Raven's Roads
Living an interesting life: the travels and musings
of motorcycling author Linda R. Moore

Jan 25, 2007

History Nuggets: Niles Canyon Railway

Niles Canyon is a favorite among local bikers, seeming to take you far from the chaos of commuter land into a world populated by leafy trees, old stone walls and a pleasant little river. As you ride, though, you catch glimpses of a different form of transportation: railroad tracks, and even, if your timing is right, an old steam train chugging its way along above you. The Niles Canyon Railway, once part of the first transcontinental railroad, is now owned and operated by a non-profit, the Pacific Locomotive Association, and supports its substantial collection by giving short rides, renting out its caboose for parties, and running special events.

In Suñol, a small rural town at the end of the canyon, the station has been lovingly maintained. An E Clampus Vitus plaque tells of the railroad and also of the reconstruction. When you go on a ride here, you see many of the original stone bridges and other features from its 1865 construction–not much rebuilding was done after the initial launch, and for historians that is indeed a blessing. For eighty years, steam trains used this stretch of the railroad before being replaced with diesel locomotives in the Fifties. Sadly, this all came to an end in 1984 when Southern Pacific stopped operations, pulled up the tracks, and deeded the land to Alameda County.

The Pacific Locomotive Association had a better idea. In 1987, they made arrangements with the County and started putting the rails back in. Everything was done by volunteer effort, and in May 1988 trains were running again after a break of only four years in 120 years of operation. If you’ll permit me a terrible pun, I think that’s a marvelous track record.

At the other end of the railroad is Niles Station, now a small railroad museum; mostly, it’s open on Sundays. In the railroad’s heyday Niles was a thriving town; now, it’s just a name that survives as part of Fremont. Since the 1960s, the non-profit has been collecting rare and unusual locomotives, and now has a collection of 22 engines and cars. The last of the collection was assembled in September 2004, driving proudly in on its own two tracks. It’s a sight to see, and I hope one day to chip in by taking my own one hour and ten minute ride.

Sunol Station