Sierra Northern Railway
The Sierra Northern Railway (reporting mark SERA) railroad Right Of Way originates from that of the 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) |
| 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
- 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 40 miles (64 km) — the Skunk Train line.
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.