AMADOR CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY (AC)
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Historical Snapshot: * Incorporated September 24, 1908 after purchasing the Ione & Eastern Railroad on August 22, 1908 at a forclosure sale. Actual service began January 1,1909. * For the next 30 years this 12-mile railroad, operating between Ione and Martell, California, showed a profit in most years. * 1926: The company reported having two active locomotives, two flatcars and two boxcars. The cars were listed as non-freight, not available to go off-line. * As of January of 1941 the company reported a main line of 11.79 miles and spurs, sidings, and yard track of 2.78 miles. Locomotives - 3, freight cars - 4. * Most of the company's freight was in the form of lumber from Martell. The line, for the most part, was a steep 3.0 percent or better upgrade from Ione and a Southern Pacific connection. Fortunately, most loads were downgrade. * In the 1950's the company bought new Baldwin S12's and has operated them ever since. * in the late 1990's the company's primary customer, the Sierra Pacific Lumber Company, closed down the Martell Mill. The line remains, but is dormat as of 2004.
AMADOR CENTRAL STEAM POWER
AMADOR CENTRAL 4-6-0 #5 Image, Amador Central 4-6-0 Engine #5 at Ione, CA Order No. AC05I Photo, Amador Central 4-6-0 Engine #5 at Ione, CA Order No. AC05P Photographer: Ted Hopping For many years the Amador Central served its short line customers from Ione, at the Southern Pacific interchange yard, to Martel, California. At first they ran steam like the #5 shown here (former SP #2040). Later they went to using Baldwin S-12 diesels. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] 7" by 11" Photo, Price - $ 6.75 [Add To Cart] -------------------- AMADOR CENTRAL 4-6-0 #5 Image, Amador Central 4-6-0 #5, Ione, CA Order No. AC05AI Photographer: Ted Hopping In this cold, overcast, view Amador Central 4-6-0 locomotive #5 is seen taking on fuel in the Ione, California yard, late 1930's. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------AC 2-6-2 #6
Image, Amador Central 2-6-2 logging style loco #6 Copyrighted, not for sale! Amador Central 2-6-2 steam locomotive poses in the Newn-day sun. Circa 1920's. --------------------AC 2-6-2 #7
Image, Amador Central 2-6-2 logging style loco #7 Copyrighted, not for sale! Amador Central 2-6-2 steam locomotive #7 is captured at Ione yard and engine area. --------------------AC 2-6-2 #8
Image, Amador Central 2-6-2 logging style loco #8 Copyrighted, not for sale! This is a rare view of an Amador Central 2-6-2 locomotive #8 on a company passenger train about to leave Martell California for Ione, circa pre-Depression years. --------------------AC 0-4-0T #334
Image, Amador Central 0-4-0T #334 Copyrighted, not for sale! This ex-Southern Pacific 0-4-0T switching locomotive #334 poses between assignments. It is not known if the engine was owned or leased by the Amador Central. --------------------AMADOR CENTRAL DIESEL POWER
Baldwin S12 #9
Color view, Amador Central Baldwin S12 #9 Not for sale, for reference only! Amador Central's S12 diesel locomotive #12 is seen at Martell, California, 1976. --------------------Baldwin S12 #10
Color Photo, Amador Central Baldwin S12 #10 Order No. AC10P Photographer: Rick Hamman After untold years of operation on the steep grades between Ione and Martell California, this Baldwin S12 diesel switcher was still moving lumber cars for the Amador Central. The #10 is shown here at Martell, California in 1995. Shopping Cart 7" by 11" Photo, Price - $ 6.75 [Add To Cart] --------------------AMADOR CENTRAL DISPLAY 2-6-2 #7
On open air protected display at Ione, California is Amador Central's former 2-6-2 #7. Here are a few snapshots taken in 1995.Engine head on
Engine drivers
Tender truck
Shade side view
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RAILROADS OF CALIFORNIA & THE WEST
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