Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay RY Polar Express: Cab Ride in F9 #1102

Merry Christmas everyone! With the holiday season in full swing, the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Railway (owned by Iowa Pacific) brought out some of its passenger fleet to run "Polar Express" trains in the Santa Cruz area. Powering the train were two F9s and a GP9. I had the great fortune to ride along with a very gracious and friendly crew aboard F9 #1102 as the 5pm departure heads down the ex-SP Santa Cruz Branch to New Brighton State Park, where Santa will be picked up to visit with the children on board. After the year's runs are over, silence will once fall on the Santa Cruz Branch until the next SC&MB operation. Enjoy.