Over the past few years, a few historic photos taken in Niles Canyon have surfaced that we have really liked. We really enjoy seeing what was as all we can see today is what is. One of our volunteers, Chris Hauf, has also decided to try to replicate some of these photos which were both taken just west of our Brightside yard.
Over the past few years, a few historic photos taken in Niles Canyon have surfaced that we have really liked. We really enjoy seeing what was as all we can see today is what is. One of our volunteers, Chris Hauf, has also decided to try to replicate some of these photos which were both taken just west of our Brightside yard. Here are two for comparison, and we want to thank the original owners of the photographs for allowing us to share them here along with links to their original posts on Facebook.
Along 84 by the bridge of Alameda Creek
Then…
Original caption. “: With a wave from the fireman, and an indifferent glance from the engineer and the lounging head brakeman, Southern Pacific AC-10 class “Cab-Forward” number 4232 thunders past with a train of refrigerator cars on a cold damp day. The massive oil-burning simple articulated 4-8-8-2 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, construction number 64314, in 1942. She was photographed with train number 408, the backwards “8” on the fireman’s side stands out, on the Niles Canyon line near Brightside, California at some point in the early 1950s.” Taylor Rush Collection – From the Album Facebook Group
Now…
Clover Valley Lumber Co. #4 rolls toward Brightside yard during on test run on March 4, 2023 at the same spot as the photo above. The same tilted telegraph pole is still there some ~70+ years later although the set of telegraph poles is now gone so the trees have encroached further into the right-of-way. Photo by: Chris Hauf – Used with permission
At Brightside west of Estate Crossing…
Then…
Original caption – “April 1965, SP E-unit #6017, the first passenger diesel on the SP, passing thru Niles Canyon in the company of two PA units with an excursion train on it’s way over Altamont to Sacramento.” Drew Jacksich photo – Drew Jacksich on Facebook – Used with permission
Now…
Robert Dollar Co. #3 pulls one of our weekend Niles Canyon Railway train rides just west of Estates Crossing on March 14, 2021 in the same location as the Drew Jacksich photo above. Photo by: Chris Hauf – Used with permission
Do you have any historic photographs of the trains of Niles Canyon you would like to share with us to try to replicate? We would love to see them. Please contact us and let us know.
