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Trains and Travel Feather River Express The Return of the California Zephyr Part 4



by Chris Guenzler



The train came out of Tunnel 32 and onto the world famous Keddie Wye.





This tunnel completes the wye at Keddie.





Our train passed another westbound UP train at Keddie.





A green signal at east Keddie as we headed to Quincy Junction.





Quincy Junction where the Quincy Railroad interchanges with the UP.





Looking down into the Quincy Valley.





Crossing the Chandler Trestle east of Quincy Junction.





Our train approaching the Williams Loop.





Our train went through the tunnel and started the trek around the Williams Loop.





A minute later we completed our trip around the Williams Loop.





The train passed through Spring Garden.





Our train entered the Spring Garden Tunnel.





Our train exited the Spring Garden Tunnel.







Our train followed the Middle Fork of the Feather River. I went in to the Silver Lariat and sat down for dinner.





A salad was served first.





The Middle Fork of the Feather River as we neared Portola.





The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola. Our train pulled past the yard office to a switch and backed into a siding where a Western Pacific switcher from the museum's collection pulled us back to the interchange track into the museum. We pulled forward into the museum and then the switcher pulled us around the balloon track.





My Prime Rib Dinner came while all this was happening. After our trip around the balloon track, the switcher pushed us into the track alongside of the shop building. After a dessert of Apple Cobbler a la mode, Bill and I detrained for our ride to the Pullman House.





The train at Portola after a fantastic trip here, great service all day by the excellent onboard staff provided by California Zephyr Railcar Charters, and meeting new friends. We walked over to the museum's entrance to wait for the crew van to pick us up which they did a few minutes later. They delivered us to the Pullman House where we would spend the two nights.

The Pullman House



Bill Bishop and I were booked into the Pullman House for our two night stay in Portola. The inn was built in 1910 by Mattie Conner as a boarding house. In 1988 it was converted into a Bed and Breakfast. In 1993 the inn went through a complete renovation that included adding private bathrooms to all rooms. The rooms are small but cozy. A train theme was taken on and the Inn was named after the Pullman Car. There are six guest rooms and all are non smoking. Amenities include a TV, VCR Player, phone, coffee maker, hair dryer and ironing board. The Inn has both upstairs and downstairs sitting rooms and a deck with a view of the former Western Pacific Railroad. There is also a dining room where a light continental breakfast is served. It is within easy walking distance of the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.





The sign for the Pullman House.





A switch stand.





Weather Vane on the roof.





The guest book area right inside the door. Now I will show you Room 5 where we stayed.





There are two twin beds.





This picture is over my bed.





The bathroom has a shower.





The picture over Bill's bed.





Sink and mirror.





TV and VCR above the coffee maker and drawers. Now I will take you on a tour of the Inn.





These two pictures are in the living room.





This railroad art work is also here.





The heater is also out here.







Below the ceiling are these trains.







More railroading around this room.





Neat clock.





More railroad things.





The last of the things in the Living Room. Next we head to the kitchen where you fix your breakfast.





This is where you put your breakfast together.





The tables are where you eat it.





A Baldwin Locomotive Builder Plate.





Another fantastic painting.





A Railroad Stock Certificate.





An EMD Builder Plate.





A train can run around the room.





Now let's go upstairs.





A Union Pacific Famous Poster.





The Upstairs Hall.





Another painting.





More artwork.





Interesting things on this table.





Another picture.





A step box.





The upstairs sitting room.





Another picture.





Diesel Horns.





A nice selection of books one can read while staying here.





Some lamps.





A steam engine. Now let us go out onto the deck.





This crossing sign points the way towards the ex Western Pacific mainline below.





Views from the deck. That first night here I worked on labeling the pictures but was tired and called it an earlier night than normal.



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