Arcata and Mad River Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Arcata and Mad River Railroad was affectionately known as the "Annie and Mary". AMR's predecessor, the Union Plank Walk, Rail Track, and Wharf Company, was incorporated on December 15, 1854, to provide access over the mud flats near the town of Union (later Arcata) to ocean going shipping for a distance of 2.7 miles (4.3 km). The track was built on wooden rails overlaid with strap iron. It was a horse-powered railroad from the town to the end of a wharf in Humboldt Bay.
On June 14, 1875, the Arcata Transportation Company was incorporated and took over the line and converted to steam.
On July 29, 1881, the Arcata & Mad River Railroad was incorporated. By 1882 the wooden rails were replaced with 35 lb/yd iron rails. In the 1890s the railroad's principal commodities were lumber, shingles, and potatoes.
The first president of the AMR in 1881 was listed as Francis Korbel. The town Korbel
was also the name of the terminus of the AMR. Passenger service was offered on the AMR but ended on June 6, 1931.
The railroad was eventually extended 7.5 miles (12.1 km) from Arcata to the Northern Redwood Company mill at Korbel. The Northern Redwood Company was owned by the Charles Nelson Steamship Company. It was over 10 years after the arrival of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad
(NWP) in Arcata in 1914 that the steamship company allowed an interchange
between the AMR and the NWP at Korblex
. During the lumber boom of the 1950s, the Annie and Mary served fifteen shippers on its 7.5 miles (12.1 km) railroad. The average daily car loadings were enough to place the road among the highest paying railroad properties per mile in the United States. At the time of its closure, AMR ran 4 General Electric 44-tonner
diesel-electric locomotives and one Whitcomb
80DE-7b 80 ton diesel-electric locomotive. On 27 July 1970 the Arcata and Mad River Railroad was designated California Historical Landmark
number 842 as the first railroad on the California north coast.
Service on the A&MR was discontinued in 1983, and the line was abandoned on May 24, 1985. In September 1988 the Eureka Southern Railroad
purchased the AMR from Simpson Timber Company for $300,000. The AMR had been closed for the two year period (1986-1988) prior to its purchase by the Eureka Southern. Service was briefly resumed in 1994 by the North Coast Railroad
. Soon afterwards, landslides in the Eel River canyon closed the line, and no rail service has existed since that time.
On June 14, 1875, the Arcata Transportation Company was incorporated and took over the line and converted to steam.
On July 29, 1881, the Arcata & Mad River Railroad was incorporated. By 1882 the wooden rails were replaced with 35 lb/yd iron rails. In the 1890s the railroad's principal commodities were lumber, shingles, and potatoes.
The first president of the AMR in 1881 was listed as Francis Korbel. The town Korbel
Korbel, Humboldt County, California
Korbel is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California. It is located east-southeast of Blue Lake, at an elevation of 154 feet . The ZIP Code is 95550....
was also the name of the terminus of the AMR. Passenger service was offered on the AMR but ended on June 6, 1931.
The railroad was eventually extended 7.5 miles (12.1 km) from Arcata to the Northern Redwood Company mill at Korbel. The Northern Redwood Company was owned by the Charles Nelson Steamship Company. It was over 10 years after the arrival of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad
Northwestern Pacific Railroad
The Northwestern Pacific Railroad is a regional railroad serving California's North Coast. The railroad currently runs on 62 miles of the 462 mile main line, stretching from Schellville, California to Eureka, California...
(NWP) in Arcata in 1914 that the steamship company allowed an interchange
Interchange station
An interchange station or a transfer station is a train station for more than one railway route in a public transport system, and allows passengers to change from one route to another. Transfer may occur within the same mode, or between rail modes, or to buses...
between the AMR and the NWP at Korblex
Korblex, California
Korblex is a locality in Humboldt County, California. It is located on the Arcata and Mad River Railroad north-northeast of Arcata, at an elevation of ....
. During the lumber boom of the 1950s, the Annie and Mary served fifteen shippers on its 7.5 miles (12.1 km) railroad. The average daily car loadings were enough to place the road among the highest paying railroad properties per mile in the United States. At the time of its closure, AMR ran 4 General Electric 44-tonner
GE 44-ton switcher
The GE 44-ton switcher is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Electric between 1940 and 1956. It was designed for industrial and light switching duties, often replacing steam locomotives that had previously been assigned these chores...
diesel-electric locomotives and one Whitcomb
Whitcomb Locomotive Works
Whitcomb Locomotive Works was founded by George Dexter Whitcomb , of Chicago, Illinois, who started a modest machine shop in 1878, and began the manufacture of coal mining machinery, laying the foundation for the concern that became known as The Whitcomb Locomotive Company.-Beginnings:Mr. Whitcomb...
80DE-7b 80 ton diesel-electric locomotive. On 27 July 1970 the Arcata and Mad River Railroad was designated California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
number 842 as the first railroad on the California north coast.
Service on the A&MR was discontinued in 1983, and the line was abandoned on May 24, 1985. In September 1988 the Eureka Southern Railroad
Eureka Southern Railroad
The Eureka Southern Railroad was a shortline formed from the northern end of the Northwestern Pacific from Willits, California to Eureka, California.-Origin:...
purchased the AMR from Simpson Timber Company for $300,000. The AMR had been closed for the two year period (1986-1988) prior to its purchase by the Eureka Southern. Service was briefly resumed in 1994 by the North Coast Railroad
North Coast Railroad (1992–1996)
The North Coast Railroad operated freight trains on the Northwestern Pacific Railroad from Schellville to Eureka...
. Soon afterwards, landslides in the Eel River canyon closed the line, and no rail service has existed since that time.