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{{Short description|Former railway in the US}}
{{Infobox SG rail
{{Infobox rail | gauge={{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
|railroad_name = Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad
|railroad_name = Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad
|logo_filename = Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad logo.jpg
|logo_filename = Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad logo.jpg
Line 8: Line 9:
|old_gauge =
|old_gauge =
|marks = LV&T
|marks = LV&T
|locale = [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] to [[Goldfield, Nevada]]|
|locale = [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] to [[Goldfield, Nevada]]
(later extended to [[Beatty, Nevada]] and [[Goldfield, Nevada]] by way of the [[Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad]] in 1908)
|start_year = 1906
|start_year = 1906
|end_year = 1918
|end_year = 1918
Line 15: Line 15:
}}
}}


The '''Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad''' was a 197.9 mile [[railroad]] built by [[William A. Clark]] that ran northwest from a connection with the mainline of the [[San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad]] at [[Las Vegas, Nevada]] to the gold mines at [[Goldfield, NV|Goldfield]]. The SPLA&SL railroad later became part of the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] and serves as their mainline between Los Angeles and [[Salt Lake City]].
The '''Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad''' was a {{convert|197.9|mi|km|adj=on}} [[railroad]] built by [[William A. Clark]] that ran northwest from a connection with the mainline of the [[San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad]] at [[Las Vegas, Nevada]] to the gold mines at [[Goldfield, NV|Goldfield]]. The SPLA&SL railroad later became part of the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] and serves as their mainline between Los Angeles and [[Salt Lake City]].


==History==
==History==
In April 1905, Clark made a verbal agreement with [[Francis Marion Smith]] that Smith could build a rail line to his [[borax]] operations at [[Lila C]] connecting with the [[San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad]] at Las Vegas. After Smith's men had already graded 12 miles for tracks, his workers received a no trespassing order that they were not allowed to connect with Clark's rail. Clark had apparently changed his mind, and subsequently, he laid his own rail on the line graded by Smith's men. In response, Smith started his own competing railroad, the [[Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad|Tonopah and Tidewater]] to the Goldfield boomtowns in direct competition with Clark.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZUQZv6TK24 "The Great Desert Railroad Race" Documentary written and produced by Ted Faye]</ref>
In April 1905, Clark made a verbal agreement with [[Francis Marion Smith]] that Smith could build a rail line to his [[borax]] operations at [[Lila C]] connecting with the [[San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad]] at Las Vegas. After Smith's men had already graded {{convert|12|mi|km}} for tracks, his workers received a no-trespassing order that they were not allowed to connect with Clark's rail. Clark had apparently changed his mind, and subsequently, he laid his own rail on the line graded by Smith's men. In response, Smith started his own competing railroad, the [[Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad|Tonopah and Tidewater]] to the Goldfield boomtowns in direct competition with Clark.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZUQZv6TK24 "The Great Desert Railroad Race" Documentary written and produced by Ted Faye]</ref>


[[File:Rhyolite Station July 2006.jpg|thumb|Rhyolite railroad station (July 2006)]]
[[File:Rhyolite Station July 2006.jpg|thumb|Rhyolite railroad station (July 2006)]]
Line 29: Line 29:
In 1906 the {{convert|118|mi|adj=on}} trip from Las Vegas to Beatty took 6 hours. Trains operated daily until February 1, 1917, and then became tri-weekly until abandonment.
In 1906 the {{convert|118|mi|adj=on}} trip from Las Vegas to Beatty took 6 hours. Trains operated daily until February 1, 1917, and then became tri-weekly until abandonment.


The railroad had three passenger cars. One of them, a Harriman type chair car #30, was built in 1907 by the [[Pullman Company]], is awaiting restoration at the [[Nevada State Railroad Museum]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nsrm-friends.org/nsrm55.html| title=Las Vegas & Tonopah Chair Car No. 30 - "Tonopah"| work=Nevada State Railroad Museum| date=December 25, 2003| accessdate=September 17, 2008}}</ref>
The LV&T depot at Rhyolite still remains. It was constructed in 1909 at a cost of $130,000 ({{inflation|US|30000|1909|fmt=eq}}).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rhyolitesite.com/tidewater1.html| title=The Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad Depot| work=Rhyolite Ghost Town, Nevada| access-date=2008-09-17 }}</ref>

The LV&T depot at Rhyolite still remains. It was constructed in 1909 at a cost of $130,000.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rhyolitesite.com/tidewater1.html| title=The Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad Depot| work=Rhyolite Ghost Town, Nevada| accessdate=2008-09-17 }}</ref>


==Locomotives==
==Locomotives==
The railroad primarily used "Ten Wheeler" [[4-6-0]] and Consolidation ([[2-8-0]]) type locomotives, primarily manufactured by [[Brooks Locomotive Works|Brooks]] and [[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]. The railroad's first four locomotives were purchased in used condition. The railroad would later purchase 12 additional new locomotives. Upon abandonment of the railroad in 1917/1918, these locomotives were sold to the [[Northwestern Pacific Railroad]], the [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad]] and the [[San Diego and Arizona Railway]].
The railroad primarily used "Ten Wheeler" [[4-6-0]] and Consolidation ([[2-8-0]]) type locomotives, primarily manufactured by [[Brooks Locomotive Works|Brooks]] and [[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]. The railroad's first four locomotives were purchased in used condition. The railroad would later purchase 12 additional new locomotives. Upon abandonment of the railroad in 1917/1918, these locomotives were sold to the [[Northwestern Pacific Railroad]], the [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad]], and the [[San Diego and Arizona Railway]].


When the LV&T merged with the [[Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad]] in 1914, it also acquired its 6 steam locomotives, involving two [[0-6-0]] switcher locomotives, two [[4-6-0]] passenger locomotives, and two [[2-8-0]] freight locomotives. <ref name=map>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfrog_Goldfield_Railroad#Locomotives: Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad Locomotive Roster]</ref>
When the LV&T merged with the [[Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad]] in 1914, it also acquired its 6 steam locomotives, involving two [[0-6-0]] switcher locomotives, two [[4-6-0]] passenger locomotives, and two [[2-8-0]] freight locomotives.<ref name=map>[[Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad#Locomotives:|Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad Locomotive Roster]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=February 2018}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Number
!Type
!Builder
!SN
!Built
!Disposition
!Notes
|-
|1
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|11867
|5/1891
|Sold in 1920 to [[Outer Harbor Terminal Railway]] #2
|Purchased from [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|Los Angeles & Salt Lake]] #50 in 1906.
|-
|2
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|12204
|9/1891
|Sold in 1909 to [[Nevada Copper Belt Railroad|Nevada Copper Belt]] #1
|Purchased from [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|Los Angeles & Salt Lake]] #51 in 1906.
|-
|3
|[[0-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|29712
|11/1906
|Sold in 1910 to [[Ludlow and Southern Railroad|Ludlow & Southern]] #3
|Purchased from [[Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad|Bullfrog Goldfield]] #3 in 1907.
|-
|4
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|30105
|2/1907
|Sold in 1918 to [[Northwestern Pacific Railroad|Northwestern Pacific]] #170
|
|-
|5
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|30106
|2/1907
|Sold in 1918 to [[Northwestern Pacific Railroad|Northwestern Pacific]] #171
|
|-
|6
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|30107
|2/1907
|Stored after abandonment, sold in 1931 to [[Hoover Dam|Six Companies]] #7107
|
|-
|7
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|31093
|6/1907
|Sold in 1917 to [[San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway|San Diego & Arizona]] #24
|
|-
|8
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|31094
|6/1907
|Sold in 1918 to [[Northwestern Pacific Railroad|Northwestern Pacific]] #172
|
|-
|9
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|32250
|11/1907
|Sold in 1917 to [[San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway|San Diego & Arizona]] #25
|
|-
|10
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|32251
|11/1907
|Sold in 1917 to [[San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway|San Diego & Arizona]] #26
|
|-
|11
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]]
|32260
|12/1907
|Sold in 1917 to [[San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway|San Diego & Arizona]] #27
|
|-
|12
|[[4-6-0]]
|[[American Locomotive Company|Alco Schenectady]]
|44753
|1907
|Sold in 1918 to [[Northwestern Pacific Railroad|Northwestern Pacific]] #179
|
|-
|30
|[[2-8-0]]
|[[American Locomotive Company|Alco Brooks]]
|44750
|1907
|Sold in 1918 to [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|Los Angeles & Salt Lake]] #3675
|
|-
|31
|[[2-8-0]]
|[[American Locomotive Company|Alco Brooks]]
|44751
|1907
|Sold in 1918 to [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|Los Angeles & Salt Lake]] #3676
|
|-
|32
|[[2-8-0]]
|[[American Locomotive Company|Alco Brooks]]
|44752
|1907
|Sold in 1918 to [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|Los Angeles & Salt Lake]] #3677
|
|}


==Preservation==
==Preservation==
The Los Angeles Live Steamers group owned an old wooden passenger car which they had named “Tonopah” and labeled it as an ex-Las Vegas & Tonopah car, however it has been confirmed it was actually from the [[Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad]] and may have never actually worked on the LV&T.
The Los Angeles Live Steamers group owned an old wooden passenger car which they had named "Tonopah" and labeled it as an ex-Las Vegas & Tonopah car. However, it has been confirmed it was actually from the [[Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad]], and never actually worked on the LV&T.


==Route==
==Route==
*'''[[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]]''' (MP 0.0)
*'''[[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]]''' (MP 0.0)
*'''Tule'''
*'''Tule'''
*'''Corn Creek'''
*'''[[Corn Creek, Nevada|Corn Creek]]'''
*'''Owens'''
*'''Owens'''
*'''[[Indian Springs, Nevada|Indian Springs]]''' (MP 43.0)
*'''[[Indian Springs, Nevada|Indian Springs]]''' (MP 43.0)
*'''Charleston''', possibly named after nearby Mount Charleston, 4th highest peak in Nevada.
*'''Charleston''', possibly named after nearby Mount Charleston, 4th highest peak in Nevada.
*'''[[Amargosa Valley, Nevada|Amargosa]]''' (MP 74.0)
*'''[[Amargosa Valley, Nevada|Amargosa]]''' (MP 74.0)
*'''Canon'''
*'''Cañon'''
*'''Rosewell (Rose's Well)''' (MP 100.0)
*'''Rosewell (Rose's Well)''' (MP 100.0)
*'''Chloride'''
*'''Chloride'''
Line 74: Line 202:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|26em}}
{{Reflist|26em}}
*{{cite book | author=Myrick, David F.| title=Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California, Volume One - The Northern Roads|location=Berkeley, California| publisher=Howell-North Books| year=1962| editor=| isbn=0-87417-193-8}}
*{{cite book | author=Myrick, David F.| title=Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California, Volume One - The Northern Roads|location=Berkeley, California| publisher=Howell-North Books| year=1962| isbn=0-87417-193-8}}
*{{cite book | author=Robertson, Donald B.| title=Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History - The Desert States| location=Caldwell, ID | publisher=The Caxton Printers | year=1986| editor=| isbn=0-87004-305-6}}
*{{cite book | author=Robertson, Donald B.| title=Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History - The Desert States| location=Caldwell, ID | publisher=The Caxton Printers | year=1986| isbn=0-87004-305-6}}
*{{cite book | author=Walker, Mike| title=Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - California and Nevada - Post Merger Ed.| location=Kent, United Kingdom | publisher=Steam Powered Publishing| year=1997| editor=| isbn=1-874745-08-0}}
*{{cite book | author=Walker, Mike| title=Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - California and Nevada - Post Merger Ed.| location=Kent, United Kingdom | publisher=Steam Powered Publishing| year=1997| isbn=1-874745-08-0}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|position=left}}
{{Commons category|position=left}}


{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Las Vegas Tonopah Railroad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Las Vegas Tonopah Railroad}}
[[Category:Defunct Nevada railroads]]
[[Category:Defunct Nevada railroads]]
[[Category:History of Las Vegas]]
[[Category:History of Las Vegas]]
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[[Category:1905 establishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:1905 establishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:1918 disestablishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:1918 disestablishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in the Greater Los Angeles Area]]<!--headquarters-->
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles]]
<!--headquarters-->

Latest revision as of 15:06, 11 March 2024

Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad
Map showing the route of the LV&&T.
Overview
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Reporting markLV&T
LocaleLas Vegas to Goldfield, Nevada
Dates of operation1906–1918
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad was a 197.9-mile (318.5 km) railroad built by William A. Clark that ran northwest from a connection with the mainline of the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad at Las Vegas, Nevada to the gold mines at Goldfield. The SPLA&SL railroad later became part of the Union Pacific Railroad and serves as their mainline between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

History

[edit]

In April 1905, Clark made a verbal agreement with Francis Marion Smith that Smith could build a rail line to his borax operations at Lila C connecting with the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad at Las Vegas. After Smith's men had already graded 12 miles (19 km) for tracks, his workers received a no-trespassing order that they were not allowed to connect with Clark's rail. Clark had apparently changed his mind, and subsequently, he laid his own rail on the line graded by Smith's men. In response, Smith started his own competing railroad, the Tonopah and Tidewater to the Goldfield boomtowns in direct competition with Clark.[1]

Rhyolite railroad station (July 2006)

The Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad was incorporated on September 22, 1905. On March 1, 1906, the track was completed between Las Vegas and Indian Springs. By June 30, 1906, the line was over 50% completed (100 miles or 160 kilometres), reaching Rose's Well. In December 1906 the tracks reached Rhyolite. Finally, in November 1907 the entire 198-mile (319 km) line was in operation between Las Vegas and Goldfield.

The northern end of the line (Beatty - Goldfield) was only in operation from 1908 - 1914. That 80 miles (130 km) of track was removed during World War I. The Las Vegas & Tonopah continued to serve the Bullfrog Mining District at Beatty until 1917/1918. By 1919, the remaining 110 miles (180 km) of track was abandoned and scrapped.

Operations

[edit]
1910 train schedule.

In 1906 the 118-mile (190 km) trip from Las Vegas to Beatty took 6 hours. Trains operated daily until February 1, 1917, and then became tri-weekly until abandonment.

The LV&T depot at Rhyolite still remains. It was constructed in 1909 at a cost of $130,000 (equivalent to $1,017,333 in 2023).[2]

Locomotives

[edit]

The railroad primarily used "Ten Wheeler" 4-6-0 and Consolidation (2-8-0) type locomotives, primarily manufactured by Brooks and Baldwin Locomotive Works. The railroad's first four locomotives were purchased in used condition. The railroad would later purchase 12 additional new locomotives. Upon abandonment of the railroad in 1917/1918, these locomotives were sold to the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad, and the San Diego and Arizona Railway.

When the LV&T merged with the Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad in 1914, it also acquired its 6 steam locomotives, involving two 0-6-0 switcher locomotives, two 4-6-0 passenger locomotives, and two 2-8-0 freight locomotives.[3][circular reference]

Number Type Builder SN Built Disposition Notes
1 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 11867 5/1891 Sold in 1920 to Outer Harbor Terminal Railway #2 Purchased from Los Angeles & Salt Lake #50 in 1906.
2 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 12204 9/1891 Sold in 1909 to Nevada Copper Belt #1 Purchased from Los Angeles & Salt Lake #51 in 1906.
3 0-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 29712 11/1906 Sold in 1910 to Ludlow & Southern #3 Purchased from Bullfrog Goldfield #3 in 1907.
4 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 30105 2/1907 Sold in 1918 to Northwestern Pacific #170
5 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 30106 2/1907 Sold in 1918 to Northwestern Pacific #171
6 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 30107 2/1907 Stored after abandonment, sold in 1931 to Six Companies #7107
7 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 31093 6/1907 Sold in 1917 to San Diego & Arizona #24
8 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 31094 6/1907 Sold in 1918 to Northwestern Pacific #172
9 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 32250 11/1907 Sold in 1917 to San Diego & Arizona #25
10 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 32251 11/1907 Sold in 1917 to San Diego & Arizona #26
11 4-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive Works 32260 12/1907 Sold in 1917 to San Diego & Arizona #27
12 4-6-0 Alco Schenectady 44753 1907 Sold in 1918 to Northwestern Pacific #179
30 2-8-0 Alco Brooks 44750 1907 Sold in 1918 to Los Angeles & Salt Lake #3675
31 2-8-0 Alco Brooks 44751 1907 Sold in 1918 to Los Angeles & Salt Lake #3676
32 2-8-0 Alco Brooks 44752 1907 Sold in 1918 to Los Angeles & Salt Lake #3677

Preservation

[edit]

The Los Angeles Live Steamers group owned an old wooden passenger car which they had named "Tonopah" and labeled it as an ex-Las Vegas & Tonopah car. However, it has been confirmed it was actually from the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad, and never actually worked on the LV&T.

Route

[edit]
  • Las Vegas (MP 0.0)
  • Tule
  • Corn Creek
  • Owens
  • Indian Springs (MP 43.0)
  • Charleston, possibly named after nearby Mount Charleston, 4th highest peak in Nevada.
  • Amargosa (MP 74.0)
  • Cañon
  • Rosewell (Rose's Well) (MP 100.0)
  • Chloride
  • Beatty MP (118.4)
  • Rhyolite (MP 123.4), with spur to Montgomery-Shoshone Mine.
  • Original
  • Mud Springs
  • Midway
  • Bonnie Claire
  • Wagner
  • Stonewall
  • Ralston, possibly named after Ralston Valley.
  • Red Rock
  • Milltown
  • Columbia
  • Goldfield (MP 196.9)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Great Desert Railroad Race" Documentary written and produced by Ted Faye
  2. ^ "The Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad Depot". Rhyolite Ghost Town, Nevada. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  3. ^ Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad Locomotive Roster
  • Myrick, David F. (1962). Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California, Volume One - The Northern Roads. Berkeley, California: Howell-North Books. ISBN 0-87417-193-8.
  • Robertson, Donald B. (1986). Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History - The Desert States. Caldwell, ID: The Caxton Printers. ISBN 0-87004-305-6.
  • Walker, Mike (1997). Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - California and Nevada - Post Merger Ed. Kent, United Kingdom: Steam Powered Publishing. ISBN 1-874745-08-0.
[edit]
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