Railtown opens restoration shop to tours

By Richard Irwin on April 13, 2009 2:46 PM | | Comments (1) |
By popular demand, the restoration shop tours at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park have been extended. On three upcoming Wednesdays -- April 15, May 13, and June 10 -- Railtown 1897 State Historic Park will offer special, behind-the-scenes viewing opportunities for visitors to see the restoration progress of Sierra No. 3, known as the "Movie Star" steam locomotive for its many appearances in motion pictures and television shows.

As part of the special viewings, Railtown staff will present a 90-minute program which will also include a shop tour for visitors. Cost for the tours is $5, and reservations may be made by calling 209-984-3953.

Tours will consist of an overview of the project to date followed by a tour of the Tri Dam shop where much of the work is currently taking place.  Restoration staff, utilizing a combination of historic and modern methods, is restoring this historic locomotive.

Built by the Rogers Locomotive Works in New Jersey in 1891, the Sierra No. 3 spent the early years of its life in Arizona, and was brought to Jamestown in 1897, where it saw over a century of use on the short line, hauling ore, lumber, marble and other goods out of the foothills. 

With the advent of diesels in the middle of the 20th century, many steam locomotives were destroyed for scrap, but Sierra No. 3 found a new career in the movie industry, appearing in more than 100 films and television shows over the years. 

Last December, the Sierra No. 3's boiler was sent to Washington State to be used as a pattern for a new boiler fabricated by Chelatchtie Boiler Works, a major step in the restoration process.  This work is being funded by a California Cultural and Historical Endowment grant, the Sonora Area Foundation, the Irving J. Symons Foundation, the California State Railroad Museum Foundation and others.

The popular Sierra No. 3 locomotive is expected to return to operation at Railtown1897 SHP in 2010.


1 Comments

Lee said:

Incase anyone would like to go visit, It is in Jamestowne, South of Sacramento.

April 13, 2009 3:06 PM

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This page contains a single entry by Richard Irwin published on April 13, 2009 2:46 PM.

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