Railfair 1999: California Rail Adventure

2 reviews for Railfair 1999: California Rail Adventure

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Ron – June 29, 2019

   This would turn out to be the last greatest railroading event in history of the 20th century as they traveled to Sacramento for railfair ‘99.

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   rickyfreni – June 21, 2019

   Before the main show starts, this program is dedicated to the passing of Diane R. Whitcomb. Now on with the show!

   In this MOI version of Railfair ‘99, it starts with clips of the UP doubleheader heading west in May, SP daylight 4449 whistling over the bridge with Mt. Emily lumber Shay number 1 on a flatbed in Northern California, and The oldest operating northern: Santa Fe 3751 across the desert and whistling through. Then Narrator: Former NKP 765 engineer Richard Melvin introduces us to the big events. In May which is a month prior to the June 18-27 railfair, both 844 and challenger 3985 doubleheads from Cheyenne to Roseville, for the dedication of the new yard. First the Duo leaves the yard, and meets with a freight, followed by a shot at The canyon, a little bit of pacing, and makes a bend passing by some onlookers with a dog. Next the doubleheader steam special passes by a waiting freight that is led by a 9000 series C40-8S (The S is short for standard cab units). Afterwards 844 and 3985 are making some black smoke that is billowing out of their funnels, as it rolls through the western plains. Next a reused shot from the opening clips of this program is shown. The westbound trip in 1999 was a huge success but unfortunately on Thursday June 24, the day after 844 pulls an excursion to Tehama, the unretired northern is out of service due to a boiler explosion. Most of the coaches that came with the 2 up engines would be stored in Sacramento for temporary use as 3985 would have to do the power by itself with a dead 844 sandwiched between the water tenders and some of the coaches. Once in Cheyenne, 3985 would operate the steam specials only, while 844 goes for a massive rebuild and a huge disassembly to get the damaged pipes out of the boiler. Back to the westbound chase however, there is more pacing of the duo as it passes by the hills. Then comes a shot of the duo making a bend, passing by the mountains. A really wide shot of the UP doubleheader is shown as they are picking up speed. Next the doubleheader makes a nice departure as it passes by a mixed freight through the yard, making a smoky show for the overhead shot. A couple of swans are on the water as 844 and 3985 crosses over a bridge, with 844 making black smoke, and 3985 making white smoke back and forth. Next, the doubleheader blasts through the crossing, as 844 does the whistling for us. Afterwards some Snow caped mountains are in the background as 844 is still whistling by, while 3985 does absolutely nothing but push 844 and pull the coaches. Next the doubleheader passes by another yard with mostly tank cars, and a small shanty. Afterwards the doubleheader makes a horseshoe curve deep in the valley. Note the flying pollens on screen. Afterwards, more pacing is shown at echo canyon. Next 844 & 3985 whistles through the crossing, and passes by a single hopper. The pacing continues as the doubleheader meets an eastbound freight, that has a pair of Blue Conrail units in it. This was the final shot of the doubleheader in the MOI coverage of railfair ‘99.

   Moving onto 844 itself, the unretired northern crosses a bridge and over the water. Then 844 whistles through the crossing. Later on, it passes by some little agricultural towers, as 844 puts on a fine show. We’ll see more of 844 later on when it pulls the trip to Tehama on Wednesday June 23.

   Meanwhile in Southern California, the oldest operating 4-8-4: Santa Fe 3751 is also on the road to Sacramento for Railfair. First the locomotive leaves Los Angeles passing by a BNSF doublestack. During the departure shot, a father is carrying his daughter to get a glimpse of the smoking beast. Behind 3751 and the entire train is BNSF Dash 944-CW 4419 which is also one of the visiting engines to be put on display for the June 18-27 event. Next, there is some pacing going on as 3751 whistles through. Next 3751 whistles through the station as it makes a bend. You can barely hear the BNSF detector. Afterwards a reused shot from the opening clips are used. Next it whistles at this unknown location. During the 3751 chase to Sacramento, Trainweb.com is inside the train, pentrex is in the sky (from LA to Barstow only), and Valhalla and MOI are on the ground. At Mormon Tower, 3751 is getting some service. Afterwards, the engine whistles alongside the road. Next, the communication radio calls between the dispatcher and engineer are heard as 3751 is slowly passing by some gardens. Then 3751 whistles under the pedestrian bridge. Afterwards, the engine still whistles but it is passing by the station. This is the final shot of the MOI coverage of Chasing 3751 from LA to Sacramento.

   One of the newly restored steam locomotives to be on display at railfair but sadly short lived, is Southern pacific 2467 (the sister engine to 2472) in Oakland. It is making a one day test run to Railfair with GP9 5623, and a Santa Fe caboose. In the first shot of the MOI coverage of 2467, some navy boats are in the background as the engine whistles to the crossing. The date is Wednesday June 16, 1999. Next the locomotive goes under the highway bridge as 2467 and 5623 make a small whistle show for the fans at a station. In the going away shot, a person is unaware that he thought he blocked the view, but at least the shot was only 12 feet away between the walking man and the camera. Afterwards, a panning shot of the test run is shown as 2467 whistles for the crossing. Note that some of the bolts that connect the nosecone to the headlight is untightened. During the pacing sequence, the nosecone has to be removed.

   Moving onto the since been gone but not forgotten McCloud railway in Northern California, there is some onboard footage with MT. Shasta in the background. Power for the special is 2-6-2 number 25. At hambone, number 25 performs a photo runby while whistling for the visitors. At The BNSF interchange at Lookout, number 25 whistles around the bend and makes another photo runby. Afterwards the locomotive would have to be stopped to have a meet with yet another steam giant that is also heading to Railfair in Sacramento. Who is it you may ask? Well it’s none other than Southern pacific daylight painted GS4 Class 4-8-4 #4449 from Portland Oregon. This was the second time that both 4449 and number 25 ever met since 1984, when 4449 was heading home from New Orleans in the world’s fair. During the 1999 meet, 4449 is carrying Mt. Emily Lumber Shay number 1 on a flatbed, which Would also be put on display at the June 18-27 event. Like 3751, 4449 is also having a BNSF Dash 944-CW in the consist. The number of the diesel is 4429, while 3751’s train is 4419. Photographs were taken as 4449 and number 25 make a whistle greet. After the photographs, it’s time for the red and orange painted northern, to head to Sacramento. As the tail of the observation car is passing by, one of the McCloud crewmembers were unaware that he is in the way of the cameraman. At Keddie Wye, 4449 whistles while having some slow orders, as it is entering the feather river canyon. The canyon itself is also popular for the second time at Railfair on Saturday June 26, when standard cab C40-8 number 9326 powers the all day trip. Deep in the canyon, 4449 is picking up the pace for a little bit. Next there is some pacing included as 4449 enters and exits the short tunnels down the line. After that a reused clip from the opening montage is shown. 32 miles east of Oroville, 4449 is on Union Pacific tracks at Pulga, as it crosses the Feather river itself, over the bridge, and under the highway bridge at the same time. Note the camera clicks being heard offscreen. Leaving the feather river canyon behind, 4449 picks up the pace once again, as it whistles for the crossing, then BNSF 4429 does a little hornshow. All too soon, the mount Emily Shay, and 4449 arrives in Sacramento as it’ll have to take some slow orders due to some lower than 20 mph curves. The BNSF 4429 will be dropped at the freight yard.

   At the 37 minute mark of the video, the real events have already started. On Tuesday June 22, 1999, there is more action on the McCloud railway. A look at the small yard is shown with Mt. Shasta in the background. The passenger train is being led by SD38 number 36 with its RS5T horn, and number 25 is hauling a trio of boxcars with a caboose. The first runby shows number 25 picking up speed. Afterwards the engine whistles uphill at a switchback in signal butte carrying passengers. Not to mention making an S curve, as well as the diesel on the rear.

   At the 40 minute mark of the video, there is a lot of activity going on at old Sacramento for the June 18-27 event. All 5 of the Steam giants are on display, as well as dozens of other visiting locomotives: both steam and diesel. Starting with Edison Portland Cement 0-4-0 Tank Engine number 3, built by the Vulcan iron works in 1923. On one day during the event, the 4 wheeled tank engine did a rare doubleheader with 3985. Next up is eureka and palisade number 4 built in 1875 by Baldwin. Then comes the Mt Emily Lumber Shay number 1 which initially came on 4449, was built in 1923. Afterwards there is Hawaiian Railway 2-4-2 number 5 built in 1925, Fillmore and western 0-4-0 Tank Engine number 1 named Sespe built by porter 1891, then comes a russel built tractor, with Western pacific GP20 number 2001 built by EMD in 1959, and retired in 1985. Afterwards, Sierra Railway 2-8-0 number 28 built by Baldwin in 1922 is also visiting Sacramento from Railtown 1897 in Jamestown. Plus there is an international visitor from the southern border: Ferromex C30-7 standard cab number 3704. Then comes SP 5623 that came with 2467. The diesel was built in 1955. Some more small steamers are shown which includes the 0-4-0 Tank Engine named Falk built in 1884. Passumpsic 2 truck Heisler 1 built in 1922 is shown, then comes another Heisler: this time its W. H. Eccles number 3 built in 1915. A replica of the John Bull was built in 1940 for the World’s fair. The replica of the best friend of Charleston was built in 1928. Kiso forest railway 0-4-2 tank engine number 6 was built in 1929 by Baldwin. Although there is a good spotted where the narrator said 0-4-0 instead of 0-4-2. Another one of the international engines visiting Sacramento for railfair is the 2-2-2 eagle, built for the Dutch. A Southern pacific 250 ton breakdown crane was built in 1944 during WWII.

   44 miles south of Sacramento is the western railway museum located at Suisun. The train that is taking the visitors to the museum is an Alco MRS1, with a baggage car and a quartet of coaches. At the western railway museum, there is a ton of electric locomotives to look at beginning with an articulated Key system units built in 1936, and retired in 1958. Next up is central California traction company box motor number 7 built in 1929 as it is pulling the observation car the comet at Garfield, CA makes a stop at the crossing, then resumes on its way. Later, combo car number 63 also stops and goes at the same crossing.

   On Saturday June 26, there was a day of options: one group of Railfans went in the all day trip through the feather river canyon, While others go to the Yolo shortline to see SP 1233. The passenger train is being led by GP9 number 131, while 1233 is following closely behind on a freight. When the diesel powered passenger train clears, 1233 blows its peanut sized whistle for a spectacular runby at various locations.

   On Wednesday June 23, 1999, there is a most important passenger excursion during Railfair ‘99 as 844 is on an excursion to Tehama and return. This trip would mark the final time 844 would operate in full service, before its boiler pipes exploded the next day. First 844 whistles by the tower and heads for the crossing and junctions. Next 844 passes through Roseville yard, and the station itself. Roseville is UP’s second largest yard. The first being Bailey at North platte Nebraska. Next 844 crosses over the Sacramento River. Then it heads north to Tehama, be turned on the wye, and head back south to Sacramento.

   There are also more engines that are at the museum as well as a look at the C40-8 through the feather river canyon.

   All in all this is a really great program to see what MOI’s version of Railfair ‘99 has to offer for fans everywhere, even the legend is still going strong for over 20 years.