November 22, 2009
November 08, 2009
Southern Pacific's Placerville Turn
White Rock Heading West
Latrobe
South Of Placerville
Eastbound at White Rock(Photos Thanks to Vic Neves)
November 06, 2009
Laying tracks for the future
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A whistle blows and the conductor yells, “All aboard,” on an otherwise quiet day in Folsom near Highway 50.
On board the 72-year-old rail motorcar were representatives of the Clarksville Region Historical Society, members of the Folsom, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical Railroad Association and other interested people all exploring the railroad line that organizers hope can be restored.
The Tuesday, Aug. 25, trip marked the first official run of the Skagit, a 20-person motorized railcar. The purpose of the trip was to make people aware of the potential of the rail line.
“This is historically significant,” said Bill Anderson, president of the local railroad association. “It was built in 1864.”
The organization hopes to start offering excursion runs from Highway 50, behind the new hotel and In-n-Out, to Latrobe and eventually up to Shingle Springs.
Along the two-hour tour, conductor Doug Fuller asked Engineer Bob Morison to stop at certain points so historic landmarks could be pointed out.
Some of those on the trip were impressed.
“What amazes me is this was all done by hand,” said Hal Erpenbeck.
The car rolled along the tracks over bridges and through hills.
“This is the first of two major cuts (along) the route,” Fuller said.
Most of line runs through pastures, over creeks and crosses into El Dorado County.
“Rather idyllic scene, isn’t it?” Fuller said as the car stopped atop an “open-grate” bridge over a creek. The bridge was constructed in 1913 and is 60 feet in length, according to Fuller.
The rail line currently stops at an area that has been washed out.
“It’s not safe to go any farther,” said Fuller.
According to Anderson, the cost to repair that stretch of line is estimated at $70,000.
The organization is working with the Joint Powers Authority, the city of Folsom and organizations throughout the region to help make the new rail line a reality. They also hope to offer a shuttle service from the light rail station in the historic district up to the area near Highway 50.
Pat Thomson,with the Clarksville Region Historical Society based in El Dorado Hills, thoguth the trip was entertaining and informative.
“This is excellent,” she said. “Very excellent. Isn’t it wonderful?”
November 05, 2009
The PSVRR
Soon the whistle will be blowing and the trains will be running due to the drive of several very dedicated men and women. I know it has been a long road to get to where we are now but I know it has all been worth it. Many of the people involved in this project have donated years of service and have been supported by their families in keeping this vision alive.
There is a lot of life left in these rails and it is very exciting to see brand new ties being put in and the rails beginning to shine. If you have not had a chance to see the beautiful scenery on the line you are in for a very nice surprise. The line makes it's way through the foothills giving view of mountain ranges, creeks, wildlife, forests, vineyards, old ranches, and much more. And there are 35 miles of track still there from Folsom to Placerville. I have been on the entire route and it is awesome!
(Pictures courtesy of Philip Rose)
October 30, 2009
October 18, 2009
PSVRR Building Steam!
Yes the PSVRR is building steam and gaining ground to start running excursions in 2010. We are looking for more volunteers. We have locomotives to paint, track to repair and trains to run! We are currently raising money for our tie replacement project from MP 116 (Highway 50) to MP 126 (Latrobe Station). It is great to see new people coming out to help and give a hand to this awesome project! Contact Joe@PSVRR.COM for more info.
December 20, 2008
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November 22, 2008
"Iron Horse"
Arrives Here From Sacramento
The Folsom Telegraph
Sunday, August 21, 1955
Folsom, California Sunday, August 21, 1955 ....
Close to 1,000 people are expected to be on board the excursion train when it pulls into Folsom Sunday afternoon in observance of 100 years of railroading in California.
Scheduled to arrive here at 3:30 p.m., the excursionist will listen to a prepared program and see the historic points of interest in Folsom, terminal of that road which was the first built west of the Mississippi.
A feature of the stop here will be the receiving on board of water from Folsom Lake. Contained in an old early-day jug, the water will be taken to the California State Fair where it will have a part in the "Marriage of Waters" which will be a feature of the Fair opening. Folsom Chamber of Commerce is arranging transportation of the water.
Pacific Chapter, Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, is sponsoring the excursion which will start from San Francisco Sunday morning at 7:45.
Drawn by the newest and oldest passenger steam engines left in service, the train will steam over the old route through Niles Canyon and Altamont Pass.
Arriving in Sacramento at noon, passengers will have a chance to inspect the display of historic relics there. At 2 p.m. the old whistle will toot, steam will pour from the balloon stacked oldtimer built in 1896, and the train will make its way out along the Sacramento River to R Street where the first rails were laid 100 years ago. From there it will follow the old original route to Folsom where the line terminated in February of 1856.
The trip is open to anyone who wishes to purchase a ticket. Round trip from Sacramento will cost $1.70 and from San Francisco the fair will be $4.40.
On the rear end of the gala train will be the ornate private car "Gold Dust" formerly owned by Lucius Beebe and now the property of the historical society. In this car will be gathered the foremost railroad historians of the west: Lucius Beebe, Charles Clegg, Gilbert Kneiss, Jerry Best, Roy Graves, Fed Stindt, Dave Joselyn, Dave Myrick and many others.
Some of them will speak briefly during the Folsom stop.
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