On Sept. 2, 2000, the sound of a steam whistle and the clang of a bell once again echoed on the route of the Crookedest Railroad in the World on Mt. Tamalpias, Marin County, Ca. A truck with a train disguise lumbered up and down the old railroad grade from the depot in downtown Mill Valley to the foundation of the old dance hall and tavern at East Peak on the top of the mountain. The event was in conjunction with the centennial celebration of Mill Valley. Among the group on board the "train" were Bill Provines, a fireman on the line, and Ted Wurm, co-author of the book "The Crookedest Railroad in the World" as well as other railroad publications. The Shay whistle and Heisler bell were on loan from the Roaring Camp and Big Trees RR. At the event, the Mt. Tamalpias Interpretive Association unveiled 2 new T-shirt designs as a part of an ongoing fundraiser to rebuild the Gravity Car Barn on East Peak near the original site. One design has 2 of the steam engines used on the line and the other has the Gravity Car, which ran down the mountain to Mill Valley or Muir Woods National Monument, an original roller coaster ride. The barn will be used as an education/visitor center. Check out the efforts of the MTIA on the web at www.mtia.net/.



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