McCloud River Railroad : Passenger Operations: Excursion Photos

Steam Locomotive #25:
The PLA Winter Trips


The Pacific Locomotive Association winter trip became one of the staples of McCloud River steam excursions in the last half of the 1960s and first half of the 1970s. The PLA varied the routing and consist from one year to the next so that photographers could get new pictures. The PLA winter trip operated every year from 1964 until 1975 save for three. In 1969 the club tried running the trip with the Baldwin diesels that were scheduled for retirement that spring, but low ticket sales forced the trip to be cancelled. Then, in 1970 the railroad planned for the #25 to be withdrawn from service after the end of the year, and though the change of heart gave the excursion program a new lease on life it came too late for a 1971 winter trip, and the locomotive was in the shop getting the boiler work during that the time of year the trip would have run anyway. Finally, no trip ran in 1974 due to a variety of mostly economic factors.

This page contains a random selection of photos from some of the winter trips held between 1965 and 1970.


This trip, likely shot in 1965, included seven empty log flats and three cabooses. The train is approaching the Pilgrim Creek Road crossing east of McCloud. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

Another shot of the train on Nebraska Curve. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

Another early trip, possibly the same one but without the log flats. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

Bartle. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.


The railroad had the two coaches painted and in service for the 1967 and 1968 snow trips. The passengers sure appreciated the steam heat in these cars.

Signal Butte. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

Nebraska Curve. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

McCloud depot. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

Behind the shop, with the "Little Tijuana" neighborhood in the background. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

Nebraska Curve again. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.

Same view as four photos above, but on a different year and in heavier snowfall. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.


The lack of hose reels and orange trim on the walkways dates this photo to the 1970 trip, seen here on the Pondosa branch bridge. Note the railroad had painted the coach roofs silver as well. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.


The #25 cooling down inside the shop after making a day full of new wintertime memories. C.G. Heimerdinger Jr.