Sad News from Ardenwood (pics)

From the April 2014 SPCRR Hotbox:


We are sad to report the passing of Red, a much-loved Railroad Museum draft horse and main¬stay of its passenger operations at Ardenwood Historic Farm. For almost thirty years, draft horses like Red have made it possible for the Museum to interpret a period in California history when horses maintained common carrier schedules (for both freight and passengers) on the narrow gauge Centerville Branch, which operated between Newark and the Centerville District in Fremont during the years 1882-1909. Red will be missed by our train crew, and Ardenwood visitors alike.

The major event for March was Red’s death from colic on the March 23, despite strenuous efforts on the part of Alex Oberg and Emily Nikzat to walk Red in order to re¬verse the condition. When attempts to walk the horse failed, Alex, Emily and Randy Hees made a heroic effort to move Red to professional medical help. Since Red was our one trained horse, we face some difficult decisions on how to proceed through the immanent opening.