July 8-12, 2015 SMVRR Business Excursion to Portland Lynn and Jamie joined the Santa Maria Valley Railroad officers and investors on a business excursion to Portland, Oregon aboard the Tioga Pass and the Pacific Sands (behind Amtrak's Coast Starlight). FRIDAY Thursday: Southern Oregon to Portland, evening in Portland Friday: Peninsula Terminal Co., SMV #205, Wilfs Saturday: Portland Art Museum, Portland to southern Oregon Sunday: Sacramento to SLO We visited the Peninsula Terminal Company. We think this Amtrak car was headed across the river for repairs. There's also a wye out here where Amtrak trains are sometimes turned. Just 4 digits off SMV's GP-9. Some older models elswhere on our journey. For a bunch of Santa Maria Valley Railroad folks, this was the highlight of the day. SMV #205 is getting very close to running again. George Lavacot has been rebuilding it since the 1980s, and just this past January he steamed it up! It's looking fantastic! She was last steamed up on the SMVRR in 1950, 65 years ago! Rob and George. Kevin (left) played on this locomotive as a kid when it was on display at the Santa Maria Fairgrounds. The tender from #205's sister, #100. #205 on display at the Santa Maria Fairgrounds, circa 1960s. During its display days at the Fairgrounds, #205 was brightly painted somewhat circus style. That paint had to be removed to restore it to its original black beauty. Dinner at Wilfs, right there in the train station. Live music and all. And a great meal it was. We had table-side ceasar salad, table-side steak medallions in a mushroom cream sauce, and table-side bananas foster. FRIDAY Thursday: Southern Oregon to Portland, evening in Portland Friday: Peninsula Terminal Co., SMV #205, Wilfs Saturday: Portland Art Museum, Portland to southern Oregon Sunday: Sacramento to SLO Jamie Foster Photography