Steam locomotive bound for Folsom

Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad will operate operate a steam locomotive, the Santa Cruz Portland Cement #2, known as "The Chiggen," for excursion train rides in the 2020 season. A contract has been signed between P&SVRR and the locomotive's owner, Efstathios Pappas, to lease the engine to the railroad for 15 years. P&SVRR President Jim Harville said this locomotive is very similar to the locomotive the prison used to run through town, and will be a great way to bring more history to life in the Folsom Region. A licensed operator of 15 miles of rail from Folsom Boulevard to the town of Latrobe, P&SVRR will use this locomotive to haul more passengers. "The steam engine will be the motive power for our train and will be hauling passengers," Harville said. "We'll be capable of hauling longer trains, and it will allow us to serve more passengers and provide a richer historical experience." In addition to the 15 miles of rail, the P&SVRR also has 20 miles of track between Latrobe and Placerville, which still remains. "Our hope is to connect our program to the El Dorado Western Railroad, which is operated by the El Dorado County Historical Museum," Harville said. Jerry Bernau, president of Bernau Development Corp, generously donated the cost of transporting this locomotive from its current residence in Washington state to its new home in Folsom. Bernau is also constructing the roundhouse restaurant building in the Folsom Historic District, the future home of Scott's Seafood and Williamette Wineworks. "My interest has been for 25-30 years, given the significance of rail to Folsom. It was the first rail west of the Mississippi, Theodore Judah, who was primarily responsible for that, laid out the town, mapped out the railroad," he said. "I always wanted to see a steam locomotive back in the city. When I see this small group of extremely dedicated and passionate rail enthusiasts and they figured out a way to secure a 15-year lease on a steam locomotive and bring it to Folsom, how could I not support it? The reality is it's very difficult to do this. If any city in California should have a steam locomotive, it's Folsom. For them to make it happen, it wasn't easy." Bernau hopes others will follow his lead in donations to this local nonprofit. "I think it's a great education piece for the community and children being raised in the community. History is important," he said. The railroad welcomes additional donations to assist with the initial costs for establishing its steam program. Anyone interested can donate and learn more at psvrr.org. "I would like to thank the City of Folsom for their support, thank Jerry Bernau for his gracious offer to provide the transportation for the steam locomotive, and we look forward to the many years providing history education and fun to the community," Harville said. The historic Placerville branch line last saw a steam locomotive on the tracks in 1957 during an excursion originating in Oakland, now 62 years ago. The locomotive will be delivered at the end of January or early February, Harville said. Currently, P&SVRR is offering the Santa's Whistlestop Adventure for the next two weekends. Details can be found on their website as well. Placerville & Sacramento Valley railroad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving California's rich railroad history, whose volunteers operate scenic train excursions year-round on portions of Southern Pacific Railroad's historic Placerville Branch between Folsom and Latrobe. Since its founding in 2008, ridership has grown rapidly and the program now serves more than 7,000 passengers annually. About SCPC #2 "The Chiggen" Built in 1909 by H. K. Porter, this oil-burning 0-4-0 standard gauge tank engine served Santa Cruz Portland Cement Co. in Davenport, as well as Bechtel Kaiser Rock Co. in Oroville. Affectionately known as "The Chiggen," the locomotive was used as a billboard for a fried chicken restaurant for over 30 years in Stockton before it was purchased by Efstathios Pappas in 2006 and rebuilding began. In 2014, this engine pulled excursion passenger trains at Niles Canyon Railway, Roaring Camp Railroads and at the Northwest Railway Museum. The locomotive is set to begin excursion service in 2020.