Sierra Northern Railway
The Sierra Northern Railway (reporting mark SERA) is a common carrier railroad company operating in California. The company owns several right of ways originating from those of the former Sacramento Northern Railroad, Northern Electric Railway, Sierra Railway Company Of California, Western Pacific Railroad, and Yolo Shortline Railroad. It handles all freight operations and track maintenance for its parent company, the Sierra Railroad Company. The tracks that are maintained by Sierra Northern are also used by the Sierra Railroad Company's tourist trains.[1]
 A Sierra Northern EMD GP20 in Santa Cruz. | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Woodland, California |
| Reporting mark | SERA |
| Dates of operation | 2003– |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 99 miles (159 km) |
| Other | |
| Website | http://www.sierranorthern.com |
History
In August 2003, the Sierra Railroad and the Yolo Shortline Railroad merged to form the Sierra Northern Railway. According to the AAR, the line operates 99 miles (159 km) of track in California. It serves a number of industrial areas in the state and interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad, the BNSF Railway and the Northwestern Pacific Railroad.
Routes
The company operates trains over three primary routes:[2]
- Oakdale, California to Standard, California – 57.4 miles (92.4 km)
- Woodland, California to West Sacramento, California – 16 miles (26 km)
- Fort Bragg, California to Willits, California (the Skunk Train) — 40 miles (64 km)
Junctions with other railroads
The Oakdale and West Sacramento (Lovdale)–Woodland lines have junctions with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific while the Fort Bragg–Willits line has a junction with the defunct Northwestern Pacific Railroad in Willits.
References
- Sierra Railroad Dinner Train
- Holland, John (14 June 2019). "Railroad runs from Riverbank to Sonora area. Federal grant will help it run faster". Modesto Bee. Retrieved 17 September 2020.