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

Placerville, Sacramento Valley Railroad, a 'Catalyst'

Work being done on switch at MP111-FOLSOM JUNCTION(Photo by Joe Mayer)

By Philip Sanders Rose

The Sacramento Valley Railroad from Sacramento to Folsom was the first railroad west of the Mississippi. The first train ran in February 1856.  The route toward Placerville was originally to be part of the first transcontinental railroad through the Sierra Nevada range. It never made it!

The Folsom, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical Railroad Association is establishing an excursion train operation on the scenic line toward Placerville, a community trolley linking highway 50 at Folsom Point with Folsom Historic District, and an interactive educational 'rail themed park' at the Folsom Junction 'Wye'. 

"Our mission is to protect, preserve and develop the Folsom - Placerville railroad right-of-way, and to celebrate its legacy through the creation and operation of a sustainable community railroad for the benefit, use, education and enjoyment of the general public." 

The trolley will be a sustainable Community asset and link hotels, highway 50, Broadstone, Folsom Lake College, medical facilities, Bidwell St. (rail themed park), and Historic Folsom Depot and the attractions of the historic district.

Adaptation of the current bus services will offer far greater public transport coverage for the residents of Folsom and as such, an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to the automobile.  The excursion rail operation will connect with the trolley at Folsom Point and head to Latrobe and then up to Shingle Springs and El Dorado town were there is the potential to create 'destinations,' link up with a proposed logging railroad center, also to coordinate with cycle paths and trails, giving greater access and options for both residents and visitors.

Special events will create excellent marketing opportunities for the wider area from 'Thomas' style events through staged train robberies to wine trains or even sake trains.

The list of possibilities is virtually endless.

The railroad development is a catalyst that will confirm the unique nature of Folsom as a Gateway from the Sierra to the Modern World, and create new tourism development opportunities for western El Dorado County, bringing improved marketing exposure for Folsom, Western El Dorado County and the Economic 50 corridor, bolstering the economy and creating a 'must see' destination for visitors to California.

We are actively seeking even more partnerships to help achieve this exciting goal.

Work Begins On Latrobe Creek Washout

January 5th we pulled the rail down the hill and cleared all of the dead ties from the right of way in preparation of the rebuilding of the Latrobe creek wash out.

Pictures by Frank Fuson

(John Haverty pulling the high railer through to the wash out.)

(Ralph Cameron and Brad Smith picking up spikes and tie plates.)

(Hank Stiles and Bo Grebitus loading ties on the forks.)

(Carl Curtis helping Hank and Bo load ties.)

Tourist train from Folsom to El Dorado building steam

By Mike Roberts

Mother Lode News

The sound of a train whistle in the distance was last heard in El Dorado County in 1987, when the Southern Pacific made its last run from Folsom to Placerville.  “That was a really sad day for this county,” said District 3 Supervisor Jack Sweeney, who fought to retain rail service to Placerville. “Wetzel-Oviat [lumber mill] was still using it, but first the pear decline and then Michigan-Cal curtailing lumber shipments spelled the end of the railroad.”  That lonesome whistle could once more blow in El Dorado County if a bunch of stubborn Folsom rail enthusiasts get their way. The tracks and right of way are still in place, mostly. That’s only because the county fought to “bank” the right of way for future rail use under the federal “Rails to Trails” program, which encourages railroads to transfer inactive corridors to trail managers rather than sell them to adjacent landowners.  “We had to beat Southern Pacific Railroad in court three times,” said Sweeney. “They filed again and we beat them again, then they appealed and we beat them a third time.” As a result, a Joint Powers Authority now owns the corridor. It’s public property, under the control of representatives from El Dorado County, Sacramento County, the city of Folsom and the Sacramento Regional Transit District.  An excursion train on the old rails holds the promise of drawing visitors and money to the region, while bringing its colorful rail history back to life.

The Sacramento Valley Railroad was formed in 1852 with a vice president named William Sherman, who would later become famous for marching to the sea as a Union general in the Civil War.  The railroad began operations between Sacramento and Folsom in 1856 as the first commercial railroad west of  the Mississippi. Another historical figure of note, Theodore Judah, was a visionary chief engineer who saw the line as a contender to become the first transcontinental railroad.  Central Pacific eventually won that contest in dramatic fashion, as outlined in a series of Mountain Democrat articles by Doug Noble published in the 1980s and 1990s.  Under various names, the railroad continued on to Latrobe, then Shingle Springs and eventually Placerville and Camino, hauling lumber, freight and passengers. It came under the control of Southern Pacific in 1888, and continued operations for the next 99 years.  The route east from Folsom bypassed, and eventually doomed Clarksville, near modern-day El Dorado Hills, where the Tong family had optimistically named their inn “The Railroad House.” The flatter route through Latrobe allowed a more gentle elevation gain by winding through, and mostly around the foothills.

It’s that last curvy stretch that Folsom railroad buffs dream about. They tried for years to stimulate interest in an excursion line running from Old Town Folsom to Placerville.  The tracks remain largely intact, winding cross country at no more than a 2.4 percent grade through Latrobe, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Until recently, the tracks skirted Diamond Springs, then crossed the dramatic steel trestle over Weber Creek, emerging in Placerville adjacent to the county jail.  Their dream was pooh poohed in a 2003 feasibility study commissioned by the city of Folsom which concluded in rather harsh terms that the local group had neither the experience nor the funding to launch the project, and that the venture, like other excursion rail lines in California, would struggle financially.

Undeterred, the Folsom, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical Railroad Association, FEDS, led by president Bill Anderson, continued to operate the railroad museum in old town Folsom, and dream that they’d see trains running on the Placerville branch in their lifetime.

Meanwhile, Folsom launched a $20 million redevelopment project at the west end of Sutter Street on 5 acres that was once housed Folsom’s Southern Pacific shop. A replica of the Sacramento Valley Railroad’s turntable has been constructed in the middle of what was an unattractive parking lot. Plans are still in flux for other trainthemed amenities that could tie-in with the excursion.

In 2008 convivial Englishman Phillip Rose arrived in Folsom from the U.K. with a marketing background and a passion for all things rail. He teamed up with Anderson and began seeking support for an excursion rail from surrounding communities and the Joint Powers Authority, which controls the right of way.  Importantly, they convinced their fellow FEDS members to dial back the scope of their dream.  First, they had to abandon the idea of going all the way to Placerville. The rail corridor between Missouri Flat Road and Placerville has since become a dedicated bike and foot trail, and the dramatic steel trestle would likely require an expensive retrofit.

Harder still was giving up Old Town Folsom. The rail line crosses streets 11 times in the congested area between Sutter Street and what’s now called “Folsom Point,” the commercial area immediately west of Costco.  The area needs public transit options far more than a potentially traffic snarling tourist attraction.  FEDS leaders hope to team up with city officials to attract funding for a clean energy transit line - historical trolleys come to mind - that will one day connect Old Town Folsom with an excursion train station at Folsom Point and all the homes and businesses in between.

The shortened excursion line would eventually run along 31 miles of track from Folsom Point to historical El Dorado, the eventual home of the El Dorado County Rail Museum.  Rose got permission from the JPA for a series of consciousness-raising demonstration runs along a portion of the line for local officials and media representatives this summer, all the while pitching his dream of a revitalized “Placerville and Sacramento Valley Railroad” excursion to a captive and influential audience.

The invitation-only excursions ran in a carefully restored 1936 gas-powered rail car called the “Skagit,” originally used in logging and industrial yards.

Not just trains.

Original plans for the excursion line put hikers and bicyclists in competition with rails. The latest vision includes Folsom trails planner Jim Konopka, who is confident that a bicycle/hiking trail, in addition to an unpaved equestrian trail can share the rail corridor, even in the narrow cut areas.  In some cases, he said, separate footbridges may be needed, and in other areas, strips of adjacent land may need to be acquired.

Rose, Anderson et al hope to get the go-ahead from the JPA to run the excursion from Folsom Point to Latrobe for the public every weekend next summer. In the mean time they’ll be working to repair a washout roughly two miles south of Latrobe that is the de facto terminus of the excursion. A proper crossing is established at White Rock Road is also needed.

Eventually, FEDS volunteers hope to use a pair of diesel locomotives to haul a combination of open flat cars, a restored coach and a caboose, first as far as Latrobe, then later, when more track restoration is complete, all the way to El Dorado.

In their wildest dreams, FEDS volunteers see steam trains once again running on the rails. The cost and upkeep of the vintage steamers is beyond the scope of their current proposals, however.  Rose insists that the excursion can be accomplished piecemeal, and that momentum, and funding, will grow with each successive phase. He helped a similar historical rail line become a major regional tourist attraction near his home in England.

Sweeney sees the project as a potential economic shot in the arm for El Dorado County, and a vital link in a trail corridor that could bisect the state.  “One day you’ll be able to walk, bicycle or maybe even ride a horse all the way from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe,” he said. “Think what it could do for tourism. It’s a gold mine.”  The backers understand the challenges they face. But Sweeney insists “Volunteers and willpower can overcome a lot of obstacles.”  “Twenty years from now people will look back and ask who had the foresight to put something like this in,” he predicted.

Volunteers and donations are needed. To help out or learn more, see www.president@psvrr.org, mroberts@mtdemocrat.net

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Passenger Car Project

Decking removed for passenger cars in Folsom.  Concrete decks will be poured and seats installed.  Stay tuned for further developments.

HISTORIC FOLSOM STATION

Below are the plans of the Railroad Block in Old Town Folsom.  The track will be able to run back to the Historic Depot as it once did.  Usage of the rebuilt turn-table would then be an option as well.  These are exciting times for the people of Folsom and the volunteers that are behind making this project a reality.

RECENTLY ON THE PSVRR

(Philip Rose Photos)

Past Picture From The PSVRR

All aboard the Hangtown Express!  Next Stop-Shingle Springs.

Camino Placerville And Lake Tahoe RR

Pictures taken near Placerville

(Pictures thanks to Andy Thomas)

MESSAGE FROM ERIC OLDS-HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope everyone is looking forward to a great Thanksgiving with family and friends tomorrow. As I consider this past year since last November, I can think of much pertaining to the railroad we have to be thankful for: donations of new rolling stock, museum artifacts, and shop equipment, progress on our excursion proposal, equipment restoration/reconditioning, annual Handcar Derby and Skagit excursions on the Amador Central/Foothills Railroad for the Ione Railfair, our VIP Skagit ecursions on the start-up segment of our line, and new members jumping in where able to support these endeavors and help make the railroad not just a dream, but a reality!

Here are some photos from one of our two weekend workdays this month courtesy of Mark Spellman. I'd like to thank new members Ray Retalick and Dick Rein along with active members Mark Spellman, Ethan Doty, Philip Rose, and Marcus Ferrill for helping out with work on the line this month. Our next regularly scheduled Saturday Workday will be Dec 12th, so please mark you calendar. More details to come.

For over a decade, FEDS volunteers have been working to preserve this uniquely historic line. Their hard work and dedication, giving of talents and countless hours of time, have made possible this opportunity before us to create a recreational railroad that will be a true asset to our community. Please consider how you can assist us in continuing to move ahead. Obviously, workdays on the weekends or weekdays on the track or in the shop are one way, but there is much more to do including volunteer recruitment, marketing, manning the museum, design and construction of facilities and equipment, etc.

Please join me in giving thanks for what has been accomplished thus far and looking forward to what lay ahead...

Happy Thankgiving and Happy Rails,

  (photos courtesy of Mark Spellman)

Eric Olds

SVRR LOCO