Mining Railroads Archives - Southern Pacific Railroad History Center

Nevada’s Virginia and Truckee Railroad W-16

Chip Savoye — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:40:48 +0000

The Virginia & Truckee is the most famous short line railroad in American history. Brainchild of William Sharon and the Bank of California, the V&T hauled the silver and gold ore, the cordwood, and the mining timbers that made the 1870s a financial success. From the state capital at Carson City, V&T rails stretched 66 miles to Virginia City, Reno, and Minden, Nevada. The V&T remained in operation until 1950. The enormously successful railroad paid its early owners handsome dividends. The V&T locomotives and cars have starred in hundreds of Hollywood productions and are now preserved in US museums. Since 1976, fourteen miles of the railroad have been restored to operation. The Virginia & Truckee has become an enduring legend

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Lake Tahoe’s Railroads – Drew W16

Chip Savoye — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:31:33 +0000

Lake Tahoe is the majestic mountain lake that spans the boundary line of California and Nevada. The lake’s clarity and scenic beauty are legendary. In the 1870s, the Nevada Comstock Lode created an insatiable appetite for Lake Tahoe’s virgin pine forests. The timbers would shore up underground mining and build communities approaching 40,000 inhabitants. Railroads on three shores delivered the logs lakeside, where they were towed by steam-powered tugs to sawmills, to lumber flumes, and again by rail to their final destinations. As the mines and giant lake pines subsided, railroads pushed farther north after 1898 into new timber stands in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee River basins.

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Photo by McClure compiled by William and Elizebeth Jones (W 18)

Gene Harmon — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 17:41:59 +0000

Railroad, cityscape and landscape images between 1900 and 1920 in Colorado are offered in this 264 page and 300 photographs hardbound book. Railway images included are of the Colorado & Southern, Switzerland Trail, Florence & Cripple Creek and the Moffat Road and includes Denver tramways. The book is in like-new condition with a plastic sleeve over the paper jacket.

Locator box 18

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High Line to Leadville by Doris Osterwald (W 3)

Gene Harmon — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:23:25 +0000

This paperback, small format book describes, mile by mile, the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad in 160 pages and includes several maps plus black and white and color photos. In addition to the railway, the book features coverage of geology, mining and nature in the territory served. Published by Western Guideways, Ltd., this is the 4th printing of 2006. The condition is like new.

Locator box 3

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Tracking Ghost Railroads in Colorado by Robert Ormes (W 3)

Gene Harmon — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:23:25 +0000

This 148 pages volume serves a a guide to anyone interested in visiting the many abandoned narrow gauge railroads in CO. With many maps and photos plus route descriptions, this fine album provides all the details needed for exploration of the many abandoned lines. Published in 1975 by Century One Press, it is very good condition. The jacket is worn at the edges and has scuff marks elsewhere.

Locator Box 3

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Railroads of the Black Hills by Mildred Fielder (W 3)

Gene Harmon — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:23:07 +0000

This book covers the history of railroads in the mining districts of the Black Hills with 176 pages of text and back and white images written by the premier expert in this field. Published by Superior Publishing Co. in 1964, this first edition in in very good used condition with a mylar cover. The jacket itself has abrasions and some small tears on the edges and binding area.

Locator Box 3

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The Rio Grande Southern by J.M. Crum (W 11)

Gene Harmon — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:22:32 +0000

In 431 pages with all B&W images and maps, Crum describes in exquisite detail all aspects of this famed narrow gauge railroad.Published in 1961 by San Juan History, this book is in good used condtion and lacks a dust jacket.

Locator box 11

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The Switzerland Trail of America by Forrest Crossen (W 3)

Gene Harmon — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:22:31 +0000

This book, numbered 1449 out of 4000 and signed by the author describes multiple Colorado narrow gauge mining railroads. It is in used condition with multiple maps, timetables and well captioned images throughout. Published by Pruett Press in 1962 and is good used condition with a paper jacket with small tears, very small pieces missing in two areas and edge wear. Locator box 3

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Florence & Cripple Creek RR Colorado Annual #13 1976 (W 9)

Gene Harmon — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:22:16 +0000

This complete history of the F&CC between 1894 and 1912 has been captured in this comprehensive volume. Build to haul gold ore and mining supplies, this narrow gauge line was wiped out by a floor and never rebuilt. Printed on glossy paper with excellent photo reproduction, this book was published in 1976 and is in very good used condition.

Locator box 9

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Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California Vol. 2 by David Myrick (W 9)

Gene Harmon — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:22:12 +0000

Published in 1963 by Howell-North, Myrick describes in Volume 2 the roads in southern Nevada including but not limited to the Las Vegas & Tonopah, Bullfrog Goldfield RR and the Tonopah & Tidewater RR. With outstanding maps, detailed captions and extensive historical research, Myrick has produced yet another unique history of the railroads of the American west. The book is in used condtion and the dust jacket is worn with some tears.

Locator box 9

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