Robert Jacks Visits Golden Gate Live Steamers (GGLS)
   

Mid October 2008, right about the time of the MLS Fall Meet, I found myself in the Beautiful Redwood country of Northern California.  Well being as thou I was missing out on the wonderful time here in Phoenix at the Fall Meet; I decided I should check out the Golden Gate Live Steamers (GGLS) Open House weekend.  With it being mid-October in the East Bay, the weather turned out to be about as perfect as one could ask.  Warm in the Sun, cool in the shade with clear sky’s & thank goodness, No Fog.

 

 

First up the 15” Redwood Valley Railroad which shares the park area with the GGLS.
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Picture #1

 Which filled me with an over whelming feeling of what railroading was like in the early part of the century, in amongst the “big trees” of the Redwoods.

 

 

 

 

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So after soaking in all in for a bit it was time for a ride and the ride was surprisingly long, the rail whines along the top of a ridge for what seems like forever, before making a 180 back onto itself.

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With the Redwood Valley ride out of the way, it was onto the GGLS layout  
3.steam bays

Picture #3
These two, well polished, machines drew a crowd every time they where standing still.
   

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There was a good share of Steam
and Gas/Electrics to photograph.

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Picture #8
This Gentleman was hauling about 13 cars which made for the longest train I saw that day.

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Picture #9
And the level of craftsmanship was pretty top notch.
   

Picture #10
It just never gets old seeing Steam in motion.

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Picture #11
Not quite sure how this one got past the Safety inspector, maybe he was on a coffee break.  
Every time they came by it looked like the bowing plywood was about to split in two, sending the loco on down the line and Dad sitting on the ground with his two boys.
   

Picture #12
The yard was a busy place, great for sitting and doing some train watching.

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Picture #13
We close the weekend with this Beautiful American heading out of the yard and on to the Main.
   

 

  
   
   
   

The GGLS Club Members truly love what they are doing up there in the hills and the location is absolutely gorgeous.
I would highly recommend visiting the Golden Gate Live Steamers & Redwood Valley Railroad the next time you’re in the Bay area of California.

 

Robert Jacks

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