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During the years that the Golden Gate Railroad Museum called Hunters Point home, we brought back the railroad experience of yesteryear by running and displaying historic trains. More than static displays, visitors became involved. We offered handcar rides, docent tours through vintage railroad cars and a
Rent-a-Locomotive Program where you could actually be the engineer. We are currently unable to offer these activities, but hope to offer them in the future when we again have a site that will support them.
Here are some photos of the good times and experiences many of our visitors have shared with us.
"Dear Dee,
I just had to let you know that yesterday was
our afternoon on the
Rent-A-Locomotive. My husband had the greatest time running that
train
back and forth.
We had about 15 adults and 4 children ages
8-14. Everyone had a great
time. The staff/volunteers were all so helpful and informative.
Weather was great (almost too hot).
A great time for all! Thanks so much for your
help. It was worth the
wait.... what was it 1996?, I think, that I put the deposit down.
Thanks again
Linda Bickel"
Photos by R. Vane and P.Thelen.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
"Hi Dee,
I just wanted to tell you that we drove the
locomotive yesterday and had
a WONDERFUL time. John was our Engineer and he was quite a treat.
Full
of information VERY pleasant. He really enabled us to have an EXTRA
good time. I don't remember his last name, but if there is some
way to
send him a note of appreciation I would really like to do so. All
the
participating staff/volunteers have helped to make this an exceptional
experience, including yourself.
Thank You,
Art Armstrong"
 
Photo by A. Armstrong. Click on
the images to enlarge them.
"Dear Dee,
I wanted to thank you for helping Anna put together a great day.
Your
whole organization was great and provides a memorable experience
that I
shall not forget.
Thank you again.
Eric Dugdale"
Photos by E. Dugdale. Click on the
image to enlarge it.
"Dear
Dee,
I wanted to take this moment to thank you and
everyone at the G.G.R.M.
for making my dad's dreams and my own dreams come true. Running
the #
2472 is an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. My
dad is
riding on cloud nine and I can't get him down!
Marshall and Mike are the most wonderful people
and they were so kind.
Please thank each of them for me. Marshall had amazing stories and
is a
wealth of knowledge, not to mention just a plain fun person to be
around...even before he has his coffee! Mike is a hero for making
the
call to restore #2472 and he is a great teacher. Mike was very
accommodating to my wave of questions and made me feel like a part
of
the crew rather than an outsider. These guys do not realize the
joy they
have brought to my dad and me.
If I had the money, I would give whatever you
needed to keep that
beautiful engine up and running. Words cannot give justice to the
feelings running through me when I pulled the whistle cord (which
is one
of the most beautiful sounding whistles), leaned back on the throttle,
and heard that incredible stack talk.
Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts
for making our dreams
come true.
Sincerely,
Dave Lotfi"
"Hi Dee,
It was nice to finally meet you and the others
at the museum last
weekend. We had a great time, all of us, and please pass our thanks
along to everyone. My father and I had a great time on Sunday morning.
I
think that in some ways it was better because we were more aware
of what
was going on and how we could watch and learn more.
Thanks again for your help for a great weekend.
We had a lot of fun and
we're looking forward to enjoying our membership. I may have to
try
operating a diesel one of these days.
Chuck Day and family"
"Dee,
Just wanted to follow up to say the party went
wonderfully. Please
thank Ron Vane for me, I was not able to in all the hustle and bustle
of
cleaning up afterward. The Docents were all great, but especially
Ron.
He got the kids very excited about the handcar and they all loved
their
rides with him.
The experience was truly memorable and many
of the parents commented
about what a great place it was for a kids party.
Thank you,
Lorraine"
Click on the image to enlarge it.
"Hello Dee,
I just wanted to quickly let you know that
both Adrienne and I had a
wonderful time at the GGRM this past Saturday. Our hour on the FM
H12-44 was so much fun that the time seemed to zoom by, and John
(the engineer - I'm sorry I don't remember his last name) was both
a friendly and excellent teacher (we greatly enjoyed his anecdotes
and recollections)! We would have loved
to sit with him over coffee to hear more of his stories about working
for the
railroad at the end of the age of steam and beginning of the diesel
era.
We also enjoyed our tour of the passenger cars
and engine house given by
another John (one of the docents) who was also very friendly and
knowledgeable. We really appreciated the "hands-on" nature
of the museum, and the fact that you could get up close to so many
things. We will definitely be
back!
Finally, I just wanted to share that after
our visit to the museum, we
stopped off at the India Point park (India Basin) where I proposed
to
Adrienne - as you can see from the attachment, she said "yes!"
So, we'll always have very special memories of the GGRM and the
time we spent there! :-)
If you have a chance, please pass on our thanks
and best wishes to both
Johns, and let the museum staff/members know how much we enjoyed
our
vist.
Warmest regards,
Martin Ebel
Canada"
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