From July 22 - 26, 1992, the National Railway Historical Society held their annual convention in San Jose, in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. For 5 days the clock was turned back as 3 mainline steam locomotives took to the rails in the East Bay and on the Peninsula.
Union Pacific Challenger 3985 is seen heading west through the Sacramento Valley on its only trip to the Bay Area, running through Niles Canyon and Altamont Pass. SP 4449 was brought down from Portland, OR, and the engine is seen on its final trip to the Bay Area prior to the UP acquiring the SP in 1996.
The first convention excursion is the Altamont Pass Limited, and the 3985 heads east over Altamont Pass for a round trip excursion to Stockton. Then it’s over to San Francisco to watch 2472 hustle an excursion south to San Jose. At that same time the 3985 had made a run to Oakland, and passengers were ferried across the bay so they could ride round trip on both trains. The Challenger is seen at Niles being turned around, before moving over to Oakland for the westbound departure. The following day SP 4449 is on a round trip excursion to Sacramento, and is seen running along San Pablo Bay. The following day, UP 3985 began its journey back home to Cheyenne, WY, and is seen on Altamont Pass eastbound to Sacramento. The grand finale of the convention shows SP 2472 and 4449 in a spectacular display of high-stepping mainline steam as they doublehead south from San Jose to Watsonville Junction.
VHS footage in this video was recorded by Fred Klyver, and is now part of the collection of Rob Klyver, the Super 8mm Sound footage was shot by John Biehn, and was provided by his son Mike Biehn.
This video supersedes a previous edit of the 1992 convention with the surfacing of this VHS tape.
Enjoy this look at one of the best remembered steam events in the west!
Негізгі бет NRHS Convention 1992 Part 1: Steam To San Jose | UP 3985 | SP 4449 | SP 2472
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