The Randsburg Railway was a significant 28.5-mile (45.9 km) branch line railroad in California's Mojave Desert, crucial for transporting supplies to the Rand Mine, one of California's leading silver producers. Originating at Kramer Junction on the main line of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad (AT&SF), the railway terminated at Johannesburg, California, with a stop at Atolia along the way. The Rand mine closed in 1929, as it was no longer profitable.[1][2]
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Johannesburg, California |
| Dates of operation | January 17, 1898–December 30, 1933 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 28.5-mile (45.9 km) |
Completed on January 5, 1898, the Randsburg Railway began operation on January 17, 1898. It was acquired by the AT&SF in 1903 and played a vital role in supporting various local mining operations, in addition to providing passenger services.
However, the decline of the mining industry, compounded by the onset of the Great Depression, Subsequently, the rails were removed in the following year. Today, remnants of the railway grade can still be seen along U.S. Route 395 between Kramer and Johannesburg.
See also
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References
edit- ^ Bakersfield Daily Californian December 22, 1896
- ^ "Randsburg Railway". randdesertmuseum.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020.
External links
edit- Randsburg/Johannesburg Railroad
- "Randsburg Railway History". Archived from the original on June 1, 2008.
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