[HD] Labor Day Steam Weekend 2015: Farewell SP 2472 (09/05-09/07/15)

Spent Labor Day Weekend out at the Niles Canyon Railway with Southern Pacific 2472, a Baldwin 4-6-2 "Pacific"-type steam locomotive and her diesel helpers SP 1487 (Fairbanks-Morse H-12-44) and SP 3194 (EMD GP9). Sadly, this event marks SP 2472's last public operation in Niles Canyon before the Golden Gate Railroad Museum moves all of it's equipment (which includes SP 1487 and SP 3194 as well) to Santa Cruz. I was also given a welcome surprise from Amtrak Coast Starlight #11, which had one of BNSF's brand new GE ET44C4 Tier 4 GEVOs (BNSF 3940) leading! Given the rarity of a BNSF freight locomotive being on UP's Martinez Subdivision, I chased the unit from Martinez to the street running section in Oakland Jack London Square and also caught a couple Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains during the chase, which is included in this video.

[@ScootsTrains]

Great video! It was nice to finally meet you lol

[@mow4ncry]

I wish crew on her that weekend at the end you probably see me riding the back of the tender as we pulled her in the yard for the last time

[@mow4ncry]

The scene at 19 minutes showing the 3194 on the point that's because the 1487 would not load that morning

[@markusdude1]

Tell me #2472 will run again eventually D=>

[@WestCoastRailProductions]

Eventually yes, 2472 and the rest of the GGRM equipment will run again, but sadly, not in Niles Canyon.

[@trainfann1]

Will 2472 run in Santa Cruz?

[@WestCoastRailProductions]

I believe that is the official plan, yes. The GGRM will run their equipment on the old SP branchline line between Davenport and Santa Cruz (now owned by the Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway). It's just a matter of when UP will assist with moving the GGRM's equipment to Santa Cruz. Right now, I heard the move will take place sometime during the summer.

[@Aaron200707]

does this mean that the train rides are going to start at Santa Cruz?

[@WestCoastRailProductions]

Roaring Camp of course runs the Beach Train to and from the Boardwalk. But also, the Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway has already been running tourist trains and short freight moves on the old SP branchline between Santa Cruz and Davenport.