The State Belt hosted many different “guests” over the years. Here are just a few:
- AT&SF Golden Gate trainset – displayed by Ferry Building (Sep 22, 1938)
- Freedom Train (Mar 14, 1948 and Dec 10-13, 1975 – displayed at the Presidio in the latter visit, the furthest point west that the train ever traveled)
- AT&SF/SP/WP Bicentennial locomotives (Jul 4, 1976)
- Virginia & Truckee #21, J.W. Bowker (unknown date)
- WP California Zephyr trainset (1949)
- AT&SF San Francisco Chief trainset (unknown date)
- The Flying Scotsman (1971-1972)
Numerous special events were also hosted on Belt trackage:
Amtrak Family Days
Amtrak Family Days was held on May 14 and 15, 1982 next to the State Belt’s roundhouse. Attending for CalTrain were SP GP9 #3187 and gallery cars #3701 and #3702 in an experimental new paint scheme. Amtrak’s display had F40PH #245 along with 9 cars.
San Francisco Rail Fair
Held between April 14 and 21, 1987. A variety of equipment was on display along the Embarcadero, including several streetcars that would pave the way for the Trolley Festival later in the year (see below).
San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival
The 1987 season of this yearly event was held between September 11 and October 17 on Belt trackage. Due to the lack of overhead wire on the Belt, the streetcars towed portable generators. This event was a big hit and established public support for an Embarcadero streetcar line which would replace the idle Belt in 1991.
State Belt in the Movies
The State Belt has been featured in a number of movies over the years, here is a partical list of some films where you can see the State Belt in action:
- Thieves Highway, 1949 – see night pictures at REELSF – http://reelsf.com/reelsf/thieves-highway-state-belt-railroad
- Bird Man of Alcatraz, 1962
- Good Neighbor Sam, 1964