Wednesday, February 28, 2018

California Western M-300

California Western M-300 in Fort Bragg, California on March 18, 1992

The California Western Railroad was originally built in 1885 by the Fort Bragg Lumber Company as the Fort Bragg Railroad. In 1904, passenger service was inaugurated. On July 1, 1905, the railroad was renamed the California Western Railroad & Navigation Company. The railroad was completed to Willits and a connection with the Northwestern Pacific Railroad on December 11, 1911. 

California Western M-300 in Northspur, California on March 18, 1992
Photo by Cliff West

Self-propelled gas-powered railcars were added for passenger service in 1925, they were nicknamed "skunks" because of the smell of their exhaust. The "skunks" soon took over passenger service, and regular steam-powered passenger train service ended in November 1929.  On December 19, 1947, the name was shortened to California Western Railroad. In June 1987, the California Western was sold to Kyle Railways.

California Western M-300 in Northspur, California on March 18, 1992

California Western motorcar M-300 is a Motorailer built by American Car & Foundry in 1935 as Seaboard Air Line #2026. It was the third of a group of three built for the Seaboard. It became Aberdeen & Rockfish #106 in 1944 and then became Salt Lake, Garfield & Western MC-3 in 1951. It was purchased by the California Western in 1963.

Engineer of California Western M-300 on March 18, 1992
Photo by Cliff West
Here is a picture of California Western engineer at the controls of the M-300.

Interior of California Western M-300 on March 18, 1992

Here is a picture of the interior of motorcar M-300.

California Western M-300 Control Stand in Willits, California on March 18, 1992

Finally, here are some pictures of motorcar M-300’s control stand.

California Western M-300 Control Stand in Willits, California on March 18, 1992

California Western M-300 Control Stand in Willits, California on March 18, 1992

California Western M-300 Control Stand in Willits, California on March 18, 1992

No comments:

Post a Comment