad
California Western Railroad (Wikipedia)
Fort Bragg, California (Wikipedia)
Skunk Train Official Site
California Through My Lens
California Through My Lens Video
Bartell's Backroads
Railbike increase prices
Visit Mendocino - Ride the Railbikes
All aboard Mendocino's rail bikes!
Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society - Skunk Line Stations
Fort Bragg Converts Old Mill Site into Coastal Park and Trail
What Does It Take To Turn a Former Lumber Mill Into a Public Park?
Saws Fall Silent as Fort Bragg Faces Loss of Its Lumber Mill
Skunk Train execs say mill site purchase finalized
Fillmore and Western Railway
December 5, 2020
10:00am PST
Presenter: Jamie Foster
In March of 2014, a small group from the Friends of the SMVRR visited the Fillmore and Western Railway (FWRy) for a day of exploring and a train ride. We'll revisit their trip via slides and commentary as they checked out all manner of equipment around the property, rode one of their Weekend Scenic Tours from Fillmore to Santa Paula and back, explored downtown Santa Paula a bit, and stopped at the Loose Caboose Garden Center (where Matteo, pictured above at the FWRy, thoroughly enjoyed the koi, birds, turtles, etc.). FYI, the Fillmore and Western Railway is running various holiday excursion tours Thursday-Sunday throughout December 2020.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Fillmore and Western Railway (FWRy)
Friends of SMVRR trip to FWRy
FWRy on Wikipedia
Loose Caboose Garden Center
Fillmore, CA (Wikipedia)
Santa Paula, CA (Wikipedia)
History of Santa Paula Branch
Santa Clara River Valley (Wikipedia)
Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society
Alvin All-Star Railroad
November 14, 2020
10:00am PST
Presenter: Jamie Foster
The Alvin All-Star Railroad was the brainchild of a 3rd grade teacher (Lynn) at Alvin Elementary in Santa Maria, her husband (Jamie), and her father-in-law (Bill). It became an entire unit in her classroom for a couple months (in 2002 and 2003). During this session, we'll talk about the prep work (mostly the building of the model railroad platform), the various goings on in the classroom (presentations, field trips, art, history, completing and operating the model railroad layout, etc.), and some of the final activities including an Open House, a field trip on Amtrak, and TV coverage by KCOY.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
Alvin All-Star Railroad (AASRR)
AASRR formal write-up
Alvin Elementary School, Santa Maria, CA
SMV Railroad
Davenport 2-6-2
November 7, 2020
10:00am PST
Presenter: Karl Hovanitz
This is a recently completed restoration of a Davenport 2-6-2 that was built for service in France
to supply the trenches in the Great War. It was finished after the Armistice was signed, and never shipped,
instead stored for most of the last 100 years. It runs as good as it looks, too!
The video/audio recording is here.
Links:
KSBY story 11/11/20 (video)
WWI Footage: Narrow Gauge Train Lines in France (video)
Fort Benning, Georgia Railroads (video)
Davenport Locomotive Works (Wikipedia)
Trench railways (Wikipedia)
WW1 Trench Railway (video)
Ex-Fairymead Mill, Bundaberg
Surviving War Department Design Locomotives
Davenport Locomotive Works
Trench Railways Information
7.5" gauge trench locos available
Mike Massee photos on Facebook (12/14/2020)
The Circus Train
October 31, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie's very special guest is Kelly Ballagh, RBBB Circus Clown
This could be the greatest Chat on earth, don't miss this! Jamie collaborates with Kelly Ballagh (whom he met a couple decades ago when Kelly was a youth puppeteer in the church puppet troupe Jamie and his wife founded) to bring a jam-packed hour (or more) of everything you were curious about regarding circus trains. Kelly was a Circus Clown for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He lived on both the red and blue unit trains for seven years. What's the pie car? Where do these specialized cars come from? What's it like to live on a small town on rails, over 1 mile long? Why are the animal cars upfront on the train? There will be plenty of Circus Train stories, too, no doubt.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Videos:
Circus Train Adventure 2: Life On The Road (Part 1 of 4)
Circus Train Adventure 2: Life On The Road (Part 2 of 4)
Circus Train Adventure 2: Life On The Road (Part 3 of 4)
Circus Train Adventure 2: Life On The Road (Part 4 of 4)
On board the circus train (in Colorado Springs)
Ringling Brothers Blue and Red unit trains passing each other
Red and Blue Ringling Bros. Trains Pass for Last Time
Ringling Bros. Celebrates National Train Day!
Circus Train is Home to Traveling Performers
Breakfast On Ringling Bros. Pie Car with The Stars!
Red Circus Train Tour (model railroaders touring)
Ringling Bros Train
Ringling Bro & Barnum and Bailey Train (Abandoned)
Books:
The Circus Moves by Rail
Trains of the Circus, 1872-1956
Other:
Beatty Circus
worst circus train wreck
Circus train (Wikipedia)
The Last Great Circus Train
Part III Last Stuarts Draft Circus Train
A circus train gallery
Ringling Bros. circus cars get new home on Florida farm
1889 Circus Train Wreck
Ringling Brothers had several Racine County encounters
Circus Train
Sleeping Cars
Circus Train Wrecks
https://www.pinterest.com/johnharber3/circus-train-amusement-carnivals-fairs/
Hammond Train Wreck of 1918 Killed Scores of Circus Performers
The Circus Blog
1930 Circus Train Wreck Near Moncton
May All Your Days Be Circus Days
Life on the Circus Train
What to Pack to Live on a Circus Train
Inside the final days of the Ringling Bros. circus
On the Circus Train
Life on the circus train
The Final Days Of The Ringling Bros. Circus
Ringling Circus Museum - Private Rail Car
A History of the Ringling Circus Train
Guided Photoshoot on the SMVRR
October 17, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
On Friday afternoon of the 2015 Open House and BBQ for the Friends of the SMV Railroad, six Friends ventured out into the field to chase a 32-car SMVRR train inbound from Guadalupe. NOTE: This was a sanctioned event which included railroad personnel accompanying the photographers. The group was granted access to areas not otherwise available to public photographers. Come along on this experience via photos and commentary.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR)
SMVRR system map
Friends of the SMVRR
2015 Guided Photoshoot
Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, the Golden Spike Tower,
and Great Acts of Kindness
October 10, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Jamie will share a stop he and Lynn made in North Platte, Nebraska this September to visit UPRR's Bailey Yard and see it from atop the Golden Spike Tower. Turns out he learned a few things about railroad-related great acts of kindness, too: North Platte's Canteen during World War II and the Orphan Trains. Come along on this experience via photos and commentary.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Golden Spike Tower
UPRR Bailey Yard
North Platte Canteen
North Platte Canteen (YouTube)
Canteen: As It Happened (book)
Canteen Bar & Grille
We Rode the Orphan Train (book)
Orphan Train Heritage Society of America, Inc. (OTHSA)
National Orphan Train Complex
Orphan Train (movie 1979)
20th Century Veterans Memorial
North Platte Cody Park
Buffalo Bill Ranch
Amtrak's Coast Starlight and Great Lodges
September 26, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Jamie will share a favorite trip he and Lynn took with another couple along the route of Amtrak's Coast Starlight long distance train. They took the Starlight from SLO to Klamath Falls, visited the Oregon Caves, Mount Hood, and Mount Rainier then returned from Seattle to SLO on the Starlight. Come along on this trip via photos and commentary.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
All Jamie's photos (almost 1400)
Drawbridge, CA
Amtrak Coast Starlight
Dunsmuir Depot
Oregon Caves
Oregon Caves Chateau
It's a Burl
Mount Hood
Trillium Lake
Timberline Lodge
Art of Timberline (YouTube)
Mount Rainier
Paradise Inn
Pacific Crest Trail
Great Lodges of the National Parks (books)
Amtrak National Parks Vacations
Cumbres and Toltec's Geology Special
September 12, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Rocks and Railroading: Cumbres and Toltec's annual Geology Special. Jamie and his grandson took this excursion in 2019. It was crazy good for folks who like trains and geology! Re-take the trip with Jamie via photos and commentary.
The video/audio recording is here.
Cumbres and Toltec is running their Geology Train this year on June 27, 2021. Details here.
Links from the presentation:
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Fenn's Gold clues lead to C&TSRR
C&TSRR's Geology Guide
All Jamie's C&TSRR Geology Special photos
Fenn's Treasure (Wikipedia)
Garden Railroads
August 29, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Jamie and his Dad (mostly his Dad) have built three different Garden Railroads in SLO County at three different locations: Arroyo Grande (near Walmart), Nipomo, and Oak Way (off Corbett Cyn). We'll take a look at all three of these railroads.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Jamie's Nipomo and Oak Way Garden Railroads
Jamie's "Wal-Mart" Railroad
California Central Coast Garden Railway Society
Central Coast Railroad Festival Outdoor Layouts 2019
RailServe Index to Garden Railroads
Garden Train Store
Garden Railways Magazine
Family Garden Railroads
Garden Railroad Supply Company
Colorado Fall Colors by Speeder Part 2
and
The "REAL" Golden Spike 150th Anniversary
August 15, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Promontory, Utah has a challenger for the "REAL" golden spike on the transcontinental railroad; and it's Strasburg, CO. And their 150th anniversary is this very day. Learn about their story and see some of the artifacts. Tune in to find out what all the hubbub is about. We'll also do Part 2 of the Colorado Fall Color by Speeders topic started a couple weeks ago (finishing up the SL&RG from La Veta, San Luis Central, and the Creede branch of the Denver Rio Grande). If you missed Part 1 of the Colorado Fall Colors Chat, here's a video/audio recording of Part 1.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Photos from Jamie's trip
San Luis Central Railroad
Monte Vista Historical Society
South Fork Heritage
South Fork History
South Fork Lone Ranger
D&RGW Creede Branch
Creede Railroad Depot/Museum
Creede Branch
Guide to Creede
D&RGW #169
Strasburg, CO
Comanche Crossing
Strasburg, CO
Big Boy Visits Strasburg, CO (YouTube)
Colorado Fall Colors by Speeder Part 1
August 1, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Shortly after moving to Colorado, Jamie joined an MOW speeder excursion that spent a week running on the Leadville Colorado and Southern and most of the San Luis & Rio Grande, including a run down to Antonito, the northeast terminus of the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. Get an online view of what that trip looked like through photos and commentary. This will be Part 1. Part 2 comes as part of the program on August 15th and includes more of the SL&RG and the Creede branch of the D&RGW.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Photos from Jamie's trip
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad
Leadville, CO
Climax Mine
Motorcar Operators West
Rio Grand Scenic Railroad
Rio Grand Scenic Railroad
San Luis Valley
Cumbres and Toltec
San Luis & Rio Grand Railroad
SL&RG in bankruptcy court
Rio Grand Scenic Railroad
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
July 25, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
Having been in Colorado a few years now, Jamie has ridden the Royal Gorge Route Railroad a couple of times. Let him show you what it's like with photos and commentary.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Royal Gorge Route Railroad History
Royal Gorge Route Railroad Ride with the Engineer
Royal Gorge Route (American Rails)
Royal Gorge Route Railroad (YouTube)
Wikipedia
Trains in Colorado
Royal Gorge Bridge
Today's tussle over the tracks
SMV #205
July 18, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter: Jamie Foster
In 2015, Jamie and a number of SMVRR folks had the unique pleasure of seeing SMV No. 205 at George Lavacot's place being restored. We'll chat about the photos from that day.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
#205 runs on its own power, November, 2016 (Facebook video)
#205 on Friends-SMVRR.org
Railroads of the Santa Maria Valley, book on Amazon
Santa Maria Valley 205 Steam-up 2015
Santa Maria Valley 205 Steam-up 2015
Santa Maria Valley 205 Runs, 2016
#205 Passes Inspection
Oregon Gets It's 8Th Operable Steam Engine-SMV #205!
Santa Maria Valley Railroad Fact Sheet (SLORRM.com)
Santa Maria Valley Railroad
July 11, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenters: Rob Himoto and Nathan Paul
On the 109th birthday of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad (yes, July 11th)... Join Rob and Nathan to learn about the history and current developments at this venerable organization that continues to make history even today.
The video/audio recording is here.
Links from the presentation:
Santa Maria Valley Railroad
Friends of the SMVRR
Pacific Harbor Line and Ports in L.A.
June 27, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter and Host: Jamie Foster
Take a slide-show tour of the Pacific Harbor Line and the Ports of L.A./Long Beach as Jamie saw it in 2009 and 2015. If time permits, we'll take a ride on the rails down to San Diego.
The link to the video/audio recording of this session is here.
Pacific Harbor Line
Pacific Harbor Line (Wikipedia)
Pacific Harbor Line (article)
Port of LA
Port of LA (Wikipedia)
Port of LB
Port of LB (Wikipedia)
Alameda Corridor
Lane Victory
USS Iowa Museum
LA Maritime Museum
Competition LA-LB
Ports History
Ports today article
Working Together
Jamie's 2009 photos
Jamie's 2015 photos
California Short Line Railroad Association
Santa Maria Valley Railroad
Ten Central Coast Railroad Festivals
June 20, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenters and Hosts: Jamie Foster and Jack Hutchinson
2009 CCRRF, before the Museum was open.
The very first Central Coast Railroad Festival (CCRRF) was conceived and executed in 2009. During this online Chat, Jamie will take us back to many of the activities and participants across the years in anticipation of yet another great Festival this Fall, October 2-4, 2020 (Update 7/22/2020: COVID concerns have cancelled the 2020 CCRRF). Jack will present live narration and a video of model layouts on the Festival's Model Layout Tour. The Model Layout Tour, put together each year by Bob Chaparro of the Model Railroads of Southern California, is a key element of the Festival (see last year's tour details).
The video/audio recording of this session is here.
No links to presentation mentions are provided here. Everything, including links, is provided on the CCRRF website. The CCRRF Contacts page has a search feature, a sign-up for CCRRF Announcemt Emails, and folks to contact.
Railroad Chapel Cars
June 13, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter and Host: Jamie Foster
Chapel Car "Emmanuel" at Santa Barbara, CA on April 3, 1897
"Chapel Cars" once ran on the rails of the old west, bringing spirituality and morality "to an untamed world". This is a unique opportunity to learn about this piece of railroad and church history from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Sunday services, Sunday Schools, weddings, funerals, and everything in between were held on chapel cars as they moved on the railroad from town to town.
The video recording of this session is here.
Links from the presentation:
"Emmanuel" Chapel Car
Wikipedia: Railroad Chapel Car
Wikivisually: Railroad Chapel Car
Railroad Chapel Car (video)
Wikimedia: Chapel Rail Cars
Chapel Car: Messenger of Peace (HistoryLink)
Chapel Car: Messenger of Peace
Chapel Cars of America
A church on wheels; or, ten years on a chapel car
This Train Is Bound for Glory (if you want to buy one book, this is the one)
Pullman Museum: Chapel Cars
World Religions and Spirituality Project: Chapel Cars
A Catholic Holy Roller: The Story of the St. Anthony Chapel Car
The American Baptist Publication Society chapel cars
Chapel Car "Grace"
Chapel Car "Good Will"
Russian Railway Car Churches
Chapel Cars: Timeline and Listing
Loyola University Logs/Photos
Book: The Chapel Car Bride
Facebook: Messenger of Peace
Facebook: Good Will
Chapel Car Bible Church, Rawlings, WY (built around "Evangel")
Book: Gospel Tracks through Texas (Good Will)
Emmanuel Chapel, South Fork, CO
Rail Route Guide SLO to Paso Robles
June 6, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter and Host: Jamie Foster
Take a trip on the Amtrak Coast Starlight over Cuesta Grade from SLO to Paso Robles.
Jamie will be driving this meeting using the guide sheet he developed for this segment of track. You might want to have it downloaded and handy during the session: download.
Click here to watch the video/audio recording.
Links from the presentation:
A Five-year Wait for the Train (building a railroad over Cuesta Grade)
D'Anbino Cellars on Paso Robles' station platform
Cypher Winery on Paso Robles' station platform
Stenner Creek Trestle
Stenner Creek Trail
Central Coast Model Railroad (CCMR)
Pacific Coast Railroad (narrow gauge at Santa Margarita Ranch)
Templeton Historical Museum
Santa Margarita
About Cuesta Grade from the PCR-NMRA
Drone video of Amtrak through the Cuesta Grade Tunnels
Central Coast Model Railroad
150th Golden Spike Anniversary
May 30, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter and Host: Jamie Foster
Jamie, along with a few other Museum members, was at Promontory, Utah for the 150th anniversary celebration of the Golden Spike marking the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Jamie will do a show and tell about that experience with photos he took that day.
Click here to watch the video/audio recording.
Links from the presentation:
Spike150
"As One" (the musical production performed at Promontory)
Golden Spike National Park
Lucin Cutoff
Heber Valley Railroad
Utah Tourist Trains and Museums
Museum's 150th Golden Spike page
Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association
Strasburg, CO (the "other" golden spike location)
Feedback Survey (Please take this 3-minute survey. It will help us find topics and times most interesting to you.)
Riding the Rails from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
May 16, 2020
10:00am PDT
Presenter and Host: Jamie Foster
Click here for the video/audio recording.
The stretch of rail from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is arguably one of the most gorgeous train rides in the country. If you've never taken the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight on that segment, you can get a glimpse of what you're missing by attending this travelogue virtual gathering with photos and commentary along the way. If you have taken the trip, here's a chance to re-live the experience and maybe learn something about what you saw along the way.
Jamie will be driving this meeting using the guide sheet he developed for this segment of track. You might want to have it downloaded and handy during the session: download.
