[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SIERRA NO. 3

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park volunteers upon 
their diligent work and commitment to restoring the famous Sierra No. 3 
locomotive. The restored Sierra No. 3 made it's debut at the Railtown 
1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California on Friday, July 2, 
2010.
  Sierra No. 3 is an 1891 vintage steam locomotive built by Rogers 
Locomotive Works in Paterson, New Jersey. The locomotive was originally 
purchased in 1891 for use on the Prescott and Arizona Central, a 
railroad owned by Thomas Bullock. Due to the failure of the Prescott 
and Arizona Central railroad, Sierra No. 3 was transported to 
California and used in the building of the Sierra Railway from Oakdale, 
California.
  In the early 1900's, Hollywood producers first discovered Tuolumne 
County and its historic trains. Since then, Hollywood has been filming 
Sierra No. 3, the photogenic steam locomotive along the Sierra 
Railroad's scenic route, to satisfy America's love affair with Western 
movies. Starring in more than 100 movies and television productions, 
Sierra No. 3 has appeared in more motion pictures, documentaries and 
television productions than any other locomotive. It appeared in The 
Virginian with Gary Cooper in 1929, the first sound movie filmed 
outside of a Hollywood sound stage. Shortly after it appeared in The 
Texan, Sierra No. 3 was derailed from the movie business as the 
depression hit and the Sierra Railway was struggling with bankruptcy 
and reorganization. In 1948, repairs were made to Sierra No. 3 and the 
locomotive hit the movie scene once more, appearing in High Noon, The 
Great Race, Bound for Glory, Back to the Future III and Unforgiven. The 
locomotive also appeared on numerous commercials and television shows, 
including Lone Ranger, Tales of Wells Fargo, Petticoat Junction, 
Rawhide, Death Valley Days, Lassie, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Wild, Wild 
West, and Little House on the Prairie.
  After sitting idle for many years, Sierra No. 3 was overhauled and 
returned to service in 1948. It operated for many years pulling special 
excursion trains and starring in movies. It was Sierra No. 3's use in 
the movies that preserved the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse 
when most railroads were scrapping their locomotives and demolishing 
the old railhouses. In 1995, the Federal Railroad Administration 
implemented new requirements to ensure the safe operation of the aging 
American steam locomotives. The 110-year-old Sierra No. 3 was assessed 
and it was determined that major repairs were required for it to be in 
compliance with the new regulations. In early 2000, a crew began to 
disassemble the locomotive, but the project was put on hold until a 
major fundraising effort was initiated in 2007. The restoration process 
took almost three years and cost 1.5 million dollars to complete.
  Today, Sierra No. 3 is fully repaired, restored and ready for its 
debut. The locomotive is housed at the original Historic Jamestown 
Shops and Roundhouse (now Railtown 1897 State Historic Park). Railtown 
1897 operates, preserves and interprets one of just two remaining, 
fully intact and still functioning steam-era shortline railroad 
roundhouse complexes in the United States. With the dedication of many 
volunteers and partnerships, Sierra No. 3, originally built almost 120 
years ago, will be available to carry passengers along the historic 
gold country route.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Railtown 
1897 State Historic Park volunteers and the partners involved upon 
their success in bringing back Sierra No. 3. I invite my colleagues to 
join me in wishing all involved many years of continued success.

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