The mission of the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Historical Society is to preserve, share and provide education of the history of the various narrow gauge railroads associated with the former Southern Pacific Railroad. The Society does this through its publications, its annual conference and various preservation activities. The Society has preserved and is restoring an SP narrow gauge box car. It seeks to preserve, share and educate through its own activities, and in cooperation with other organizations that collect and preserve artifacts and documents from these narrow gauge railroads.
The Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Historical Society got its start back in 1981 when a small group of people interested in the narrow gauge railroads of the former Southern Pacific Railroad got together as the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Society to share information. This interest was, and still is, shared through a publication that has had various names over the years.
While the core interest is the one-time three-foot gauge operation in the Owens Valley, including its predecessor the Carson & Colorado, all of the various narrow gauge railroads associated with the Southern Pacific are covered. Other lines include the South Pacific Coast, North Pacific Coast/Northwestern Pacific, Nevada-California-Oregon, San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada, and the San Bernardino & Redlands.
In 2009 the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Historical Society was incorporated under the laws of California as a nonprofit corporation. The incorporation helps provide for the continued existence of the society. The Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Historical Society, Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 educational organization.
The society's publication continues to date; the quarterly is now named Journal of the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Historical Society. It covers many topics about the railroads of our interest.
We hold an annual conference (convention) and annual meeting. The conference location rotates among a number of locations associated with the SP's narrow gauge. Go to our "Activities" page to find out more about these conferences.
For more information please contact the Society through either of the following means: Mail: Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Historical Society, Inc.,P.O. Box 1236Sun Valley CA. 91353-1236 E-Mail: Contact Form