Takes a look at the Mount Tamalpais and Muir Wood Railway, known as "the crookedest railroad in the world," which operated in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1889 and 1930.
This is a classic film from the early 1900's of the Mt Tam Railroad and Gravity Car (whose tracks went in front of our house till 1930). A great history of Mill Valley. Take a look.
*The Mill Valley & Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway,* reincorporated 1915 as the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Ry., used primarily Lima Class B Shays; Lima Machine Works #498, built for a logging railway in Washington State, saw brief service in her exposition paint on this line, which ordered two Shays as wood-burners and the next four as oil-burners. The first two Heislers were built by Stearns Manufacturing, but the second was unsat and returned. One 0-4-0T H. K. Porter was used for a local passenger service; the last locomotive, on static display at the Pacific Lumber Company, Scotia, CA, USA, is a Class B Heisler from the Heisler Locomotive Works after independence from Stearns. There is the possibility of a seventh Class B Shay that proved unsat upon delivery, prompting purchase of the 9-spot Heisler, as noted in the appendix of Theodore G. Wurm and Alvin C. Graves, _The Crookedest Railroad in the World: An Illustrated History of the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway_ (Berkeley, CA, USA: Howell-North, 1957).
A Marin County group has purchased one of the original locomotives from a the current owners up in the northern part of the coast and plan on bringing it back home.
Is the "Old Railroad Grade Trail" part of a remnant of the railroad? Are any of the hiking trails to the top part of the railroad trail? Excellent video!
Yes. Much of the original grade exists as hiking trail and/or fire road. It's been years since I hiked it, but a highlight was happening upon the remains of Mesa Station & the Double Bow Knot, detailed in this article: tinyurl dot com/y9valv85 You can browse the web for more tips on retracing the old Tamalpais grade. Hope that helps.
Mount Hamilton (South Bay - east of San Jose) - 4,216 ft (1,285 m) site of Lick Observatory; Mt. Diablo (East Bay)- 3,849 ft (1,173 m) geodesic site from where California was mapped; Mount Umunhum (South Bay - west of San Jose) - 3,489 ft (1,063 m); Mt. Tamalpais East Peak (North Bay) - 2,574 ft (785 m); Mt. Tamalpais West Peak (North Bay) - 2,563 feet (781 m) (before flattened for radar dome construction 2,600 ft (792 m). Let's keep it accurate! It's glorious on all these Bay Area Peaks. Only Mt. Tam had a railroad.
+Oglethorpe Zippelmeier *Only the Muir Woods Inn is still operating,* under the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Part of the summit Tavern's foundation still exists, at the top of the old right-of-way.
Not completely true: the West Point Inn is still in existence and open. The second Muir Woods Inn was closed and torn down in 1931. The summit Tavern lasted until 1950 when it was dismantled.
![Southern California 1940s in color [60fps,Remastered] w/sound design added](/img/n.gif)
Thank you for the historical tour.. narrations are excellent.
THE definitive historical account. Thank you for this.
This is a classic film from the early 1900's of the Mt Tam Railroad and Gravity Car (whose tracks went in front of our house till 1930). A great history of Mill Valley. Take a look.
Great movie. Especially enjoying hearing the very distinctive voice of my next door neighbor, Babbie Dreyfus!
*The Mill Valley & Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway,* reincorporated 1915 as the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Ry., used primarily Lima Class B Shays; Lima Machine Works #498, built for a logging railway in Washington State, saw brief service in her exposition paint on this line, which ordered two Shays as wood-burners and the next four as oil-burners. The first two Heislers were built by Stearns Manufacturing, but the second was unsat and returned. One 0-4-0T H. K. Porter was used for a local passenger service; the last locomotive, on static display at the Pacific Lumber Company, Scotia, CA, USA, is a Class B Heisler from the Heisler Locomotive Works after independence from Stearns.
There is the possibility of a seventh Class B Shay that proved unsat upon delivery, prompting purchase of the 9-spot Heisler, as noted in the appendix of Theodore G. Wurm and Alvin C. Graves, _The Crookedest Railroad in the World: An Illustrated History of the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway_ (Berkeley, CA, USA: Howell-North, 1957).
A Marin County group has purchased one of the original locomotives from a the current owners up in the northern part of the coast and plan on bringing it back home.
That is exciting news! Thanks.
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Loved every second of this video, thanks for posting it!
Is the "Old Railroad Grade Trail" part of a remnant of the railroad? Are any of the hiking trails to the top part of the railroad trail? Excellent video!
As I look at the map, the Gravity Car Trail and the Old Railroad Grade Trail seem to make up a remnant of the train tracks....
Yes. Much of the original grade exists as hiking trail and/or fire road. It's been years since I hiked it, but a highlight was happening upon the remains of Mesa Station & the Double Bow Knot, detailed in this article: tinyurl dot com/y9valv85 You can browse the web for more tips on retracing the old Tamalpais grade. Hope that helps.
Thanks. For as often I take a hike to the East Peak, I do traverse those hiking trails to the Vic Haun Trail to Temelpa Trail to the top....
Mount Hamilton (South Bay - east of San Jose) - 4,216 ft (1,285 m) site of Lick Observatory; Mt. Diablo (East Bay)- 3,849 ft (1,173 m) geodesic site from where California was mapped; Mount Umunhum (South Bay - west of San Jose) - 3,489 ft (1,063 m); Mt. Tamalpais East Peak (North Bay) - 2,574 ft (785 m); Mt. Tamalpais West Peak (North Bay) - 2,563 feet (781 m) (before flattened for radar dome construction 2,600 ft (792 m). Let's keep it accurate! It's glorious on all these Bay Area Peaks. Only Mt. Tam had a railroad.
You left out San Bruno Mt and a few others...
Chill.
Don't know a thing about this mountain or this railroad, but I do know I can't hear "Mill Valley" without immediately picturing BJ Hunnicutt.
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Wonderful video! Do any remains of the lodges and taverns remain?
+Oglethorpe Zippelmeier *Only the Muir Woods Inn is still operating,* under the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Part of the summit Tavern's foundation still exists, at the top of the old right-of-way.
B. C. Schmerker Thanks! I'll be sure visit.
Not completely true: the West Point Inn is still in existence and open. The second Muir Woods Inn was closed and torn down in 1931. The summit Tavern lasted until 1950 when it was dismantled.
Actually, with Concord being considered part of the Bay Ares, Mt. Diablo is much taller at 3,849 feet (1,173 meters). Mt. Tam is 2,560 feet (780 m).