One of the fun things about working in a young park (just 28 years old), like ours is that sometimes we get visitors who worked here before it was a park. In fact, some of the crew who worked here in the diesel era of the Sierra Railroad, and today’s Sierra Northern Railroad, are still around and [...]
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
Shared History
Posted in History, Sierra No. 3, Staff on July 15, 2011 | 1 Comment »
The Hetch Hetchy Railroad was a 68-mile, standard gauge railroad constructed by the City of San Francisco to support the construction of the O’Shaughnessy Dam across Hetch Hetchy Valley. Based in Groveland, the HHRR operated from 1917 to 1949. It primarily carried construction crews and materials, but also took excursion passengers, freight, and mail. The line extended [...]
Silent Auction Item Highlight- Sierra #3 Cab Ride
Posted in Equipment, Events, History, Sierra No. 3 on September 1, 2009 |
In 1918, the Sierra #3 experienced its third major wreck, which destroyed the original 1891 wood cab. It was replaced in February of 1919 with a second-hand Southern Pacific steel cab, which is still a component of the locomotive, 90 years later. One of the highlighted auction items at the September 19th Wine [...]
The Sierra Railway 613, is a diesel-electric locomotive built by GE/Alco for the US Army. It is a MRS1 (“Military Road Switcher”), Alco number B2063, and weighs 120 tons. This is one of 96 diesel-electric locomotives built for the US Army Transportation Corp in 1953. They were designed with a multi-gauge truck, and interchangable couplers, so [...]
This Weekend at Railtown
Posted in History on March 22, 2009 |
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park will be represented at the Sonora Home and Garden Show. Stop by our booth in the tent, and say hi. Saturday from 10-5, Sunday 10-4.
Bottom’s Up-Sierra No. 3 Tender Cistern
Posted in History, Restoration, Sierra No. 3 on March 22, 2009 |
The tender is essentially the “trailer” of the locomomotive used to haul the fuel and water required for operation. It is connected to the locomotive by a large draw bar, a thick, heavy piece of steel. The water is held in a horseshoe shaped cistern, with the fuel stored in the center of the horseshoe. [...]
Preparations for Opening Day
Posted in Events, History, Volunteers on March 12, 2009 |
Preparations are underway for an exciting opening day at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park! On April 4th and 5th it’s “all hands on deck” as we share all that Railtown has to offer. Marching band, Handcar Rides, Machine Shop operations and much more! It promises to be a fun weekend. Plus, if you live in [...]
The Sierra #3 started out life as the Prescott and Arizona Central #3, the W.N.Kelley. Thomas Bullock, one of the founding owners of the Sierra Railway, brought the W.N. Kelley to Jamestown in 1897, along with two other locomotives recycled from his failed enterprize in Arizona. The Sierra No. 1 and Sierra No. 2 are [...]
Sierra No. 3 Shop Tours Announced
Posted in History, tagged Sierra No. 3 on March 3, 2009 |
On March 18—Railtown 1897 State Historic Park will offer special, behind-the-scenes viewing opportunities for visitors to see the restoration progress of Sierra No. 3, known as the “Movie Star” steam locomotive for its many appearances in motion pictures and television shows. As part of the special viewings, Railtown staff will present a 90-minute program which [...]
