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 (reporting mark YW) is a special train line that carries goods, called freight, in northern California. It connects the city of Yreka, California to the Union Pacific Railroad in Montague. A company called Railmark Holdings bought the Yreka Western Railroad in 2017.
Contents
History of the Yreka Western Railroad
The Yreka Railroad Company started in May 1888. It opened in January 1889. This railroad connected Yreka to a bigger train line, the Central Pacific Railroad.
Why the Railroad Was Built
The bigger railroad, Southern Pacific, decided to build its main line around Yreka. They chose a shorter, flatter path. So, the people of Yreka built their own railroad. This made sure their city still had a train connection.
At first, the railroad carried both people and local goods. In August 1933, the company changed its name. It became the Yreka Western Railroad Company.
Changes in Ownership
In 1953, Willis Kyle bought the railroad. He later created a large train company called Kyle Railways. In 1995, the Union Pacific Railroad took over the connection at Montague.
Later, in 1999, Kyle Railways sold the Yreka Western Railroad. It was sold to the Rocky Mountain Railway and Mining Museum. Then, in December 2016, Railmark Holdings, Inc. bought the company.
How the Railroad Operates Today
Today, the Yreka Western Railroad is busy carrying freight. It delivers goods directly to businesses along its line. It also helps companies in northern California and southern Oregon move their products. These companies might not have their own direct train access.
The railroad also fixes and maintains freight train cars. Since Railmark Holdings took over, the railroad no longer offers passenger train rides. Before 2016, it offered both freight service and fun passenger trips.
What the Trains Carry
The freight trains on the Yreka Western Railroad mainly carry wood chips and other forest products. They also transport propane, machinery, and other bulk items.
Past Passenger Excursions
From the 1950s until 2007, the railroad offered special passenger trips. These trips used both steam and diesel locomotives.
In 1986, the Yreka Western started a steam train trip called the "Blue Goose." This trip went between Yreka and Montague. Passengers could enjoy beautiful views of Mount Shasta, the Shasta Valley, and the Siskiyou Mountains. The trip took about an hour each way. There was a one-hour stop in Montague for lunch.
Famous Locomotives
Some very special locomotives have run on this line.
Locomotive #19 "Pancho"
The most famous locomotive is #19. It's a 2-8-2 steam engine built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1915. It weighs 90 tons and was used for logging. Its nickname is "Pancho." This name came from its time in Mexico in the 1920s. People even say it might have had a run-in with the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa.
Locomotive #19 has appeared in many movies. Its two most famous movies are "Emperor of the North" and "Stand By Me".
- Early Life: It first worked for the Caddo & Choctaw River Lumber Company in Arkansas.
- Mexico: In 1920, it went to Mexico. It's believed to have been changed to run on oil there.
- McCloud River Railroad: In 1924, the McCloud River Railroad bought it. It hauled logs for many years.
- Yreka Western: In 1953, it was sold to the Yreka Western Railroad.
- New Home: On September 19, 2016, it was announced that #19 would be sold. On October 6, 2016, the Age of Steam Roundhouse bought it. It is now being restored to look like it did in the movie "Emperor of the North."
Other Locomotives
Another important locomotive is #21. It's an SW8 diesel engine. It used to be Southern Pacific #1115. What makes #21 special is that it has dynamic brakes. These are not usually found on smaller switching locomotives.
See also
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
