On June 4, 2022, the Niles Canyon Railway Steam Department took Clover Valley Lumber Co. #4 out on a test run with some of the museum’s historic freight cars from Brightside yard to Sunol and then on to Niles back to Sunol and then back to Brightside. It has been nearly two years since #4 had plied the rails of Niles Canyon since Columbia River Belt Line Railway #7 was holding down primary run duties.
The test was successful with only some minor items to address in the shop which have since been completed. This is a steam engine after all! With #4 back on the road, the Steam Department along with the Operations Department have decided to use the #4 on two of our upcoming ride dates in July. The engine is planned to power the Sunday, July 10th and the Sunday, July 17th rides out of Sunol. Diesel power will hold down the Saturday dates for July and for the rest of the summer.
If you have been wanting to ride behind steam, here is your first chance in 2022. All of the ride information is on our website here on our 2022 Rides page. Jump over there for all of the details and links to buy your tickets for these special dates or any of our diesel dates as well. And don’t forget about our July and August M200 rides as well.
Here is a gallery of photos thanks to Steam Department volunteer and photographer, Christopher Hauf, of the test run on June 4, 2022.
#4 sits in Brightside yard building steam. Its spot (number) plate polished and ready to go!
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
A fire in the firebox!
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
With the engine facing west, the train backs out of Brightside yard and on to Sunol for water.
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
After taking water, the #4 heads west to Niles.
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
The engine as turned in Sunol to face its normal east. It is seen here from the restored Niles Flying A gas station in downtown Niles.
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
With the engine turned, it waits departure in Niles.
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Over Farwell eastbound…
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
Splitting the semaphores into Sunol to get water and head back to the yard after a successful test.
Photo by Christopher Hauf – Used with permission
