California Eastern Railway facts for kids
The California Eastern Railway was a short railway line that operated in California from 1902 to 1911. It was about 45 miles (72 km) long and connected the towns of Goffs, California and Ivanpah. This railway was first owned by a mining company. Later, a bigger railway company, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, bought it.
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History of the Railway
The story of this railway began in 1892. A man named Isaac G. Blake, who was interested in silver mines, started building a railway. He called it the Nevada Southern Railway. This railway was meant to reach silver mines in Sagamore Canyon and the gold mining town of Vanderbilt.
Building the Line
The railway started from Goffs, California, which was a station for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. By July 1893, the railway had built about 25 miles (40 km) of track. It reached a place called Manvel, which later became known as Barnwell. Barnwell became an important stop for nearby mining towns like Vanderbilt and Goodsprings.
Reaching Ivanpah
In early 1902, the Nevada Southern Railway built another 15 miles (24 km) of track. This extension went over the New York Mountains and into the Ivanpah Valley. It reached a new station called Ivanpah. This new part of the railway was built to help transport copper from the Copper World Mine.
A few months later, the larger Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway bought the Nevada Southern Railway. They then changed its name to the California Eastern Railway.
Why the Railway Closed
The California Eastern Railway mainly served the mining industry. When the Copper World Mine closed down for good in November 1918, there was less need for the railway. By 1921, the California Eastern Railway removed its tracks between Ivanpah and Goffs.
Joining a Bigger Company
Even before its tracks were removed, the California Eastern Railway became part of a larger company. On December 28, 1911, it was joined with the California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway. This was another company owned by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
