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November 16, 2023

Content

• PCRR's Jingle Bell Express
• 3D Technology Restoring Railroad History
• Upcoming at the SLO Railroad Museum
• SMVRR Friends Announce Photo Winners
• Holidays at the Jack House
• Chanukah Train in Santa Cruz
• SP 244 Caboose Now on Display Track
• SLO Railroad Museum's People Tracker
• San Juan Capistrano's Ghost Train
• RailPAC Annual Meeting November 18th
• 2024 SPH&TS Convention
• 2024 UPHS Convention
• 2024 PCR-NMRA Convention
• Map Links Added to SLORRM Resources
• 150+ California Trains in 1 Hour
• Area Railroading Opportunities
• Want Your News/Event Promoted? (It's free)
• Want to Subscribe? (It's free)

PCRR's Jingle Bell Express

Dates, times, and all manner of details are now available on the Christmas at the Ranch website. From the website: "All Aboard the Central Coast's newest holiday tradition for the whole family, Christmas at the Ranch! The Santa Margarita Ranch & American General Media are hosting 'Christmas at the Ranch' complete with the enchanting Pacific Coast Railroad's Jingle Bell Express. Visit Santa's Barn to sip hot cocoa and sit with Santa! Be spellbound by the magic show with Andy Morris! Step aboard and make memories with the whole family with this one-of-a-kind, all new Christmas experience...Christmas at the Ranch!" Christmas Trains run on select days from November 24th through December 17th. Many steam train rides are already sold out.

3D Technology Restoring Railroad History

Jack Erhart is using 3D Technology to restore/recreate railroading history. Last year the SLO Railroad Museum unveiled the first of Jack's Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy) locomotive models being built with the 3D technology (see photo top of right column). The first was the PCRy "Avila" which can be seen on this Google Photos page. He's now working on a 2-year project to build the PCRy's "John Harford." Images of that project are here. Jack is offering an open invitation to individuals or groups who might be interested in seeing how 3D technology is working at restoring the history of our local railroads at his Paso Robles home. Contact Jack via the Railroad Festival: Conductor@CCRRF.com. If you'd like to donate to the SLO Railroad Museum to support this effort, click here

Upcoming at the SLO Railroad Museum

For details about these and all other Museum events, go to the Museum's Events page.

• Dec 2: Santa Arrives on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, about 12:30pm, free Museum admission while Santa is there.
• Feb 25: BSA Railroading Merit Badge, 12:30-4pm, details

SMVRR Friends Announce Photo Winners

The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad recently announced the winners of their 2023 Photo Contest. See the winning photos here.

Holidays at the Jack House

Over two weekends this December, the Jack House is offering a FREE holiday celebration for the whole family. So be sure to visit the charming Victorian home decorated in all its holiday splendor. Mr. Jack was instrumental in bringing the railroad to San Luis Obispo, so there will be Bob Wilson's hands-on model railroad display setup in the newly decorated Carriage House. Kids will be able to operate the model trains during their visit! Join us the first two Saturdays in December 5-8pm and the first two Sundays 1-4pm. Sunday's tour will have additional activities for kids. See you there! Details.

Chanukah Train in Santa Cruz

On December 7, 2023 Roaring Camp in conjunction with Chabad by the Sea is offering a Chanukah Train. From their website: "We'll share in Chanukah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea."

SP 244 Caboose Now on Display Track

On October 20, 2023 a Southern Pacific caboose #244 was moved from the Emily Street Yard up the hill a bit to the Display Track at the SLO Railroad Museum. Story and photos from that day are here.

SLO Railroad Museum's People Tracker

The SLO Railroad Museum recently updated its People Tracker, a compilation of Railroad Workers on the Central Coast including over 2,000 names and, when known, certain other information on people who worked in some capacity for a railroad that operated or operates on California's Central Coast. Click here.

San Juan Capistrano's Ghost Train

The Capistrano Dispatch tells all about a Ghost Train that's been haunting Del Obispo Street for a dozen years. Read all about it here.

RailPAC Annual Meeting November 18th

The Rail Passenger Association of CA & NV (RailPAC) will hold its Annual Meeting by Zoom on Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 12pm-4pm. Register for your free "seat." Details are here.

2024 SPH&TS Convention

Get a jump on 2024... The Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society (SPH&TS) will hold its annual convention in Sparks, NV from October 16th through the 19th. As usual, the weekend will include presentations, a model contest, a Railroad Prototype Meet, vendors, and excursions to the Nevada State Railroad Museum and to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Details are here.

2024 UPHS Convention

The Union Pacific Historical Society (UPHS) will hold its 2024 convention in Perris, CA, May 8-11, at the Southern California Railway Museum. Lodging will be at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in nearby Menifee, CA. The museum will operate historic equipment and stage photo opportunities day and night. Tentative plans include field trips to the Rail Giants Museum in Pomona and the March Air Force Base in Riverside. Details will be here.

2024 PCR-NMRA Convention

The Pacific Coast Region of the National Model Railroad Association will hold its 2024 Convention in Silicon Valley, CA from April 24-28, 2024. From their website: "Come to The Tech Line in April of 2024 for a great convention featuring 60 clinics with some of the best clinicians in the world, over 30 open layouts to visit, including bucket list layouts that have not been open for years, great prototype events, and the fellowship of a great convention." Details are here.

Map Links Added to SLORRM Resources

The SLO Railroad Museum recently put links on its website to the SLO County Library's archives of railroad maps. These include maps for the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Pacific Coast Railway. The Museum's Resources page is here.

150+ California Trains in 1 Hour

CoastFan2105 posted a video on YouTube 7 years ago titled "California Trains! 1 Hour, 150+ Trains!" And that's exactly what it is. See how many trains and/or locations you recognize. It's been viewed over 100 million times. The video is here.

Area Railroading Opportunities

There's a plethora of railroading going on in our area (broadly speaking, in some cases). Check out this Index of Area Railroading. Be sure to check with any of interest to you to verify their open status and schedules.

Want Your News/Event Promoted?

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