Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
When last I left you, loyal readers, it was aboard the Napa Valley Limited heading from San Luis Obispo for Los Angeles. Safe to say, that trip was indeed completed. And the quick turn around back to Oakland and Sacramento came the days following.
A long trip out on the road with the Two Rivers. All of 17 days from start to finish, from Sacramento and back again. From what everyone had to say, enjoyed by one and all. Lots of good people, places, food and beverage along those miles.
We’re thinking on another trip next year from Oakland to New Orleans, perhaps in April. Another big trip as it takes 5 days to get there and another 5 days back to Oakland. Throw in 2 or 3 days in New Orleans along with overnights in Chicago each way and it has promise.
So, along the way, I managed to add a couple of duties. I am now the administrator for the AAPRCO Facebook page. And when the smoke clears, I am also taking on running the AAPRCO blog.
You know that old line about needing a vacation from my vacation? I kind of felt that way after this one.
But, there is much to come. First up, the Friends of the Walt Disney Family Museum on Facebook will be having a bit of a gathering on Saturday, November 2nd at 2 pm. A chance to meet one another, say hello and trade a Disney pin or three.
November also sees the start of the Dickens Fair at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. Running 5 weekends this year, 11/23 through 12/22, from 10 am to 7 pm, including the Friday after Thanksgiving. Cuthebert’s Tea Shoppe as usual, although I’ve heard rumblings about some changes. More as I learn the details. But plan on the usual, especially High Tea.
Beyond all that? Candlelight beckons at Disneyland, 12/7 and 8. And who knows what else along the way… Stay tuned!
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright
In sympathies with Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Atlanta, Cincinnati and now Oakland:
As penned by Ernest Thayer in 1888 –
- The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville Nine that day;
- The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
- And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
- A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
- A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
- Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
- They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that –
- They’d put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
- But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
- And the former was a pudding and the latter was a fake;
- So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
- For there seemed but little chance of Casey’s getting to the bat.
- But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
- And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
- And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
- There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
- Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
- It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
- It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
- For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
- There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place;
- There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile on Casey’s face.
- And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
- No stranger in the crowd could doubt ’twas Casey at the bat.
- Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
- Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
- Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
- Defiance gleamed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.
- And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
- And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
- Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
- “That ain’t my style,” said Casey. “Strike one,” the umpire said.
- From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
- Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.
- “Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted someone on the stand;
- And it’s likely they’d a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
- With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
- He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
- He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
- But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, “Strike two.”
- “Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;
- But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
- They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
- And they knew that Casey wouldn’t let that ball go by again.
- The sneer is gone from Casey’s lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
- He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
- And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
- And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.
- Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
- The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
- And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
- But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.
All quiet tonight in San Luis Obispo
A long day for the penultimate on the road. And now all are in for the night, safe aboard the 21 cars remaining of the 2013 Napa Valley Limited. Parked just south of the former Southern Pacific station here in San Luis Obispo.
Depart was before 0600 from Napa. The dawn came as we head down through Cordelia. A windy day greeted us as we came into Suisun. Mount Diablo was easy to make out across the Bay.
Several Capitol Corridor trains and number 11 the southbound Coast Starlight passed before we finally were back on the Union Pacific line to Oakland.
From there it was a quick ride to the Benicia Bridge – the longest rail crossing of a navigable waterway in the west. Bright sunlight greeted our approach on the Benicia side.
A nice ride along the shores of San Pablo Bay brought us to Emeryville, where train 6 the California Zephyr was waiting to depart with the Pacific Cape and the Georgia 300 on the rear.
This was not the only PV sighting of the day as we caught up to number 11 adding the Colonial Crafts and two matching Pennsylvania cars. With this delay we departed San Jose after a crew change and ran ahead of number 11.
Crossing the Cuesta Grade we rolled down to hold the siding at Chorro as both 11 and 14 passed us. This was the traditional meeting spot for the SP’s Coast Daylight trains. With the cooler breeze from the ocean coming inland, it was a pleasant wait high on the hill above San Luis Obispo.
Plenty of great photos were taken as the Starlight’s passed our 21 car special here.
After that it was everyone back aboard and down to SLO.
Tomorrow is the last day of the convention train – complete with the fabled 113 miles along the shore of the Pacific Ocean. A wonderful finish to a great trip.
The 2013 AAPRCO Napa Valley Limited consist
Today, a look at the cars that make up the consist of the 2013 Napa Valley Limited.
Former Canadian National Touring Car “Burrard”
Former New York Central 10-6 Sleeping car “Two Rivers”
Iowa Pacific business car “Caritas”
Dome business car sleeping car “Sierra Hotel”
Dome sleeping car “Puget Sound”
Pullman business car “Dearing”
Executive sleeping car “Berlin”
Former Bangor & Aroostook business car “Suits Me”
Business car “Promontory Point”
Pullman pool executive car “Federal”
Built in 1911, the oldest active private railroad car in the USA.
Former Santa Fe sleeper lounge “Vista Canyon”
Former Canadian National business car “Scottish Thistle”
Former Union Pacific sleeping car “Pacific Sands”
Former Canadian National business car “Tioga Pass”
Former Union Pacific sleeping car “Pacific Sunset”
Business car “Virginia City”
Executive Dome Car “Northern Sky”
Executive Sleeping Car “Northern Dreams”
Former Milwaukee Road business car “Montana”
Former New York Central Business Car 3, now named “Portland”
Former Great Northern Sleeper Observation Car “City of Spokane”
Former Seaboard Lines Sleeper Lounge “Hollywood Beach”
Former Milwaukee Road business car “Wisconsin”
Former Louisville & Nashville sleeper lounge “Oliver Hazard Perry”
Dome Sleeper “The Observatory”
Former Southern Pacific Sleeping Car “Birch Grove”
Former Chesapeake & Ohio business car “Chapel Hill”
Former California Zephyr Dome Lounge Observation Car “Silver Solarium”
That’s all for now! We Depart Napa at 6 am Friday Morning.
And here we are in Napa!
A fine dinner aboard the Two Rivers!
Sorry there haven’t been more posts since we arrived in Klamath Falls, but it has been quite the busy trip!
Sunday, September 29th we were up early and departed at 6:30 am. The dawn came as we headed south through Oregon into California. The high desert gave way to the pine forests as we headed down the Inside Gateway on the former Great Northern line. At Bieber, we crossed over onto the former Western Pacific. A stop at Keddie was made to pick up a new pilot crew for the trip down the Feather River Canyon.
The day was for the most part grey and overcast with occasional showers. The canyon did not disappoint as the scenery was spectacular and the river high in spots due to the hydroelectric dams. Departure from Oroville was with a new Amtrak crew and surprisingly on time.
Sacramento was our next stop for fueling and some passengers disembarking as well. Ahead was Fairfield-Susuin where the 28 car train and four locomotives was turned over to the pilots from the California Northern. By Midnight, we were safely parked here in Napa.
Our temporary home is a former Kaiser Steel facility that once made gas pipe. Along the Napa River, the weather has turned fine with temperatures topping out in the mid-Seventies.
Monday was a day to catch our collective breaths. Lots of little chores to catch up on all around. Fuel, water, ice and service of septic systems. It makes for a busy time.
Tuesday saw preparations for the first car party. 14 cars would see guests come to visit, including the Two Rivers. We we all ready, bright and shiny. This day also saw the first convention meetings of the Car Owners and Associate Members.
So… a busy time indeed! More to come tonight with the second car party for the other 14 cars. Today folks are out touring the wineries, riding the Napa Wine Train and exploring San Francisco. I’ll have more photos to share!