Nevada State Railroad Museum -- July 30, 2011

The day after we rode the Virginia and Truckee Railway (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/virginia-and-truckee-july-29-2011.html), we returned to Carson City. We had breakfast at Heidi's Family Restaurant (excellent French Toast), went to mass at Saint Theresa of Avila, then went to the Nevada State Railroad Museum, which we had not visited since the late 1990s.

The main building of the museum had been rearranged to offer more interpretation of railroad history than railroad equipment. I think there were two locomotives, a box car, a coach and a combination car. I think they did a better job of explaining what happened to the Central Pacific than did the California State Railroad Museum.

The other building had more equipment, some unrestored, including the Inyo and the recently restored McKeen motor car seen above. It was an impressive sight. We talked to a volunteer about the impression it must have made on people who saw it roaring down the line towards Minden.

We rode the Edwards motor car around the line. It is no longer painted as the Washoe Zephyr.

Virginia and Truckee -- July 29, 2011

We drove from Reno (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/reno-july-28-2011.html) down to the western edge of Carson City, near the garbage dump and Mound House to take a ride on the Virginia and Truckee Railway, which last year began running from Carson City to Virginia City, mostly along the historic right-of-way. The three coach train was full and the weather was hot. McCloud River #18 had to work hard on the way up to Virginia City. There was a long stop for oiling and inspection at Scales. Here 18 rests at Virginia City. The short-distance train to Gold Hill left just as we pulled in.

We had from about 11:30 to 2pm in Virginia City. It seemed a bit long. We saw the beautiful restoration work done in Saint Mary's in the Mountains, and the museum downstairs.

On the trip down, we saw wild horses.

Read more about it in September in my Park Trains and Tourist Trains page:

http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ptrain/

Reno -- July 28, 2011

After Disneyland (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/mickey-mouse-pancakes-july-27-2011.html), we made an epic 12-hour drive (including stops) to Reno. I think we covered parts of I-5 that I had never before seen. We had a nice view from the 15th floor of Harrah's.

Mickey Mouse Pancakes -- July 27, 2011

After seeing Angels Flight (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/angels-flight-july-26-2011.html), we continued down I-5 to Disneyland, where we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. There is a lot of work going on at the hotel. We rode the new, improved Star Tours, which includes a revised queue area and randomized rides. We rode the new Little Mermaid ride in Disney's California Adventure. I was sad to see them remove the Golden Gate Bridge in DCA.

I took the photo of Mickey Mouse Pancakes, which I have once every visit, at the River Belle Terrace.

Angels Flight -- July 26, 2011

We just got back from vacation. On the day known as Carmageddon, we drove down I-5 to the Los Angeles area. Traffic proved to be fairly light. We visited relatives, then took the Gold Line with them to Union Station.

We took a nice walk around downtown, and wound up at Fourth and Hill, the current location of Angels Flight. I've been trying to ride it for years, and was almost frustrated again when the California PUC shut it down last month. Fortunately, it was up and running.

I took photos and videos which will appear on my cable car site in August:

http://www.cable-car-guy.com/

It's Hard Work Being a Cat #49 -- July 25, 2011

I took the photo on 09-July-2011.

A Diver With Electric Light Searches for a Leak -- July 24, 2011

Whaleback steamers were a fad in the late 1800s. The name Progressist is unusual.

From the 08-August-1895 San Francisco Call. William A Coulter did many maritime drawings for the newspaper. Click on the image to see a larger version.

A Diver With Electric Light Searches for a Leak Under Water.

Yesterday the visitors on the water front were entertained with the labors of a diver searching the bottom of the whaleback steamer Progressist at Folsom-street wharf for a leak. When he donned his brass and rubber suit and let himself sink down in the bay, he carried an incandescent light in his hand, and by its bright gleam his movements could be indistinctly seen under the water, giving his large audience perched on the dock some idea of the work of men who go down in the sea under ships. The current was generated from the trolley of the Dunsmuir coal cars at the bunkers.

The leak was caused by the forcing in of a steel plate near the vessel's bow, and while not large has necessitated the constant use of the steam pump to keep the big ship free from water. The search for the injury will be finished to-day.