Nevada Christmas, Post # 3

Holiday Train of Lights

In my Nevada Christmas post # 2 I detailed how my daughter Janice Bastani and I decided we would drive back from my granddaughter's home near Reno, Nevada to 

Janice's home in Pleasanton, California. One of my Christmas presents  a ride on the Holiday Train of Lights was given to me by my daughter Janice and her husband Bami. . This train is the Nile Canyon Railway which is celebrating its 30th year of operation. It is located in Sunol in Alameda County, California and has a very interesting past. The ride is 13 miles long and takes about 1.5 to 1.75 hours and goes through some very rugged country of deep valleys and narrow bridges and over rushing streams hugging shear rock cliffs in some locations.. This historic route linked the east and west coasts of the United States by rail for the first time as part of the original transcontinental route. In April 1985 the Southern Pacific Right of Way through Niles Canyon was acquired by Alameda County. In June 1985 the last Southern Pacific train operated over portions of the Niles-Altamount line. The Southern Pacific would not leave the rails in place without payment which was determined to be to much. So in 1985 the Southern Pacific pulled up the rails through Niles Canyon. On December 1, 1987 the Pacific Locomotive Association entered into an agreement with Alameda County to rebuild the historic rail line. Association volunteers  worked over a year to reconstruct the track between Sunol and Brightside. On May 21, 1988 the Pacific Locomotive Association brought railroad passenger operations back to life in Niles Canyon. On November 21, 1988 the Sunol Depot building which was built in 1884 was acquired by Alameda County and later moved to the station site and restored to its original configuration. Over time the individual cars were purchased and restored to their original condition For example the Parlor Car which I was in with Janice and Bami had originally be a dining car with beautiful mahogany wood throughout. Thus when the Association retrieved the car it had been painted inside completely and that had to be all removed to restore it to its original condition. It was beautiful. This car was the only one heated and was considered first class.

 There is an engine and caboose on each end and 15 cars. One engine pulls the train going out and the other pulls it coming back.The cars are all individually decorated inside and out. A lot of work is put into this project by a dedicated group of volunteers. The volunteer in my car indicated most people start decorating their car in July to get it ready for December. It is absolutely amazing what can be accomplished when a group of dedicated volunteers set their mind to do something.

 When we arrived most of the people were scurrying around trying to figure out where to go and most were in line at the depot to get their tickets.

The depot is on the right rear. Some of the people in line waiting time to board the train.

Lights on one of the two caboose

Same car from different angle

Caboose

Looking down the line of cars

Here you can see the lights on the side of the car and also some of the interior decoration

People in line waiting time to board the train.

This is where we lined up to board our car.

Interior of our car which was originally a dining car. Look at the beautiful wood work.

Janice and Bami seated at our table. Hot coco,coffee and cookies have been served

Interior of passenger car which had no heat but windows were closed. Notice the standard seats. 

Even though this car was totally closed there was no heat and you can see the people trying to stay warm.

Another car lighted only by the Christmas lights

Wooden seats.

Wooden seats

Interior decoration

This car is actually a flat bed with a temporary top. It was cold in this car as it is completely open and you see very few people in it.

Niles Railway logo

Exterior decoration

Exterior decorations

This is the totally open car.

Totally open car.

More lights

People leaving the train after the ride

People leaving the train after the ride

People leaving the train after the ride

These people are boarding the train as the conductor checks their tickets.

Later in the week Janice and I drove through the Niles valley and could see much of the route the train took. In fact we saw the train making a daytime run. In the day light it was amazing to see how rugged this valley is as well as how beautiful it is. I highly encourage you take advantage of this train ride when you are in the area.I really appreciated this Christmas present and enjoyed the ride. Thank you Bami and Janice.  Janice, Bami and I celebrated the new year with a lot of wonderful snacks and food. I told them I was celebrating on east coast time so I went to be bed . This has been a marvelous trip and I say to you as I always close God loves you and so do I.

Grandpa Bill