Yreka Western Railroad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yreka Western Railroad Company |
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| Yreka Railroad Company | |
An ALCO MRS-1 at Yreka station.
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| Terminus | Yreka California |
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| Connections | Union Pacific Railroad in Montague CA |
| Commercial operations | |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Preserved operations | |
| Owned by | Railmark Holdings, Incorporated |
| Operated by | Railmark Holdings, Incorporated |
| Reporting mark | YW |
| Length | 8.86-mile (14.26 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1889 |
| 1888 | Yreka Railroad Company Incorporated |
| 1889 | Rail Line Opened |
| 1933 | Re-Incorporated as Yreka Western Railroad Company |
| 1953 | Kyle Railways |
| Preservation history | |
| 1986 | Blue Goose Excursion Train Begins |
| Headquarters | Yreka, California |
The Yreka Western Railroad Company (YW) was a special kind of railroad. It was a "shortline" railroad, meaning it operated over a shorter distance. This railroad carried both goods (freight) and passengers. Its route connected the city of Yreka, California to the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad in Montague, CA.
The Yreka Railroad Company first started in May 1888. It opened for business in January 1889. The people of Yreka decided to build their own railroad. This was because a larger railroad, the Southern Pacific, chose a different route. The Southern Pacific's route bypassed Yreka, going through Montague instead. So, Yreka citizens created their own rail link. The railroad moved passengers and local goods. In August 1933, the company changed its name to the Yreka Western Railroad Company. Railmark Holdings bought the Yreka Western Railroad in 2017.
What the Railroad Did
The Yreka Western Railroad is no longer an active freight railroad. In the past, it mainly transported wood chips, forest products, and other large items. From the 1950s until 2008, the railroad also offered fun train rides. These rides used both steam and diesel locomotives.
The Blue Goose Excursion Train
In 1986, the YW started a special steam train ride called the "Blue Goose." This trip went between Yreka and Montague. Passengers enjoyed amazing views of Mount Shasta and the Siskiyou Mountains. The journey took about an hour each way. There was a one-hour break in Montague for lunch. During this time, the train crew would move the locomotive to the other end of the train. This way, it could pull the train back to Yreka.
Famous Locomotives
One of the most famous locomotives on the line was Baldwin #19. This steam engine was a 2-8-2 type, weighing 90 tons. It was nicknamed "Pancho." This name came from its time in Mexico in the 1920s. Some even say it might have had a run-in with the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa.
Locomotive #19 became a movie star! It appeared in several films. Its two most famous roles were in "Emperor of the North" and "Stand By Me". Baldwin Locomotive Works built #19 in April 1915. It first worked for a lumber company in Arkansas. In 1920, it went to Mexico. It was likely changed to run on oil there. In 1924, the McCloud River Railroad bought it. It hauled logs for many years. Then, in 1953, the Yreka Western Railroad bought it. In 2016, #19 was sold to the Age of Steam Roundhouse. It is now being restored to look like it did in "Emperor of the North."
Other locomotives that worked on the line included:
- EMD SW8 #21: This engine was once Southern Pacific #1115. It was special because it had dynamic brakes. These are not common on smaller switching locomotives.
- YW 20 (another SW8) and YW 244 (an ALCO MRS-1) were also part of the railroad's collection. However, they were taken apart for scrap in the 2010s.
See also
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
