Sacramento Valley Electric Railroad

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The Sacramento Valley Electric Railroad was a short-lived electric interurban railway in the U.S. State of California.[1][page needed] It began operation on October 10, 1914, and ran for 11.8 miles between Dixon and Rio Junction (or Dixon Junction). The line was run by the Oakland, Antioch, & Eastern Railway, and was abandoned on August 9, 1917 after decreasing revenue.

History[]

The railway was incorporated on May 4, 1912, by to construct a railway line between Redding and Rio Junction (The Oakland, Antioch, & Eastern Railway interchange), via Dixon, Woodland, Marysville, Colusa, Hamilton City, and Red Bluff. Construction began somewhere around 1913 after surveying was completed between Red Bluff and Rio Junction for the Sacramento Valley West Side Electric Railway, who later reorganized into the Sacramento Valley Electric Railroad after failed attempts to encourage investment. Originally, the line would have interchanged with the Vallejo & Northern (who intended to build a line between Napa and Sacramento) at Dixon.[2] Equipment and tracks was provided by the Oakland, Antioch, & Eastern Railway, who held a large share in the Sacramento Valley Electric Railroad's shares.[2]

Of the planned 193 mile long route, only 11.8 miles were built between Rio Junction (later renamed Olcott) and Dixon. The Sacramento Valley Electric Railroad leased the service to the Oakland, Antioch, & Eastern Railway, and even gave forth portions of their monthly revenue to the other line. The railway began service on October 10, 1914, with the first official train being led by company officials. From the start however, the line was un-profitable as it traversed flat unpopulated land. Between March 1 and June 8, 1915, there were only 56 passengers recorded who actually travelled the line. Operating expenses were quite high, while revenue was very low.[3]

The Oakland, Antioch, & Eastern Railway applied to the Railroad Commission to abandon the line on July 23, 1917, with the last official service running on August 9, 1917. The line was torn up shortly after, with the salvaged material being sold to the Tidewater Southern for usage on their electrified line.

The station-agent at Dixon regularly had to send mail reminding Oakland, Antioch, & Eastern Officials to pay him, as the company often forgot to pay him due to the unprofitable nature of the line.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Hilton, George W.; Due, John Fitzgerald (1960). The Electric Interurban Railways in America. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-4014-2. OCLC 237973.
  2. ^ a b Demoro, Harre (2003). Sacramento Northern. California: Signature Press.
  3. ^ a b Swett, Ira (1981). Sacramento Northern: Through The Valley. Glendale, California: Interurban Press.
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