Motorcar Operators West

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Motorcar Operators West is a club dedicated to the restoration and safe, legal operation of railroad motorcars.

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What's New

Napa Valley Wine Train Test and Tune

April 1, 2025 - June 29, 2025

Confirmed

Napa Valley Wine Train Test and Tune

April 1 - June 29, 2025 - By Appointment


MOW offers a Mentoring Program for new operators. This is also an opportunity to Test and Tune and Troubleshoot your car, and/or just run it, if you haven't had it out in a while. There is a 5-mile round-trip section of track we can use for this in the Napa Yard. The fee is $25. To schedule a date and receive all the details, contact Glenn Boatman (925) 289-6423 or Carl Shellhorn (707) 695-9722.

Amador Central Railroad

July 12, 2025

Confirmed

Please come and join us at Amador Central Railroad for the July 12, 2025 excursion.  Set on will start at 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  Safety meeting will begin at 9:40 a.m. 

Departure will be at 9:55 a.m.

We will make one run from Ione to Martel and return which is  approximately 10 miles each way. A second run will be taken in the afternoon after lunch.  A Hotdog  lunch will be available for a cost of $10 per person at the lunch break .

Suggested locations to stay include the Best Western Amador Inn, 209-223-0211 and the Ione Hotel, 209-781-5894.

Please send an Excursion Participant Form along with a Release Form printed on one sheet of paper signed by all riders and a Car Inspection Form and a check for $105.

Please make check out to
Motorcar Operators West

Mail check and associated documents to:
Mike Mitchell, Excursion Coordinator
P.O. Box 245
Guinda, CA 95637

Bigredfarmscapay@gmail.com
530-379-6651

Location of event
702 Hunter Lane
Ione, CA

Santa Cruz Run

July 23, 2025 - July 24, 2025

Confirmed

Motorcar Operators West is pleased to announce a long-awaited run on the Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway in Felton, CA. All NARCOA operators and guests are welcome to join us. Early set on will be the afternoon of Wednesday, July 23, from 2 – 4pm. Remaining cars will set on Thursday morning, July 24, from 7 - 9am. We will make two trips down the hill with a total of approximately 35 miles possible. All excursion details will be sent to you in early July via email in a Run Packet after your paperwork has been received. Cost is $100 per car. The EC is Rick Smith 707-631-5778 or r_smith627@comcast.net  Please contact me with any questions.

No Hy-rails or Home-made railcars allowed. No Mentoring without prior approval.

All NARCOA and MOW Rules apply.

Excursion Forms:

Please carefully complete these forms using the information provided below.

Excursion Participant Registration, General Release (1-sheet double-sided), and Inspection

Excursion Name: Santa Cruz Run

Dates: July 23-24, 2025

Railroad Name: Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway

NARCOA Affiliate: Motorcar Operators West

Location: Felton, CA

Send your completed forms and check (made out to MOW) to: 

Rick Smith

5124 Hallmark Court

Fairfield, CA 94534-6828

Apache Railroad - Holbrook, AZ

October 25, 2025

Confirmed

Please join us at Holbrook, AZ on October 25, 2025. We will be setting cars on at Holbrook, AZ just off of Highway 77 just south of the BNSF railway on Bucket of Blood road, starting at 6:30 am and working until all set on. We hope to have our safety briefing by 9AM and then leave for Snowflake. We will have a restroom break at MP 15 then on to Snowflake then run around the wye at the shops at Snowflakes Apache Railroad shops and have a restroom break then head back to Holbrook for set off. Since Saturday is not a work day there will only be access to a restroom in the shops. There is a 20 car limit because of parking.

Call Joe Schnyder at: 623-332-0238  to reserve a spot!

Grand Canyon Railroad

October 26, 2025 - October 29, 2025

Confirmed

67.4 miles each way Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Two Nights stay at the Kachina Lodge. Canyon view rooms are $1,296.00. Street view rooms are $1,103.00. Double occupancy, all rooms are two Queen beds, $25.00 for each extra person limit 4 per room.

Total cost includes railroad fees, luggage portage and required tips. Please call for reservation and spot. Registration cut off will be 90 days prior to excursion at which time I will be cashing checks to pay for rooms and railroad fees.

July 25th. 

Joe Schnyder 623-332-0238.