IT'S THE "STEEPED IN HISTORY" PART THAT THE TREND-SUCKING DILETTANTES HATE:

Historic train's passage through San Clemente is a real toot (FRED SWEGLES, 9/21/08, OC Register)

A passenger train steeped in history chugged through San Clemente shortly after 9 a.m. today, pulled by former Santa Fe Locomotive 3751, the last steam locomotive to haul a scheduled commercial passenger train along the Los Angeles/San Diego route, in 1953.

"It was very special," said Ron Geisel, a San Clemente resident who watched from the pier. "It reminded me of the old days. It was very special to see something of the past come out of the past. I think they should run it more often."

The 3751, dating back to 1927, retired in 1953 and now is owned by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society. It passed through San Clemente on June 1 on a private excursion sponsored by the Central Coast Railway Club and the Pacific Locomotive Association.

Today was different. In June, the steam engine was hauling mostly Amtrak passenger cars. Today it hauled two dozen vintage passenger cars dating from the 1920s through the 1950s.

Thank goodness cars are just a fad.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 21, 2008 7:20 PM