A selection of research documents, maps, photos, etc. related to railroad construction or operations along the Donner Route
These links take you to information about Donner Route railroad history or contemporary railroad operations of regional interest. Items will be added as they are discovered or provided by our members and readers. Feel free to browse and enjoy the details.
MAPS
Snowsheds – 1949 SPT Co. Snowshed Chart (revised 1976)
Sidings&Grades — SP-Sidings+Tunnels+Grades-RocklinToCrystalLake-circa1960s-Mahon
Tahoe Branch — SP Lake Tahoe Branch Right of Way & Track Maps
RAILROAD HISTORY ARTICLES
Cab-Forward Wreck — 1912 Wreck of SP 4208 Passenger Cab-Forward Near Applegate. A serious accident happened near Applegate in 1912 when a brand new SP passenger cab-forward derailed on its maiden run in 1912 and came close to wrecking the Overland Limited and its passengers. This summary document presents details of the accident as described in a local newspaper, along with results of several investigations that finally zeroed in on the cause, eventually resulting in design changes for an early class of cab-forward locomotives.
Central Pacific Railroad’s Summit Tunnel. Comprehensive article by Chuck Spinks on surveying and construction of the Summit Tunnels.
The Pacific Railroad Unopen – Robert L. Harris CE — A great first-hand account by a civil engineer of railroad construction work over the Sierra above Cisco. His account of engineers being lowered by ropes at the summit could be the source of Chinese lowered by ropes/baskets/bosun’s chair.
Snowsheds – Norden 1925 Concrete Snowsheds
Railroad Land Grants – A Sharp Deal for Uncle Sam
Better Than A Wagon Train But Still An Adventure
Anticipated Rich Trade Vanished After Rails Met
Colfax Passenger Depot – The Rest of The Story A history of the Colfax passenger depot, its changing uses through the years, ultimately leading to its renovation by a team of volunteers and its present use.
Colfax’s Much-Traveled Freight Depot
DOCUMENTS
Journal — 1869 Journal of Lt John Currier. This journal describes Lt. Currier’s trip on the not-yet completed Union Pacific portion of the Transcontinental Railroad, then to Promontory and the ceremony, finally on the first Central Pacific train west from Promontory after completion of the new Transcontinental Railroad line.
Freedom Train — 1947-49 Freedom Train Brochure Describes the historic documents that were aboard the 1947-49 Freedom Train for public viewing, and includes a reminder that Freedom is Everybody’s Job and we must work to preserve the everyday freedoms we enjoy in this country.