When the Sonora depot burnt down in 1946, it was rebuilt as a freight station only. Without passengers, the depots lost much of their use. Today, modern diesel locomotives from the Sierra Northern Railway haul lumber and propane, and a different type of passenger service- excursions- run on 3 miles out of Jamestown, from the old shops and roundhouse of the railroad–preserved as Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. However, freight operations have been continuous throughout the railroad’s 115 year history. In 1938, the railroad ended regular passenger service- as with most passenger service, operational costs exceeded revenue. It hauled lumber products brought out of the Sierras by the Sugar Pine Railway, Westside Lumber Company, and others.Īt times during the history of the railroad, passengers could travel from stations in Angels Camp, Tuolumne, Sonora & Jamestown, to Oakdale, and on to anywhere in America served by a rail line. The Sierra Railway played a role in the building of the Hetch Hetchy, Tullock, Beardsley, Donnels, Melones and Don Pedro dams.
The Sierra Railway Company was the shortline branch which supported many other railroads, bringing lumber and mining products out of the foothills, and goods in.
The line eventually made it to Tuolumne, and Angels Camp. It is interesting to note that it wasn’t until 1899 that the railroad made it to Sonora, due to opposition from stage companies and teamsters who feared the loss of business to the railroad, amongst others. That same month, crews started work, and by November, the first train arrived in Jamestown. On New Year’s Day in 1897, a corporation was formed, named the Sierra Railway Company of California.
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