Re: Tahoe, Trout Creek & Pacific?

I've got (possibly faulty) memories and no photos. I visited a couple of times and offered myself as volunteer. Don't really remember why i didn't hang around, probably the two hour extra drive past the CC&N which was run like a real RR by Wilmunder, and Hal was always willing to have me around.

First steam engine I'd heard of being fired from diesel fuel

Cold firing was helped along by an air compressor to create draft.The morning I was there to witness the firing, the fire was lit and they went back to camp, or maybe a restaurant, for breakfast leaving the engine unattended. I thought this was strange and asked about it. I was told with diesel fuel and the air compressor, the fire wouldn't change as it does with using 'regular' fuel, which will change as it gets warmer.

Rail secured to tie w/o tie plates, two spikes per tie.no ballast that I remember.

No brakes..they told me that and showed me how the train was stopped using reverse, low speed operation, of course.I recall being told the air compressor had a blown gasket.I think someone may have been prepared with a hand brake on the cars. When I was in the cab for this brake-less demo the engineer told me they had a game about which one of them could get closest to the end of rail w/o going off.

seemed to be run by 20 something's when I was there.attitudes were not particularly professional with those I met. I have no recollections of any names or faces.

The most pointless, nowhere to nowhere train I've seen.

OK historians, That's what I remember from 40 years ago.