Western history railroading resources denver public library. Congress granted a charter to the texas pacific railroad company on march 3, 1871. The following account appeared in official guide under central pacific. The original western pacific railroad 18621870 was established in 1862 to build the westernmost portion of the first transcontinental railroad, between sacramento and san jose, california later oakland, california. The great western railway s steam locomotives have always been held in the very highest regard by railway enthusiasts their coppercapped chimneys and brass safety valves were a unique trade mark. My western pacific railroad 1996 edition open library. Preservation of the history of the western pacific railroad and its subsidiaries. The pacific electric strike of 1903, by wollenberg, charles, clio books, date unknown.
Pacific electric railway company, by van norden, rudolph w. A pictorial album of electric railroading, compiled by donald duke, by the pacific railway journal, published by golden west books. The western pacific railroad was not the largest of the western classone railroads. Widely regarded a seminal work on the history of the transcontinental railroad. The western pacific railroad company was incorporated in 1862 to connect san jose with sacramento, with timothy dame serving as the first president of the new corporation. Gould, eldest son of wall street speculator jay gould, formed the wp to break edward h. Feather river route fifty percent flatcars freight cars designed gould grain guaranty trust company handle highspeed trains history of engineering improvement. From 1910 until merging with union pacific railroad in 1982, the western pacific was one of the wests most popular railroads. The california state railroad museum librarys railroad film collection. The iron feather a corporate history of the western pacific and. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. The northwestern pacific railroad historical society nwprrhs was founded thirty years ago. It wasnt formed until 1906, with completion in 1909. After completing the central pacific from california to utah in 1869, they started the.
Construction of the western pacific railroad began in san jose in 1865, with the first 17. The western pacific was one of those underdog railroads that had a loyal following with railroad enthusiasts. Incorporated in 1861, cprr ceased operation in 1885 when it was acquired by southern pacific railroad as a leased line. The central pacific railroad cprr was a rail company chartered by u. Train orders is a collection of western pacific railroad train orders organized by the station and then date. Iron feather a corporate history of the western pacific and sacramento northern rrsjeff assay 512 pages hardcover the western pacific railroad, from its inception in 1903 until the union pacific takeover in late 1982, was always fending off one cris. Sep 18, 2014 collecting railroad material has been a longstanding priority of the western history department, and our resources are vast. Robertson, wayne cornell editor encyclopedia of western railroad history. Whereas other rail lines were closed gradually, the federal government closed down the railroad on march 29, 1957. Distributed by the university of nebraska press for caxton press this 352page, triple indexed reference book covers nearly 500 names in the two north pacific coast states. Welcome to the railroad commissary online railroad dining car china and other collectibles catalog. A corporate history of western pacific and sacramento northern railroads the western pacific was one of those underdog railroads that had a loyal following with railroad enthusiasts. Santa fe and southern pacific wanted wp in 1962, but neither got it. Today, the western pacific may no longer exist but its legacy lives on through the feather river route, keddie wye, inside gateway and the california zephyr, the name of which survives under amtrak albeit following a slightly altered route.
There are detailed reports on dates of operation, mergers, miles of track, maximum grade, gauge and rail weight. The spectacular scenery, the california zephyr, brightly painted locomotives and freight cars certainly caught many a fans eye. The western pacific railroad 18621870 was formed in 1862 to build a railroad from. The western pacific railroad, from its inception in 1903 until the union pacific. The railway history monograph, volume xii, jb publishing co. Western pacific railroad news newspapers books scholar jstor february 2015 learn how. Transcontinental railroad books in print and videotapes. For a brief history of the northwestern pacific railroad, and a system map, please click on nwp history. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum. According to brian solomons book, southern pacific railroad, the very first western pacific railroad company dates back to the transcontinental railroad. This book includes 368 pages of maps, photographs and technical data on the history of railroading in california. Railroad dining car china we offer a collection of railroad collectables that have been carefully selected for authenticity. A working list of books and booklets on the southern pacific and related subsidiaries by mcclosky, peter j.
For more information on the western pacific railroad, please visit the feather river rail societys web site, it is a must for those with an interest in the western pacific railroad. Railroad history became a hobby about 1968 and became a serious advocation in 1970. The iron feather a corporate history of the western pacific and sacramento northern railroads. The western pacific railroad reporting mark wp was a class i railroad in the united states. Oct 19, 2017 a collection of vintage railroad collectibles, ephemera, books and magazines. The line, which opened on november 2, 1869, ran from a cp connection at sacramento to niles via tracy and altamont pass. The first locomotive to travel on the feather river route, the engine attended the wps golden spike ceremony in november 1909, and was used for special railroad events after the end of steam on the railway, including an appearance in the movie pollyanna. The southern pacific was represented by three railroads.
Western pacific the railroad that was built too late. Attracting fans from all over the world, the wps short but diverse route featured everything from urban industrial trackage in the thriving metropolis of the san francisco bay area to the scenic splendors and sleepy mountain communities of the famous. Wps feather river route directly competed with sps portion of the. California state railroad museum library and archives. New listing western pacific railroad track charts book. History of the western pacific railroad by norman holmes, founder of the portola. Stockley editors and a great selection of related books. Western pacific timetables and operations, a history and compendium. Western pacific railroad taking the same name as the original sacramentooakland part of the central pacific, western pacific was incorporated in 1903 to extend the gould empire west of utah, and was finished in 1909.
Its pass through the sierra nevada mountains went through portola instead of the famous donner pass, so here at their former maintenance facility is the western pacific railroad. Hogarty library has a priceless collection of photos, maps, drawings and other related memorabilia, associated with the nwp rr. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum virtual bookstore. The western pacific railroad, from its inception in 1903 until the union pacific takeover in late1982, was always fending off one crisis or another, managing to remain independent through luck and clever financial maneuvering. Western pacific railroad museum portola 2020 all you. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Browse details of the published titles, contact the author, or purchase books and cds by clicking any buy now button. The iron feather history of western pacific and sacramento. The resolute david in a marketplace dominated by southern pacific s goliath, long perceived as the scrappy good guy who al. Railroad commissary authentic railroad china catalog. We handle all books with white gloves no fingerprints on your book. You may want to become a member of the society and help preserve the history of the western pacific railroad and get involved with the many activities that are. Attracting fans from all over the world, the wps short but diverse route featured everything from urban industrial trackage in the thriving metropolis of the san francisco bay area to the scenic splendors and sleepy mountain communities of the famous feather river.
Western railroad discussion western pacific historic and. Denver and rio grande, western pacific and the missouri pacific s part in the affair, with some. Here, it is seen preparing to reassemble the feather river express at the western pacific railroad museum in portola, ca for its journey back the the bay area the next day. It also includes the histories of thousands of locomotives. From the central pacific railroad photographic history museum. The history of the western pacific railroad museum begins in 1983 when the feather river rail society was formed to preserve the history of the western pacific, which that same year disappeared into the union pacific system. Collecting railroad material has been a longstanding priority of the western history department, and our resources are vast. The railroad press magazine is filled with railroad history, maps and photographs covering modern, vintage and classic trains.
Learn more about railroad history with this selection of books available in the museum store. At the western railway museum, the library serves members and researchers as the interface to the archives. The railroad commissary bookshelf we specialize in outofprint and hardtofind used rr books. Trains are now running from san francisco via benicia to sacramento. Perlman reversed the financial picture and western pacific was again profitable by 1971. The information presented on and within this site and on the separate pages of this site are an individual effort and in no way is this site affiliated with any preservation group nor is this site affiliated with any transportation company past or present doing business with western pacific, tidewater southern, sacramento. Distributed by the university of nebraska press for caxton press this book includes 368 pages of maps, photographs and technical data on the history of railroading in california.
The western pacific railroad was incorporated in 1903 to compete with the southern pacific railway. A corporate history of the western pacific and sacramento northern railroads. All known common carrier steam powered operations of ten or more miles are included, plus numerous logging companies, electric traction and diesel operations. This is a wellresearched, highquality book by author jeff a. As fortunes rose and fell and the railroad industry changed, the western pacific found it increasingly more difficult to earn a profit. However, operating in the shadow of giants like the southern pacific, santa fe and the union pacific, the relatively young wp had to work that much harder to survive. Wp history books and videos feather river rail society. It seeks to preserve the rich and diverse heritage of redwood empire railroading and to keep abreast of the patterns of change as they evolve. Southern pacific railroad, one of the great american railroad systems, established in 1861 by the big four of western railroad buildingcollis p. Welcome to the railroad commissary online railroad book catalog. Western history railroading resources denver public.
The convention will be held may 25 in sacramento at the mcclellan conference center this year. This book also relates the parallel story of the sacramento northern railway. The texas and pacific railway company was the only railroad in texas, and one of the few in the united states, to operate under a federal charter. Wp western pacific emd at portola, california by ryan slaton even though the western pacific railroad became a part of the union pacific in even though the western pacific railroad became a part of the union pacific in 1982 the wp still lives on. Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone. For the main page, see southern pacific transportation company.
Despite chinese workers contributions to building americas historic infrastructure project, chang says their history is often forgotten. Western pacific railroad museum is asking for donations. According to brian solomons book, southern pacific railroad, the very first western pacific railroad company dates back to the transcontinental railroad, incorporated on december, 1862 by collis huntington to give the thencentral pacific railroad cp direct access into the bay area. The pacific electric railway historical society, in association with golden west books, is pleased to announce the first reissue publication of monograph no. It was formed in 1903 as an attempt to break the nearmonopoly the southern pacific railroad had on rail service into northern california. From one of the most beloved western authors comes an epic historical tale of adventure and romance in the great wilderness. Railroads history united states western, railroads, books.
Just a reminder that registration is open for the joine 2019 pacific coast region nmra western pacific railroad historical convention. Researching old railroad records to find family members. Get the best deals on collectible railroad maps when you shop the largest online selection at. Many books on the railroad focus on the big four and. The new piece of road leaves the former main line at vallejo jct. Western pacific, the last transcontinental railroad. Against the epic backdrop of the building of the union pacific railroad across plains and deserts and through the mountains to meet up with the southern pacific in utah comes a sprawling, historical tale. Book is wrapped and mailed in a topquality, durable container. Learn more about railroad history with this selection of books available in the museum. Apr 16, 2018 for a brief history of the northwestern pacific railroad, and a system map, please click on nwp history. The war years, 194246, were spent in the merchant marine where he was ships purser. Huntington, leland stanford, mark hopkins, and charles crocker. A circulating collection of books is available to members.
Encyclopedia of western railroad history by donald b. New arrivals train, railroad, transportation books from karens. Western pacific timetables and operations, a history. Western pacific was a railroad in transition on january 1, 1972. The document was created as a result of a colorado state historical fund grant awarded to colorado state parks for the purpose of preparing a historic context that would assist in evaluation and planning efforts related to railroad abandonments and potential railstotrails conversions. Texas and pacific railway the authority on texas history.
Released in united kingdom by castle vision in 1991. In 1862, the central pacific and the union pacific railroad companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the united states from east to west. The line, which opened on november 2, 1869, ran from a cp connection at sacramento to. The library is open on the second and fourth saturday of the month. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Western pacific railroad museum portola 2020 all you need. Library archives artifacts collection western railway museum. Dig into the history of the thousands of chinese immigrants who labored blasting, digging and laying track for the great transcontinental railroad, through photographs, excerpts from news and railroad reports, firsthand accounts, and other resources. The new york, ontario and western railway was the first classone railroad in the united states to be abandoned in its entirety. Southern pacific railroad american company britannica.
This website contains information regarding the books written and published by author and railroad historian, stephen m. Steamtown national historic site scranton pa railroad history. The desert states, arizona, nevada, new mexico, utah vol. Texas pacific railroad abebooks shop for books, art. The manuscript collection includes papers from the denver and rio grande western railroad, union pacific railroad, northwest terminal railroad, san luis railroad and the san juan railroad. Congress in 1862 to build a railroad eastwards from sacramento, california, to complete the western part of the first transcontinental railroad in north america.
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