Volunteers reopen railroad tunnel cut

VOLUNTEERS UNLOADED each carload of rocks into the gully in about 15 minutes. They then laid a 10-foot line of rocks in the gully. The rocks will prevent rushing water from cutting into the rail bed during heavy rain storms. Crew members, from left to right, are Bill Wilde, 47, Shingle Springs; Alex Wilde, 22, Cameron Park; Hank Stiles, Fairmount speeder operator, 62, Rancho Cordova; Keith Berry, EDWRF president and project manager, 62, El Dorado; and Jacob Karoly, 19, Diamond Springs. Photographs by Steven Karoly

On Saturday, Nov. 13, 15 volunteers from two railway organizations joined forces to clear several tons of rock and dirt from the Tunnel No. 1 cut on the historical Placerville Branch rail line.

In an era of austere government budgets, crews from the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation and the Folsom, El Dorado and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association  donated over 75 hours of personal labor to ensure safe passage through the cut for pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians and trains.

“Saturday’s work day on the Placerville Branch is a stark reminder of how the railroad was built and how we can overcome the need for tax dollars by using volunteers,” said Ed Cunha, EDWRF vice president. “In less than five hours, this small army of volunteers was able to reopen the Tunnel No. 1 cut and reestablish drainage in the cut where standing water had prohibited passage for as many years as anyone can remember.”

A key aspect of the project was the reclamation of excavated rock and dirt from the cut.

EDWRF president Keith Berry identified a washout one-half mile west of the cut where the material was used to shore up an eroded drainage ditch. Using the FEDS’ large Fairmount speeder and flatcar to transport fill material from the cut, the crew laid a rock foundation over a donated eight-inch steel culvert pipe.

To facilitate passage on the existing unimproved hiking and mountain bike trail adjacent to the tracks, the crew built a trail crossing over the repaired drainage ditch.

This project brought volunteers from two distinct railroad associations together to preserve El Dorado County’s rail legacy for current and future generations.

It’s a testament of the value these volunteers bring to the project. Using picks and shovels and a backhoe, volunteers cleared an important passage on the rail corridor without spending one dollar from county coffers, the group stgated in a press release.

“This project serves all corridor venues, thereby providing a fine first example of developing a commonly held resource,” said Berry. “This project is extended toward the entire community and is only the first step in demonstrating a viable and successful approach within very limited financial times.”

The foundation is working in partnership with the County of El Dorado and the El Dorado County Historical Museum to develop the El Dorado County Historical Railroad Park in the Town of El Dorado and to preserve the historical Placerville Branch rail line.

VOLUNTEERS UNLOADED each carload of rocks into the gully in about 15 minutes. They then laid a 10-foot line of rocks in the gully. The rocks will prevent rushing water from cutting into the rail bed during heavy rain storms. Crew members, from left to right, are Bill Wilde, 47, Shingle Springs; Alex Wilde, 22, Cameron Park; Hank Stiles, Fairmount speeder operator, 62, Rancho Cordova; Keith Berry, EDWRF president and project manager, 62, El Dorado; and Jacob Karoly, 19, Diamond Springs. Photographs by Steven Karoly

A BACK HOE operators Bob McCormick of El Dorado digs a drainage ditch on the east side of Tunnel No.1 cut. The dirt was used as fill for a washout repair a half mile down the line. Photograph by Steven Karoly

CREW MAKE-UP CHANGED each time a new load of rocks or fill dirt was brought down the rails to the washout. Within one hour of completing the project, two men on mountain bikes reported to Ed Cunha that the bridge worked well. The last crew of the day consisted of, left to right, Hank Stiles, Fairmount speeder operator, 62, Rancho Cordova; Keith Berry, EDWRF president and project manager, 62, El Dorado; Ben Cunha, 55, Diamond Springs; Ed Cunha, 28, Diamond Springs; Alex Wilde, 22, Cameron Park; Bill Wilde, 47, Shingle Springs; and Bill Bellas, 54, Cameron Park. Photographs by Steven Karoly

All Aboard - The Folsom Rail Festival

by Kati Garner

Track that was laid to be part of the Trans-Continental Railroad did not fulfill its destiny but it was celebrated as the oldest railroad track west of the Mississippi River this weekend during the Folsom Historic Railroad and Transportation Festival .

"130 years ago the track ran from Sacramento to Folsom. The route was changed and now it runs from Sacramento to Auburn and beyond," said Larry Bowler, one of the Festival's organizers.

It became only a local freight line and travelled just beyond Placerville. Many years ago the track was torn out five miles west of Placerville.

This is the first time the festival has been in Folsom. The past four years it's been held in Ione on a smaller scale.

There were lots of things to see and do.

Walt Freeman, Sacramento Regional Transit, prepares passengers for a short trip in Sacramento Regional Transit’s own #35 PG&E Streetcar at the Folsom Historic Railroad and Transportation Festival at Folsom Pointe. Designed to run on the rails, the streetcar was built in St. Louis, MO in 1913, servicing Sacramento from 1914 through 1948. The old Folsom Powerhouse supplied power to a power plant in Sacramento at 6th & I Streets and ran the system.

Conductor Eric Olds collected passenger's tickets.

The historic streetcar ride took passengers south of Hwy 50.

One of the characters along the way.

A man and his two sons depart from the streetcar.

A festival visitor stands by a Railroad Motorcar, sometimes called a “Speeder”. Smaller models, like this one, were used routinely to inspect the many miles of track for defects. Larger versions would carry half a dozen workers and pull a few trailers loaded with spikes and tools, to handle track maintenance.They have a top speed of 30mph and are faster than handcars. ( from www.narcoa.org/newsite/faq.htm)

Ric Hornor was on hand with 'Books by Dead Guys', books full of photos and stories created in the 1800s. (www.19thcentury.us/)

This is the passenger side of San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway Fire Truck MW No. 1003. It was built by the Ford Motor Co. in 1931 and was based near the Mexican border at Jacumba, CA. It fought fires that plagued the railway's many wooden trestles and timber lined tunnels of the Carriso Gorge. It is in full operational condition.

A father and son inspect a Track Mobile. It has rubber and steel wheels so it can travel on land as well as the rails. It is mainly used in industrial settings.

A huge wrench is carried in a Mudge "Special", an all-around car that can carry three men, yet it is light enough to be handled easily by one person. It has a one cylinder, 4-hp engine and is used by linemen, signal men, claim adjusters, patrolment, station agents and inspectors. It has removable guide arms, wheels and tray, and can be loaded into baggage cars.

Indoor Model Railroad Displays were up and running.

joe@psvrr.com

 SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Railroad groups lay tracks for transportation festival

By Brad Smith, Telegraph Correspondent

This weekend Folsom residents and others will experience firsthand how important rail travel was to the region.

The Railroad Education and Preservation Society, along with help from the Folsom, El Dorado, Sacramento Historical Railroad Historical Association, will present the Folsom Historical Railroad & Transportation Festival. Bill Anderson, president of the FEDSHRA, said the event is one that anyone can enjoy.
“It has something for everyone,” he said. “People can come to the event and have fun, ride a train or street car or check out the car show. And, it’s educational — people learn how much of vital part the rails played in our history.”
Anderson said the event started after the FEDSHRA was contacted by a railroad enthusiast group from Ione.
“They’ve been putting on their own rail fest for some time,” Anderson said. “However, this year, they weren’t going to be able to do it. So, they contacted us.”
The Ione group wanted to use the Folsom area to stage a similar event. That, Anderson said, was how everything started.
“A number of us (FEDSHRA) volunteered to put the event together,” he said. “Over a period of time, everything started to come together.”
Marty Donahoo, an FEDSHRA board member, was one of those volunteers. He thought it was a “great idea” when he had heard about it.
“I love the history of this town and surrounding area,” Donahoo said. “Some people have lived here for a long time and still haven’t learned a lot about local history — especially how vital the rail lines played a part. It’s like hidden treasure.”
Anderson said that the two-day event will have a lot to offer visitors,
“The Sacramento Regional Transit’s PG&E No. 35 trolley will be available for people to ride,” Anderson said. “There will be handcar rides and Skagit rides too. I think folks will love the rail speeders.”
Donahoo said that a number of of model train displays will be setup and running during the event.
“Kids love model trains and so we’ll have some on hand,” he said. “Of course, adults are more than welcome to watch the model trains. We’ll have some vendors lined up as well”
Another part of the event will be the Cops and Rodders display, Anderson said.
“There will be a number of antique police cars and motorcycles on display,” he said. “We’ll have a number of presentations on Folsom’s rail and transportation history. We want this to be fun and educational at the same time.”
Donahoo said on Sunday there would be a salute to members of Folsom’s National Guard unit, the 49th National Guard Military Police Brigade, returning from active duty.
Anderson said that while the Ione group will likely resume having their event in their hometown, it is possible that Folsom will see another event next year.
“Working on this event has been a learning curve for some of us,” Anderson said. “But, overall, I think it will be a great draw for people living in and around Folsom. There will be plenty for people to see and do — and if we have a strong turnout, we’ll do it again next year.”
Donahoo hopes that this event will be the start of something new and different.
The event will be held this weekend from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the rails along East Bidwell Street and Placerville Road at Iron Point Drive. Admission is free.
For more information call (916) 764-5110 or (916) 502-2667.
* * *
KNOW AND GO
What: Folsom Historical Railroad & Transportation Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 18-19
Where: Railroad tracks behind In-n-Out on East Bidwell Street in Folsom
Cost: Free admission

WHERE THE HELL IS LATROBE- CALIFORNIA?

By C.W. Reichert


Few places are more uniquely beautiful than the Western slope of the central Sierra Nevada. Adjacent to Shingle Springs, the town of Latrobe is situated in the heart of these hills in the southwestern section of El Dorado County. The gentle slopes, outcroppings and springs add a certain flavor that continues to attract people of nearby cities. Perhaps the Nisenan or Southern Maidu Indians appreciated the valley's diverse splendor when they inhabited this region in aboriginal times.


The Indians' homeland stretched across to the Bear River and south of the south or middle fork of the Cosumnes River. The Nisenan tribe was made of a primary, permanent village surrounded by several secondary villages and seasonal camps. The villages encompassed family dwellings, acorn grenaries, bedrock mortars, a dance house and sweat house with 15-500 people living there at a time. The usual village sites were along knolls, ridges or streams with a southern exposure. Here, the Nisenan ground acrons as their main meal and also caught fish with their hands or spears. Salt was obtained from the springs and with the use of fires and snares, they hunted deer, rabbits and other small creatures. Ants, grasshoppers, lizards and frogs were also devoured. Manzanita berries were used to make a cider like beverage. The Nisenan were wiped out by a malaria epidemic in 1833, and the gold miners also took over their land.

Latrobe owes its roots to the Placerville and Sacramento Valley Railroad, which established a station for the tremendous benefit of neighboring Amador County.

The history of the area is further connected to the Gold Rush of the 1850's, the agricultural and economic development of El Dorado County and commerce between Clarksville and Latrobe. In 1849, one year after gold was discovered in California, thousands of hopeful gold seekers arrived in the "diggings." Many of them came through the area to settle in Latrobe.

The railroad station was located at the intersection of Latrobe Road and South Shingle Road, in what became the town of Latrobe with Shingle Springs as its eastern terminus.

The railroad was completed in 1884. The town was named after the civil engineer who was instrumental in the construction of the first railroad in America.

J.H. Miller, a locaql rancher and hotel owner, opened the first store in Latrobe in 1863. The population grew to 700-800, with the number of stores increasing to six or seven. Latrobe supported four hotels, three blacksmith shops and a single wagon and carriage factory. Latrobe also offered a bakery and several butcher shops.

There were only three doctors along with two drug stores to take care of the medical needs of the entire community. The public school building, which still stands today as part of Latrobe School, is a two story building that contained all public meetings.

The Masons and Odd Fellows organizations each had their own halls.

By 1864, rails had been laid to the new town of Latrobe, as the first trains rolled in. From then until June 1865, as the line reached Shingle Springs, it was an important way station for the great deal of business that flowed over the Placerville Road to Virginia City. About 23 years later, the railroad extended to Placerville.

Families living along the course of the railroad saw some immediate benefits. However, the acquisition of the right-of-way by the railroad made many other residents angry as they had homesteaded the area but were forced to give up some of their land for the railroad line.

In 1866, hotels were located in Latrobe and Michigan Bar, supplying train passengers and local residents with dinner and overnight accommodations.

For a long time, Latrobe controlled all trade activities of Amador County. The town became the focal point for many travelers, providing eight daily stages in connection with the trains. However, because it wasn't a mining town and the railroad construction continued east, business suffered. The state of prosperity came to a grinding halt in 1883, when the population dwindled down to about 80 people with one general store, one hotel, a telegraph officde, two blacksmith shops and the lone carriage and wagon shop.

In 1981, El Dorado County adopted the Latrobe Area Plan, which covers the west side of Logtown Ridge to the Cosumnes River, boasting such landmarks as picturesque Sugarloaf Mountain and Indian Creek.

Today, the businesses no longer exist, and the town consists primarily of multi-acre rural residential parcels such as the Shadow Hawk and Sun Ridge Meadow subdivisions. Another subdivision is currently being built next to Miller's Hill School.

Also still standing is Oddfellows Hall, and what has become one of the highest rated grade schools in California today-Latrobe Elementary School.

THE FOLSOM HISTORIC AND TRANSPORTATION FESTIVAL

The Folsom Historic Railroad and Transportation Festival will take place Sept. 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. behind the Hampton Inn, 155 Placerville Road, Folsom. Admission is free, but there will be charges for speeder and streetcar rides to raise funds for maintenance on the 35-mile stretch of railway.


By Gina Kim

gkim@sacbee.com

Published: Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 - 12:00 am
Page 1B

Last Modified: Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 - 9:02 am

Steel wheels hit the tracks in rhythmic cadence as six rail cars wound out of Folsom through the golden fields of late summer, past lazing cattle, sprightly jack rabbits and the occasional red-tailed hawk.

But it wasn't a train on this recent day bumping along the railroad, sounding the requisite two toots to go forward and three to reverse. The individual cars were golf-cart sized, gasoline-powered vehicles known as speeders – used by railroads to repair and maintain tracks during the second half of the 20th century.

Speeders are the growing passion of hobbyists who salvage them from dusty barns, install luxuries like cushioned seats, intercoms and picnic coolers, and chug off to experience the winding rails at a leisurely 15 mph.

"You get to see a lot of the country from a viewpoint no one else sees," said Warren Froese, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, president of the North American Railcar Operators Association. He organized a speeder trip a few years ago through a part of northern Manitoba accessible only by plane or train.

About 1,100 people in North America secure insurance for speeders through the association; the number grows about 5 percent each year, he said.

The boxy cars set off recently from behind the Hampton Inn in Folsom, just beyond East Bidwell Road and Highway 50, in preparation for a Sept. 18-19 railroad festival that will raise money to maintain the historic track.

The 10-mile section was built in the late 1800s or early 1900s to bring Placerville lumber and stone down to market in Sacramento, said one of the festival organizers, Larry Bowler.

The stretch is no longer used by rail companies, leaving it vulnerable to disrepair and development. But the local speeder group has negotiated for use of the run, cutting back weeds, tightening bolts and replacing ties and rails in exchange.

"Inside every man's breast beats the heart of a steam locomotive," said Bowler, 71, of Elk Grove, a retired Sacramento County sheriff's deputy and state assemblyman.

Bowler's two-seat 1960s Fairmont speeder – which often tows a cart carrying maintenance tools – was originally used by the Southern Pacific Railroad. Railroad companies have since replaced speeders with hybrid trucks that can drive on roads as well as ride rails.

Bowler's speeder now boasts upholstered van seats, racks and shelves, brake lights and an antique oiler can. He bought it for $2,000 a few years ago and thinks its value has increased to $5,000.

"This is preserving history," Bowler said, "and it just happens we have fun doing it."

Speeder enthusiasts get permission from track owners and travel in groups of at least two – the aging vehicles inevitably break down and having two guarantees a ride back, Bowler said. His speeder carries six gallons of gasoline, fuel enough for the better part of a day.

Don Lee, 76, of Lincoln, bought a speeder for his railroad-loving grandson. That grandson is grown, but the retired mapmaker for the California Department of Transportation continues to climb aboard his four-seater with the California flag flying from one side and the American flag from the other.

"It's like a disease," said his wife, Diana.

Chuck Ratto, 46, owns a speeder that starts with the turn of a hand crank. Tinkering is requisite – there's no catalog for parts and creativity is a must to keep it running, said the medium-equipment mechanic from Calaveras County.

"You turn the crank and start the engine, put it in gear and go," he said. "Not many people get the opportunity to do that."

Tom Correa, 62, of Jackson, bought a speeder that once ran along the Soo Line Railroad in Minnesota and was discovered in a snowbank. He dismantled it down to the axles, and then the retired Xerox technician installed aluminum running boards, new forklift seats, a wood console with cutouts for drink cups … and shiny truck horns.

"We're always little kids," he said. "We just happen to get old."

HIT THE TRACKS

The Folsom Historic Railroad and Transportation Festival will take place Sept. 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. behind the Hampton Inn, 155 Placerville Road, Folsom. Admission is free, but there will be charges for speeder and streetcar rides to raise funds for maintenance on the 35-mile stretch of railway.



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Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/31/2993999/these-speeders-make-tracks-in.html#ixzz0z0NRu6LB

Your Support Is Needed

The resolution is to validate the definition of full phase development of the Railroad Park, as was conceptually approved by the current Supervisors last year 5 to 0. Trails is asserting our phase one was a full phase definition, contrary to Sweeneys expressed position during discussion prior to the approving vote. It also authorizes Museum Administrator to effect the administrative work to initiate the Railroad Park living history program, including access for MOW spur, initiating ROA's for track work, accepting EDWRF rolling stock as Railroad Park equipment for insurance purposes, and  living history operation start up out of El Dorado.

 Trails group is asserting that track is theirs to remove from Missouri Flat Rd to county line, particularly the track from Missouri Flat Rd to Blanchard Rd, leaving the rail park program dead ended on a forth and back run. Trails were silent until grant money applied for ( to effect railroad park infrastructure and trail development in multiple venue parallel including horse and mountain bike trail). DOT has plan for parallel development, grant would cover to El Dorado Wye. Trails asserts new trail would cost millions, not enough money in grant unless they get all of it and RR Park gets none.Obvously, trails wants to stop other venue presence on corridor, this resolution would set precedent. 

This is also due to recent JPA meeting decision rebuffing trails speakers, we knew then they would come after Supervisor Sweeney at county level.

SO, you have a precedent moment where Supervisors must either stick to their expressed parallel plan and approve the RR Park full definition and keep track, study the matter further, amend the resolution to trails position by not validating track usage by railroad park to end of track and expose track to removal, or defeat resolution completely stopping administrative work on RR Park.

Whatever happens, great relevance to track to county line and FEDS / recreational rail user plans.

Thanks for your support.

Keith Berry

Supes Want Best Use of Both Rails and Trails

By Chris Daley
July 1st, 2010

Democrat staff writer

Train buffs and trail enthusiasts squared off Tuesday as the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors considered a resolution to develop a small rail excursion project near El Dorado. Not really opposing each other's passion, speakers expressed concern about the county's ability to fund extensions of the El Dorado Trail co-located alongside a working rail line.

Supervisor Jack Sweeney, in whose District 3 the project would be undertaken, recommended the resolution authorizing what would be a “living history program of the El Dorado County Historical Museum.” The board authorized development of a railroad park in El Dorado earlier this year, and the excursion train would be part of that project. The county museum houses numerous railroad items and equipment which volunteers have been restoring for many years and which could be relocated to the future railroad park.

After much discussion, parsing of terms, changes in language, the board voted 4-1 to delay a decision on Sweeney's recommendation pending review by local trails and recreation commissions. Sweeney voted no to that delay.

“People have jumped to significant conclusions (that the train would preempt the trail) ... but most importantly, it will not impede the use of the trail in the recreation zone,” Sweeney said. “It's a multi-use facility, and it's preposterous that anyone should think otherwise. If the tracks are removed, it's not multi-use.”

Under a Joint Powers Authority, the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor was acquired from Southern Pacific a number of years ago. The area is designated for multiple use, which includes pedestrian, cycling, equestrian activities as well as a short-run rail line.

Speakers on both sides cited the multi-use designation to bolster their arguments. Trail people said that leaving the tracks in place limited trail development while rail supporters suggested that removing the tracks would effectively eliminate their view of a multi-use facility.

The railroad right of way has been the foundation of much of the El Dorado Trail, and proponents envision it could one day become a Class I biking/hiking trail extending from South Lake Tahoe to Folsom. Tracks were removed between Camino and Diamond Springs to accommodate the El Dorado Trail, but the old rails are still in place from Missouri Flat Road through El Dorado and on down to the county line.

The excursion train would run from some point west of Missouri Flat to the El Dorado Y, and determination of that route is part of the problem. As originally proposed, the train would run about a mile, from Blanchard Road to the “Y.” Under an expanded version, “living history” would run from Missouri Flat for a distance of nearly three miles.

Although county Department of Transportation deputy director Russ Nygaard told the board that the area is generally wide enough for the train and the trail, some trail supporters were skeptical. Nygaard said the right of way is about 60 feet wide at its narrowest and 200 to 250 feet at its widest. The average runs between 100 and 200 feet, he calculated. The terrain, however, includes flat, wide areas as well as relatively steep, rugged stretches. The latter could limit the actual development of side-by-side projects.

Nygaard explained that most, if not all, of the funding is anticipated to come from grant money and estimated a $2 million-$3 million price tag for the rail line and trail. Grant money, however, is not guaranteed. Supervisor Ron Briggs advised that the cost would likely run $1 million per mile, but Nygaard said in his experience, trail development should be considerably less. Much of the work is expected to be done by volunteers who are plentiful in both camps.

Briggs and Supervisor John Knight, however, focused on the potential costs, which Knight called prohibitive to the extent that, “We may never be able to afford it..” Briggs later noted that residents of his district don't want to “see the train become the dominant use” in the recreation zone.

Sweeney pushed for a decision on his recommendation without delay and without further committee review.

“These tracks have sat idle for 20 years,” he said. “And yet we're going to suggest we go study some more... And the tracks will stay idle... All I want to do is allow a temporary use. God knows I don't know about processes in El Dorado County, and I'm sorry I didn't submit this to these other committees.”

He then made a motion for a decision, but it died for lack of a second.

Supervisors Ray Nutting and Norma Santiago agreed that the issue should have been thoroughly vetted by the county's standing committees for trails and recreation before coming to the board for a decision. Their vote to delay the matter until Aug. 3 reflected that position.

E-mail Chris Daley at cdaley@mtdemocrat.net or call (530) 344-5063.

Progress On The PSVRR

Things are moving ahead at the PSVRR.  Work continues on the coaches and the current stock of locomotives.  Track work is commencing and tie replacement will be completed by the spring of 2011.  As this project gains momentum, more and more opportunities are coming our way and the PSVRR is sure to be a big success.  Our commitment is to create a 1st class railroad and a foundation to stand on for many years to come.  The increase in volunteers has helped tremendously as well as the endless hours put towards acquisitions and operations.  Stay tuned!

Why not go for what you really want?  Don't ever be afraid to dream and always stand up for what is possible!

Check Out The Progress At The Other End Of The Placerville Branch-Way To Go Guys!

This article is reprinted from the fall 2009 issue of The Dispatch, the official newsletter of the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation.

Steaming toward El Dorado

County Supervisors approve concept plan for El Dorado County railroad park

By Keith Berry, President

The long awaited moment has now occurred. The El Dorado County Railroad Park concept plan has been approved!

Over the past years, we have searched for a site to establish exhibit and operational trackage for our rail logging artifacts. Several sites were evaluated but could not be developed for a variety of reasons.

Our growingly difficult challenge was to locate a site where the local community would support our plan, and a site with rail in place to shorten the development timeframe.

The site would also require public access, be close to U.S. Highway 50, yet be reflective of a pastoral setting reflective of the age of logging railroad activity in El Dorado County.

Such a site was found along the old Southern Pacific Placerville Branch adjacent to the township of El Dorado, now designated as a transportation corridor featuring multiple recreational formats.

During the summer months, we worked with our Museum Director Mary Cory to assemble our concept plan including a detailed site plan drawing by Harold Kiser. During August, this plan was carried thru the Joint Powers Authority and the County Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Jack Sweeney.

Final plan development was assigned to the County Department of Transportation for survey work, utility verification, road access evaluation, and coordination with other corridor recreational stake holders including trails and visiting rail groups.

Given full support by the community, recreation commission, and trails groups, approval was achieved with unanimous votes! A vital resource was the concept watercolor volunteered by ANOVA Architects.

While all this was going on, we had the opportunity to "glean" the rail materials from the old Diamond Springs Yard, adjacent to Missouri Flat Road. This project permitted the reuse of approximate three-fourths of a mile of track and switches at El Dorado, and cleared the area for public trail development along the right of way to the east.

A tremendous effort was put forth by all volunteers and friends to accomplish the disassembly and transport of tons of materials in the course of several weeks during the dog day heat of summer.

Thank you to all who came to work and kept with it until this valuable inventory was protected and protected for the future recreational benefit of our community.

Currently, we are waiting for a property survey to verify the actual boundary lines, this very much in our favor to recover the entire right of way to public use. The fire season is almost over; we can then address the current unkept weedy nature of the area.

Railroad work will commence with replacement of rotted ties along a 1,500-foot section north from the old station site, this to allow use in 2010.

As this work will soon commence, while we continue to restore equipment, we encourage all volunteer support, we need your help in a variety of ways.

Our moment has arrived!



Contact the El Dorado Western Railway


El Dorado Western Railway Foundation

P.O. Box 3517

Diamond Springs, CA 95619

Call for general information:

(530) 621-5865



Workday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday at:

El Dorado County Historical Museum

104 Placerville Drive

Placerville, CA 95667

Original Speeder Shed at Folsom Junction Being Restored

Years back the city of Folsom had taken a bull dozer and moved the speeder shed away from its original position to make room for a security fence.  The shed had been built by section men of the Southern Pacific RR to house a speeder and MOW equipment. Tuesday January 26th some of the Feds crew began the restoration of the historic shed at the wye (MP111). The shed will be moved back to its original position  at the West leg of the wye. Pictured at work are Hank Styles, John Haverty, and Bradley Smith. Not shown are Don Lee and Frank Fuson.  (Pictures and text thanks to Frank Fuson)

New Critter Comes To Folsom

Recently acquired loco is now in Folsom with the PSVRR.  It is in good running condition but is in need of some clutch adjustment.  This engine spent a majority of its life at the Sacramento Port.  (Pictures by Joe Mayer)

Howard Terminal Loco and Frank Fuson