Jes' got back from the event... what a rush! Sorry I missed you, Joe, but unfortunately we were in conflict with a previous engagement and didn't arrive until Tuesday. I'm glad you got to see the Shay... however, you missed one of the more harrowing events: Shay time trials racing. Seeing one of those engines barreling down at 3 times the normal operating speed, boilers swelling under pressure, was something of a fright.

Another recommended sight was the Buckingham Bar & Line Gang. They're a group of elderly gentlemen who demonstrate the art of track lining and spike driving, along with the original line shanties. They're East Coast, but if you have the chance to see them, do so. It's worth every penny.

As to the rest, I'm relocating soon and will hopefully be able to make the circle... as well as Quinn's and a few others. To everyone else in California, I strongly encourage visiting the Rail museum (as well as your local museums)... Part of folk is always going to be history, and I consider it an honour beyond any others to have been able to see (and perform in/around) this much solid history.

Keep the flame alive

M