The train is the north bound Shasta Daylight and it was taken at teh 16th street depot in Oakland California in the early 1960's
I believe it is. A lot of the stuff here is operable but is not operated on any regular basis, as far as I know. If it breaks, it would be mucho dinero to fix. I admit I'd love to hear that 16 cylinder 251 burble to life. I'd get my favorite lawn chair and sit and fall asleep by the rhythm of the idle (fond memories of RS-18s from the 1970s are flooding back, noise, smoke and smells!).
The idea was not having to turn them on lines without wyes or turntables. It reminds me of the Next Generations Enterprise battle bridge.
The PEIR started of narrow gauge but was converted in the 1920's to standard gauge. The plow was built in 1939. A model is available at Shapeways and some history. http://www.shapeways.com/product/SH...w-body-only?li=shop-results&optionId=43508454
This was taken almost exactly five years ago and I can't recall, but I'm thinking you're right. We'd left the motel and were driving to nearby Breaks State Park and this scene caught my eye. My wife was okay to wait a bit and it didn't take long for a train to show. This was one of my last rail pictures shot on film. I found some promising shots within Breaks State Park, but it turned overcast and rainy the next day as seen here.