Prototype Tours
Rails Across the Bay 2009 features both free and extra-fare prototype tours this year.
All tours are self-driven, with carpooling encouraged.
Free Tours
- USS-POSCO Industries Plant Tour
The tour of the Pittsburg steel finishing plant, a joint venture of U.S. Steel Corporation and POSCO, of the Republic of Korea, starts at 10:00 AM, Friday, April 17, with a maximum of 20 people.
Transportation will be by self-arranged carpools. The driving time to Pittsburg from the hotel with no traffic is about 1 hour, so figure at least ninety minutes to drive there safely.
The tour starts with an orientation of the plant's safety procedures, followed by a presentation showing an aerial overview and discussion of the processes and flow of materials through the plant. You will then get to see three different process lines and then a tour of the shipping facilities. Website
Clothing Restrictions: No shorts, no short sleeves, no open-toed shoes, and preferably no tennis shoes. Long sleeve shirts REQUIRED.
- Accucraft Trains Open House
From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Wednesday, April 15, Accucraft Trains, located at 33268 Central Avenue in Union City, CA 94587, will be having an Open House where Rails Across the Bay 2009 convention attendees are welcome to stop by to see their display of models they have shipped in 1:24, 1:32, 1:20.3 and other scales. Some of their products will also be on sale. Visit their website for more information on their product line.
Driving Directions: Drive 9.7 miles north of the Convention Hotel's Fremont Blvd exit on I-880, take Exit 23/Alvarado-Niles Road, then turn right (east) onto Alvarado-Niles Road. Drive 1.2 miles on Alvarado-Niles Road, then turn left onto Central Avenue, go 0.5 miles north to arrive at 33268 Central Avenue on the right after crossing Pacific Street. (If you cross Atlantic Street, you went too far!) Accucraft Trains is located in the right rear corner of the group of buildings.
Flyer with directions to Accucraft's showroom for printing before coming to the convention. - NUMMI Plant Tour
CANCELLED - Plant closed!
Extra-Fare Tours
- Niles Canyon Railway / Brightside Tour
This is your opportunity to ride and photograph a vintage steam train plying its way through scenic historical Niles Canyon, the Transcontinental Gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Carpools will depart from the convention hotel Thursday at 9:00 AM and return about 2:00 PM. A box lunch will be provided.
Once at Niles, we'll ride the Niles Canyon Railway from Niles to Sunol, stopping along the way for a photo run-by and pictures. On the return trip we'll stop at Pacific Locomotive Association’s Brightside Yard for a tour led by Jim Evans, PLA's Head Docent. After the yard tour, we'll again ride the train to complete the return trip to Niles. The cost is $25.00. - Speeder Rides
The speeders are privately owned by members of a club, with each speeder holding up to three riders. The number of available speeders is limited, so get your reservation in early for this one. Participants are on their own to get to the Pacific Locomotive Association’s Brightside Yard in Niles Canyon.
The speeder rides will be Saturday at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, with a maximum of 19 riders per trip or 95 total riders. The cost is $25.00.
Clothing Restrictions: No shorts, no open-toed shoes, and preferably no tennis shoes. More details will follow.
Stan Keiser, Prototype Tours Chairman
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