McCloud River RR Gold Spike Special (Gold Spike Edition of The Western Railroader, Vol. 18, No. 9, Issue 189)

40 pp. On January 21, 1897, the backers of the McCloud River Lumber Company incorporated the McCloud River Railroad Company to assume construction and operation of a railroad started the previous year projected to connect its sawmill on the southeast flank of California's Mt. Shasta with the Central Pacific Railroad mainline. The McCloud River Railroad survived through ninety five and a half sometimes turbulent years, in the process becoming an endearing presence in both the communities the railroad served and the railfan community. On July 1, 1992, the McCloud Railway Company acquired the operating assets, and though much of the line has since been abandoned the railroad still exists as a common carrier between McCloud and Mt. Shasta City. The purpose and intent of this website is to document the railroad operations of McCloud, California. The railroads originally existed for one purpose, to facilitate the conversion of the forests east of McCloud to some of the finest pine lumber available on the market. The railroads of the McCloud River Railroad and McCloud River Lumber Company played important roles in this business, both in hauling logs to the mill and then finished lumber to the outside world. The role the railroads filled changed dramatically over time as technological and operational changes in the forest products industry eliminated the logging railroads, followed by a significant decline in the timber industry itself. The railroad tried for several decades to reposition itself for a changing world by turning to regional warehousing, playing an increasing role in railcar leasing and repairs, and hauling tourists, but in the end even that could not save the operation. Survival of the remaining railroad depends on the developing new revenue streams that can be derived from the remaining property. - McCloud Driver Railroad