Common Carrier Railroads of California

Common Carrier Railroads.

Bodie & Benton Railway & Land Company.
36in Gauge. Mining activity entered a boom in the Bodie area in the 1880s, the Bodie and Benton Railway was constructed in 1887 to meet the demand for timber by logging the forests South East of Mono Lake. The B&B's main line stretched from Bodie navigating steep grades and two switchbacks down to Mono Mills and the company sawmill. Bodie to Mono Mills, Mono County. 1887 - 1918

Colusa & Lake Railroad.
36in Gauge. Constructed in 1885 as the Colusa Railroad to connect with the Central Pacific at Colusa Junction (now Cortena). The 9.7 mile line reincorporated a year later as the Colusa & Lake and expanded 12.3 miles to Sites and the neighboring sandstone quarries. By 1913 the quarry output had declined and competition from the Southern Pacific and Northern Electric railroads forced the road to abandon in May, 1915. Colusa to Sites, Colusa County. 1885 - 1918

Nevada - California - Oregon Railway.
36in Gauge. Reno, NV to Alturas, CA. 1883 - 1928

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad.
36in Gauge. Constructed to connect the booming mining region around Grass Valley and Nevada City with the Central Pacific in Colfax, the line has the distinction of being the longest operating narrow gauge common carrier in California. Colfax to Nevada City, Placer and Nevada Counties. 1875 - 1942

South Pacific Coast Railroad.
36in Gauge. Incorporated March 20, 1876 from an original concept of providing transportation to sell real estate in Newark, California, it became one of the most successful narrow gauge railroads in California. In May 1887 it and its leased lines were consolidated into the South Pacific Coast Railway and sold to Southern Pacific interests. San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties. 1876 - 1887

South Pacific Coast Railway.
36in Gauge. Consolidated May 21, 1887 from the South Pacific Coast Railroad and its leased lines it operated as a narrow gauge until 1908 with the completion of widening to standard gauge. The corporation continued until 1937 when its 50 year bonds became due. San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties. 1887 - 1937