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McCloud River Railroad : Passenger Operations: Excursion Photos The Early 1980s Excursions |
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The success of the May 1982 trip sparked a new wave of railfan excursions over the McCloud River Railroad that lasted for the next four years. The railroad initially kept the four leased SP gondolas around for use on the excursion revival, and then in late 1982 the company leased three former Southern Pacific "Daylight" passenger cars from Sierra Western Tours, cars #500 (San Joaquin), #510 (Tuolomne), and #511 (Stanislaus). The three cars remained on the railroad for most of 1983, but towards the end of the year Sierra Western recalled them for repainting into SP "Daylight" colors fur use in the World's Fair Daylight. The excursions again used leased SP flatcars and gondolas and MR cabooses, supplemented by a former Trailer-Train flatcar the Great Western museum bought and equipped with benches and railings. |
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The #25 at Bartle with an excursion in 1982. Wayne I. Monger.
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Another shot of the excursion. Wayne I. Monger.
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Added July 2025. #38 leading the Sierra Western coaches uphill out of Mt. Shasta City on 4 September 1982. Don Bain photo. |
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Added July 2025. Another uncredited shot of the #38 with the Sierra Western coaches in September 1982, this time at Howard. |
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#38 and #39 switching the Sierra Western cars in McCloud prior to an excursion to Hambone in September 1982. Bernard Levine photo. |
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#25 departing McCloud with the Hambone excursion in September 1982. David Bell photo. |
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A closer view of Ray Piltz at the controls of the #25 as the train departs McCloud. David Bell photo. |
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#25 arriving at Swobe. David Bell photo. |
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A broadside view of the #25 and its crew passing through Swobe. David Bell photo. |
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The September 1982 Hambone trip arriving at Hambone. David Bell photo. |
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The #25 putting on a show climbing Bartle Hill at McIntosh Vista. David Bell photo. |
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One last photo from the September 1982 trip at McIntosh Vista. David Bell photo. |
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In 1983 the #25 made another trip to Hambone, seen here in Bartle. Wayne I. Monger. |
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The excursion somewhere on the line. Wayne I. Monger. |
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Arriving in Hambone. Wayne I. Monger. |
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The #37 participated in most of the early 1980s excursions. Wayne I. Monger. |
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Added September 2026. On 14 May 1983 the #36 and #25 powered an excursion from McCloud to Mt. Shasta City using the three Sierra Western coaches, two SP gondolas, and caboose #553. The #36 is
seen here spotting the excursion consist at the depot.
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Added September 2026. The #25 is backing towards the train.
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Added September 2026. The #25 coupling onto the train in McCloud.
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Added September 2026. The train preparing to depart McCloud.
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Added September 2026. The sequence of photos do not appear to contain any of the trip to Mt. Shasta City, but do for the return trip back to McCloud. The train has just left the Mt. Shasta
yards and is passing through the P&M Cedar sawmill.
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Added September 2026. Climbing the hill out of Mt. Shasta City.
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Added September 2026. Climbing the hill out of Mt. Shasta City.
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Added September 2026. Climbing the hill out of Mt. Shasta City.
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Added September 2026. The #36 worked as a helper cut in behind the caboose.
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Added September 2026. The train cresting the summit between McCloud and Mt. Shasta City.
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Added September 2026. Snow pockets are still plentiful on the east side of the mountain as the train drops towards Signal Butte.
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Added September 2026. The #36 is now leading as the train drops from the switchback down towards McCloud.
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Added July 2025. The #25, #37, and the road's three cabooses in Mt. Shasta City on 11 May 1985. Ken Rattenne photo.
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