num_pages: 105
description: Among the most picturesque of the railroads built during the late 19th century mining era in Nevada and eastern California was the Carson &amp; Colorado-Southern Pacific narrow gauge line. The tracks ran from Moundhouse, just south of fabled Virginia City, through the desert country to Owens Lake in California. The tracks provided links to the outside world for such mining camps as Hawthorne, Candelaria, and Laws — towns that helped romanticize the ‘West.“Slim Rails Through the Sand” by George Turner represents the first entire work devoted to these two narrow gauge railroads. The volume’s more than 200 illustrations include many rare, early day photographs of way points and rolling stock gathered by the author during many years of research for new material.This second, revised edition preserves the contents of the original volume and also contains additional material, including rare, early day photographs of the Saline Valley Tram, which carried salt to the railroad.Birth of the narrow gauge desert line came when the West was being won by a prayer and sheer determination. Originally intended to connect the Comstock Lode and the Colorado River, the Carson and Colorado was the narrow gauge stepchild of the Virginia and Truckee. Founded in 1880, the C &amp; C traversed primarily desert terrain and was plotted to serve the mining towns flourishing in the middle of “nowhar.” From a population standpoint, there has been little change — even today — along the former route.The book also depicts the transfer of the C &amp; C to the Southern Pacific at the turn of the century and follows the history of the line’s dismantling in 1960.While of interest to the general reader, the book contains an added feature for modeling enthusiasts: a portion of the volume is devoted to prototype plans and photographs. Contributions by such foremost draftsmen as Al Barker, Herb Cearley, and Dick Tucker combine to make this volume a “must” for rail fan and historian alike. The illustrated scale map on the back end sheet includes track layouts and sets the scene for a nostalgic part of our American heritage of an era passed.
language: English
title: Slim Rails Through the Sand: Southern Pacific's Narrow Gauge
titlecomplete: Slim Rails Through the Sand: Southern Pacific's Narrow Gauge
genres: Railways
ratings_count: 6
publisher: Trans-Anglo Books