Newsgroups: rec.railroad

Rich-

The NPC RR was built in the 1870's, starting from a ferry landing at
Saucelito (different spelling then), and eventually ending up terminating
at Cazadero, just north of Duncan's Mills on the Russian river. The line
went through Corta Madera, San Anselmo and over the coastal mountains at
White's Hill, near Woodacre. From there, it proceded through Pt. Reyes
Station, along the shores of Tomales bay, turning inland again at Keye's
estuary. From Tomales to Valley Ford, the line follows present day highway
1, and most of the ROW is still visible from the highway. The remains of
a trestle can be seen near Valley Ford, off Middle road. Continuing north,
the redwoods were entered just past Freestone, where the ROW parallels the
Bohemian Highway. The ROW in this area is hard to spot due to trees and 
private property. The highest spot on the line, Howards (aka Occidental)
was reached after crossing a 150'h x 400'l trestle over Brown's canyon.
Following Dutch Bill creek, the rails reached the river at Monte Rio.
Present day Moscow road is the old ROW to Duncan Mills, where the original
station is now a small museum - staffing is by (a) volunteer, primarily
saturday mornings before noon. Cazadero was reached via present day Cazadero
highway.

The road became the North Shore Railroad in the 1890's, when the southern
end was double tracked, dual gauged AND electrified as far as Manor. Must
been quite a sight - three rails to handle narrow gauge trains, standard
gauge interurbans, and the third (in this case, FOURTH) rail to power the
latter. In 1907 the North Western Pacific took over. With completion of
the standard gauge Guerneville branch, and subsequent dual-gauging of the
line between Monte Rio and Cazedero, narrow gauge operations declined until
abandonment about 1930.

More Info:
_Narrow Gauge to the Redwoods_, A. Bray Dickenson covers it all, available
from most decent RR shops (I bough mine at Occidental Model RR, a fitting
location!).

_The Northwestern Pacific RR_, Fred Stindt (Out of print). Mr. Stindt,
recently passed away, needs no introduction to any NWP fan. This is the
reference book for historical buffs and modellers alike.

_The Northwestern Pacific RR, Vol II_, Fred Stindt. Updates the first book
and includes info on the Petaluma and Santa Rosa RR.

There is also a video available, fron pentrex I believe, that covers the NWP
including narrow gauge, standard gauge, electrics, and ferry boat operations.
Title is _Rails to the Redwood Empire_.

Yet more info:

The Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society
PO Box 667
Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0667

The NWPRRHS has a catalog, including the above items available from the
'Storekeeper', at the above address.


Happy Hunting !


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    |   Pat Brown                       |                               |
    |   Hewlett-Packard Company         |                               |
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    |   email:   patb@hpsad.sad.hp.com  |                               |
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Newsgroups: rec.railroad