There is nothing dramatic about this picture, so what I believe appeals to me about it is it recreates the ambience of branch line steam railroading about anywhere along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to Southern California during SP days. I like the details. The steep canyon walls, oak and madrone trees (not to mention poison oak), the typical morning overcast, the cool air helping the steam condense, light branch line rail, the classic SP steam locomotive face, a heavyweight Harriman headend car. Niles Canyon Railroad (with the help of the Golden Gate Railroad Museum who preserves the 2472) provide a great setting for this kind of thing. And as they lay more track the opportunities will only get better.
