California's sawmill and railroad industries grew up together, each at
least partially depending upon the other for survival. However, not all
of the Golden State's sawmills lay upon the routes of mainline
railroads, resulting in the development of a number of shortline
railroads connecting remote sawmills with the nation's rail network. In
addition to serving the lumber industry, these shortlines often became
economic lifelines to other industries in rural parts of the state. Many
of these railroads also carried passengers, either as part of their
common carrier service in the early years and/or as tourists in recent
decades. This book seeks to tell the stories of and relate the important
historical roles these small carriers played, long lasting companies
such as the Almanor, Amador Central, Arcata & Mad River, California
Western, Camino Placerville & Lake Tahoe, McCloud River, Quincy, Sierra,
and Yreka Western, along with younger start-ups such as the Eureka
Southern, North Coast, Great Western, Modoc Northern, Lake County, Lake
Railway, and others.