The Goat Canyon Trestle, located in San Diego County, California, is the world’s largest wooden railroad trestle. Built in 1919 as part of the Carrizo Gorge Track, it stands over 600 feet long and 186 feet high. Constructed with redwood beams, the bridge is a testament to the engineering prowess of its time. The area around the trestle, known as Anza-Borrego, is an arid desert, and the construction of the railroad track through this landscape was a challenging task. It required the building of 17 tunnels and numerous trestles, earning it the nickname “the impossible railroad.” Over the years, the Goat Canyon Trestle has suffered significant damage from fires and floods. In 1976, Hurricane Kathleen caused the collapse of several tunnels and trestle beams, leading the Southern Pacific Railroad to abandon the line. Despite its abandonment, the Goat Canyon Trestle remains a popular destination for hikers and adventurers, with a 6-mile roundtrip hike to reach the top. The area is also home to abandoned rail cars, adding to the allure of the site. As of January 2018, the Baja California Railroad was assessing the line for potential repairs to allow the track to return to operation.
7 thoughts on “Old Train Thursday.”
early 1970’s Vega cars being loaded onto the Vert T Pak railcar. It would haul 30 cars, which were shipped with all fluids and gasoline.
Interesting stuff. Right off, that loco has a passenger area? Is that so the crew can sleep there? Just keep the train going without any need to stop for breaks or changeover? That doesn’t seem realistic to me.
#3322 – someone decided to graft 2 locomotives together?
#217 – lots of water for a long haul?
Nice iron work on the corbels for that station roof.
Looks to be a self propelled track inspection unit constructed from Alan old observation car.
And #217 is a shop switcher used to shuffle locomotives around engine maintenance shops.
When I lived in So Cal in the late 70s and 80s Anza Borrego was a popular place for off roading. The braver/stupider off-roaders would sometimes drive their jeeps across the trestle. It was a bit rickety then, I can only imagine what it’s like now.
Great pics. But a little info for each would help.
Look up the info yourself, the pic mostly have no description, I just post them. If they come with any description I will use that.
early 1970’s Vega cars being loaded onto the Vert T Pak railcar. It would haul 30 cars, which were shipped with all fluids and gasoline.
Interesting stuff. Right off, that loco has a passenger area? Is that so the crew can sleep there? Just keep the train going without any need to stop for breaks or changeover? That doesn’t seem realistic to me.
#3322 – someone decided to graft 2 locomotives together?
#217 – lots of water for a long haul?
Nice iron work on the corbels for that station roof.
Looks to be a self propelled track inspection unit constructed from Alan old observation car.
And #217 is a shop switcher used to shuffle locomotives around engine maintenance shops.
When I lived in So Cal in the late 70s and 80s Anza Borrego was a popular place for off roading. The braver/stupider off-roaders would sometimes drive their jeeps across the trestle. It was a bit rickety then, I can only imagine what it’s like now.
Great pics. But a little info for each would help.
Look up the info yourself, the pic mostly have no description, I just post them. If they come with any description I will use that.