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Southern Pacific #18 – November 2022

Great news! We have been awarded a $10,000 matching grant for the restoration of our boxcar #1C! The Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation, who has supported us in the past with funds that went towards the restoration of #18, has again stepped forward with $10,000 dollars that we will use towards the purchase of materials to restore our boxcar #1C.

It is our goal to match, and hopefully exceed, the $10,000 by the end of the year. If accomplished, we will be able to purchase all of the wood and hardware necessary to restore the car to its 1930’s appearance. including specialty milled siding and roofing, oak for end blocks and one end sill, and dimensional materials for the facias, doors, and catwalks. Once the materials are on hand, we will be able to begin the actual disassembly. If everything goes as planned we hope to have the restoration finished in 2024. Donations can be sent to: Carson & Colorado Ry. PO BOX 194, Independence, CA 93526. To make a donation via PayPal click here.

A more detailed history and additional photos can be found here.

In other recent news, we had a visit from some members of the Model T Club and they were able to pose their vehicles with #18. Its always fun to have people visit us with their cool toys. As always THANK YOU for your support in preserving our SP Narrow Gauge heritage!

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Southern Pacific #18 – September and October 2022

A picture perfect mid-September weekend saw a minor milestone occur in Independence. After years of talk, planning, and working we effectively completed the track at the Eastern California Museum! While its not impossible to conceive a small amount of additional track in the future, for now, things are done.

Our friends from the N-C-O group in Alturas, CA were in town and helped out as well. All in all the track gang spike and ballasted about 120 feet of track and installed four 14 foot switch ties at our two switches. To wrap it up, boxcar #15 made the trip to the end of track and was placed on display next to the museum building.

While the track crew was at work, the locomotive was being put back together from its visit to Carson City. The crew was also able to take care of a few repairs as well. #18 is ready for its next call to service.

And lastly, we are working towards being able to start the restoration of our boxcar #1C in 2023, stay tuned for opportunities that you can help us and donate towards its restoration! And as always, THANK YOU, for your support!