NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC RR COMPANY
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Historical Snapshot: In order to go after the millions of board feet of standing redwood timber in Northwestern California a 278 mile railroad was needed from Sausilato to Eureka, California to go after it all. For many years previously the San Francisco & Northern Pacific had been slowly, and profitably, been building such a line with the railroad operation changing hands several times. After 25 years the line had only reached Ukiah, California, 108 miles from Sausilato. None of that milage had been the expensive part of the line yet to build. In 1906 A.W. Foster, owner of the S.F.&N.P., let it be known he had grown tired of railroading. Two companies, the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific, both wanted to build the line. With construction costs anticipated at over $150,000 a mile in many places it was an expensive proposition. Further, if both roads built and competed with each other neither would do well. Finally, on November 24, 1906 The Northwestern Pacific Railway Co. Was incorporated by both to operate and complete the S.F.&N.P. On January 7, 1907 the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company was chartered and both companies received an equal number of shares. After much initial work, the Financial Panic 0f 1907, many engineering surveys and revisions, and terrible storm years, the first train finally arrived in Eureka in late October of 1914. The line was an instant financial success. By 1929 Santa Fe's expansion plans were about over. With poor connections to the Northwestern Pacific they finally sold their half interest to the Southern Pacific. The railroad today is still in operation at various times depending on rugged winters that keeps washing track away. At last look see the line was owned by a local government agency.
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NWP 4-4-0 #9 Image, North Western Pacific 4-4-0 #9 Order No. NWP09I North Western Pacific 4-4-0 locomotive #9 poses at what is believed to be San Raefael, California. Locomotive tender suggests an earlier period. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------- NWP 4-4-0 #9 "view A" Image, North Western Pacific 4-4-0 #9 Order No. NWP09AI North Western Pacific 4-4-0 locomotive #9 is found at an unknown location anongst the weeds this day. Specifications: Class E Cylinders - 16" X 24" Drivers - 59" Boiler Pressure - 140 lbs. Tractive Force - 12,390 lbs. Builder - Grant, 1883 Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------NWP/Santa Fe - Early #13 at Fortuna
Image, North Western Pac. #13, Fortuna, 1915 Order No. NWP13I Image, North Western Pac. #13, Fortuna, 1915 - 11" X 17" Order No. NWP13NI Original photograph from the Fred C. Stoes Collection Fortuna, California, MP 266.1, Circa 1915: The hotel surry has passengers departing and about to arrive. The drayage wagon and horse are ready for the freight and express to be delivered. The baggage cart is loaded with outbound luggage and goods. And now, North Western Pacific locomotive #13 is seen with train approaching the platform. Welcome to intercity transportation before the automobile and bus when things were just a little slower! Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] 11" by 17" Image, Price - $8.50 [Add To Cart] -------------------- NWP 4-4-0 #23 Image, Northwestern Pacific 4-4-0 #23, 1938 Order No. NWP23I Photograph by: Fred C. Stoes Northwestern Pacific 4-4-0 #23 sits under steam in the shadows of a foggy day at Sausalito, California, 1938. The engine is on the head end of a railfan special. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------- NWP 4-4-8 #23 View "A" Image, Northwestern Pacific, 4-4-0 #23/pass Order No. NWP23AI Sunday, August 18, 1931: Northwestern Pacific northbound Train #122, pulled by 4-4-0 #23 pauses as Santa Rosa. Built by American Locomotive in 1908, #23 had 18" X 24" cylinders, 69" drivers, and weighted 120,500 pounds. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------- NWP 4-6-0 #139 Image, North Western Pacific 4-6-0, Willits Order No. NWP139I Photo, North Western Pacific 4-6-0, Willits Order No. NWP139P Photographer: Fred C. Stoes The overhead afternoon sun glares down on North Western Pacific's #139 as the Ten-Wheeler makes a move in the yard at Willits, California, 1938. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] 7" by 11" Photo, Price - $ 6.75 [Add To Cart] -------------------- NWP 4-6-0 #172 Image, North Western Pacific 4-6-0 #172 Order No. NWP172I Photo, North Western Pacific 4-6-0 #172 Order No. NWP172P Photographer: Paul L. Eilenberger North Western Pacific ten-wheeler #172 poses somewhere on the property in this stunning view taken from the original 6" X 10" negative. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] 7" by 11" Photo, Price - $ 6.75 [Add To Cart] -------------------- NWP 4-6-0 #184 Image, North Western Pacific 4-6-0 #184, 1938 Order No. NWP184I Photograph by: Fred C. Stoes North Western Pacific ten-wheeler #184 sits at the ready at Healdsburg, California, 1938. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------- NWP - Gas Electric car #903 Image, North Western Pac. Gas-Electric #903, Order No. NWP983I In this reproduction of an original 1938 Graham Hardy Tecrasilk print North Western Pacific gas-electric combine car #903 is seen in the yards at Sausalito, California. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------- NWP - Santa Rosa Depot Photo, Santa Rosa Northwestern Pacific Depot Order No. NWPSROSAP Photograph by: Fred C. Stoes The afternoon train has just arrived at the Northwestern Pacific Santa Rosa Depot, 1938. Shopping Cart 7" by 11" Photo, Price - $ 6.75 [Add To Cart] --------------------- NWP - Crew at San Rafael Photo, Northwestern Pacific Depot, San Rafael Order No. NWPDEPOTP This is a static image that has a lot of "action!." It is a November, 1938, Sunday at the Northwestern Pacific San Rafael Depot. In the center of the image a gloved conductor and company official, engaged in conversation, are seen walking briskly toward the photographer, Fred Stoes. As to why and where they are going, who knows! Note the NWP emblems on the Depot wall. Shopping Cart 7" by 11" Photo, Price - $ 6.75 [Add To Cart] --------------------
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