California is well known for its vast natural resources such as timber, and mineral wealth. Lesser known is how those resources were obtained, especially in the earlier days when industrial transportation was in its infancy.
Originally published in 1964 as Narrow Gauge Nostalgia, California High Country Narrow Gauge Railroads shows and tells the story of several interesting and colorful lines built and used to conquer some of California's most rugged regions. First used in Colorado, narrow gauge railroads proved an ideal choice for many challenging situations in the Golden State. The operating conditions alone would have given the larger railroads ulcers, and "schedules" were mainly a general guide. Mechanical problems and inclement weather were less exception and more norm. Yet somehow these valiant little lines carried on, and this book tells their story.
California High Country Narrow Gauge Railroads covers over 90 years of California slim rail history, from the grading of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge in 1875 to the latter-day U. S. Gypsum Railroad at Plaster City. The lines covered include large operations such the Carson & Colorado Railroad and small lines such as the Merced Gold Mine Railroad. The vast California timberlands are shown in part by the Bodie & Benton Railway, Brookings Lumber & Box Railroad, and the Diamond & Caldor Railroad. Finally, you'll see a unique California narrow-gauge railroad in the Mt. Lowe scenic railway plus a pictorial section on the colorful Carson & Colorado. Virtually all the lines in this book have vanished to time, but their memory lives on here. The book includes maps to show where these rugged lines ran, and there are drawings and plans for model railroaders wishing to recreate these historic roads. So hop on board for some rugged nostalgia to the days when gold was helping to win the west and the virgin timber stood tall!
