Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Niles Canyon Railway has been a project of the Pacific Locomotive Association since the late 1980s. The PLA has called Niles Canyon home after having to relocate from their longtime location at Castro Point. Since moving to Niles Canyon, the PLA has managed to restore numerous steam and diesel locomotives, freight and passenger cars, and a portion of the former Southern Pacific mainline out of Sunol to Niles, California.
This video showcases steam running on the Niles Canyon Railway, and is edited in sequence starting with switching at the yard at Brightside, and then a round trip from Sunol to Niles and back. Six different steam locomotives are featured in this video, with three of the engines shown owned by the PLA, and three visiting from other organizations.
Engines owned by PLA:
Robert Dollar Co. 2-6-2T 3
Quincy Railroad Co. 2-6-2T 2
Clover Valley Lumber Co. 2-6-6-2T 4
Visiting Engines:
Mason County Logging Co. 2-6-2T 7, from Roots of Motive Power - Willits, CA
Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. 0-4-0T 2 "Chiggen", current located at the Skunk Train - Fort Bragg, CA
Columbia River Belt Line 2-4-4-2 7 "Skookum", loaned to the Niles Canyon Railway for 2019 to 2025.
Scenes in this video were taken over several regular operating days and railfan photo events between 2014 and 2020 by Hunter Lohse.
The Niles Canyon Railway has been a project of the Pacific Locomotive Association since the late 1980s. The PLA has called Niles Canyon home after having to relocate from their longtime location at Castro Point. Since moving to Niles Canyon, the PLA has managed to restore numerous steam and diesel locomotives, freight and passenger cars, and a portion of the former Southern Pacific mainline out of Sunol to Niles, California.
This video showcases steam running on the Niles Canyon Railway, and is edited in sequence starting with switching at the yard at Brightside, and then a round trip from Sunol to Niles and back. Six different steam locomotives are featured in this video, with three of the engines shown owned by the PLA, and three visiting from other organizations.
Engines owned by PLA:
Robert Dollar Co. 2-6-2T 3
Quincy Railroad Co. 2-6-2T 2
Clover Valley Lumber Co. 2-6-6-2T 4
Visiting Engines:
Mason County Logging Co. 2-6-2T 7, from Roots of Motive Power - Willits, CA
Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. 0-4-0T 2 "Chiggen", current located at the Skunk Train - Fort Bragg, CA
Columbia River Belt Line 2-4-4-2 7 "Skookum", loaned to the Niles Canyon Railway for 2019 to 2025.
Scenes in this video were taken over several regular operating days and railfan photo events between 2014 and 2020 by Hunter Lohse.
![[4K] Day Out With Thomas on the Tweetsie Railroad](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kJR8DpYof5Q/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Day Out With Thomas on the Tweetsie Railroad
Thomas the Tank Engine leads ex-East Tennessee & Western North Carolina 4-6-0 12 around the Tweetsie Railroad.")
![[4K] California Western - Days of Steam on the Skunk Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kssHPsHXBJs/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] California Western - Days of Steam on the Skunk Train
The California Western operates its popular Skunk Train tourist operation out of Fort Bragg, CA. Having run for over 50 years, this railroad has managed to reach a wide scope of the general public, supported by running from the coast of the Pacific Ocean into the tall stands of redwoods, amongst some of the most beautiful scenery that California has to offer.
For this event, traveling tank engine Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company 0-4-0T 2 aka The Chiggen, made a visit to the California Western to pull the Skunk Train for Days of Steam. The traveling Porter locomotive made three round trip excursions from Fort Bragg to Glen Blair Junction. The engine may be small, but the voice it carries is immense as you hear the Chiggen in full stride through the redwoods, and along Pudding Creek in and out of Fort Bragg.
While the California Western has had numerous hardships over the last several years, new management has greatly turned around the operation of this legendary preservation and tourist railroad, and if this video is anything to go by, its worth a visit for yourself.
Thanks to our graphic designer for crafting the new logo. Contact Nick Chrissomallis for any graphic design needs. nchrissomallis@gmail.com")
![[4K] Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 1309 Steam Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kwOY68WN71E/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 1309 Steam Train
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 2-6-6-2 1309 begins regular operation on the WMSR in Cumberland, MD. The fully restored Mallet works on the 16-mile route on the mountain grade of the former Western Maryland Railway and Cumberland & Pittsburgh to Frostburg.
Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1949, the Chesapeake & Ohio 1309 was the last steam locomotive Baldwin built for domestic use on a Class 1 railroad in the United States. The 2-6-6-2 Mallet, with compound cylinders and articulated design, was primarily operated in coal and helper service in the Alleghenies of Kentucky and West Virginia until retired in 1956. Displayed as one of numerous large C&O locomotives at the B&O Railroad Museum from 1972 to 2015, the 1309 was acquired by WMSR to supplement the steam roster. Following numerous fundraisers and delays, the 1309 finally debuted to revenue service in 2021. The 2022 year marked the locomotives first full season, and the 1309 put on a great show uphill.
The Pennsylvania Railroad T1 whistle courtesy of the PRR T1 Trust.
0:00 Opening
0:30 Cumberland Station
3:17 Departure
5:42 The Narrows
7:06 Dakota Street
9:18 Helmstetters Curve
10:56 Brush Tunnel
12:49 Woodcock Hollow
15:10 Baker Road
16:21 Trimble Road
17:19 Parkersburg Road
19:12 Frostburg Depot
21:28 Closing")
![[4K] Pere Marquette 1225 - Return of the REAL Polar Express](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kzfXZx2LEfI/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Pere Marquette 1225 - Return of the REAL Polar Express
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 1225 returns to the mainline following major repairs. The 1941-built Berkshire operated in Michigan for the majority of its service career. It has operated in excursion service since the 1980s, and notably was the sound and visual model for the titular locomotive in the 2005 movie The Polar Express. In the years following, it has led Christmas-themed trips out of Owosso, MI.
The 1225 sat out the 2022 for major running gear work, its most major since the its revenue days. Thanks to the talents of the staff of the Steam Railroading Institute and contractor FMW Solutions, the 1225 returned on the 2023 North Pole Express. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the 1225 finally performing like new, and hear from SRI executive director Dean Pyers about the many rewards of the work.
Director, Cinematographer and Editor: Nick Martin
Executive Producer: Hammer Lehmann
Drone Cinematographer, Key Grip: Caden Adams (@PistonRodProductions)
Actor, Key Production Assistant: Matthew Bolyard
Lighting provided by Everett Meehling
Sincerest thanks to the Steam Railroading Institute volunteers and staff for their generous accommodations in the making of this production.")
![[4K] Norfolk & Western 611 - Virginia Scenic Steam Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m6UP2d5-jI4/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Norfolk & Western 611 - Virginia Scenic Steam Train
Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 611 leads a number of fall color excursions on the Virginia Scenic Railway between Goshen and Staunton, VA. These trips operate on the Buckingham Branch, a freight shortline that sees regular heavy freight trains and Amtraks Cardinal. The 611 makes good time operating on former Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad through the scenic Shenandoah Valley.
Special thanks to Virginia Museum of Transportation for operating the 611, and Buckingham Branch for being an excellent host.
Special thanks to Jim Lipnitz for providing much of the footage.
0:00 Opening (Ferrol)
0:38 Goshen
2:38 Beason Hollow
4:49 Ferrol
5:30 Augusta Springs
6:34 North Mountain
8:38 Swope
11:02 Staunton
11:55 Closer and Credits")
![[4K] Reading 2102: Railfans Chase Return of the Iron Horse Rambles](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ngbVLjL8dEk/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Reading 2102: Railfans Chase Return of the Iron Horse Rambles
Reading Company T-1 2102 returns to excursion service on the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern. Following a multi-year restoration, the 2102 hauled its first public excursion in over 30 years on May 28, 2022. The big 4-8-4 led the special Iron Horse Ramble from Reading to Jim Thorpe, PA and return with no assistance.
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