JAMESTOWN, Calif. — Sierra Railway 4-6-0 No. 3 will make its official public debut on July 12. The locomotive has been out of service since 2021 for its federally mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection.
The famed Rogers-built Ten Wheeler-type of Hollywood stardom was returned to steam early in the year. According to a June 3 Facebook post by owner Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, No. 3 was fired up on April 30 for the California Department of Transportation’s Tuolumne Gateway project ribbon-cutting ceremony. A June 2 article from the Mother Lode News reports that visitors to the park might see the locomotive in operation before the July 12 date during further testing, and that the locomotive could be operating as soon as June 6 in excursion service.
Once fully operational, the locomotive — built in 1891 and known from a wide range of TV and film appearances, ranging from High Noon to Back to the Future Part III — is expected to handle the park’s 6-mile, 45-minute excursions out of Jamestown two weekends per month. More information and tickets can be found on the latter’s website.
Former Sierra Railway’s N” 3 also starred in the 1960s television series “Petticoat Junction” with Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert. The locomotive appeared in the opening and closing credit pulling the passenger train through the countryside. When I was a girl, I watched the sitcom just to see the train.
Good to see number three back I hope they can get hold of Michael J Fox and also Christopher Lloyd that engine was used a lot in many movies including Back to the Future glad to see it back in operation.
Note that this “Ten Wheeler” mixed traffic steam engine Sierra No. 3 has been featured in more Movies and T.V. Shows than any other locomotive in motion picture history. The locomotive has been recognized nationally as “The Most Photographed Locomotive in the World”, due to its numerous movie appearances.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
It will be so nice to see Number 3 back in action!