January 17, 2005

After several years, Niles Canyon Railway has finally been able to bring the rest of their train cars to their Brightside storage facility in Sunol by way of the new track that they recently laid last July. Although the event was not advertised, the word got out last Saturday and there were several railroad enthusiasts lining Sunol - Pleasanton Road armed with cameras ready to capture the historical event. I myself just happened upon the scene while driving on nearby highway 680.

Niles Canyon Railway's Chief Station Agent, Al McCracken said, "We've been waiting a long time to get our equipment together." A total of 17 cars were brought down from the Oakland Army Naval base where they had been stored all these years and three steam engines were brought from their Fremont storage facility on that very same day.

The Pacific Locomotive Association, which operates the Niles Canyon Railway, is busy getting ready to start passenger service between Fremont and Sunol by way of Niles Canyon. The track is in and they are currently working towards building a passenger boarding facility in the Niles District of Fremont. Al tells me that they are also in the process of restoring an old dome car, he says, "We are really anxious to get the dome car ready for passenger service; hopefully near the end of 2005 for the Holiday Train of Lights".

In celebration of their Saloon finally being opened, Bosco's Bones and Brew restaurant and saloon is having another grand re-opening this Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. And just like their first grand opening they will serve a buffet style dinner which will include a variety of salads, chilled salmon, hot dishes such as prime rib, lasagna, fried chicken, fried calamari, ham, vegetables, ravioli and spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread and scrumptious desserts; all for only $10.00 per person. For reservations please call Bosco's at 925-862-0821.

But the excitement will be in the Saloon where there will be live music featuring a Bosco's Favorite, PT & the Cruzers. The band will be performing from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.

It's been raining for weeks, so what do you do with the kids on a cold winter day? Bundle up in your old outdoor gear and head to Sunol Regional Park this Saturday. Even the little ones will be able to enjoy a day in the mud exploring the habitats of salamanders because this hike, from 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m, is open to children ages 4 to 8 years only. To register, please call 925-862-2601. And for the bigger kids, those over 6 years old and adults, there is a naturalist led hike called, Little Yosemite in Winter. This moderately strenuous 3-mile hike will take you through beautiful tree studded canyons to explore the parks most remarkable rain-swollen waterfalls. This hike is from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. All children must be supervised and no pre-registration is required. For more information please call the park at 925-862-2601.

Last weeks meeting regarding the Alameda County Waste Management's proposed recycling facility in Sunol was well attended by approximately 75 concerned citizens. To get involved or to get more information please attend the weekly meeting held each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Sunol Glen School cafeteria or go to their website at www.stopthedumpinsunol.org.