Calico and Odessa Railroad facts for kids
The Calico & Odessa Railroad is a fun and historic train ride. It is located in the famous ghost town of Calico, California. This special railroad is called a "heritage railroad." This means it helps keep history alive for visitors.
The train's tracks are what we call "narrow gauge." This means the tracks are closer together than regular train tracks. The railroad is named after the town of Calico and the nearby Calico Mountains. It also gets its name from Odessa Canyon.
What is the Calico & Odessa Railroad?
The Calico & Odessa Railroad is a popular attraction in Calico Ghost Town. It is a remake of an older, real mining train. This original train was called the Waterloo Mining Railroad. It used to carry valuable silver ore from the mines. Later, it also carried borax.
A Look Back at History
The original Waterloo Mining Railroad operated in the 1880s. It moved minerals from Calico to mills in a town called Daggett. The Calico & Odessa Railroad today does not follow the exact path of the old tracks. But it gives you a great idea of what it was like.
Visiting the Railroad
Today, the Calico & Odessa Railroad is part of a San Bernardino County historic park. This means it is protected and managed for everyone to enjoy. When you visit Calico Ghost Town, you can take a short ride on this historic train. There is a small fee for the ride. It's a great way to experience a bit of the old West!
