NEWS ARCHIVE

 
Fall Meet photos are posted. There are two groups for now, there should me more later so check back.

Thanks to Greg Lewis who provide some great photos.

Additional photos added thanks to Craig Craddock and Gordon Briggs

See the three FALL Meet links in menu.

Both unloading ramps will be out of service Sep 13 through Sep 24. New concrete is being installed to raise the level of the unloading pads by 6 inches to meet the level of the recently placed asphalt. Direct questions to Pete Arney, Pres. or Lee Frechette, Vice-pres.

Our Fall Meet is September 27-28.

Darrel McWhirk, a long time member of SVLS passed away on Monday, July 28. He was a resident of Yuba City.

Darrel will always be remembered for donating his steam engine, #1973, to SVLS years ago, as well as being one of SVLS's long time members. This was one of the first steam engines to run on the tracks. We continue to use the steam engine today.

He was 86. Service will be Saturday, August 2 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1390 Franklin Road, Yuba City.

More photos added to Spring meet link. Thanks to Kevin Sach (see second page)

May 29, 2008

New photos and video added from Spring Meet.

Thanks to Gordon Briggs and Leonard Houpt for sharing photos.

Spring meet May 17 - 18

March 21, 2008

Updated Procedures for steaming our #1973 steam engine.

Presented to you from the Trainmaster. Download from documents section or here .

March 8, 2008

SVLSRM HISTORY

Added a few pictures to the History page about the Golden Spike ceremony in 1973.

Also see a video for our 30th anniversary which featured interviews about the start of the svls, pictures plus some original film.

First Public run day of the year - Saturday March 1 Noon to 4 PM

Come out and enjoy the sunshine and ride a train.

Nov 28, 2007

Updated procedures for Steaming Up #1973 steam engine. Presented to you from the Trainmaster. Download from documents section or here .

Nov 14, 2007

2007 Fall Photos now online. (new ones added)

Thanks to Gordon Briggs, John Haines, Red Hadler, Lois Clifton & Bill Yoder for sharing their photos.

Oct. 7, 2007

Updated Track plan map loaded, now in Documents section in PDF format.

Sept. 30, 2007

For those interested in local railroad history:

CAPE HORN CONSTRUCTION PRESENTATION
By: Jack Duncan
For: Placer County Historical Society
Where: Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall
When: Thursday, October 4, 2007
Time: 6:30 Dinner - $13.00 *
7:30 Program – No Charge
*Note: Dinner is optional. Just walk in at 7:30 for program.

Cape Horn

Contact the Placer County Historical Society

Sept. 1, 2007

New procedures for Steaming Up #1973 steam engine. Presented to you from the Trainmaster. Download from documents section or here .

Aug. 16, 2007

SVLSRM was included in a special on Rancho Cordova in the "Prosper" magazine. You can see "24 Hours in Rancho cordova" by Ken James online here . There is also a short video.

July 5, 2007

2007 Spring meet video of Ed Yungling's CabForward at the track. Video made by Dale Dennis.

June 13, 2007

Thanks to Don Yungling and Lois Clifton we have some pictures taken at the 2007 Spring Meet.

See them here .

May 26, 2007

See new map of live steam tracks on our information page or see map here .
Special thanks to Dave August for providing this effort.

Mar. 28, 2007

The April meeting will be held at the track in Hagan Park on Saturday, April 21, 2007. The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM. Following the meeting, there will be a brunch for all members.

Mar. 12, 2007

Visit our projects page for current projects, status, and photos. Your time and talent is requested to help complete our spring projects.

Feb 8, 2007

Dale Dennis created a video call "The Little Train of Caipira" features trains at svlsrm with the background music of the same name played by Andre kostelanetz and his Orchestra.

See it on our video page.

Nov. 20, 2006

Trainmen Auxiliary Program (TAP's) In this program the TAP's will be learning about different types of equipment, Steam and Diesel Locomotives ( both operation and maintenance), Track and signal systems, railroad maintenance, track repair and construction, and club guidelines. The TAP's will have a chance to earn Merits in these areas which will allow them to participate in more opportunities. We are excited to share all the knowledge with these eager youth! If you or someone you know is interested in this program please contact SVLS for more info.

Nov. 2006 Meeting Our first meeting was a big hit! We met on Nov. 18th, 2006. We are starting the meeting with six new TAP's and hope to get lots more. We learned about the history of our club, and about track (Switches, Frogs, Ties, etc...) We also got to see some parts of a Steam Locomotive. We ended the day with a ride around the track. The next meeting we are going to set the guidelines for earning the merits and learn a little more about our track. We are always looking for Bright young face's so please join us for the next meeting Dec. 16th, 2006 @ 12pm down at the track!

Contact Amy Lutrel (916) 344-8989 or email Amy .

Nov. 17 General meeting Election results: Elected were Pete Arney as Vice President, Lois Clifton as Treasurer, Darrell Gomes as Track Superintendent, and Richard Lutrel as Yardmaster.

SVLSRM 2007 CALENDAR (updated Nov 17) 1. Board Meetings will be on the last Tuesday of each month with a couple of exceptions due to holidays and calendar issues. All meetings start at 6:30 PM to accommodate retired folks and those still working. BOD Dates:

Wed.,January 3
Tue., Jan. 30
Tue., Feb 27
Tue., Mar. 27
Mon., April 30
Tues., May 29
Tues., June 26
Tues., July 31
Tues., Aug. 28
Tues., Sept. 25
Tues., Oct. 30 (Day prior to Scary U, but a school night for the kids.)
Tues., Nov. 27 (Last 2007 Board meeting.)
January 2008 date to be decided by the new Board.
2. Membership Meetings are on the third Friday all year, starting at 7:30 PM.
3. New Year’s Day member only run day on Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, starting 9:00 AM.
4. Spring Meet is for the third weekend in May.
5. Independence Day celebration is for Wednesday, July 4th plus additional days desired by park staff and organizers of the park event. (This could lead to activities for several days.) We will participate in the parade on the 4th again, with a float.
6. Haunted House on Oct. 31 plus additional days to be discussed with Jerry Jewell.
7. Santa Run on December 1 & 2, the first weekend.
8. Fall meet third weekend in Oct.

Fall Meet photos now online. Thanks to Kevin Sach, Lois Clifton, and Leonard Houpt for sharing their photos. J

oin us at the International Rail Fair at the Roseville, Ca. fair grounds November 11-12.

Life Member Harry Harward passed away on August 22 at the age of 96. He had been seriously ill for a while and spent time in the hospital before passing away. The attached link to the Sac Bee obituary indicates a remembrance ceremony will be held in Worchester, Mass, at interment with his wife Georgette. Harry loved to come to the track and talk to the people at the station with his engineers overalls, kerchief, and cap on. http://www.legacy.com/sacbee/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStoryPrint&PersonID=19055007

SVLS member Henry Aguirri of Nevada City has passed away. There will be a memorial service for him on September 24,2006 from 11:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at Crete Hall, Hutchins st Square, 125 S Hutchins St., in Lodi Ca. July 14, 2006 -

Introducing The Home Railway Journal There is new magazine devoted to those who have built or are interested in home railways. The Home Railway Journal focuses on those live steamers who have a track at home. The articles are also useful for those who want a magazine devoted to live steam railroads. visit: http://svls.org/text/www.homerailwayjournal.com

June 11, 2006 - Fourth of July run days and events. SVLSRM will be running in July: Sat. 7/1 12n-4p, Sun. 7/2 12n-4p, Mon. 7/3 4p-8p, Tue. 7/4 12n- ?, and Sun. 7/16 12n-4p. We will have at least one train and two volunteers all four days (the same two volunteers). We do have some other volunteers as well for 7/1 and 7/4. However, we would like this to be more representative of our organization so more volunteers are urged to help out. Please let Joel or me know if you can spare a few hours over the holiday weekend. See special 4th of July activities in Hagan Community Park by the city of Rancho Cordova here. (http://www.ranchocordovajuly4th.com/)

June 8, 2006 - Photos of the 2006 Spring Meet have been posted on SVLS web. Special thanks to Daniel Morris for sharing many of his photos. There are two link to look at: 2006 Spring meet 1 & 2. Enjoy.

Hey Members,
Do you enjoy those great BBQ and during our meets?

Then we could really use your help in getting a new BBQ.
We need one made to cook for large crowds. (like the up coming meet)

Please help by giving a donation for the BBQ.

We need to raise $428.93 If you can donate please Call Lois (916) 722-8514

Les Wilmunder has donated $150 to start the BBQ fund, who else will donate.

Thanks

May 4, 2006

There is a change in the time of Louise Yungling's service. Due to a parade that will close down Elk Grove blvd. the service has been rescheduled for 1:00 pm. It is still on Saturday, May 6th. If there are still roadblocks, ask for directions to the funeral home and the traffic directors will help you get to the service. It is also suggested exiting at Bond road, East to Waterman road, South to Elk Grove boulevard, West to the Chapel.

The reception has been moved to Ed Yungling's house immediately following the service.
Maps to Ed's house will be available at the Chapel.

April 30, 2006

There will be a memorial service for Louise Yungling, wife of Edwin Yungling on May 6th. 2006 at 1:00 pm (new time) at the Elk Grove Funeral Chapel.

The chapel is located at 9101 Elk Grove Blvd. in Elk Grove. Coming from highway 99 you would head East on Elk Grove Blvd. and one block past the railroad tracks you will find the Chapel on the left (North) side of the street. There is additional parking on the South side of Elk Grove blvd directly across from the Chapel. There will be a gathering afterwards.

Louise was born December 14th. 1934 at Represa, Ca (Folsom). My parents were married in 1953. They had five children. She lived most of her life in California except for the time my father was in the Air Force. Our family settled down in Rancho Cordova in 1963. When the SVLS was formed in the late 1960's our family was one of the host families for the SVLS monthly meetings until a home was found at the recreation center. We also stored the riding cars and various equipment until permanent homes for them became available at the park. My mom was always a gracious host and her efforts were well appreciated. In the late 1980's my parents moved to Wilton, Ca. and built a home and shop on five acres. My mom really enjoyed the peace of country living and she had planted trees and plants everywhere. The WIlton home became a sort of central meeting place for holidays and special occasions for our family. Our family is very saddened by her sudden departure since her ailments were not considered life threatening. She was 71 years of age when she passed away.

Donald Yungling

April 28, 2006

Louise Yungling, wife of Edwin Yungling (a founding member), passed away on April 28th, 2006. She had just completed her chemo and radiation therapy treatments for lung cancer and was in remission when she suffered three compression fractures in her spine. She had two surgeries to repair her vertebra but they left her paralyzed from the middle of her body down. While undergoing therapy she suddenly contracted pneumonia in both of her lungs which she was unable to recover from. Arrangements are being made for a memorial service and details will be provided when they become available.

On December 9th. 2005 Toyoko Yungling, wife of Donald Yungling, underwent surgery to replace her Aorta valve which was rapidly deteriorating. The surgery was successful with only a complication from a blood thinner (Heparin) which caused her platelets to drop to a dangerously low level. The surgeons and hematologists were able to diagnose and treat this condition and Toy was able to come home a couple of days before Christmas. She is still recovering and getting stronger and more active every day.In fact I wish I had her stamina and drive.
Donald Yungling

March 31, 2006 A new Area Information web page has be setup to give references to area services like: Police, Hospital, Pharmacies, Animal care, Shopping, Restaurants, Auto stuff, Service stations, Hardware, Banks, Hotels.

Request for those that are receiving our news letter the Golden Spike to select reading it on-line and not receiving it by US mail. An E-mail notice can be sent when it is published. Please notify the newsletter Editor via E-mail.

Thanks

2006 Public runs - First run is March 4th Noon to 4 PM.

Dec. 27, 2005 - Vandals broke into SVLSRM fenced area and took about 60+ feet of aluminum rail used with the portable track setup.

Gate broken into and ties removed from rail

Nov. 24, 2005 - The SVLS web site can be access from you cell phone if you have web enabled cell phone. Just use the follow URL:
webphone.svls.org
This gives you access to three sections of the web: Calendar, News, and Track status. More features can be added if users find it useful.

Nov. 4, 2005 - Long-time member Darrel McWhirk had a stroke nearly a week ago. He is improving each day. He expects to be transferred to a convalescent hospital soon. We are confident he will eventually be able to come home again.
Everyone should know Darrel's name, as he was the one who started the SVLS steam program with the no-strings attached donation of his ten wheeler to the club. Now SVLS 1973, the club steamer has always been a semi-"club engine." When still painted as Rutland 70, Darrel would let many members run his engine to share the live steam experience. Kids were especially famous on his engine, as he would ride behind or on the tank car and let them run the 1800' loop on passenger trains.

Please keep both Darrel and Anita in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Nov. 3, 2005 - Our Fall meet photos are now for viewing. - Thanks to Red and Bill for the Photos.

Oct. 24, 2005 - New brochure with 2006 ride schedule is in documents sections. Updated RULES book also now available in documents section.

Oct. 5, 2005 - Al SHELLEY, Passed away on September 26, 2005. Al was a founding member of SVLS in 1973.

Please join Al's family and friends for a celebration of his life on Sunday, October 16, 2005 at the California State Railroad Museum. There will be a train ride on the Sacramento Southem Railroad at 5:00 p.m. departing from the foot of "I" Street in Old Sacramento. Following the train ride, the celebration will continue in the Museum Roundhouse. Please enter the Roundhouse through the Turntable doors (on the Sacramento River side of the Museum).
In lieu of flowers, Al would be pleased if all would register on the National Organ Donor Registry. Al was on dialysis for the last 7 months of his life and saw many young people at his appointments who would have a chance at a normal life with a donated kidney. Mary asks if you have railroad clothes, wear them. (from Sacramento Bee)

See Funeral Notices for Al in Sacramento Bee.

Sept. 20, 2005 - UPDATE to calendar. Date changes.

October board meeting changed to Sept. 29th at 7:00 PM

Haunted house October 28,29, & 31. VIP night on Friday, October 28 and then the first public display on Saturday night, October 29. Sunday the 30th will be skipped and it will open once again on Halloween night, Monday the 31st. SVLS volunteers are needed. If you can help, contact Clio or Vern Geyer (916-645-9154)

Sept. 13, 2005 - ALERT - to stolen track.

Private tracks are no different than club tracks...lowlifes stealing essential parts of the railroad for operation.

140 feet of my home 4 3/4" track in Sacramento was stolen last Thursday night, September 8th. This includes 16 panels of track along with two switches. That constitutes a good portion of the 538 feet that was its previous total length.

These guys knew what they were doing, taking the time to unscrew the fishplates as well as bringing along a nutdriver to unscrew rail from the plastic ties. They were kind enough to leave one crossing panel for me (how generous!). My guess is that they took the track for the aluminum as is usually the case at SVLS (hopefully to help hurricane victims, but I doubt it).

If you see anyone trying to sell you some track (it was 1/2" and 1" high rail), please contact Matt Mason at 916-366-7438.

Sept. 6, 2005 - Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Museum has been invited by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation to participate in an Admission Day Weekend festival to celebrate California's rich heritage. Because SVLSRM is a railroad museum, the state would like us to participate with other museum organizations in the Sacramento area at this event.

Dates are: Friday, Step. 9 through Sunday Step. 11, 10:00am - 5:00pm.

The main highlight is the grand opening of the recently renovated Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park. SVLS will have a display of our steam locomotive, several cars, and other items on the CHP building roof garden located between 7th and 8th, and N and O streets in downtown Sacramento.

Volunteers are needed. Please contact Joel Corbin (916-961-5075) or Pete Arney (916-988-2000) if you would like to help out.

Sept. 6, 2005 - ALERT to stolen engine.

Yesterday I had my workshop broken into and someone stole me 0-4-0 I
was working on. It is a 1 1/2" Railroad Supply Switcher. I had the
left side running gear almost done, the chassis was all done with the
smoke box installed. The number plate on the front is number 98. The
drivers are painted black and the rest is either not painted or gray
primer. Most of the running gear was not screwed down. If anyone has
information about this please contact me at:

Eric Hawley
5789 Alta Vista Ave
San Diego, Ca 92114
619-795-3639
ehawley2@cox.net <mailto:ehawley2@cox.net> "

July 1, 2005 - Amy Lutrel is appointed our membership coordinator.

Richard Lutrel is appointed to Trainmaster to complete
                        current term (2005).

June 26, 2005 - added video sent to us by Scott Herring of his visit to our Fall 2004 meet.

June 13, 2005 - See great photos of SVLS Spring meet by Dan Morris .
See more train photos at Dan's "Live Steaming In The Pacific Northwest" & More!

May 26, 2005 - Added Diamond Valley Railway to railroad links

May 23, 2005 - Spring Meet pictures on-line. If you have some good ones please send them to the editor.

April 1, 2005 - "Thieves sidetrack railroad" news article Published in The Grapevine Independent on April 1, 2005.

Read news article

Read Grapevine Commentary

March 25, 2005 - Vandals removed the rest of the Sugar Pine cutoff and two more switches. Track is not usable.

This means NO run day for March 26 th. This means no trains for the kids at the Easter Egg Hunt in the park.

The April 2nd public run day is also canceled.

March 23, 2005 - Vandals removed 120 ft. of dual gauge track along the Sugar Pine cutoff.  Removed was most of the siding and the south switch. Not sure when it happened.   About 15 ft. and the north switch are all that remains.  A police report has been made.

Feb. 24, 2005 - SVLS meeting for March 18th has been canceled. We will see you in April.

Feb. 24, 2005 - Please note that March run days are the Saturday the 5th and SATURDAY the 26th. The 26 is also the Easter egg hunt in the park.

Saturday Feb. 18, 2005

Vern says thanks to everybody who came out to help with the cutting down of two more of the Fruitless Mulberry trees.

Dec. 2004 - Our new name is now:
Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Museum, Inc.

Nov. 14, 2004 - SVLS is featured at the International Rail Fair by the Sacramento Bee - see the Metro section in Sunday's paper.

Read Bee article on-line

Oct. 31, 2004 - skeleton crew run train for Haunted House at SVLS

Oct. 26, 2004 - Track fixed thanks to the good work by Pete and his crew.

Oct. 24, 2004 - Vandalism again on SVLS track. During the previous week rail was cut and remove from the track along the cure by the bike trail (RiverView). In addition more rail was damaged with the bolt cutters by trying to cut the rail but did not complete the cut.

This track must be fixed prior to the "Ghost train" event this coming Friday. If you can come and help please call Pete Arney 916 956-2870.