At Friday, December 11's Board of Directors meeting, we discussed and approved the following schedule for number 9's return to service. This is, of course subject to modification for various reasons.
Number 9's public debut will be at this year's (2015) free Victorian Christmas event. We felt it appropriate to debut what has been a major rallying point for our members and volunteers, No 9, at our largest event of the year- which has also served as a source of great enthusiasm for our organization and the community we serve.
Everyone is welcome to come see No 9 on the 19th; please remember, however, that this is a busy event with most visitors' interest is a ride to see Santa. We can't guarantee a ride behind no 9 (which will be sharing duties with 10 and 52).
2. No 9 will operate at the 2016 Spring Work Weekend as a non-revenue thank you for our members, volunteers and donors. Details to be determined, as we have to avoid interfering with work efforts, but we want to honor everyone who has made the restoration of no 9 and the railroad to date possible. No 9 operation will focus on Saturday, April 30, 2016 (NOTE corrected date- thanks Dwight!)
3. A ceremony is planned to celebrate No 9's 125th birthday on our 2016 Annual Meeting: Saturday, May 7.
The day will begin with No 9's first revenue operation since 1933. That trip will consist of all the museum's original WW&F equipment and be sold as a fundraising trip. The only seats are on coach 3 and as such will be limited to 30 or so. The fare will include the trip and a print of no 9's official rebuilder's photo, and a commemorative ticket. Seat prices, on-sale date and other details still to be determined.
Following the first trip, we will have a ceremony with special guest speakers. No 9 will then commence hauling the regular train at regular fare- though we may spice up the day's consist some.
Look for other events such as photo charters in 2016 and beyond.
I'd like to reproduce the scene in Dick Symmes painting at Top of Mountain sometime this spring, however that is subject to some other factors (such as no 10 work) so we can't plan it yet.
Ok, let's have some fun!
Jason