An oil burning steam locomotive, built by Baldwin in 1911, was purchased by the Southern Pacific R.R. in 1926 to haul passengers and freight along the 300 miles narrow gauge line, known locality as the "Slim Princess". Jim Butler of Tonopah said, It was the railroad that began nowhar, ended nowhar an stopped all night to think it over".
Originally known as the Carson & Colorado Railroad, the line was completed to Keeler, Ca in 1883. The railroad had a profound affect on the economy of the Owens Valley. The hauling of ore and agriculture products, which took 10 days by mule teams, now could get to the markets of western Nevada in one day. The economy of the Eastern Sierra boomed, population grew and agricultural production rivaled the San Joaquin Valley.
Unfortunately, this prosperity was short lived due to failing mines and a decline in farming because of the diversion of water to Los Angeles. Freight and passenger railroad was abandoned in 1960's.
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