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Ammo box Update, 12/30/10, now its a rubbermaid at base of young oak (Ok, someone pointed out that it's not an oak - but it looks like it if you don't look at the leaves) on slope between soccer field and Sacrametento St. in Railhead Park. One approach is very muddy when wet. Pine needles, pine cones, and other natural stuff help hide the cache, though it is visibile. Replace the same way.
Many caches (several of mine included) give information about the historic significance of the area around them. This one is all about the future! If I ever serve on the ARD board, or perhaps the city council, one of my goals will be to add a small scale ride-on train to this park.
Grading would not be a problem, as the park is perfectly flat, and there is a lot of undeveloped space around the soccer fields, pond, and parking lot to provide a nice loop for a train. There are few trains in the area for children to ride on (Folsom is the closest), and I know at least my kids would love to have one here in Auburn.
It could be a narrow gauge, or even a diesel replica like they have at El Dorado Orchards in Apple Hill. My dream is for a live steam mini locamotive. Perhaps a 4-4-0 like the Central Pacific RR's #1 locomotive, the Gov. Stanford (oops, a little history seeped through). I know it would be quite popular (and probably too expensive to pay for itself) and would only add to Auburn's charm and worthiness as a destination spot, thus forgiving it to loose money.
As you approach the cache site, look around, and imagine a train full of kids, parents, grandparents, young lovers, and everyone else slowly making its way around the park. Beautiful, isn't it?
When the cache was placed it contained: 6 new pieces of wooden track, 4 RR decals (Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Great Northern, and Santa Fe), 1 new Athearn HO scale Amtrak baggage car kit, 1 Thomas's ABCs book, 1 train theme baby photo frame, and Historical Spike TB.
Please try to add RR themed items if you take anything!
Oh, I just can't resist... the RR line that passes this park is part of the original grade (as far as I can tell from my research) that the Central Pacific Raliroad built as the western part of the transcontinental railroad. This area could actually have been the line's railhead for a few days. Auburn was connected by rail to Sacramento for the first time on May 13, 1865. CP and UP met at Promontory Summit in Utah on May 10, 1869. Don't get me started about the Big 4!
Congrats to the5Bucks for FTF!
Milestones: #1 for scooteral!
#1 for P14Y80Y!
#100 for thebraytons3!
#1 for VincentFamilyof5!
#1 for Ke-jones!
#1 for cyncity96!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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