The Electric Railroaders’ 2004 Convention was held in San Francisco on Labor Day Weekend. This year’s convention headquarters was The Best Western Canterbury Hotel, conveniently located in the central area of the city at 750 Sutter Street.
Saturday, September 4 — Spend a full day in the San Jose area, starting with a tour of VTA’s Tasman West line and the new Capitol Corridor line in Ex-Milan Italy Peter Witt car 2001. Visit carhouse and shop and ride one of San Jose’s new low-floor articulated units. Ride downtown loop in one or more cars from San Jose’s heritage collection. Ride beautifully-restored streetcars at Kelley Park trolley museum.
Saturday Evening — Finish the day with annual movie/slide show at the Canterbury. Topic: Northern California traction.
Sunday, September 5 — Excursion through downtown on heritage fleet of the Municipal Railway of San Francisco. Change cars at Geneva carhouse. Sample as many different types of cars as possible.
Sunday Evening — Annual banquet in private room at the Canterbury. Guest Speaker: Peter Straus, Muni Manager of Service Planning.
Monday, September 6 — Visit Western Railway Museum in Rio Vista Junction. Ride Rio Vista’s collection of historic city cars.
Tuesday, September 7 — Cover all the lines of Sacramento system in our own LRV, which will be attached to regular service trains. Visit carhouse and shop. Ride and photograph heritage car 35 as well as being able to photograph each of Sacramento’s three types of LRVs, hopefully posed together. Siemens plant tour, featuring construction of new light rail vehicles for Charlotte, North Carolina.