On Saturday, February 27, 2021, our Niles Canyon Steam Department teamed up with our Maintenance-of-Way Department to use a train powered by Robert Dollar Co. #3 in concert with our Burro Crane to help move some track panels that were stored just east of Verona Road to the end of track where they will be used to further extend our railroad into Pleasanton. With public steam rides upcoming starting in mid-March, this was a way for the Steam Department to check out the #3 while helping the MOW Department move their panels.
In the end, it was a great day out on the railroad for our volunteers and the #3 with lots of great teamwork. Here is a set of images from the operations across the day.
All photos by: Christopher R. Hauf – Used with permission.
#3 is prepared at the shop. 
Headed east in the AM. 
Along Highway 84 from the cupola of the caboose. 
Into Sunol. 
#3 in Sunol in new paint and lettering. 
Headed further east at Verona Road under the Union Pacific Railroad. 
At Verona Rd. 
Loading the first panels. 
Loading the first panels. 
NCRy GM, Steve Barkerie, runs the Burro crane. 
NCRy GM, Steve Barkerie, runs the Burro crane. 
Leaving Verona Rd. and headed further east toward the end of the railroad just west of Happy Valley Bridge. All of the panels to the left will be ultimately be moved on this day. 
Unloading. 
Unloading at the end of track. 
SP caboose #1101 provided crew transpportation. 
Loading more at Verona Rd. 
Loading more at Verona Rd. 
Back to unloading at Happy Valley Bridge. 
Pulling into the unloading site. 
The Burro waits at end of track. Happy Valley Bridge is in the background. 
Pulling into the unloading site. 
Unloading… 
Unloading… 
Loading more at Verona Rd. 
Loading more at Verona Rd. 
Shoving east. 
Unloading the second to last load. 
MOW volunteers guide the panels as they come off the flat car. 
Loading the last panels. 
Mission accomplished at Verona Road. All stored panels have been moved east.
