Railtown 1897

Last weekend I took a quick trip to

Jamestown and Railtown 1897, a California State Park. It is

the old Sierra Railway.

The locomotives, cars and area have been in quite a few movies, one

of the most recent was Back to the Future Part 3

It's quite a place if you like photography, old stuff and railroads. If you

know me you know that's right up my alley. It is actually a working tourist 

railroad that's not all neat and clean. It has acres of locomotives, cars, train parts,

just all kinds of good stuff. Including a working turntable and water tower.

There are a few places that are restricted, but mostly you can 

wander around and enjoy.

Here are a few photos from my trip. Some in Sepia tone 

for that old timey feel.

I liked the contrast in this photo, the light hitting the valves and the wonderful shadows.

 I left this one in color because I liked the tones

of the rusting gears

This gauge which is used for the compressor was patented in 1892, it is the original one at 

the railroad, and you'll notice that it is under pressure. Yup, they still use it.

 

Here's the Sierra Railway's #3 getting put to bed in the Roundhouse

using the turntable. #3 is the current workhorse for their steam excursions. 

Note the turntable was built in 1922.

They are in the process of restoring engine #28