• History of the FEDSHRA •
The Folsom, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical Railroad Association (FEDSHRA) was officially incorporated on January 1, 1995, after a short period of being a chapter of the Sacramento Historical Railways and then unofficially since 1975 when the Folsom Turntable was rediscovered by Doug Hays. Our purpose is to educate the general public by preserving, maintaining, restoring, and recording railroad history in Folsom, El Dorado County, and Sacramento County including all areas of the Mother Lode and connecting routes with a special interest in the Sacramento Valley Railroad.
The FEDSHRA envision seeing historic railroad equipment offer both commuter and excursion rail service linking the California State Railroad Museum in Old Town Sacramento to the Historic Railroad Block in Old Town Folsom and beyond to Latrobe.
•SVRR BACKGROUND•
The Sacramento Valley Railroad was organized on August 4, 1852.
-Survey to Folsom made in 1854.
-Construction began February 12, 1855.
-Grading started on the levee at Front and "L" streets in Sacramento.
-First rail laid August 9, 1855.
-Track reached Alder Creek January 1. 1856. Distance 18.00 miles.
-Track reached Negro Bar January 22, 1856.
-First train reached Folsom February 22, 1856. Distance 22.90 miles.
This first section of railroad proved its worth, and other rail lines were built; Folsom to Lincoln (1861), Folsom to Latrobe (1864) and the Central Pacific Railroad coming out of Sacramento over the Sierra Nevada (1864-1868).
Southern Pacific discontinued use of their line from Folsom to Placerville in the 1970's. For 25 years this rail line has been in a state of decay and disuse. FEDSHRA has revitalized this historic rail line. The right of way was purchased from Southern Pacific Railroad Company by a joint county commission, for the public trust.
• ACTION PLANS •
The first step in realizing FEDSHRA's plans was to unearth the pit of the old Folsom turntable in April of 1995. To the delight of the FEDSHRA members and volunteers, not only was one turntable wall found, but a second turntable wall was discovered!
Back in 1856, the newly completed Sacramento Valley Railroad brought railroad shops, a roundhouse, a depot and the turntable, to Folsom. The turntable was used to turn locomotives around for return trips to Sacramento. The turntable's platform, or deck type table, was forty feet long in a five to six foot deep pit. The walls of the pit were reinforced with bricks made locally. The table was used to turn the locomotives for approximately eleven years when it was replaced with a longer "A" frame or gallows style of table. The new table was fifty-six feet long. It is the gallows style turntable of 1867 that the FEDSHRA and the community have replicated on the old Folsom railroad block.
Mr. Wendell Huffman and Mr. Kyle Wyatt of the Nevada Museum have been very helpful with information and the loan of patterns for steel parts. Mr. Carl Borgh, owner of the Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek, completed the castings of the iron parts. The reconstruction of the turntable was completed in September, 1999.
• REQUESTS •
To bring about the realization of an active historic train service for the enjoyment and enrichment of the people of California, we need the support of interested people. Donations are needed to bring about this historic mode of transportation.
It is our hope that one day train excursions will be a reality between Folsom and Latrobe.
For more information regarding the FEDSHRA project and how you may join this exciting endeavor to restore the rich historical heritage of the "Mother Lode" country please call (916) 985-6001 or if you would like to join the FEDSHRA in this Historical restoration project, please fill out the membership request form with your donation.
All proceeds from the Annual Folsom Handcar Derby and memberships in FEDSHRA are benefiting the Railroad History and recognition of the first railroad in the West, The Sacramento Valley Railroad.