Steam & Excursion > As Evening Falls One Of The Last Of These Trains Rolls Into Town!

It's approaching 7:30 on fine spring evening in May, 1949 when a headlight was seen approaching in the distance along the beach just north of Ft. Bragg, California.  There would be just enough light to click off one more image of this piece of history.

What was captured on film that evening was one of the very last log trains to cross Pudding Creek Trestle on it's return to the Union Lumber Company mill from the Ten Mile Branch of the California-Western Railroad.  On the point for this train, was Baldwin 2-6-2 #21.  She had spent years hauling log trains into town along this line and on the C-W mainline to Willits as well. 

When the last train filled with logging equipment returned to Ft. Bragg from the Ten Mile Branch, #21 would be out of a job.  She would ultimately be sold to new owners in Mexico who would operate her through the 1960's and into the early 1970's.  She still remains there today.

Martin



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/21 04:12 by LoggerHogger.

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That's quite a scene, Martin.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Great picture.

Well built bridge, great shot.

Out 

Great photo, makes me want to dig out my book on the California Western that a friend gave me years ago.  Don't remember, was this a freight only branch?  

Nathan

Is anything known about the photographer?

Posted from Android

NKP779 Wrote:
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> Is anything known about the photographer?

Unfortunately, no.

Martin

Very nice..!!