2008 Ione Railfair
a Resounding Success

From:	RRC President
Subject:	2008 Ione Railfair, a Resounding Success
Date:	June 2, 2008

There was a train robbery on the historic Amador Central railroad during the Ione Railfair. In fact, there were a number of armed robberies during this two day event. The 1860’s cowboy gang, Six Guns and Side Kicks perpetrated the dastardly crime of stopping the Skagit trolley and robbing the crew of the donation bucket. Passengers who witnessed the crime demonstrated “fear” and trepidation until the Sheriff came upon the scene to save the day. After a shoot-out leaving the suspects laying prone on the ground, the Sheriff returned the loot to the crew who promptly departed the Skagit and its passengers to the safety of the Ione Railyard.

This was only one of the many segments of the Ione Railfair & Vintage Motorfest. This third annual event drew over 1000 guests who steeped themselves in the sight of 28 speeders, the Model-A fire truck speeder, Model-T “Paymasters” Speeder, two custom designed and crafted speeders and a variety of other vintage maintenance of way machines and antique tractors which displayed their abilities to work the ground, as in the days of yesteryear.

Five round trips were coordinated by Motorcar Operators West (MOW) including a night run. Each round trip logged 20 miles of rail for the speeders and the operators.

Saturday evening dinner was provided by a local restaurant/caterer as well as the lunch meals.

This is the largest such event in the west.

Plans are already underway for an even bigger Railfair for next year. Mark your calendars, even now, for the Memorial Day weekend in 2009. Ione California, the growing capitol of speeder activities and recreational railroading in the west.

Larry Bowler