San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad facts for kids

The San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad was a special type of train line. It was a narrow gauge railway, which means its tracks were closer together than regular train tracks. This railroad started in 1882 and was finished in 1885. It ran from a place called Bracks Landing, near the San Joaquin Delta, all the way to Woodbridge and Lodi. From there, it went east into the Sierra Nevada foothills, ending in Valley Springs.

The main reason this railroad was built was to carry copper from mines. It was a "common carrier," meaning it transported goods for anyone who needed it. The tracks were made from strong steel rails.

In 1888, the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad joined a bigger company called the Southern Pacific Railroad. Later, in 1897, the Southern Pacific changed some things. They stopped using the track between Woodbridge and Brack's Landing. They also made the rest of the line wider, changing it to a standard gauge track. The Northern Railway, which was part of Southern Pacific, then took over the line.

Around 1925 or 1926, Southern Pacific made the train line even longer. They extended it about 8 miles east into the Sierra Nevada mountains to a place called Kentucky House. In 1929, the last 4 miles of this line were sold to a company called Calaveras Cement Company. This cement company used the railroad until 1984. Before that, Southern Pacific ran three freight trains a week between Lodi and Kentucky House. After the cement plant closed, the tracks were used to store empty train cars. Eventually, the tracks were removed completely.

Today, the part of the line from Woodbridge to Lodi is still known as the Woodbridge Branch. It ends near the General Mills factory in Lodi.

Where Did the Trains Go?

This section shows the main stops along the railroad line. The numbers next to some places (like MP 105.8) were how Southern Pacific measured distances from Oakland, California.

• Brack's Landing: This was the starting point (used until 1897). Here, goods could be moved between trains and boats on the California Delta and Mokelumne River.
• Woodbridge: An important stop on the line.
• Lodi: This was a major station. It was where the Woodbridge Branch ended and the Kentucky House Branch began.
• CCT Crossing: Where the railroad crossed another train line.
• Roma: A small side track was located here.
• Victor
• Lockeford: Another station stop.
• Clements
• Wallace
• Helisma
• Norval
• Valley Springs: This was a main station.
• Toyon
• MacNider
• Kentucky House: The final stop, where the Calaveras Cement plant was located.

What Did the Trains Look Like?

The San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad used several steam locomotives, which are like the engines that pull trains. Each engine had a special name!

Engine 1: "Ernie Birdsall"

• This engine was built in 1881 by a company called Baldwin Locomotive Works.
• It was a narrow gauge train, meaning it fit on the smaller tracks.
• It was used in Nevada for a year before coming to California.
• Frederick Birdsall, the railroad's president, might have named it after someone important.

Engine 2: "B.F. Langford"

• This narrow gauge engine was built in 1882 by H.K. Porter, Inc..
• When the Northern Railway took over, they renamed it Northern Ry #1024.

Engine 3: "Jacob Brack"

• Built in 1882 by Porter, this engine might have been named after the person who owned the land at the very end of the railroad line.
• It was also a narrow gauge train.
• The Northern Railway later renamed it Northern Ry #1025.

Engine 4: From Oregon

• This narrow gauge engine was built in 1881 by Baldwin Locomotive Works.
• It was originally used by the Oregonian Railway before coming to California.
• The Northern Railway later renamed it Northern Railway #1026.

Engine 5: A Mogul Type

• This engine was built in 1880 by Pittsburgh Locomotive And Car Works.
• It was a "Mogul Type" locomotive, known for its specific wheel arrangement.
• The Northern Railway later renamed it Northern Railway #1027.

Images for kids

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  A map showing the railroad's path through Lodi.

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  This map shows the railroad's route near Valley Springs in 1889.