The Pacific Locomotive Association and the Niles Canyon Railway held a special run om Saturday, May 1, with the 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum.” Some 40 rail fans paid to ride along in a chase train and stop multiple times and photograph the historic steam engine along the Niles Canyon Railway. The locomotive was built in 1909 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Pennsylvania.

All proceeds from the event will support the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. The all day trip included a stop at Brightside Steam Shop where SP #1744 is currently under restoration.

Meanwhile, the Niles Canyon Railway is scheduled to resume regular limited-capacity rides in June and July. More information is here.

PLEASANTON, CA – MAY 1: Train enthusiasts photograph the 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum” as it rolls in reverse along a track near Verona Road in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Niles Canyon Railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 
PLEASANTON, CA – MAY 1: The 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum” rolls along a track near Verona Road in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Niles Canyon Railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 
PLEASANTON, CA – MAY 1: The 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum” rolls along a track near Verona Road in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Niles Canyon Railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 
PLEASANTON, CA – MAY 1: The 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum” rolls along a track near Verona Road in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Niles Canyon Railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 
PLEASANTON, CA – MAY 1: The 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum” rolls along a track near Verona Road in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Niles Canyon Railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 
PLEASANTON, CA – MAY 1: The 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum” rolls along a track near Verona Road in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Niles Canyon Railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 
PLEASANTON, CA – MAY 1: The 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 steam locomotive, known as the “Skookum” rolls along a track near Verona Road in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Niles Canyon Railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) 
SUNOL, CA – MAY 1: The 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7 locomotive, known as the “Skookum” rolls in reveres as it heads out of the Niles Canyon Railway Station in Sunol, Calif., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The railway held a photographers’ special giving rail fans an opportunity to view and photograph the train in multiple locations along their railway. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the restoration of Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)