Nearly three years ago, a coalition of local organizations embarked on a long-shot plan to bring the Heisler No. 9 – the last remaining locomotive from the “Crookedest Railroad in the World” that ran from Mill Valley to the top of Mount Tam – back to Mill Valley for the first time in 96 years.
To do so, Friends of No. 9, the organization formed by the Mill Valley Historical Society, Friends of Mt. Tam, Marin History Museum and others, submitted a winning auction bid of more than $56,000 to acquire the last remaining locomotive from the “Crookedest Railroad in the World” that ran from Mill Valley to the top of Mount Tam until 1924.
The elation of that moment – “people from Mill Valley have been trying to do this for 68 years,” MVHS President Eric Macris said at the time – was tempered by the time, money and effort required to move, restore and relocate the massive, 36-ton, aging locomotive.
That work began immediately after the auction, and the critically important foundation – fundraising – is kicking into high gear as Friends of No. 9 launches an end of year GiveLively fundraiser with a goal of $50,000. The first phase is the restoration of the locomotive and has a budget of $250,000.
“No. 9 represents not just an era, but the rare attraction that promoted wilderness preservation at the beginning of the 20th century,” Fred Runner, the executive director of Friends of No. 9,” said in unveiling the fundraiser. “It carried the first tourists to Muir Woods at a time when providing easy public access to a wilderness park was a new idea and before most people could afford an automobile. We know John Muir rode the railroad to Muir Woods at least 3 times and was treated like a rock star when he visited.”
“We need your help!” he added. “Restoration is underway. We have completed the removal of hazardous asbestos and are beginning to repair areas of weather-damaged metal on the 99-year old locomotive. Your donation will enable us to continue this next phase of restoration and have us closer to bringing the No. 9 home. We’re hoping you will consider making an end-of-year donation to help bring the No. 9 back home to Marin.”
Nearly three years ago, a coalition of local organizations embarked on a long-shot plan to bring the Heisler No. 9 – the last remaining locomotive from the “Crookedest Railroad in the World” that ran from Mill Valley to the top of Mount Tam – back to Mill Valley for the first time in 96 years.
To do so, Friends of No. 9, the organization formed by the Mill Valley Historical Society, Friends of Mt. Tam, Marin History Museum and others, submitted a winning auction bid of more than $56,000 to acquire the last remaining locomotive from the “Crookedest Railroad in the World” that ran from Mill Valley to the top of Mount Tam until 1924.
The elation of that moment – “people from Mill Valley have been trying to do this for 68 years,” MVHS President Eric Macris said at the time – was tempered by the time, money and effort required to move, restore and relocate the massive, 36-ton, aging locomotive.
That work began immediately after the auction, and the critically important foundation – fundraising – is kicking into high gear as Friends of No. 9 launches an end of year GiveLively fundraiser with a goal of $50,000. The first phase is the restoration of the locomotive and has a budget of $250,000.
“No. 9 represents not just an era, but the rare attraction that promoted wilderness preservation at the beginning of the 20th century,” Fred Runner, the executive director of Friends of No. 9,” said in unveiling the fundraiser. “It carried the first tourists to Muir Woods at a time when providing easy public access to a wilderness park was a new idea and before most people could afford an automobile. We know John Muir rode the railroad to Muir Woods at least 3 times and was treated like a rock star when he visited.”
“We need your help!” he added. “Restoration is underway. We have completed the removal of hazardous asbestos and are beginning to repair areas of weather-damaged metal on the 99-year old locomotive. Your donation will enable us to continue this next phase of restoration and have us closer to bringing the No. 9 home. We’re hoping you will consider making an end-of-year donation to help bring the No. 9 back home to Marin.”
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