Posted on by Chris Hauf

Trips from PLA’s past – 1968 Truckee Limited – More photos

On May 30, 1968, the PLA operated the first of its Truckee Limiteds over the Southern Pacific. The trip was a round trip one day adventure from Oakland to Truckee, California and return. This was one and only time one of the three unique SP DH643 hydraulics pulled a passenger train. In this follow up blog post to an earlier post, we share some new images and info.

The Pacific Locomotive Association (PLA), the owner and operator of our Niles Canyon Railway, was initially founded as a group to be able to organize and run trips behind the then disappearing steam locomotive. While the group quickly shifted into railway preservation in the late 1960s, it never lost its trip operating roots.

On May 30, 1968, the PLA operated the first of its Truckee Limiteds over the Southern Pacific. The trip was a round trip one day adventure from Oakland to Truckee, California and return. This was one and only time one of the three unique SP DH643 hydraulics pulled a passenger train.

We already published one blog post in early 2023, available below, with one set of images from one of our PLA/NCRy members. If you have not seen it, please check it out.

Trips from PLA’s past – 1968 Truckee Limited
First blog post covering the 1968 Truckee Limited.

Here are several more photos by T. O. Repp of the special train that day running from Oakland over Donner Pass that have been shared with us to share with you. Thanks to Mr. Repp for sending us and allowing to share his images.

16th Street Oakland – T. O. Repp photo – Used with permission
16th Street Oakland – T. O. Repp photo – Used with permission
Truckee Limited at Colfax – T. O. Repp photo – Used with permission
Truckee Limited meet on Donner Pass – T. O. Repp photo – Used with permission
Truckee Limited – T. O. Repp photo – Used with permission

While from a later Truckee Limited, PLA/NCRy member, Brian Wise, recently shared an advertising brochure for the 1970 version of the PLA’s Truckee Limited. He was kind enough to let us share it here.

April 26, 1970 Truckee Limited brochure – Brian Wise Collection – Used with permission
April 26, 1970 Truckee Limited brochure – Brian Wise Collection – Used with permission

Did you ride this trip? Do you have anything else interesting about the trip you could share with us as we continue to document our history? Please contact us if you do.

Thanks!