McCloud River Railroad   -    McCloud Railway    -  History

The Historic and Present Day
By an appreciative rail fan and admirer of the hundred mile short line, that defied, weather, mountains, time and economics, for the longest time.

Number 15 Crossing an Early Trestle**

The History of the McCloud River Railroad and the McCloud River Lumber Company can be easily broken up into the six categories you see below.

 

Prior to 1896

A Wilderness Awaits: A Resource Is Needed

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*

1896-1900

Steel Over The Mountain: A Railroad Arises

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*

1900-1920

Pine Across The Mountain: A Logging Railroad Lives

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*

1920-1940

Mother McCloud: A Legend Is Born

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*

1940-1963

The Pangs Of War and Burney Birth

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1963-1992

Mother Leaves and The Glory Fades

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  1992- Present

Redemption.... for a Time

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Historic Photos from the Heritage Junction Museum

Number 5 With a Load of Sweet Pine **

Band Saw Action **

A Load  of ties ready to leave Pondosa**

A McCloud Railcar

A track gang pulling ties at Ash Creek

Click On Pictures to Enlarge

Please note this is a work in progress. For a complete history of the McCloud River Railroad (at least up to 1992) may I suggest the book by Robert M Hanft, "Pine Across the Mountain" which while out of print is still available for those who look.

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* images from post cards or original media

**Image Courtesy Of The McCloud Heritage Junction Museum Please see interchange page for more info on this.

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