Originally known as West Side & Cherry Valley Ry. No.9, the rail bus was shop-built in the 1970’s to run tourist excursions.
(Click photos to enlarge)
A collision on a blind curve with a Shay locomotive ended its career.
The museum purchased the bus in 1984 for $200 through an agent who was disposing of the railway’s assets. It was trucked from Tuolumne, CA to a storage lot in Nevada City where the engine was removed. A replacement V-6 engine and transmission were procured, but they mysteriously disappeared one night and the project stalled. The bus sat untouched, except by the weather, for the next nineteen years.
In 2004, it was moved to the museum's restoration shop. The years of Sierra foothill winters had deteriorated the vehicle to the point that only the chassis, differential, and wheels were salvageable.
Reconstruction began in May, 2005. Photographs of the original bus are scarce and of poor quality but the restoration crew agreed on a design that closely reflected the original and then began their work. They cleaned and painted the frame and installed a 1984 Ford 6-cyl. truck engine and manual transmission.
The majority of work was completed on site by restoration crew volunteers.
A new shift lever is fitted and the driver's seat is positioned.
Work begins on the body. Note the cross ties used as cribbing to support the roof before the vertical braces are welded into place.
The body and roof are nearly completed.
It Runs!
Passengers sit on restored benches salvaged from former WSCV Ry excursion car No. 203 (seen on the far side of rail bus).
After a year of work, construction completed. The finishing touches include disc brakes, a brass LeRoi radiator, Ford Model A head and tail lights, and an external trunk from a 1924 Buick.
The reconstructed rail bus is named for Sarah Kidder, president of the NCNGRR from 1901-1913 and first woman president of an American railroad. At dedication ceremonies held on April 29, 2006, "Sarah Kidder" received the traditional champagne christening and made its first official run. The rail bus takes visitors on short rides through the museum's rail yard on selected days. Future plans include longer excursions on narrow gauge lines throughout the West.
This dedication plaque recognizes those who contributed their resources and labor to the success of the rail bus project.
