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The area’s two largest gallery spaces are rolling out a project with a similar ambitious aim to its historical subject — bridging the gap between Pleasanton and Livermore to bring people together … with trains.
“Rails Connect: A Livermore-Pleasanton Railroad Journey Through Art and History” is a new joint exhibition between Livermore Valley Arts’ Bankhead Theater and the city of Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center, with support from Niles Canyon Railway, showcasing art, photographs, models, artifacts, anecdotes and more of the Tri-Valley’s generations-long ties to the iron horse.
“The ‘Rails Connect’ exhibition is a unique presentation that hopes to emphasize the historical aspect of our region’s railway legacy, while showcasing the art that has been born from it,” said Sydney Tang, curator of the Firehouse’s Harrington Gallery.
“A partnership between the city of Pleasanton’s Harrington Gallery and Livermore Valley Arts, it was a collaborative process that spanned multiple months to plan and execute this exhibition,” Tang told the Pleasanton Weekly. “Cross-pollinating in both art and historical artifacts, visitors will be immersed into a comprehensive and interactive journey through Livermore and Pleasanton’s long railroad legacy.”
Opening Aug. 8 in the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery in the Bankhead and two days later at the Harrington Gallery in downtown Pleasanton, the joint exhibition focuses on the “rich railway history and culture” of the Livermore and Amador valleys, although elements will also include displays from the San Ramon Valley Branch modeling group and Niles Canyon Railway, according to organizers.
The Pleasanton gallery will feature nearly 60 works of various mediums by 29 locals, the result of an open call to artists and photographers for pieces on the theme of railroad such as trains themselves, landscapes and related subject matters, according to city officials. The modelers’ installation at the Harrington will include a portable N-scale modular layout of the Alamo-to-Radum railway tracks.
Over in Livermore, a range of historical photography, artwork of all mediums and more modern photos will adorn the gallery space, according to LVA.
The Bankhead will also house a special multi-dimensional display from Niles Canyon Railway including an interactive tool table created by the group with educator Jan Coleman-Knight that LVA officials described as “a family-friendly mecca for hand tool aficionados of all ages to enjoy”.
The Altamont Corridor Express, the commuter train that runs through Livermore and Pleasanton between the San Joaquin and Silicon valleys, will also be represented in the exhibit to demonstrate locomotives’ presence in the region in the 21st century.
The exhibition will welcome visitors formally with an opening reception event at the Bankhead in downtown Livermore on Aug. 10 from 1-4 p.m. The free event will include an exclusive appearance by the Diablo Pacific Short Line “with a portable, large-scale model railroad set up outside on the sidewalk for all ages to try their hand at running such an exciting piece,” LVA officials said.
Livermore city historian Alan Frank will also lead a talk that day from 3-4 p.m. for a special presentation on Livermore’s Wild West origins.
The closing reception is set for 1-3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Harrington Gallery, which is the last day of the exhibit in Pleasanton (it’s open for one more day in Livermore).
For gallery hours and more information, go to livermorearts.org or firehousearts.org, respectively.
Ride the rails
Niles Canyon Railway has a series of events on their calendar this summer and fall offering Bay Area residents the chance to ride on historic trains in Sunol and Niles.
* On the second and third weekends from July to October, take the 1.5-mile round trip on diesel- or steam-powered trains. Ride times are 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on those Saturdays and Sundays.
* Hot August Night on the Rails offers a sunset ride from the Sunol Depot at 7 p.m. Aug. 3.
* Beer on the Rails is set for Aug. 4 and Sept. 1, departing the Sunol station at 1 p.m.
For tickets and more information, go to ncry.org or call 510-996-8420.
Clarification: The train pictured at the top of this article was the Union Pacific 3985, formally known as a “Challenger” engine, although it was loosely referred to as a “Big Boy” during its 1992 run through town because it was the heaviest steam train in operation at that time — there was no UP 4884 in operable shape in 1992, the train type officially nicknamed “Big Boy”. Embarcadero Media regrets any confusion.
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