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I’m sure we at the Carson and Colorado are not alone in our excitement to be at the end of 2020 and look forward to what 2021 will bring. With 2021 in mind we would like to showcase what we hope will be our primary restoration focus by this time next year, boxcar 1C. Acquired in 2019 from Silverwood Amusement Park, boxcar 1C is quite a survivor. Look out for some more detailed articles this coming year about its history. For now, here are some detail pictures of it:

While we know this has been a difficult year for many, the Carson and Colorado would certainly be grateful for any year end, tax deductible, contributions made to help facilitate 1C’s restoration, and towards the upkeep of #18, as functional pieces of our Eastern California Museum exhibit. We hope everyone stays healthy and happy, and once its again possible, please come join us in Independence.

October finally brought a small group together to do a little work in Independence. A pleasant, yet very hazy, weekend was the backdrop for things. Keeping Inyo Counties social distancing rules in mind, a group of only 7 of us came together to extended the track another 60 or so feet towards the museum. The future end of the track is actually in sight and a couple hundred feet away, in a straight line!

While track work was occurring Dave and Craig got our WW2 era bulldozer going to move a dirt pile in our path. It was quite a site to see that machine pushing dirt around; and yes, rumor has it that our very machine was used in John Wayne’s The fighting Seabees.

With track work well underway #18 was fired up for the first time in 2020 to provide a little training for a couple of folks on the fire up and shut down procedure. We all took it for a trip up and back while generally having a grand time.

Looking ahead, assuming circumstances will allow, our hope is to have a larger gathering after the first of the year with a focus on completing the museum extension track, switch, and performing the annual inspection on #18. Hope to see everyone in the Eastern Sierra’s!