Narrow Gauge on the Net Index

Threw takes an involuntary rest break on the Eureka & Palisade Railroad.

A setback on the Eureka & Palisade idles the crew for a while. Engine 5, "Palisade", takes a break. This is a photo that accompanied an article about the E & P in the Railroad Magazine of long ago days. They may be watching an impromptu hunt while the train is delayed. Such was life on the remote line.

Narrow Gauge on the Net presents some history and background stories of a few of the American narrow gauge railroads. Compared with the standard gauge lines, these diminutive railroads seemed almost toy-like. Nevertheless, these operations hauled passengers and freight, serving towns and hamlets bypassed by the mainline railroads. These lines were often started on a shoestring and were plagued by interchange problems with standard gauge carriers. That many of them lasted as long as they did is a tribute to the people who ran them and the communities that they served. Read. Enjoy!

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D&RGW 315 To Have A
New Home in Silverton

September, 2008. According to post by a knowledgable Silverton local, the recently restored locomotive will get a home in the old Silverton Northern engine house. The building has been used for storing miscellaneous stuff and it is being cleared for the engine and possibly other projects. The San Juan County Historical Society is involved along with the Durango Railroad Historical Society which was originally responsible for the restoration of the 315. This will be a much better place to store the venerable engine than the park in Durango. See the notice posted here on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Board.

Good News From the
Nevada State Railroad Museum

July, 2008. It is reported that as soon as the McKeen car work is completed, restoration will resume on the Glenbrook. This Baldwin 2-6-0 worked the timber lines at Lake Tahoe before becoming a mainstay locomotive pulling passengers from Truckee to Tahoe City. After a long, long false start, the locomotive is again looking to be an operational 1875 machine. The original boiler is being rebuilt and most of the other pieces are being readied for assembly. This would make a double-header with the Eureka a distinct possibility in the not too distant future. Watch the Nevada State Railroad Museum Website for any clues to what may be happening.

D&RGW 315 Runs At Chama

The Cumbres & Toltec will host the recently rebuilt No. 315. The crew from Durango will make a few railfan runs on the Cumbres and Toltec in the next few days. Check the Durango Railroad Historical Society site for details. Here is more general news from the official News from the C&TSRR

A Grant For C&TSRR No 463?

It has been reported that a grant has been given to the Cumbres & Toltec to work on the K-27 that has been out of service for the last few years. This is the smaller 2-8-2 type narrow gauge Mikado that was first used on the Denver & Rio Grande at the turn of the 20th Century. The grant would not nearly cover the costs of rehabilitation but would be a good start. This class of locomotive was originally built as compound locomotives. A sister K-27, No. 464, runs on the Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, Michigan. We will post any more news as we find it.

Restoring The Eureka:
The Story Behind The Locomotive.

The Sagebrush Headlight, the newsletter of the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum features an article by Dan Markoff about his years of work and fun with the Eureka. The locomotive has been featured on television and videos. The 1875 steam engine has been a popular attraction at Durango and Chama in the past. Read about it at this pdf file located here. The Friends of the Museum homepage is here.

Northern California narrow gauge railroad North Pacific Coast worked this little red and gold painted freight locomotive. N.P.C. No. 13 was built in 1883.
Courtesy of Railfan & Railroad Magazine

The Lake Tahoe Railway & Transportation Co. Story

This short, but very interesting operation is being put into pixels as you read this. The Bliss family ran the railroad and everything else for a while. This was an incredible bunch of people. Logger barons, engineers, architects, philanthropists, you name it. Lake Tahoe as a destination for travelers, adventurers, tree huggers, etc. as a result of this family's endeavors. Start reading about the people and the railroad.

The "Official" Southern Pacific Version of the Carson and Colorado Railroad History

Yes it's dry. It's maybe even a bit boring, but it is history as of 1948. Click here for a view of the railroad before it became an icon for those pursuing the last narrow gauge lines. And this also shows that the SP had some sense of the importance of the little branch. Or maybe it was a really slow week and some flunky in the News Bureau was given this assignment!

Maps Are Here!

The map directory is becoming filled with new (old) maps. Antique maps and one hundred year old topographics are ready for your viewing. There are over fifty maps posted, many with great detail. Over thirty of these are topographic maps we posted online now. Did you ever wonder where that railroad actually ran? Click here to go to our new Narrow Gauge Maps page..

Logo Image of "Eureka" Used With Permission

Northern California narrow gauge railroad North Pacific Coast worked this little red and gold painted freight locomotive. N.P.C. No. 13 was built in 1883. Courtesy of Railfan & Railroad Magazine

Northern California narrow gauge railroad North Pacific Coast worked this little red and gold painted freight locomotive. N.P.C. No. 13 was built in 1883.
Courtesy of Railfan & Railroad Magazine