Railroad Timeline THE PEOPLE OF NEVADA COUNTY   EXPLORE FURTHER Becoming California, stories from California Gold Rush History March 20, 1874 - 500 Chinese and 100 white men came to work on the railroad. January 14, 1875 - John Kidder began mapping the railroad. September 17, 1875 - Delivery of train cars: Cab called "Grass Valley," two freight cars, and a lot of track iron. Highest railroad bridge in California was in the Bear River Bridge at 150 ft. long and 95 ft. high. November, 1875 - Carter Brothers build 15 boxcars, 15 flatcars, and 3 water tanks. December 22, 1875 - First passengers were John E. Brown and George W. Smith. January, 1876 - The "Grass Valley" train started. March 15, 1876 - John Kidder became superintendent of the road. April 17, 1876 - Railroad finished from Grass Valley to Colfax. May 21, 1876 - $2.50 per ticket to ride from Nevada City to Colfax. January, 1877 - First anniversary of railroad. 500 attended a celebration dance. January, 1879 - Ride the train to meet General Ulysses S. Grant. August, 1881 - $3.00 a share -- 136 stockholders held community support. September, 1884 - Pelton wheel shipped to other countries. September, 1893 - Railroad crash of circus train, with horses, bears, and lions went down the cliff. April 10, 1901 - John Kidder died of diabetes. 1902 - Sara Kidder carries on NCNGRR duties. May, 19, 1903 - President Theodore Roosevelt rode special train in Colfax. January 1, 1906 - Engine runs faster by burning oil. May, 1913 - Sara Kidder sells railroad to Antioch and Eastern Railroad. August 30, 1915 - Fire burns engines. 1932 - President Herbert Hoover passes through Colfax. 1930's - Trucks outnumber trains in Nevada City. August, 1963 - Railroad ends. Final blasts of Bear River Bridge demolished tracks. Nevada County Narrow Guage Railroad history NCNGRR after the turn of the century California State Railroad Museum Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
	HOME || RESOURCES || GLOSSARY || COMPUTER LEARNING FOUNDATION