A 100-year-old steam engine has pulled into Schellville, signaling the arrival of the new home of the Golden Gate Railroad Museum along the Northwestern Pacific Railroad tracks.
These photos of SP 2472, built in 1921 and one of only three of its type left in existence, were snapped by Steve Scholey.
In early 2017, the GGRM anounced that the organization would be moving from its longtime home in Sunol, where volunteers restored vintage rigs and operated runs on Labor Day and other special occasions. SP 2472 has been at that site since 2006.
The Sonoma Valley facility will allow the museum to continue “the restoration of our heritage equipment in support of our mission to provide living history experiences to the public,” said Garret Brisbee, GGRM president.
The relocation was pushed back several years by delays that left Brisbee frustrated. “This is getting quite old and stale,” he said in February. “I would personally undergo needless colonoscopies, root-canals and another divorce before I ever subject myself (or any other organization) to this.”
When finally complete, he said, the new location yard “will be in one of the most picturesque venues in the world. Secure fencing is installed, camera systems and proven security monitoring will keep an eye on the equipment 24/7. Electrical power is awaiting PG&E hookup, and is well-designed for our needs. The site will require tweaks here and there, but it is 100% ready for us as it currently stands.”
According to Wikipedia research Scholey tracked down, the SP 2472 was built in 1921 and worked the Overland Route for Southern Pacific (between Oakland and Ogden, Utah). Then, after a couple of rebuilds, worked the Sacto-Oakland and SF-San Jose commuter runs
It was retired from regular revenue service in 1957 as SP went to an all-diesel fleet. It was on display at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds until 1976 when a group of volunteers decided to restore it. In 2006, SP 2472 and the remaining pieces of GGRM rolling stock completed relocation to the Niles Canyon Railway located in Sunol.
Earlier this month, the restored 2472 and two Union Pacific Railroad locomotives were towed from there into Schellville. The remaining pieces of GGRM rolling stock will also be moved from Niles Canyon to Schellville at a date yet to be announced.
Like to come and see it if I can. Worked on it in the beginning at San Mateo fairgrounds and Hunter’s pt. Lost site when ot left Niles. Working at railtown and just finished no. 28. Can I get arrangements?