Restoration of the McKeen Car #1 Cuyamaca

Recently I visited the Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum and was allowed to look through their archive of papers, photographs, and articles. In the process, I... found a few new photos of the McKeen Car "Cuyamaca" I didn't have before. This photo shows men from the Merchants Association (possibly) riding from San Diego to El Cajon. This also shows the car in the original paint as well as gold striping. Photo Courtesy of the Union Title Insurance and Trust Company, Eric Sanders Collection, Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum.

Here is a similar car to the "Cuyamaca," The Los Angeles, San Diego Beach Railway Motor Car #2, with the small round window in the cab. This postcard is based o...ff of a photograph, and is in front of the Hotel Cabrillo, now the west wing of the La Valencia. This car was likely scrapped in 1917 when the cars were retired. See more

Yesterday was an amazing day, although I was not up in Alaska for the move, we had the owner, the loader, and a photographer up there to capture the event and t...o get the Cuyamaca ready for shipment down to California. If all goes to plan, the car should be in the San Diego by the 20th of March. I really can't say how much I thank you all of you who have helped with this project. There is still a lot to do. Just getting to this step was quite a challenge and I am glad everything worked out the way it has. We would again like to thank the Anchorage Historical Properties group for the donation of this car, I can guarantee that this car will be taken care of down here in San Diego. Below are a few photos of the Cuyamaca yesterday, being loaded onto the truck. Signing off for now -- Madison Kirkman See more

It's finally happening, what we've all been waiting so long for. The McKeen Car "Cuyamaca" is about to hit the road, and travel back to it's home county of San... Diego. The project that we have raised an amazing $14,000 for, is finally becoming a reality. Through the help of all of you, the last surviving lady of the the San Diego, Cuyamaca & Eastern Railway is finally going to start her restoration. This is only where this dream begins, we need your help to continue the project, through donations, of both tools, materials, and funds, and possibly through volunteering, we will bring this car back to her former glory. We will be posting many many photos here in the coming weeks of the Cuyamaca before and after her arrival to San Diego. Thanks to all of you out there, this is only the beginning. See more