Tuesday, May 01, 2007

CPRR California/Nevada Tours

From: "Chris Graves" caliron@att.net

My telephone has been busy with folks asking for information on tours of the old CPRR grade – since many of those questions are from readers of the blog, here are some answers to the common questions:

1. There is a block of ice as large as a VW Beetle smack in the middle of Tunnel 6; and a sheet of 12 inch thick ice from the center of Tunnel 6 to the East Portal. The snow sheds are full of ice and snow, and most likely will be a hazardous walk until June 1 or so.

2. I don't charge for tours, however I do ask you pay my expenses: gas and lunch.

3. Tours start at NewCastle, then to NewCastle Cut, Bloomer Cut, Cape Horn, the pristine grade a few miles East of Cape Horn, Old Cisco (after about July 1 the road to Lookout Peak is open – this is a tough, dirty, and dangerous road; I really have to be provoked to go up there again. Tough on tires, as well as me) then on day #2, Summit Tunnel and the snow sheds. Additionally, there is some nice old grade East of Reno some 30 miles or so.

WarningWe WILL NOT trespass on UPRR property – the Railroad Police are nice folks, but the ticket, should you be caught on UPRR property starts at $600. This takes all the fun out of the day. ...

For those that have an interest, I do have some CPRR original construction rail that I sell for $35 or so, this for a desk top ornament. I am sold out of original spikes, but do have some 1871 spikes, should that be of interest.

Motels are available in Auburn, running from Motel 6 to the Holiday Inn.

You are welcome to call me at (916) 663-3742 should you have further questions.

Suggested reading is The Old Iron Road by David H. Bain – he went on this tour, and writes of it in that book.

—Chris Graves, NewCastle, Cal.

11 Comments:

Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

DISCLAIMER: Tours or travel would be entirely at your own risk. Not affiliated with the CPRR Museum.

5/01/2007 9:33 PM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

From: "Chris Graves" caliron@cwnet.com

Thanks, and thanks too for the words of caution that you offered. Some of these folks just don't know what the devil that they are getting in to ...

Farrar arrives tomorrow, and others follow. Will be a fun Spring.

—Chris

5/02/2007 9:52 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

We're sure that you'll tell them. Have a great time! Please say hi to Lynn.

P.S. In addition to all those extra tires, something to take along, a GPS equipped ELT.

5/02/2007 9:54 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

From: "Chris Graves" caliron@cwnet.com

Under discussion is a trip over the old grade from Toano to Promontory, this for photographers. The date is open, as is the trip, however late Sept. or early Oct. 2007 seems best the primary fellow sponsoring the trip. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MANDATORY.

—gjg

6/25/2007 1:55 PM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

See additional discussion.

8/14/2007 9:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

See obituary.

4/15/2016 3:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: "Peter Schmitz" peterwabbit@gmail.com
Subject: Is there anyway to visit tunnel #6 today?

I wonder if there is any way to visit the old tunnel #6 these days. Does anyone give guided tours or such? ...

—Peter Schmitz, San Franciso, CA

6/28/2016 1:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The west portal of Tunnel #6 (the Summit Tunnel) is easily reachable by foot from the Donner Ski Ranch, 19320 Donner Pass Road, Norden, CA 95724.

6/28/2016 4:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: "Jerome, Edward" EXJQ@pge.com
Subject: Truckee Abandoned tunnels

I would like to come up and see the abandoned tunnels. I have seen pictures of people riding their street licensed motorcycles through the tunnels. Is this legal to do? If so, I would ride up there on my street licensed motorcycle and check it out. ...

—Ed Jerome

9/12/2016 4:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: "Roger Beine" rogerbeine@yahoo.com

Is the Donner Pass tunnel open to the public? ...

—Roger Beine

6/29/2017 7:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

See, Donner Pass Summit Tunnels.

12/07/2019 11:22 AM  

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