Kings Lake Shore Railroad facts for kids
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Hanford, California |
| Locale | Corcoran, Kings County, California |
| Dates of operation | 1910–1934 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Kings Lake Shore Railroad was a special train line in Kings County, California. It ran for about 19.4 miles (31.2 km) from 1910 to 1934. This railroad mainly carried farm products like crops and fruits that grew in the San Joaquin Valley. It started in Corcoran, where it connected with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and then went south to a place called Liberty Farms.
The Railroad's Story
The idea for this railroad began in 1910. It was first called the Kings River Railroad. The plan was to build a line from Corcoran to Tulare Lake. The Kings River Railroad managed to build about 10 miles (16 km) of track.
In May 1917, a new company called the Kings Lake Shore Railroad took over. They extended the train line by another 9.4 miles (15.1 km). In 1923, the railroad bought a cool steam engine, Santa Fe Railway's #27. It was a 4-4-0 American-type locomotive built by Schenectady Locomotive Works.
Sadly, the railroad stopped running during the Great Depression. This was a time when many businesses struggled. On January 22, 1934, the railroad was allowed to close down. Its tracks were removed that same year.
Where the Trains Traveled
The Kings Lake Shore Railroad had a few important stops along its route. These stops were where trains would pick up or drop off goods.
- Corcoran
- El Rico
- Harvester
- Liberty Farms
Images for kids
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The northern end of the railroad in Corcoran in 1928.
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The El Rico siding, a place where trains could wait, in 1928.
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The Harvester siding in 1935, after the railroad closed.
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The southern end of the railroad at Liberty Farms in 1935.
