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Trains to Yosemite by Jack Burgess w dust jacket 2004 364 pages
Trains to Yosemite by Jack Burgess
Hard cover w dust jacket
Copyright 2004 First edition, first printing
364 pages
Contents:
From incorporation to Pullman and log cars
Merced to Snelling
Merced Falls to Bagby
North Folk to El Portal
Operations
Locomotives
Rolling stock
drawings and rosters
index
more
By the late 1850s, the spectacular, natural grandeur of the recently discovered Yosemite Valley was becoming increasingly well-known to the more courageous tourists in the country. However, there were few tourists hardy enough to venture over one of the long, narrow horse trails to reach the Valley. This situation improved slightly in 1874 when two rough stage roads were completed to the newly established Yosemite Grant. While an improvement, travel to the Park still involved a dusty, multi-day stage ride which could discourage all but the most dedicated visitors.
Finally in 1907, the completion of the Yosemite Valley Railroad changed everything-the world-famous park could suddenly be reached in less than a day. Within a few short years, it was even possible for the long-distance traveler to reach the Park without leaving the comfort of a Pullman sleeper. The number of visitors to the Park continued to increase annually in these early years and the railroad advertised heavily to promote tourism even more to the unrivaled Valley.
The fact that Pullmans and private passenger cars polished its rails, unlike most shortline railroads in the first half of the twentieth century, made the railroad unique. However, the YV also developed a respectable freight business. Initially, this traffic centered on the extensive gold mining underway throughout the Mother Lode which straddled the railroad along the Merced River. Later, the timber forests west of Yosemite and the concentrations of gravel, limestone, jasper, and barite along the railroad right-of-way were developed, adding to the railroad's revenues.
The fascinating story of this unique railroad is told by Yosemite Valley Railroad expert Jack Burgess and illustrated through 400 photos (including 43 color photos), 19 maps, and 26 scale drawings. Complete equipment rosters together with numerous timetables, postcards, tickets, and other memorabilia help provide additional insight into the railroad. The narrative is further highlighted with over two dozen anecdotes from railroaders who worked on the railroad over the years. The result is a highly informational and readable history of this wonderful railroad which, for 40 years, transported wide-eyed tourists to Yosemite.
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