This long-awaited study, the magnum opus of a leading railroad historian, describes the conception, construction, and early operation of the first narrow gauge railroads in northern California. It is lavishly illustrated by some 600 photographs and drawings, almost three-quarters of which have never before been published.

The topic is approached through an unusual lens: the history of the relatively small but extraordinarily inventive contracting and engineering firm of the brothers Thomas and Martin Carter. The Carters were able to reduce the cost and complexity of light railroad construction to the point where local narrow gauge lines could initially compete with the state’s notorious railroad monopolies.

Pioneering a mobile manufacturing operation that could supply locally funded short lines with rolling stock (which traditionally came from East Coast manufacturers), the Carter Brothers began with a line to serve Salinas Valley wheat farmers, desperate to achieve an independent means for conveying their crops to the wharf in Monterey. The narrow gauge railroad that resulted was an act of political and economic defiance, but ultimately a hopeless assault on the “Octopus”―the Central Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads.

Rallying around the example set in Monterey, a narrow gauge movement in California flourished in the mid-1870s, with the rapid launching of five more companies―the North Pacific Coast, the Santa Cruz Railroad, the Santa Cruz & Felton, the Nevada County Narrow Gauge, and the South Pacific Coast―all of which drew on the Carter Brothers for manufacturing and engineering. Soon, Thomas and Martin Carter were not only selling railroad supplies and engineering to all six short lines, but had won management positions with the strongest, the South Pacific Coast. Until personal and financial disaster overtook them in 1880, the Carters were at the forefront of not just a new business, but a new technology.

Used, Very Good Condition

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Very Good Condition

The post When Steam was King – French Signed by Author W-16 appeared first on Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.

W2

The post Recent Locomotives (1886) Enlarged Addition by Newton Gregg W-2 appeared first on Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.

Oxford University Press 2000 Paperback

W26

The post How Steam Locomotives Really Work by Semmens and Gold Finch W-26 appeared first on Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.

Featuring Alco products of the Southern Pacific in the edition of the Strapac Motive Power Series

Good Condition

Locator Box 24

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The post Articulated Steam Locomotives of North America Volume 1 Robert LeMassena (W-35) appeared first on Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.

Author Fred Stindt. Published by the Pacific Coast Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Society 1987

A review of the groups preservation and restoration efforts. Black and White Photos

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0093ODC9U
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 48 pages

The post 50 Years, A gift of History Locomotives and Cars of the California State Railroad Museum Collection of the Railway and Locomotive Society (W-35) appeared first on Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.

Prepared before the ICC denied the SFSP merger and published very shortly thereafter while the decision was still being appealed, this is an historical anomaly: the roster of a railroad that never came into being. It includes rosters for the SF, the SP/Cotton Belt, and for the SFSP. Also includes extensive discussion of the development of the paint scheme and provides a color photo of a locomotive that had been painted with the proposed SFSP logo. The book then provides a pictorial roster of the locomotives of both companies: slugs, switchers, EMD 4-axle and 6-axle power and GE 4-axle and 6-axle power. Many of the photos show locomotives that have already been repainted to leave room for the addition of two more letters. Illustrated throughout with black and white and a few color photos. 128 pages.

Locator Box 35

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This book is in Very Good condition.  Minimal dust cover wear, the binding is tight and strong.  There are no marks or writings in the book.

This is a First Edition book.  No ISB numbers listed.

East Bin 2

The post A Locomotive Engineer’s Album: Fifth in the Old Railroad Series – George Abdill (1965) (E) appeared first on Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.

The book is in good condition.  The spine is tight and there are no loose pages.  The dust jacket shows minor shelf wear, and there is an approximate 3” tear on the front that has been repaired by scotch tape on the inside.  The numbers “10.50” is written in pencil on the inside of the front dust cover; “D11” (or “DII”) is written in pencil, as well as a sticker on the inside of the front cover “From the Library of Charles William Briggs, Jr.”  There are no other writings or marks in the book. See photos.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000FH8G68
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bonanza Books; reprint edition (January 1, 1966)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 191 pages

(E) Bin 1

The post Locomotives That Baldwin Built – Fred Westing (1966) (E) appeared first on Southern Pacific Railroad History Center.