SRYC 80-ton Diesel No. 1638 takes its first run on the mainline!

Today was an exciting day for Railtown staff and volunteers, as our 1952 General Electric diesel locomotive No. 1638 was fired up for its first runs on the Sierra Northern Railway mainline in more than 25 years!

The locomotive followed the 3:00 P.M. Mother Lode Cannonball train out and back on its own, followed by two "Extra" trips after that with Coach No. 14 on the first run and Mountain Observation car No. 599 added for the second trip. To finish off the evening, No. 1638 served as the power for the "Tales of the Roundhouse" special excursion train. The locomotive performed very well, and may occasionally be seen pulling Railtown trains or performing switching moves in the future!