the sierra railroad centennial 1897portal.parks.ca.gov/capitaldistrict/csrmdocentroundhouse... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Vol VI No 2Spring 1997
THE SIERRA RAILROAD CENTENNIAL
AT RAILTOWN 1897
immediately thereafter Jamestown saw its first revenue passenger train pull into the depot yards on the hill above town on November 8 1897 behind 4-4-0 No2 Pedestrians and buggymiddotloads of local folks gathered around the train and new freight house which was still having its roofing shingles nailed into place The roads chief proponent and developer
Prince Andre PoniatowskL drove a symbolic gold spike commencing an exuberant twomiddot day long partyThen as now the citizens of Jamestown knew what the Sierras trains meant to their community civic pride growth prosperity and economic stability
Soon wholesale goods and mining supplies rolled regularly into town by Sierra Railway trains and through the freight house for dismiddot tribution by the companys freight agent to citizens and retailers for miles around By
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park at Jamestown is a western treasure laden with a golden legacy now celebrating its
centennial year Through boom and bust from private ownership and redevelopment and into its newest role as a State Historic Park this onemiddot ofmiddotamiddotkind industrial complex is one of western railroadings rarest commodities
The Sierra Railway was founded on February 1 1897 and its construction rushed forward
1898 the railways first general office buildmiddot ing and threemiddotstall wooden roundhouse with adjacent machine shops were up and runmiddot ning In the new shops tenmiddotwheeler No3 received its first major repairs that year Meanwhile civil engineers and track laborers pushed Sierras rail head further east to Sonora and Tuolumne City (the latter commiddot munity was then known as Carters)
Railroad business picked up steadily once the Angels Branch was completed and opened to traffic in 1901 Trains from the west thenceforth only paused at Jamestown bemiddot fore continuing uphill to Sonora Standard and Tuolumne City Passengers bound for Angels transmiddot ferred to the Angels local train at Jamestown In the Continued on page 3
A GROUP OF EXCURSIONISTS ON THE STEPS OF THE SIERRA RAILROAD DEPOT AT JAMESTOWN THE DEPOT BUILT IN 1913 HOUSED THE
RAILROAD TICKET OFF I CE ON THE GROUND FLOOR
1
Operation LHesaver Awareness Month the Shops particishyJoin the Museum in celebration of Operashy pated in this very tion Lifesavers 25th anniversary_ Operashy successful rewardshytion Lifesaverss educational programs ing projed The promote safety awareness and encourage taped interviews people to actively reduce railroad crossing will be transcribed crashes and trespassing-related fatalitie s_ and edited during
In May Operation Lifesaver the next few Awareness Month CSRMs months ensuring Operation Lifesaver program the preservation of will be featured in the Mushy these personal seum Stores exhibit window reminiscences Operation Lifesaver will also about work IHe in be featured in many offsite the Shops [rom
events and a special train sponsored by 1918 through the the railroad is planned for late April 1980s_ Taped intershyCall (916) 322-8034 for additional views and transhy
Granite Rock No_ 10 Nears Completioninformation__ scripts will eventually be added to the CSRM RESTORATION SPECIALIST DON
CSRM Library collection__ SHAPIRO AND DOCENT DAVID SPOHR PREmiddot
Southern Pacific Railroad Sacramento PARE THE GRANITE ROCK FOR ITS FRA BOILER INSPECTION IN FEBRUARY 1997_Shops Oral History Project Records a New Exhibit in the Golden West Gallery
Milestone The California State Railroad Museum the 1920s 305 and 40s_Harris granddaughshyThe Southern Pacific Railroad Sacramento proudly presents Sam Hyde Harris Califorshy ter loaned these bold and brightly colored Shops Oral History Project has completed nia Commercial Railroad Artist The exhibit images to the Museum for display from its twentieth oral history interview_ Eighshy includes Harris framed promotional works May through October_ Please call (916) teen male and two female employees of produced for the California railroads during 445-7387 for additional information__
DONORS TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM As the non-profit support arm of the Museum the California State Railroad Museum Foundation relies on the generosity of numerous contribushylors to fund many Museum programs_ The California State Railroad Museum and the Museum Foundation ex1end their deepest thanks to the following individuals who became Museum members between December 1 1996 and January 311997
TRAINMASTER - Jay Taletta Evans- ENGINEER - Bill DerMott Richard A (Dick) Moore CONDUCTOR - Matthew and Suzanne Booher bull William L Brenton William and Karolee Bush Jennifer GY and Peter MK Chan Edie and Richard Csaposs Gordon and Rebecca Culbertson Cecelia Dalton bull Margaret and Brad Finlay - Tessie Fox The Heller Family Wayne Helm Philip J Hermsmeyer Michelle James and Robert Klopp Chuck and Linda Jeffery George Kamahan Howard and KathJyn Manley Scott McAllister Doug Nowka ~ Jeremy Robshyerts Bernice Rosen Seth Rosenthal Robert and Charlene Royer 0 Robert R Searle bull Zachary Spears Tom Thackery cent Dave and Trish Thompshyson bull Michael Tomer John and Ann Turner Molly Ware Scott Warren and Julie Hetlig Alice and Mark WestJind Chris and Teri Wills FIREMAN - Michael Cardenas Thomas Collins Anne Inda Neil J Kelly James F Lee Gordon Roberts Robert W Stafford Jr John L Sweeneymiddotmiddot BRAKEMAN - Gerald G Brown Thomas Denson Dave Frehe Burton W Graves E Hartman WaJter H Hartsvyker 0 Robert L Kern Joseph Mohamed Sr James A Singmaster III cent Kara Wald Charles P Wiscavage 0 Montogomery Young CABOOSE CLUB -
Jonathon Alcoriza 0 Brandon Baker Juslin Baker Joshua Bauer Timothy Bauer Jack Blattner Lucas Brattesani Thomas Burrow TImmy Burrow Caitlin Fong Byrne Chris Byrne Jeffrey Caves Cory Clark bull Will Powell Gausen Christopher Deeble Jesse Deneweth Matthew Dias Megan Dias t
KaUyn Dronberger Kristen Dronberger Aly Dubrovsky - Nate Dunaway Tyler Dunaway Amanda Duty Andrea Duty Sophie Eichhorn Phillip Emerson Mitchell Erwin Zachary Erwin Casey Evanoff Derrick Evanoff Galan FaJakfarsa Sarra FaJakfarsa 0 Ian Fletcher Dannye Gregory 0 Jeanette Halton Alex Hansen Christopher R Hansen Jake Heindel Zachary David Johnson Andrew Jones Brian Jones Danny Jones Aislinn Kelly Connor KeJy Andrew Knight Christopher Knight Michael Knight Sean Krumwiede lain Lee Ian Mackenzie Alexander Malaki 0 James Masterson Mary Ann Masterson Kendall McAllister Morgan McAlUster David McCarthy Patrick McInerney Andrew Messamore Scott Messamore Monte Miller cent Daniel S Moore Paul Thomas Nava Nicole Newitt Rowan C A ONeal Terry Pachter Henry Harwood Parsons Jacqueline Pearson Ian Perkins bull Michael Pisias Zachary Powers Drew Ranahan Thatcher Richins Devin Ruiz Armando Sabala Geoffrey Sallenberger Peter James Turpen Sansing Isaac Senstad Zachary Paul Sergio Eric Sharma Nicholas Singleton Jeff Sisteson Nikolai Solgaard Gillian Storm Michael Storm Grant Strem Lmice Strem Anshydrew Stringari Elizabeth Strnad Matthew H Thomas Andrew Toy Travis Tyson bull Gabriel P Vislica bull Darin Wick bull Chase Wilkening IJ Yates-KeiJ Kelsy Zarick Michael Matthew Znidarsic CORRECT I ON In the last issue of On Track l Caboose Club annual dues were listed as $2500 In April995 the anllual membership dues structure for Caboose Club was revised to the current rate of S1O00 per year We apologize for the error
2
SIERRA RAILROAD CENTENNIALbull Colllinuedfrompagel
CONSOLIDATION No_ 28
APPEARS FOR THE CAMERA
OF RALPH WILKINS DEMORO
IN OCTOBER 1932_
would meet the same fate with nearly an equal amount of deshystruction on November 231978
Life and traffic at Sierras jamestown facilities dropped sharply due to public highway
same year the first electric arc lights were placed outdoors above the jamestown yard tracks roundhouse and shop buildings Throughout the 1900s the Sierra Railway also hauled trains of open excursion cars fiUed with carefree summer tourists out for a look at Tuolumne County
In 1910 tragedy struck when the Jamestown roundhouse went up in Hames in a spectacushylar $10000 midnight fire Fortunately engine No 3 was spotted outside its stall along with two others locomotives 4 and 9 being rebuilt inside were severely damaged and six mashychine tools were destroyed When the ashes were hauled away construction quickly began on a larger eight-stall metal-clad roundhouse with electric lighting inside and ouL That same roundhouse continues to serve its origishynal purpose today more than 85 years later
The fire alarm rang out again at Jamestown in May 1913 and this time the pagoda-styled combination general office and depot sucshycumbed to the infernoThis particularly disastrous blaze claimed aU the railroads official records engineering survey and mechanical drawings and furnishings A replacement building without the Asian embellishments was soon erected Ironically it
competition and a general busishyness crash caused by the Great Depression of the 1930s_ Hollywoods motion picture indusshytry became the saving force which preserved steam locomotives 3 and 28 and a host of period freight and passenger cars Even after the railroad exited the scheduled passenger business in the 1930s and dieselized its freight trains as an economy move in 1955 the movie business brought enough steady income to keep the Sierra roundhouse and machine shop going As a resul~ the 1971 revitalization of Sierras jamestown properties as the tourist attraction called Rail Town 1897 brought renewed life to an anachronistic facilshyity Today we enjoy the wisdom and foreSight of the people who preserved the site as Railtown 1897 (acquired by California State Parks in 1982) remains a destination for tourshyists seeking glimpses of the Mother Lodes unique history
In 1996 significant investment was made by the CSRM Foundation in partnership with the California State Railroad Museum and the Calishyfornia Department of Parks amp Recreatiolt Operashytion of the Park is now firmly in the hands of Museum and Foundation paid and volunteer staff Arefurbished Freight House Depot Store and Interpretive Area are the highlights of property improvements but these upgrades are
only the first of many more enhancements to come
The recent award of TEA grant capital funds has allowed the California State Railroad Museum to inishytiate roundhouse and shops foundation stabilization and make the precautionary
JAMESTOWN-S SIERRA
RAILROAD SHOP
FACILITIES
addition of a fire sprinkler system throughshyout all buildings With the clearing of the old depot building grounds already undermiddot way at this writing the enginering and drawings design phase for rebuilding the 1913 depot and offices is not far behind
Locomotive No 28 is due for an April 5th return to service following an exhaustive overshy FEATURE haul of the engine frame wheels and driving mechashy
ARTICLE
nism No3 will then get its CONT
turn for boiler work which should permit it to be proudly in steam for the latter half of the Centenshynial season along with Shay No2 and Consolidation No 28
We have much to be thankful for in this Sierra Centertnial year so make your plans now to join Railtown 1897 in a very jubilant celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Mother Lode Shortline _
ENTER CVBER-SPACE AT THE
MUSEUM STORE
Design your own railroad computer program liven up your computer with railroad screen savers featuring CSRM trains and accesorize your computer with railroad mouse pads-swp by the Museum SWre and learn more about these unique computer products
On Track is a pubUcation of the California State Railroad Museumand funded by the California State Railroad Mushyseum Foundation Address comments to Editor On Track CSRM III I Street Sacramento California 95814 (916) 445-7387 Call (916) 552-5252 (extension RAIL) for recorded Beeline information E-mail csrmfcsrmforg Web site lthttpwwwcsrmforggt
Managing Editor Catherine A Taylor
Editor Elizabeth Edrich
Contributors Curt Bianchi Kevin Bunker Stephen Drew Oif Hagle Eric Heuermann Sarah McClaren Cheryl Meyer Dick Noonan and Pete Scott
Photographs CSRM Collection Marilyn Sommerdorf
Design and Production Ball Design
Printer Colourpress
3
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APRIL 12
Eagle Theatre hosts Dr Naida West author of River of Red Gold at 1JO pm Dr West reads from her new novel about Donner party survivors and their descendants comshymemorating the 150th anniversary of the Donner relief parties Book signing will follow (916) 323-6343
APRIL 27
Eagle Theatre presents Festival de la Fantilia featuring Latin musicians and dancers 1000 am to 400 pm (916) 323-6343
MAY 1
Members-only event in the Golden West Gallery join Museum members for a special preview of the exhibit Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artshyis 5JO pm to 7JO pm Please RSVP to (916) 445-7387
MAY 3
Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artisl Exhibit opens in the Empire Gallery and runs through October (916) 445-7387
MAY 232412526 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Eagle Theatre hosts local youth jazz bands during the 24th Annual Sacramento jazz jubilee 1000 am to 500 pm (916) 323-6343
SACRAMENTO SOUTHERN
RAILROAD 1997 OPERATING
SCHEDULE
Steam Trains deparl on the hour 1100 am to 500 pm weekends April 5 through September 28 Trains also ron on Memorial Day and Labor Day
Fathers Day Weekend Gune 14 and 15) Theme Train Regular operating schedule Displays and operation of Museum equipmenl Entertainment al the Freight Depol
2nd Annual Hruvest Haunt and Goosebwnp Express Theme Train Diesel-powered trains pulled by the Spookomotive depart on the hour 1100 am to 400 p_m_weekends October 4 through November 2
Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives in Old Sacramento and rides the trains during this special holiday celebration Steam-powshyered trains depart on the hour 11 00 am to 400 pm November 28 29 and 30 December 6 and 7
WHArS NEW VISit the new improved ticket office at the Central Pacific Freight Depot and Public Market_Also new this year is a satellite SSRR Depot Storeselling specialty items includillg a new line of Sacramento Southern Railroadshyrelated merchandise
RAILTOWN 1897 amp SIERRA RAILROAD
1997 CENTENNIAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS preliminary subject to cumge
Call for Infonnation (209) 984-3953
1997 Summer Operating Schedule Steam Trains depart all the hour JJ()() am to 3()O pm weekends April 5 through October 26 Regulor schedule applies all season unless otherwise noted Trains also run on Memorial Day Independence Day and Labor Day
MAY
11 Mothers Day All moms accompanied by a child ride free_ 17 Centennial Celebration Official Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremonies
music and a once in 100 years celebration Every School Daze Trains run on the hour 1000 am_to 200 pm_for school tours Wednesday
JUNE
15 Fathers Day All fathers accompanied by a child ride free
JULY
456 Friday Saturday and Sunday-Independence Day celebration at Railtown 19 Rods at Railtown Hot rods and classic cars displayed on the lawn
AUGUST
Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser for the Jamestown Depot Reconstruction Projecl Call for schedule and price information
23 Antique Engine Gas Up Gas and steam-powered machinery on the lawn
SEPTEMBER
2021 Reliving the Rails of Yesteryear Living History Program and Re-enactments Call for schedule and price information
2728 Wild West Film Festival Train rides re-enactments and films at Railtown Call for schedule information
OCTOBER
910 Sierra Railway History Symposium Call for registration information 11112 Railtown Centennial Celebration-Qosing Ceremonies Re-enactments
demonstrations living history Call for ceremony schedule information 1819 amp 2526 Harvest Haunt and Goosebump Express The Harvest Haunt comes
to Railtown
NOVEMBER
Steam Trains depart on the hour 1JM am to 3()O pm Saturdays only during November 2829 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives by train at
Railtown and rides trains during this special holiday celebration Trains depart on the hour 11 00 am_to 300 pm Friday and Saturday only
DECEMBER
Trains run only as indicated below during December 2021 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme TrainSanta rides the train during
this holiday celebration Trains depart 11 00 am_to 300 pm Saturday and Sunday only
31 New Years Eve Train Call for schedule and price information
Railtuwn 1897 is operated by the CaJilomiil Slate Railroad MU5elm~ a part 01 CaJifomiil State Parks Proceeds from train riJks and Depot Store sales benefit the Califomiil Slate Railroad Museum FOllndation a Iwnprofit public-beIUi1 organization dedicated 10 the conservation and preservation 01 Railtown 189Z
VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month The California State Railroad Museum and the Museum Foundation want to thank all our volunteers for contributing to the success of the Museum
4
Operation LHesaver Awareness Month the Shops particishyJoin the Museum in celebration of Operashy pated in this very tion Lifesavers 25th anniversary_ Operashy successful rewardshytion Lifesaverss educational programs ing projed The promote safety awareness and encourage taped interviews people to actively reduce railroad crossing will be transcribed crashes and trespassing-related fatalitie s_ and edited during
In May Operation Lifesaver the next few Awareness Month CSRMs months ensuring Operation Lifesaver program the preservation of will be featured in the Mushy these personal seum Stores exhibit window reminiscences Operation Lifesaver will also about work IHe in be featured in many offsite the Shops [rom
events and a special train sponsored by 1918 through the the railroad is planned for late April 1980s_ Taped intershyCall (916) 322-8034 for additional views and transhy
Granite Rock No_ 10 Nears Completioninformation__ scripts will eventually be added to the CSRM RESTORATION SPECIALIST DON
CSRM Library collection__ SHAPIRO AND DOCENT DAVID SPOHR PREmiddot
Southern Pacific Railroad Sacramento PARE THE GRANITE ROCK FOR ITS FRA BOILER INSPECTION IN FEBRUARY 1997_Shops Oral History Project Records a New Exhibit in the Golden West Gallery
Milestone The California State Railroad Museum the 1920s 305 and 40s_Harris granddaughshyThe Southern Pacific Railroad Sacramento proudly presents Sam Hyde Harris Califorshy ter loaned these bold and brightly colored Shops Oral History Project has completed nia Commercial Railroad Artist The exhibit images to the Museum for display from its twentieth oral history interview_ Eighshy includes Harris framed promotional works May through October_ Please call (916) teen male and two female employees of produced for the California railroads during 445-7387 for additional information__
DONORS TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM As the non-profit support arm of the Museum the California State Railroad Museum Foundation relies on the generosity of numerous contribushylors to fund many Museum programs_ The California State Railroad Museum and the Museum Foundation ex1end their deepest thanks to the following individuals who became Museum members between December 1 1996 and January 311997
TRAINMASTER - Jay Taletta Evans- ENGINEER - Bill DerMott Richard A (Dick) Moore CONDUCTOR - Matthew and Suzanne Booher bull William L Brenton William and Karolee Bush Jennifer GY and Peter MK Chan Edie and Richard Csaposs Gordon and Rebecca Culbertson Cecelia Dalton bull Margaret and Brad Finlay - Tessie Fox The Heller Family Wayne Helm Philip J Hermsmeyer Michelle James and Robert Klopp Chuck and Linda Jeffery George Kamahan Howard and KathJyn Manley Scott McAllister Doug Nowka ~ Jeremy Robshyerts Bernice Rosen Seth Rosenthal Robert and Charlene Royer 0 Robert R Searle bull Zachary Spears Tom Thackery cent Dave and Trish Thompshyson bull Michael Tomer John and Ann Turner Molly Ware Scott Warren and Julie Hetlig Alice and Mark WestJind Chris and Teri Wills FIREMAN - Michael Cardenas Thomas Collins Anne Inda Neil J Kelly James F Lee Gordon Roberts Robert W Stafford Jr John L Sweeneymiddotmiddot BRAKEMAN - Gerald G Brown Thomas Denson Dave Frehe Burton W Graves E Hartman WaJter H Hartsvyker 0 Robert L Kern Joseph Mohamed Sr James A Singmaster III cent Kara Wald Charles P Wiscavage 0 Montogomery Young CABOOSE CLUB -
Jonathon Alcoriza 0 Brandon Baker Juslin Baker Joshua Bauer Timothy Bauer Jack Blattner Lucas Brattesani Thomas Burrow TImmy Burrow Caitlin Fong Byrne Chris Byrne Jeffrey Caves Cory Clark bull Will Powell Gausen Christopher Deeble Jesse Deneweth Matthew Dias Megan Dias t
KaUyn Dronberger Kristen Dronberger Aly Dubrovsky - Nate Dunaway Tyler Dunaway Amanda Duty Andrea Duty Sophie Eichhorn Phillip Emerson Mitchell Erwin Zachary Erwin Casey Evanoff Derrick Evanoff Galan FaJakfarsa Sarra FaJakfarsa 0 Ian Fletcher Dannye Gregory 0 Jeanette Halton Alex Hansen Christopher R Hansen Jake Heindel Zachary David Johnson Andrew Jones Brian Jones Danny Jones Aislinn Kelly Connor KeJy Andrew Knight Christopher Knight Michael Knight Sean Krumwiede lain Lee Ian Mackenzie Alexander Malaki 0 James Masterson Mary Ann Masterson Kendall McAllister Morgan McAlUster David McCarthy Patrick McInerney Andrew Messamore Scott Messamore Monte Miller cent Daniel S Moore Paul Thomas Nava Nicole Newitt Rowan C A ONeal Terry Pachter Henry Harwood Parsons Jacqueline Pearson Ian Perkins bull Michael Pisias Zachary Powers Drew Ranahan Thatcher Richins Devin Ruiz Armando Sabala Geoffrey Sallenberger Peter James Turpen Sansing Isaac Senstad Zachary Paul Sergio Eric Sharma Nicholas Singleton Jeff Sisteson Nikolai Solgaard Gillian Storm Michael Storm Grant Strem Lmice Strem Anshydrew Stringari Elizabeth Strnad Matthew H Thomas Andrew Toy Travis Tyson bull Gabriel P Vislica bull Darin Wick bull Chase Wilkening IJ Yates-KeiJ Kelsy Zarick Michael Matthew Znidarsic CORRECT I ON In the last issue of On Track l Caboose Club annual dues were listed as $2500 In April995 the anllual membership dues structure for Caboose Club was revised to the current rate of S1O00 per year We apologize for the error
2
SIERRA RAILROAD CENTENNIALbull Colllinuedfrompagel
CONSOLIDATION No_ 28
APPEARS FOR THE CAMERA
OF RALPH WILKINS DEMORO
IN OCTOBER 1932_
would meet the same fate with nearly an equal amount of deshystruction on November 231978
Life and traffic at Sierras jamestown facilities dropped sharply due to public highway
same year the first electric arc lights were placed outdoors above the jamestown yard tracks roundhouse and shop buildings Throughout the 1900s the Sierra Railway also hauled trains of open excursion cars fiUed with carefree summer tourists out for a look at Tuolumne County
In 1910 tragedy struck when the Jamestown roundhouse went up in Hames in a spectacushylar $10000 midnight fire Fortunately engine No 3 was spotted outside its stall along with two others locomotives 4 and 9 being rebuilt inside were severely damaged and six mashychine tools were destroyed When the ashes were hauled away construction quickly began on a larger eight-stall metal-clad roundhouse with electric lighting inside and ouL That same roundhouse continues to serve its origishynal purpose today more than 85 years later
The fire alarm rang out again at Jamestown in May 1913 and this time the pagoda-styled combination general office and depot sucshycumbed to the infernoThis particularly disastrous blaze claimed aU the railroads official records engineering survey and mechanical drawings and furnishings A replacement building without the Asian embellishments was soon erected Ironically it
competition and a general busishyness crash caused by the Great Depression of the 1930s_ Hollywoods motion picture indusshytry became the saving force which preserved steam locomotives 3 and 28 and a host of period freight and passenger cars Even after the railroad exited the scheduled passenger business in the 1930s and dieselized its freight trains as an economy move in 1955 the movie business brought enough steady income to keep the Sierra roundhouse and machine shop going As a resul~ the 1971 revitalization of Sierras jamestown properties as the tourist attraction called Rail Town 1897 brought renewed life to an anachronistic facilshyity Today we enjoy the wisdom and foreSight of the people who preserved the site as Railtown 1897 (acquired by California State Parks in 1982) remains a destination for tourshyists seeking glimpses of the Mother Lodes unique history
In 1996 significant investment was made by the CSRM Foundation in partnership with the California State Railroad Museum and the Calishyfornia Department of Parks amp Recreatiolt Operashytion of the Park is now firmly in the hands of Museum and Foundation paid and volunteer staff Arefurbished Freight House Depot Store and Interpretive Area are the highlights of property improvements but these upgrades are
only the first of many more enhancements to come
The recent award of TEA grant capital funds has allowed the California State Railroad Museum to inishytiate roundhouse and shops foundation stabilization and make the precautionary
JAMESTOWN-S SIERRA
RAILROAD SHOP
FACILITIES
addition of a fire sprinkler system throughshyout all buildings With the clearing of the old depot building grounds already undermiddot way at this writing the enginering and drawings design phase for rebuilding the 1913 depot and offices is not far behind
Locomotive No 28 is due for an April 5th return to service following an exhaustive overshy FEATURE haul of the engine frame wheels and driving mechashy
ARTICLE
nism No3 will then get its CONT
turn for boiler work which should permit it to be proudly in steam for the latter half of the Centenshynial season along with Shay No2 and Consolidation No 28
We have much to be thankful for in this Sierra Centertnial year so make your plans now to join Railtown 1897 in a very jubilant celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Mother Lode Shortline _
ENTER CVBER-SPACE AT THE
MUSEUM STORE
Design your own railroad computer program liven up your computer with railroad screen savers featuring CSRM trains and accesorize your computer with railroad mouse pads-swp by the Museum SWre and learn more about these unique computer products
On Track is a pubUcation of the California State Railroad Museumand funded by the California State Railroad Mushyseum Foundation Address comments to Editor On Track CSRM III I Street Sacramento California 95814 (916) 445-7387 Call (916) 552-5252 (extension RAIL) for recorded Beeline information E-mail csrmfcsrmforg Web site lthttpwwwcsrmforggt
Managing Editor Catherine A Taylor
Editor Elizabeth Edrich
Contributors Curt Bianchi Kevin Bunker Stephen Drew Oif Hagle Eric Heuermann Sarah McClaren Cheryl Meyer Dick Noonan and Pete Scott
Photographs CSRM Collection Marilyn Sommerdorf
Design and Production Ball Design
Printer Colourpress
3
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APRIL 12
Eagle Theatre hosts Dr Naida West author of River of Red Gold at 1JO pm Dr West reads from her new novel about Donner party survivors and their descendants comshymemorating the 150th anniversary of the Donner relief parties Book signing will follow (916) 323-6343
APRIL 27
Eagle Theatre presents Festival de la Fantilia featuring Latin musicians and dancers 1000 am to 400 pm (916) 323-6343
MAY 1
Members-only event in the Golden West Gallery join Museum members for a special preview of the exhibit Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artshyis 5JO pm to 7JO pm Please RSVP to (916) 445-7387
MAY 3
Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artisl Exhibit opens in the Empire Gallery and runs through October (916) 445-7387
MAY 232412526 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Eagle Theatre hosts local youth jazz bands during the 24th Annual Sacramento jazz jubilee 1000 am to 500 pm (916) 323-6343
SACRAMENTO SOUTHERN
RAILROAD 1997 OPERATING
SCHEDULE
Steam Trains deparl on the hour 1100 am to 500 pm weekends April 5 through September 28 Trains also ron on Memorial Day and Labor Day
Fathers Day Weekend Gune 14 and 15) Theme Train Regular operating schedule Displays and operation of Museum equipmenl Entertainment al the Freight Depol
2nd Annual Hruvest Haunt and Goosebwnp Express Theme Train Diesel-powered trains pulled by the Spookomotive depart on the hour 1100 am to 400 p_m_weekends October 4 through November 2
Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives in Old Sacramento and rides the trains during this special holiday celebration Steam-powshyered trains depart on the hour 11 00 am to 400 pm November 28 29 and 30 December 6 and 7
WHArS NEW VISit the new improved ticket office at the Central Pacific Freight Depot and Public Market_Also new this year is a satellite SSRR Depot Storeselling specialty items includillg a new line of Sacramento Southern Railroadshyrelated merchandise
RAILTOWN 1897 amp SIERRA RAILROAD
1997 CENTENNIAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS preliminary subject to cumge
Call for Infonnation (209) 984-3953
1997 Summer Operating Schedule Steam Trains depart all the hour JJ()() am to 3()O pm weekends April 5 through October 26 Regulor schedule applies all season unless otherwise noted Trains also run on Memorial Day Independence Day and Labor Day
MAY
11 Mothers Day All moms accompanied by a child ride free_ 17 Centennial Celebration Official Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremonies
music and a once in 100 years celebration Every School Daze Trains run on the hour 1000 am_to 200 pm_for school tours Wednesday
JUNE
15 Fathers Day All fathers accompanied by a child ride free
JULY
456 Friday Saturday and Sunday-Independence Day celebration at Railtown 19 Rods at Railtown Hot rods and classic cars displayed on the lawn
AUGUST
Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser for the Jamestown Depot Reconstruction Projecl Call for schedule and price information
23 Antique Engine Gas Up Gas and steam-powered machinery on the lawn
SEPTEMBER
2021 Reliving the Rails of Yesteryear Living History Program and Re-enactments Call for schedule and price information
2728 Wild West Film Festival Train rides re-enactments and films at Railtown Call for schedule information
OCTOBER
910 Sierra Railway History Symposium Call for registration information 11112 Railtown Centennial Celebration-Qosing Ceremonies Re-enactments
demonstrations living history Call for ceremony schedule information 1819 amp 2526 Harvest Haunt and Goosebump Express The Harvest Haunt comes
to Railtown
NOVEMBER
Steam Trains depart on the hour 1JM am to 3()O pm Saturdays only during November 2829 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives by train at
Railtown and rides trains during this special holiday celebration Trains depart on the hour 11 00 am_to 300 pm Friday and Saturday only
DECEMBER
Trains run only as indicated below during December 2021 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme TrainSanta rides the train during
this holiday celebration Trains depart 11 00 am_to 300 pm Saturday and Sunday only
31 New Years Eve Train Call for schedule and price information
Railtuwn 1897 is operated by the CaJilomiil Slate Railroad MU5elm~ a part 01 CaJifomiil State Parks Proceeds from train riJks and Depot Store sales benefit the Califomiil Slate Railroad Museum FOllndation a Iwnprofit public-beIUi1 organization dedicated 10 the conservation and preservation 01 Railtown 189Z
VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month The California State Railroad Museum and the Museum Foundation want to thank all our volunteers for contributing to the success of the Museum
4
SIERRA RAILROAD CENTENNIALbull Colllinuedfrompagel
CONSOLIDATION No_ 28
APPEARS FOR THE CAMERA
OF RALPH WILKINS DEMORO
IN OCTOBER 1932_
would meet the same fate with nearly an equal amount of deshystruction on November 231978
Life and traffic at Sierras jamestown facilities dropped sharply due to public highway
same year the first electric arc lights were placed outdoors above the jamestown yard tracks roundhouse and shop buildings Throughout the 1900s the Sierra Railway also hauled trains of open excursion cars fiUed with carefree summer tourists out for a look at Tuolumne County
In 1910 tragedy struck when the Jamestown roundhouse went up in Hames in a spectacushylar $10000 midnight fire Fortunately engine No 3 was spotted outside its stall along with two others locomotives 4 and 9 being rebuilt inside were severely damaged and six mashychine tools were destroyed When the ashes were hauled away construction quickly began on a larger eight-stall metal-clad roundhouse with electric lighting inside and ouL That same roundhouse continues to serve its origishynal purpose today more than 85 years later
The fire alarm rang out again at Jamestown in May 1913 and this time the pagoda-styled combination general office and depot sucshycumbed to the infernoThis particularly disastrous blaze claimed aU the railroads official records engineering survey and mechanical drawings and furnishings A replacement building without the Asian embellishments was soon erected Ironically it
competition and a general busishyness crash caused by the Great Depression of the 1930s_ Hollywoods motion picture indusshytry became the saving force which preserved steam locomotives 3 and 28 and a host of period freight and passenger cars Even after the railroad exited the scheduled passenger business in the 1930s and dieselized its freight trains as an economy move in 1955 the movie business brought enough steady income to keep the Sierra roundhouse and machine shop going As a resul~ the 1971 revitalization of Sierras jamestown properties as the tourist attraction called Rail Town 1897 brought renewed life to an anachronistic facilshyity Today we enjoy the wisdom and foreSight of the people who preserved the site as Railtown 1897 (acquired by California State Parks in 1982) remains a destination for tourshyists seeking glimpses of the Mother Lodes unique history
In 1996 significant investment was made by the CSRM Foundation in partnership with the California State Railroad Museum and the Calishyfornia Department of Parks amp Recreatiolt Operashytion of the Park is now firmly in the hands of Museum and Foundation paid and volunteer staff Arefurbished Freight House Depot Store and Interpretive Area are the highlights of property improvements but these upgrades are
only the first of many more enhancements to come
The recent award of TEA grant capital funds has allowed the California State Railroad Museum to inishytiate roundhouse and shops foundation stabilization and make the precautionary
JAMESTOWN-S SIERRA
RAILROAD SHOP
FACILITIES
addition of a fire sprinkler system throughshyout all buildings With the clearing of the old depot building grounds already undermiddot way at this writing the enginering and drawings design phase for rebuilding the 1913 depot and offices is not far behind
Locomotive No 28 is due for an April 5th return to service following an exhaustive overshy FEATURE haul of the engine frame wheels and driving mechashy
ARTICLE
nism No3 will then get its CONT
turn for boiler work which should permit it to be proudly in steam for the latter half of the Centenshynial season along with Shay No2 and Consolidation No 28
We have much to be thankful for in this Sierra Centertnial year so make your plans now to join Railtown 1897 in a very jubilant celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Mother Lode Shortline _
ENTER CVBER-SPACE AT THE
MUSEUM STORE
Design your own railroad computer program liven up your computer with railroad screen savers featuring CSRM trains and accesorize your computer with railroad mouse pads-swp by the Museum SWre and learn more about these unique computer products
On Track is a pubUcation of the California State Railroad Museumand funded by the California State Railroad Mushyseum Foundation Address comments to Editor On Track CSRM III I Street Sacramento California 95814 (916) 445-7387 Call (916) 552-5252 (extension RAIL) for recorded Beeline information E-mail csrmfcsrmforg Web site lthttpwwwcsrmforggt
Managing Editor Catherine A Taylor
Editor Elizabeth Edrich
Contributors Curt Bianchi Kevin Bunker Stephen Drew Oif Hagle Eric Heuermann Sarah McClaren Cheryl Meyer Dick Noonan and Pete Scott
Photographs CSRM Collection Marilyn Sommerdorf
Design and Production Ball Design
Printer Colourpress
3
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APRIL 12
Eagle Theatre hosts Dr Naida West author of River of Red Gold at 1JO pm Dr West reads from her new novel about Donner party survivors and their descendants comshymemorating the 150th anniversary of the Donner relief parties Book signing will follow (916) 323-6343
APRIL 27
Eagle Theatre presents Festival de la Fantilia featuring Latin musicians and dancers 1000 am to 400 pm (916) 323-6343
MAY 1
Members-only event in the Golden West Gallery join Museum members for a special preview of the exhibit Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artshyis 5JO pm to 7JO pm Please RSVP to (916) 445-7387
MAY 3
Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artisl Exhibit opens in the Empire Gallery and runs through October (916) 445-7387
MAY 232412526 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Eagle Theatre hosts local youth jazz bands during the 24th Annual Sacramento jazz jubilee 1000 am to 500 pm (916) 323-6343
SACRAMENTO SOUTHERN
RAILROAD 1997 OPERATING
SCHEDULE
Steam Trains deparl on the hour 1100 am to 500 pm weekends April 5 through September 28 Trains also ron on Memorial Day and Labor Day
Fathers Day Weekend Gune 14 and 15) Theme Train Regular operating schedule Displays and operation of Museum equipmenl Entertainment al the Freight Depol
2nd Annual Hruvest Haunt and Goosebwnp Express Theme Train Diesel-powered trains pulled by the Spookomotive depart on the hour 1100 am to 400 p_m_weekends October 4 through November 2
Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives in Old Sacramento and rides the trains during this special holiday celebration Steam-powshyered trains depart on the hour 11 00 am to 400 pm November 28 29 and 30 December 6 and 7
WHArS NEW VISit the new improved ticket office at the Central Pacific Freight Depot and Public Market_Also new this year is a satellite SSRR Depot Storeselling specialty items includillg a new line of Sacramento Southern Railroadshyrelated merchandise
RAILTOWN 1897 amp SIERRA RAILROAD
1997 CENTENNIAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS preliminary subject to cumge
Call for Infonnation (209) 984-3953
1997 Summer Operating Schedule Steam Trains depart all the hour JJ()() am to 3()O pm weekends April 5 through October 26 Regulor schedule applies all season unless otherwise noted Trains also run on Memorial Day Independence Day and Labor Day
MAY
11 Mothers Day All moms accompanied by a child ride free_ 17 Centennial Celebration Official Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremonies
music and a once in 100 years celebration Every School Daze Trains run on the hour 1000 am_to 200 pm_for school tours Wednesday
JUNE
15 Fathers Day All fathers accompanied by a child ride free
JULY
456 Friday Saturday and Sunday-Independence Day celebration at Railtown 19 Rods at Railtown Hot rods and classic cars displayed on the lawn
AUGUST
Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser for the Jamestown Depot Reconstruction Projecl Call for schedule and price information
23 Antique Engine Gas Up Gas and steam-powered machinery on the lawn
SEPTEMBER
2021 Reliving the Rails of Yesteryear Living History Program and Re-enactments Call for schedule and price information
2728 Wild West Film Festival Train rides re-enactments and films at Railtown Call for schedule information
OCTOBER
910 Sierra Railway History Symposium Call for registration information 11112 Railtown Centennial Celebration-Qosing Ceremonies Re-enactments
demonstrations living history Call for ceremony schedule information 1819 amp 2526 Harvest Haunt and Goosebump Express The Harvest Haunt comes
to Railtown
NOVEMBER
Steam Trains depart on the hour 1JM am to 3()O pm Saturdays only during November 2829 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives by train at
Railtown and rides trains during this special holiday celebration Trains depart on the hour 11 00 am_to 300 pm Friday and Saturday only
DECEMBER
Trains run only as indicated below during December 2021 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme TrainSanta rides the train during
this holiday celebration Trains depart 11 00 am_to 300 pm Saturday and Sunday only
31 New Years Eve Train Call for schedule and price information
Railtuwn 1897 is operated by the CaJilomiil Slate Railroad MU5elm~ a part 01 CaJifomiil State Parks Proceeds from train riJks and Depot Store sales benefit the Califomiil Slate Railroad Museum FOllndation a Iwnprofit public-beIUi1 organization dedicated 10 the conservation and preservation 01 Railtown 189Z
VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month The California State Railroad Museum and the Museum Foundation want to thank all our volunteers for contributing to the success of the Museum
4
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APRIL 12
Eagle Theatre hosts Dr Naida West author of River of Red Gold at 1JO pm Dr West reads from her new novel about Donner party survivors and their descendants comshymemorating the 150th anniversary of the Donner relief parties Book signing will follow (916) 323-6343
APRIL 27
Eagle Theatre presents Festival de la Fantilia featuring Latin musicians and dancers 1000 am to 400 pm (916) 323-6343
MAY 1
Members-only event in the Golden West Gallery join Museum members for a special preview of the exhibit Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artshyis 5JO pm to 7JO pm Please RSVP to (916) 445-7387
MAY 3
Sam Hyde Harris California Commercial Railroad Artisl Exhibit opens in the Empire Gallery and runs through October (916) 445-7387
MAY 232412526 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Eagle Theatre hosts local youth jazz bands during the 24th Annual Sacramento jazz jubilee 1000 am to 500 pm (916) 323-6343
SACRAMENTO SOUTHERN
RAILROAD 1997 OPERATING
SCHEDULE
Steam Trains deparl on the hour 1100 am to 500 pm weekends April 5 through September 28 Trains also ron on Memorial Day and Labor Day
Fathers Day Weekend Gune 14 and 15) Theme Train Regular operating schedule Displays and operation of Museum equipmenl Entertainment al the Freight Depol
2nd Annual Hruvest Haunt and Goosebwnp Express Theme Train Diesel-powered trains pulled by the Spookomotive depart on the hour 1100 am to 400 p_m_weekends October 4 through November 2
Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives in Old Sacramento and rides the trains during this special holiday celebration Steam-powshyered trains depart on the hour 11 00 am to 400 pm November 28 29 and 30 December 6 and 7
WHArS NEW VISit the new improved ticket office at the Central Pacific Freight Depot and Public Market_Also new this year is a satellite SSRR Depot Storeselling specialty items includillg a new line of Sacramento Southern Railroadshyrelated merchandise
RAILTOWN 1897 amp SIERRA RAILROAD
1997 CENTENNIAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS preliminary subject to cumge
Call for Infonnation (209) 984-3953
1997 Summer Operating Schedule Steam Trains depart all the hour JJ()() am to 3()O pm weekends April 5 through October 26 Regulor schedule applies all season unless otherwise noted Trains also run on Memorial Day Independence Day and Labor Day
MAY
11 Mothers Day All moms accompanied by a child ride free_ 17 Centennial Celebration Official Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremonies
music and a once in 100 years celebration Every School Daze Trains run on the hour 1000 am_to 200 pm_for school tours Wednesday
JUNE
15 Fathers Day All fathers accompanied by a child ride free
JULY
456 Friday Saturday and Sunday-Independence Day celebration at Railtown 19 Rods at Railtown Hot rods and classic cars displayed on the lawn
AUGUST
Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser for the Jamestown Depot Reconstruction Projecl Call for schedule and price information
23 Antique Engine Gas Up Gas and steam-powered machinery on the lawn
SEPTEMBER
2021 Reliving the Rails of Yesteryear Living History Program and Re-enactments Call for schedule and price information
2728 Wild West Film Festival Train rides re-enactments and films at Railtown Call for schedule information
OCTOBER
910 Sierra Railway History Symposium Call for registration information 11112 Railtown Centennial Celebration-Qosing Ceremonies Re-enactments
demonstrations living history Call for ceremony schedule information 1819 amp 2526 Harvest Haunt and Goosebump Express The Harvest Haunt comes
to Railtown
NOVEMBER
Steam Trains depart on the hour 1JM am to 3()O pm Saturdays only during November 2829 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme Train Santa arrives by train at
Railtown and rides trains during this special holiday celebration Trains depart on the hour 11 00 am_to 300 pm Friday and Saturday only
DECEMBER
Trains run only as indicated below during December 2021 Holiday Festival and Santa Claus Theme TrainSanta rides the train during
this holiday celebration Trains depart 11 00 am_to 300 pm Saturday and Sunday only
31 New Years Eve Train Call for schedule and price information
Railtuwn 1897 is operated by the CaJilomiil Slate Railroad MU5elm~ a part 01 CaJifomiil State Parks Proceeds from train riJks and Depot Store sales benefit the Califomiil Slate Railroad Museum FOllndation a Iwnprofit public-beIUi1 organization dedicated 10 the conservation and preservation 01 Railtown 189Z
VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month The California State Railroad Museum and the Museum Foundation want to thank all our volunteers for contributing to the success of the Museum
4