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Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Railroad |
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Beginnings
Benton
Hammil
Dehy
Shealy
Chalfant
Tom
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All material courtesy of Rich McCutchan unless otherwise noted.
See USE NOTICE on Home Page.
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The Birth of
a Railroad in Owens Valley
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Decked out in
the "uniform of the day," Fred Balzar typified the
early day conductor. Mr. Balzar went on to greater things, becoming
the Governor of Nevada in 1932.
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Lucius Beebe
and Charles Clegg aboard the Virginia & Truckee car
"The
Virginia City" being served by steward Clarence Watkins.
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Carson & Colorado
Railway Pass.
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The Carson
& Colorado Railroad was originated, planned and built by
the Virginia & Truckee Railway. It was Lucius Beebe and his
partner, Charles Clegg, who enshrined both roads in their writing
and photography, much of it accomplished while living aboard
their private car "Gold Coast" in the V&T's Carson
yards.
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"Route of the Carson & Colorado
RR"
Detailed Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Route
By Andrew Brandon
"Chronology
of the Carson & Colorado RR"[pdf]
by George Turner
"Uncle Collis Purchases One More Railroad"
The San Francisco CALL - February 15, 1900
"Narrow
Gauge in a Wilderness"[pdf]
by George Turner
The "Slim Princess" #18 in Owens Valley
(Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke)
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SPNG #11
(Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke) |
The "Slim Princess" in Owens Valley
(Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke) |
The "Slim Princess" in Owens Valley
(Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke) |
SPNG #18 cruising over the Owens River with a train of high cars.
(Text and Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke)
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The "Slim Princess" traversing the sands of Owens Valley
(Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke) |
Slim Princess crossing the Owens River
(Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke) |
SPNG #18 cruising over the Owens River with a train of high cars.
(Text and Photo courtesy of eBay) |
Conductor Brennan heating up his coffee in SP Narrow Gauge caboose 401 on a wonderful looking vintage stove. Different meaning to coffee on the go!
(Text and Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke)
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Looking back from the cab of SPNG #9 in the Owens Valley.
(Text and Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke) |
The Slim Princess somewhere in Owens Valley.
(Photo courtesy of Dennis Burke) |
Somewhere along the C&C RR in Owens Valley.
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Sketch of a "Harp Switch" - used on the C&C up until WWII. |
SP railroad depot at Laws, CA - circa 1910 |
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Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge at a Glance - 1950
Southern Pacific's Narrow Gauge Owens Valley Line |
TRACKAGE:
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Laws to Keeler, California 70.4 miles. Three Foot gauge. |
STATIONS: |
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Laws (MP 506.8 Frame Depot) Closed 2/1959. Elevation - 4,115'.
Kearsarge (MP 550.1) Frame Depot. Torn down 12/1955. Elevation - 3,925
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Owenyo (MP 559.8) Frame Building. Closed 4/1960. Elevation - 3,690'.
Keeler (MP 576.5) Frame Depot. Closed 8/1957. Elevation - 3,610'.
Former Station Names:
Laws, formerly Bishop Creek
Zurich, formerly Alvord
Aberdeen, formerly Tibbets
Keasarge, formerly Independence, then Citrus Keeler, formerly Hawley
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TURNTABLES: |
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Laws: Gallows type, built in 1883
Owenyo: Gallows type, moved here from Keeler in 1910. Dismantled in 1948.
Keeler: Gallows type, built in 1883 and moved to Owenyo in 1910. |
ENGINEHOUSE:
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Keeler, single stall. Burned in 1946. With advent of diesel (1954) servicing was done at Owenyo. |
WATER TANKS: |
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Laws: originally windmill powered.
Aberdeen: windmill powered until 1953
Kearsarge
Owenyo: used standard gauge water supply via pipe.
Keeler |
FUEL OIL: |
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Laws
Owenyo |
TRANSFERS: |
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Owenyo:
Trestle: with narrow gauge above standard gauge.
Gantry: (Queen Truss) hand powered gears.
Dock: manual labor used to transfer materials.
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PRODUCTS HAULED:
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Cattle, sheep, soda, pumice, talc, clay, soapstone, dolomite, slate, pyrophylite (crop dusting), lead,
melatenterite, aluminum silicate, silver ore, potatoes, hay and farm products, sugar beets |
LOCOMOTIVES:
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Three Baldwin 4-6-0's. Number 8, 9, 18. |
ROLLING STOCK: |
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Box - 91, Combination Box/Stock - 14, Stock - 35, Flat - 8
Gondola - 36, Ballast - 38, Tank - 4
Caboose - 1, Baggage & Express - 1, Work - 4 |
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