Forespar's Point of View

First and Only Train Ride to Catalina

A bit of yachting history

In 1963, a group of Southern California yachtsmen decided that a train ride to Avalon was in order.  They did exactly (sort of) that as you can see from the photo of the Pullman car at the Casino in Avalon.

The car was acquired by a regional railroad magnate; McFadden, of the family who were the original operators of Newport Beach. The car was loaded onto a barge in Long Beach and towed/pushed by tugs to the island.

The only comment by the co-skippers was that the 26-mile railroad bed was somewhat soggy and ride was a bit uneven.