Re: NNG - S.P. #2472 Returns to Revenue Service, 20 Years Ago Today ...

I was very fortunate to catch the 2472 on its only visit to LA in (insert correct year here). I was spending the weekend at my grandparents house, and had heard about it being in town. My grandpa was a die hard steam fan, and if you threw in the SP the condition got worse. Somehow, he had not heard that the engine was in town. So I talked him into going to Phillipes for lunch that day. We parked at LAUPT and walked over like we normally did. We heard them blow the whistle for some reason and I saw him perk up as if he heard a gun shot. We eventually got out to the platforms, and there she was. I think that was the last time he saw a live SP steam locomotive in person. I also remember all the D&RGW painted passenger cars with SP speed lettering on them. One of these days, I might make it back out to Cali and will catch it again in the Niles Canyon.