Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, Heritage railroad in Sierra National Forest, California, US.
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a narrow-gauge heritage railway that operates two steam locomotives through dense forests near Yosemite National Park's southern gateway. The route covers four miles of track winding through the Sierra Nevada woodlands.
The railway follows the former route of the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company, which operated around 140 miles of track from the late 1800s until 1931 to transport logs. The line closed when the region's timber industry declined.
The trains move through landscapes shaped by logging, showing how closely the people of this region connected with the forest and its resources. Visitors see how nature has reclaimed these areas, with new forests growing where industry once dominated.
The railroad runs yearround with peak service from April through November, offering various daytime rides and evening dinner excursions. The one-hour standard tours provide good views of the forest from the train cars, which are accessible to most visitors.
Shay locomotive Number 10 running on the line is the largest narrow-gauge Shay locomotive ever built, holding a distinction in railroad history. Few visitors realize they are riding behind such an exceptional piece of engineering when they board this particular train.
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