Professional Railroaders Providing Track Car Services To Railroads Throughout The West
West Coast Railroaders Group (WCRG) provides track cars (motorcars) along with qualified operators throughout the Western States, providing services tailored to each railroad, transit agency, or museums needs.
West Coast Railroaders Group can serve the smallest short line or regional railroad up to and including Class 1 railroads.
Our services include:
Fire patrol & protection (behind steam and diesel operations)
Escort/Track patrol ahead of trains or on track equipment
Minor railroad maintenance
Rail line inspections, including transporting railroad personnel over active or out of service lines
Motorcar excursions (including escort/piloting of motorcar excursions)
Fundraising events for museums/non profits
Track car operating and rules training
Railroad filming and motion picture services
Equipment for display purposes
West Coast Railroaders Group operators are career railroaders. WCRG operators are qualified on:
General Code of Operating Rules
Roadway Worker Protection Rules
Track Car Operating Rules
Safety Rules
WCRG operators meet all Federal qualification requirements for the operation of On Track Equipment/CFR Part 214. Many of our operators are also Certified Locomotive Engineers meeting CFR Part 240 requirements.
Other qualifications may include:
CPR and First Aid
TWIC Credentials
West Coast Railroaders Group equipment roster includes:
Period correct track cars for stream era operations
Modern track cars for diesel operations
Un-restored track cars for an original look
Fire patrol cars
Various push cars available
At West Coast Railroaders Group, we are committed to safety. WCRG operates thousands of track miles each year safely and efficiently over our host railroads.
To Contact WCRG about our track car services we provide to railroads, e-mail us at:
WCRG offers track car excursion services, including excursion planning, track car excursion operating rules & standards, as well as providing trained and qualified railroad personnel to safely operate track car excursions over host railroads throughout the West. WCRG excursions operate with our Track Car Excursion Operating Rules and Standards Rulebook in effect 1-1-19. Rules and regulations of other organizations do not apply to WCRG excursions. Rulebooks, forms and excursion schedules are below. To register or for general questions on WCRG excursions email WCRG at: wcrgexcursions@gmail.com
Insurance Information For Track Car (Motorcar) Excursions
WCRG track car excursions operate with a one million dollar insurance policy that covers damages to the host railroad/third parties in the unlikely event damage/injury occurs during a WCRG excursion. WCRG does not charge a yearly membership fee, nor do we require track car excursion participants to purchase a yearly insurance policy. Insurance premiums are paid from the excursion registration fees. The employee in charge of each excursion, as well as the host railroad retain the certificate of insurance/proof of coverage during each excursion. Like other organizations that provide track car excursions, each participant signs a release of liability and agreement, holding the excursion organizer (WCRG) as well as the host railroad harmless for any claims for property damage or personal injury. Track car excursion participants further agree that track car excursion insurance only covers the host railroad/third parties and provides no coverage to excursion participants for damage or personal injury to track car operators or their passengers, guests, etc. WCRG, as a private organization, does not release internal documents, including but not limited to: insurance premiums, insurance agents, insuring underwriters, legal documents, agreements, or other insurance instruments to individual track car participants.
WCRG Track Car Excursion Documents. Click On Document To Download
WCRG now offers our motorcar shunt kits for $60.00 plus shipping. The kit comes with everything needed to install shunt's on a motorcar for WCRG excursions. Click on WCRG company store for more info.
Excursion Schedule Updated October 29th, 2019:
Nevada Southern Railway-October 24th And 25th, 2020
The Nevada Southern Railway excursion will be a two day event, operating over the rail line from Boulder City, to Railroad Pass and return. Three trips each day with a Saturday evening run included. The excursion fee will be $55.00, that includes a donation to the Museum. Scroll down homepage for excursion flyer.
For past excursions scroll down the homepage
Notice: Registered excursion participants that cancel with less than 30 days notice will be required to place a non refundable deposit of $75.00 when signing up for a future excursion. When excursion fee is less then $75.00, the total excursion fee will be the non refundable deposit.
WCRG 2016 At Amtrak's Oakland,CA. Mechanical Facility February 1st, 2017
Amtrak President Charles "Wick" Moorman with WCRG 2016. Thank you to Amtrak's Pacific Division for your continued support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
WCRG 2016 on display behind Amtrak California passenger car 8309 at the Mechanical Facility.
WCRG & The Virginia &Truckee Railroad Host Vintage Motorcar Rides Benefiting Make-A-Wish Northeastern California & Northern Nevada July 9th And 10th, 2016
WCRG 1945 pulls the heavy grade back Virginia City Depot from Gold Hill, NV. with a full load of passengers. Riding a motorcar is a very unique way to see the famous Virginia & Truckee railroad.
WCRG 1945 stops at Gold Hill, NV. as passengers look over the town of Gold Hill, NV. Seven trips each day were offered to take passengers over the line, raising money to support Make-A-Wish Northeastern California & Northern Nevada.
WCRG 2016 At Amtrak's Oakland,CA. Mechanical Facility June 3rd, 2016
WCRG 2016 sits on display behind Amtrak President Joe Boardman's train at Oakland,CA. Thank you to Amtrak's Pacific Division for your continued support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Amtrak President Joe Boardman with WCRG 2016. Thank you to Mr. Boardman as well as his staff for taking time out of his schedule to be photographed with WCRG 2016.
WCRG 2016 Highlights WCRG's Support For The Make-A-Wish Foundation
WCRG is proud to place WCRG 2016 service January 2016. This track car highlights WCRG's continued support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, bringing awareness to the railroad industry with this Make-A-Wish themed track car.
WCRG 1813 prepares to depart the Virginia City Depot with Koran for his motorcar ride over the railroad, following the Candy Cane Express Train.
V & T Candy Cane Express arrives at Scales with Koran and his family on the train, while SPM 4735 and WCRG 506 hold between switches on the siding. The pushcar is loaded with gifts for the family to receive at Virginia City.
Koran gives a thumbs up during the motorcar ride.
Koran next to SPM 4735 at the Virginia City Depot
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WCRG Pilots NARCOA Over The Virginia & Truckee Railroad May 15th And 16th, 2015
WCRG 1945 safely pilots NARCOA to the end of track in Virginia City. The excursion endured harsh winter weather conditions most of the first day.
Lead pilot car WCRG 1945 leads NARCOA at Moundhouse, NV.
WCRG On Location Transporting The Film Crew Over The Virginia & Truckee Railroad During Filming For The Great Scenic Railway Journeys Program Oct. 2014
WCRG 1952 runs ahead of the Carson City train for filming at Donovan with creator and producer Robert Van Camp of Great Scenic Railway Journeys.
WCRG 1952 transports Robert Van Camp of Great Scenic Railway Journeys as he films the railroad and it's operations from Virginia City to Carson City.
Tim Broughton, Manager of Operating Practices prepares to pilot the group from Virginia City to Carson City.
Excursion Group holds the main track at Scales behind the Carson train. The pilot cars have fire patrol duties as well as the push car full of food and drinks for the excursion.
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WCRG Provides Fire Patrol For The Santa Cruz Portland Cement #2 Steam Excursion Over The Santa Cruz, Big Trees And Pacific Railway, And Santa Cruz And Monterey Bay Railway July 11th-13th 2014
Santa Cruz Portland Cement # 2 takes the east leg of the wye at Santa Cruz, as SPM 4735 and WCRG 504 hold between switches on the SCMB main track.
WCRG fire patrol holds in the clear at the north end of Santa Cruz on the SCMB line, as Santa Cruz Portland Cement # 2 proceeds back to Felton.
Santa Cruz Portland Cement # 2 at Roaring Camp. As the train has stopped to discharge passengers, WCRG fire patrol flags up behind the train.
SPM 4735 with WCRG 504 as its trailing unit hold the main track at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz on the SCMB Railway. SPM 4735, a Fairmont S2-F built for the SP in 1944 is back on "home" rails. The fire partol will proceed west to follow the Santa Cruz Portland Cement # 2 Excursion train back to Felton.
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Make-A-Wish Foundation Train Trip June 20th-22nd 2014 For Jonathan Makes A Wish Come True
WCRG, Amtrak, BLE Division 144, and the Virginia & Truckee railroad came together to give this special boy his wish to ride the Locomotive of Amtrak's California Zephyr over Donner Pass, and then over to the Virginia & Truckee railroad to ride the steam train, and ride along with the fire patrol crew. Special thanks to everyone that made his wish come true.
Jonathan prepares to depart Sacramento, CA for Reno, NV. His custom engraved reverser can be seen in the controller.
Jonathan's ready to ride SPM 4735 with WCRG 506 at Eastgate, all decked out in new overalls donated by Tom Gray, General Manager of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.
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WCRG Hosts The Dayton Depot Days Motorcar Excursion/Fundraiser Over The Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad June 13th And 14th, 2014
Tim Broughton, Manager of Operating Practices protects the rear of the group, operating rear pilot car WCRG 1993 between Dayton,WA. and Prescott,WA.
Lead pilot car WCRG 1956 with WCRG 506 pilot the group out of Dayton,WA to Prescott,WA.
Excursion group heading east holds between switches on the main track at Haywards.
Excursion group at Virginia City on the main track, with pilot car SPM 4735/WCRG 506 in the siding waiting for the group to depart.
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WCRG Pilots Pacific Railcar Operators Over The Virginia & Truckee Railroad May 18th, 2013
Photo stop near Haywards, where SPM 4735, a Fairmont S2-F built for the SP in 1944, and WCRG 506 as its trailing unit lead the group
up the heavy grade to Virginia City.
Excursion group holds between switches at Eastgate as WCRG 1813 runs around the group.
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WCRG Pilots Motorcar Operators West Over The Virginia & Truckee Railroad Sep. 7th And 8th, 2013
Lead pilot car SPM 4735 and WCRG 504 as its trailing unit lead the excursion from Eastgate to Virginia City. Along with piloting the group, fire patrol is also provided as the group follows the Carson train up the heavy grade to Virginia City.
Rear pilot cars WCRG 1952 and WCRG 505 as its trailing unit, along with WCRG 1813 and WCRG 506 as its trailing unit provide protection for the rear of the group. Along with providing fire patrol, WCRG push car 506 carries a full load of food and drinks for the excursion group.
West Coast Railroaders Group proudly supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation
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