Oddity Railroads of California

Oddities.

Aerial Trolley Car Company.
Monrail. Lightweight monorail system developed by Joseph W. Fawkes. To demonstrate the system as a viable transportation conveyance he constructed a track 800 feet long and propeller powered, 56 passenger trolley car named the "Aerial Swallow". Fawkes attempted to franchise his invention to local cities, proposing a system into download Los Angeles. After a trial run it was nicknamed "Fawkes' Folly" and the system was scrapped some time after 1929. Burbank, Los Angeles County. 1910 - 1929

Sonoma Valley Prismoidal Railway.
Prismoidal Railway. Considered to be the first monorail system in California. The Sonoma Valley Prismoidal was constructed following the Crew Patent One-Rail Railway system. The line operated a short 6 months before being declared a failure. Portions were later converted to 36in gauge as part of the Sonoma Valley Railroad. Norwalk to Schelleville, Sonoma County. 1876