​Mill Valley Readies To Celebrate Iconic Engine 'No. 9'

MILL VALLEY, CA — An iconic piece of this city’s history is nearing a major milestone, and an organized local historical group is readying to party.

“No. 9,” the only surviving locomotive of Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway, turns 100 on April 18.

Friends of No. 9 is committed to restoring and relocating the engine that drew tourists and celebrities, including Susan B. Anthony, Jack London and John Muir, among others.

A group of local residents committed to restoring and relocating the engine to Mill Valley raised $54,000 that was used to purchase it in a 2018, the group said on its website.

The engine had been on display at a museum in Scotia, California. Large cranes and a truck and trailer were used to move it to its temporary location in Sonoma after the group purchased it, and the group now hopes to bring No. 9 home for good.

“Twenty years ago the idea of bringing No. 9 home was a dream,” Fred Runner, the group’s chairman and executive director wrote on its website.

“Others had been trying since 1953 with no luck. It was an absolute thrill when we won the auction and knew No. 9 was finally coming back to the very first place it worked.

“No. 9 represents not just an era but a rare attraction that promoted wilderness preservation. It carried the first tourists to Muir Woods at a time when providing easy public access to a wilderness park was a new idea. John Muir rode the railroad to Muir Woods at least 3 times. Of course he was treated like a rock star when he visited.”

Plans for the iconic locomotive’s centennial celebration will be announced at an April 8 virtual meeting.

To register for this event visit here.