The Excelsior Ditch Co. Open House
Sparks, Nevada, September 12, 1998

Grover Cleveland, article and photos.

Approximately fifteen two-foot narrow gauge enthusiasts converged on Charley Lix Excelsior Ditch Co. railroad in Sparks, Nevada for a day of 32mm running on this superb railroad. Rain on Friday night gave way to a wonderfully sunny day for the Saturday event. Diehards Grover Cleveland, John Coughran, and of course Charley Lix stayed over and made a third day of it with some Sunday morning operating.

The event was the debut of Grover Cleveland's television camera car. This car transmits video back to a receiver where it could be viewed on a television set or recorded on videotape. An article on this car and its electronics will be appearing in a magazine soon.

John Coughran drove all the way from Los Angeles and brought several SM32 engines, including this popular coal-fired Jack.

Charlie Lix with a two-foot Catatonk Shay, one of only two known examples of this conversion. Later, in a midnight trading session, this Shay found a new home on Grover Cleveland's Henness Pass Railway, and Charley ended up with a very nice Pearse W&L "Countess".

Grover Cleveland's "Ogwen" is shown against one of the many structures on the Excelsior Ditch Company, this particular one being built of foam.

The overall scheme of the Excelsior Ditch Company is a large island with a yard on one side and a wye and yard at the far end (hidden under the tree). On the left is a 7/8thsN2 layout under construction.

Another view of the camera car on the opposite side of the island from the main yard,

The shade of the apple tree is appreciated by visitors on hot days.

Through the middle of the island is this large canyon. We are looking toward the west of the main yard. That's an assortment of Crickets in the steaming bay.