Kodachrome slides of the 1999 Railfair at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, CA It includes photos of the steam locomotives arriving at and departing from the event.
I was there as a volunteer for the Nevada State Railroad Museum for the entire event. Took vacation time from my job as a railroader. You might say I took a busman's holiday. It was well worth it. 😁
As a child, this event shaped my love for railroading. Now at 23, I watch this and remember viewing these giants. I can appreciate a video like this, and the memories it brings back. And little did i know that the gp9 brought by portola would later be driven by my father and i a few years ago. Thank you sir
I was there! Still have the Rail '99 Fair engineer hat. I was 5 at the time, and am 25 now. I have a few photos - one was a big one of the Shays that were parked side by side. Also, I don't know if anyone will remember this, or can help me, but I was in a clip that was featured on the news somewhere that shows me saying "trains are my life" and ringing the bell one of the old steam trains. The story behind that was me walking up to the reporter and saying that, and then they rushes to put me on that locomotive and started the camera lol. If anyone can find that video, I'd like to see it.
Union Pacific: breaks 844, makes other railroads move their freight, and doesn't like other steam programs. I'm just going to stay here on the east coast until 2020, we have a J6b and that will be suitable.
I'm sure someday there will be another Railfair just not as soon as we would like. When another Railfair does happen I can only hope that we get to see not just UP 4014 and 844 but 3985 as well. Plus other than also having SP 4449, Imagine what's it's going to be like watching ATSF 3751 and ATSF 2926 marching in to Sacramento! If Union Pacific is smart they should support a one time QUADRUPLE Header with UP 844, ATSF 3751, SP 4449, and ATSF 2926! Yeah it sounds like a fantasy but nobody ever thought that we would ever see a Big Boy run again did we.
I'm one of the MOW guys on the Sac Southern, the museum's railroad, and the technology center is, well, a big project. It may not be completed for a while, as it's estimated to cost several million dollars. Dollars we don't have.
Was 12 when I went. Became a locomotive engineer for BNSF in 2010 (hired in 2007) and gave it up after 15yrs railroading thanks to the insane attendance policy they made in 2022. What a shame kids don’t get to experience this type of thing anymore. Guess we can thank people like Katie Farmer, Lance Fritz and Jim Vena for all that now. You know sometimes it’s not always about making tons of money but creating positive and lasting memories.
I still remember going to Railfair 99 as an 8 yo. Biggest thing I wanted to do was sit in the grandstand presentation of each lok being shown off. My parents and sister were bored of that in 5min or less. Drove me nuts, we only saw about 2 or 3 trains presented. "We can walk around and see more." Yeah, but these are operating. It was also the first time I saw a full size Southern Pacific lok in the Black Widow livery. Prior to that Billy Jones' Wildcat Railway was the only place I had seen the Black Widow livery. I also had the opportunity to go up into the 4449 cab, but I was too scared to go alone. My dad was trying to make me not scared of strangers, but his method of not talking to people for me or going with me has been a massive long term failure. I regret missing the opportunity, but also WTH dad, why couldn't you just go up with me.
Cool Gary, I was hoping you had a video on this! I went to one back in about the 80's and I worked on the transfer table in Sacramento for a year but I have not been back to the shop for years, I need to stop by sometime! I am new to your channel, you might get more subscribers from my channel but they shadow banned it about April 16th 2019, one minute I got 5,300 views in a hour then it almost instantly dropped to more like 20 views a hour!
@@atsfevan0242 Mainly because of Big ole Pete (UP) basically forbid any foreign steam on their routes, and the railfars weren't that big moneymakers anyways
I was there as a volunteer for the Nevada State Railroad Museum for the entire event. Took vacation time from my job as a railroader. You might say I took a busman's holiday. It was well worth it. 😁
As a child, this event shaped my love for railroading. Now at 23, I watch this and remember viewing these giants. I can appreciate a video like this, and the memories it brings back. And little did i know that the gp9 brought by portola would later be driven by my father and i a few years ago. Thank you sir
I like how the Sierra No. 28 is facing Thomas the Tank Engine. I was at Railfair 99. What a time that was.
Railroading is fun back then! But we still have some old old engines like UP 844, UP 3985, SP 2472 and 2467, AT&SF 3751 & more!
The Northwestern Pacific Railfanner I Will Go With The 2472, 844, 3985, 2467, And 3751 Because I Love Their Whistles
Awesome! I was 8 when railfair 99 was going on. I remember it still all to well.
Brought back many fond memories of that event. Thanks for putting this together and the clarinet was a nice touch.
I was there! Still have the Rail '99 Fair engineer hat. I was 5 at the time, and am 25 now. I have a few photos - one was a big one of the Shays that were parked side by side. Also, I don't know if anyone will remember this, or can help me, but I was in a clip that was featured on the news somewhere that shows me saying "trains are my life" and ringing the bell one of the old steam trains. The story behind that was me walking up to the reporter and saying that, and then they rushes to put me on that locomotive and started the camera lol. If anyone can find that video, I'd like to see it.
Union Pacific: breaks 844, makes other railroads move their freight, and doesn't like other steam programs. I'm just going to stay here on the east coast until 2020, we have a J6b and that will be suitable.
xD
I'm sure someday there will be another Railfair just not as soon as we would like. When another Railfair does happen I can only hope that we get to see not just UP 4014 and 844 but 3985 as well. Plus other than also having SP 4449, Imagine what's it's going to be like watching ATSF 3751 and ATSF 2926 marching in to Sacramento! If Union Pacific is smart they should support a one time QUADRUPLE Header with UP 844, ATSF 3751, SP 4449, and ATSF 2926! Yeah it sounds like a fantasy but nobody ever thought that we would ever see a Big Boy run again did we.
Maybe the T1 5550 will be operational by then and can attend.
@@EvilTurkeySlicesHA YOU WISH the T1 will never go to California
I'm one of the MOW guys on the Sac Southern, the museum's railroad, and the technology center is, well, a big project. It may not be completed for a while, as it's estimated to cost several million dollars. Dollars we don't have.
Was 12 when I went. Became a locomotive engineer for BNSF in 2010 (hired in 2007) and gave it up after 15yrs railroading thanks to the insane attendance policy they made in 2022. What a shame kids don’t get to experience this type of thing anymore. Guess we can thank people like Katie Farmer, Lance Fritz and Jim Vena for all that now. You know sometimes it’s not always about making tons of money but creating positive and lasting memories.
I hope someone from UP sees this! I hope have a Railfair soon , BUT if it's just a UP fair l would NOT!!! WASTE MY time and money to go there!
I still remember going to Railfair 99 as an 8 yo. Biggest thing I wanted to do was sit in the grandstand presentation of each lok being shown off. My parents and sister were bored of that in 5min or less. Drove me nuts, we only saw about 2 or 3 trains presented. "We can walk around and see more." Yeah, but these are operating. It was also the first time I saw a full size Southern Pacific lok in the Black Widow livery. Prior to that Billy Jones' Wildcat Railway was the only place I had seen the Black Widow livery. I also had the opportunity to go up into the 4449 cab, but I was too scared to go alone. My dad was trying to make me not scared of strangers, but his method of not talking to people for me or going with me has been a massive long term failure. I regret missing the opportunity, but also WTH dad, why couldn't you just go up with me.
So many great photos of engines out on the rails, so VERY few of the actual railfair. Too bad
I was only 3 but i have vague memories of this. Glad to have been there
3751 and 4449 were on ferry moves.
My Favorite Steams Are 2467, 2472, 4449 And Also 3751
The ORHC is getting Mount Emily 1, there’s an idea that they’ll use 4449 to deliver it to Portland, just like this.
yeah, don't hold your breath for a date of 2020 on the technology museum.
I does remember that railfair june 18-27th 1999.
I wonder why we haven't gotten any more of theses events since 1999 in Sacramento?
One was scheduled for 2006, but it never came about.
@@thunderbird1921 darn
Cool Gary, I was hoping you had a video on this! I went to one back in about the 80's and I worked on the transfer table in Sacramento for a year but I have not been back to the shop for years, I need to stop by sometime! I am new to your channel, you might get more subscribers from my channel but they shadow banned it about April 16th 2019, one minute I got 5,300 views in a hour then it almost instantly dropped to more like 20 views a hour!
Ever since getting my Kato Big Boy, I’ve caught the Steam bug.
My grandparents went to this event
Railfair 1999
MAX & RUBY 🎹
Nice music, what's it called? I wonder why we haven't seen much of the 2467...
What whistle did 28 have when it went to railfair?
Kinda ashame they stopped doing this after 1999
It’s like dose UP want to ruin there relationship with the public
@@ricardo3011 no it's not their fault. They aren't guilty.
EvanF1293 um yah it kind of is there fault
@@ricardo3011 They don't schedule railfair it's the museum.
@EvanF1293 But UP owns the rail line through Sacramento and the museum knows that.
I wonder why theses stop happening after 1999?????????
just up doing up things
It probably takes a lot of time and money to put on these events which is probably why there has only been 3
@@whitemountainproductions makes sense. A bit a shame but what you shared is understandable
@@atsfevan0242 Mainly because of Big ole Pete (UP) basically forbid any foreign steam on their routes, and the railfars weren't that big moneymakers anyways
NEVER GiVE UP 🎹
Wonder if another Railfair would be taken whenever the time and year comes afterwards?
What month did Southern Pacific 4449 roll to the RailFair “99 at the California state river museum? I was just wondering.
So If There Is Gonna Be A Railfair In 2020 It’ll Be In Sacramento?
I’m from the future and there a Pandemic so yah there not going to be a Railfair this year
Yeah there's not going to be a railfair
Could this theiorecily happen again?
7:29 Thomas the tank engine makes an appearance!!
9:50 there's more of an irony in this comment now then back then.
Quite so
Guys there's not going to be another railfair