McCloud Rails : Passenger Operations: Excursion Photos

1952/1953 Excursions




The McCloud River Railroad operated at least three known excursions in 1952 and 1953. The #18 powered the first excursion on 27 August 1952 that ran at least to Pondosa. Next, the #25 handled its first railfan excursion, Northern California Railroad Club's Pondosa Logger on 9 May 1953. The Logger carried passengers in a leased SP gondola and three cabooses. It operated as a mixed train in both directions, carrying two empty boxcars to Pondosa and returning with six log loads. Finally, on 20 June 1953 the Pacific Coast Chapter of the Railaay & Locomotive Historical Society chartered a large train (four coaches, three passenger flats, and a caboose) behind the #26 and #18 that was a side trip to the Railroad Days in Dunsmuir event.


27 August 1952- #18 to Pondosa

#18 at the McCloud depot ready to head east with the train.

The excursion train crossing the Bear Creek bridge between Pondosa and Pondosa Upper Yard.


9 May 1953- Pondosa Logger

#25 performing a photo runby at the Highway 89 trestle. Al Thoman photo, from The Western Railroader Issue 166.

The Pondosa Logger on the return trip to McCloud. Al Thoman photo, from The Western Railroader Issue 166.


Another photo runby in tall snowbanks on Dead Horse Summit. Al Thoman photo, from The Western Railroader Issue 166.


The #25 pausing at Bartle on the trip. Jeff Moore collection.


20 June 1953- Pondosa Logger

The #26 and #18 leading the excursion of 20 June 1953 through Pierce. From a 25-year retrospective of PCC-L&RHS Excursions

The excursion is seen in the background while the #29 switches livestock cars in the McCloud yard. Ray Piltz photo, Travis Berryman collection.