In Jamestown,
California, the State has a very unique park.
The Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is owned and operated as a State
Park and includes the operating Sierra Railroad.
The park
includes the original maintenance buildings including the roundhouse and
turntable as well as original rolling stock.
Engine #3 is a
Rodgers 4-6-0 that came here when the railroad was built from the bankrupt
Arizona & Prescott Railway. It is maintained and operated by a large cadre
of volunteers and has been featured in many films and TV shows over the past
80+ years.
Engine #2 is a 3 truck Shay, that originally served on
the Feather River Railway. There were over 20 Shay engines operating in Tuolumne
County during the peak of the lumber era. This one was also used during the
construction of the Hetch Hetchy project and now operates occasionally on the
home line.
This rail truck is also original to the line, used to
support construction of the Hetch Hetchy line. Based on a White truck chassis,
it includes its own jack and frame so that it can be jacked up and spun around
for the return trip from the end of the line.
The machine shop tools are still used for maintenance
of the rolling stock.
All of the machine shop and wood shop is belt driven,
although it was converted to electric power from the original Pelton wheel in
1912. Still needs a grease monkey to keep all the bearings greased!
The wood shop hasn’t been used in recent years but
they're hoping to get permission to build a new, wooden passenger car since
they’re lighter than the steel cars.
It’s the end of our time at Railtown, but was well worth
a visit. Entrance is $5 per person and they’re pet friendly! If you go, do the
docent led tour which is included in the entrance fee. The tour will give you
access to the roundhouse.
No comments:
Post a Comment