In late 1960 or early 1961 the SP narrow gauge had run its last mile and the ancient rolling stock was being disposed of. While some of the equipment was donated to museums or sold to private interests most of the cars were burned or the metal scrapping company offered the bodies to Owens Valley residents for $100 to $140 delivered, for use as sheds. Even a few cattle cars were saved in this manner.

The Carson & Colorado Railway has received one of these bodies, No. 6. Its story starts sometime in the 1880s when it was probably built by the Carter Brothers Car builders. No. 6 likely began its service on the Oregonian Railway. It came to the Southern Pacific around the time of the Tonopah gold rush and was numbered 407. It was renumbered 6 in 1945 and remained in service until 1960 when it was detrucked and sold to the Owens Valley Recreation Club. Our No. 6 was placed at Diaz Lake south of Lone Pine until 2002 when it was donated ...

 

After some initial roof and carpentry work - thanks to Bob and Randy Babcock - the body was moved over the display track and jacked up to allow the trucks to be placed. These came from a Dupont factory in Washington state and had to have new bolster center plates cast to match with the originals under the car. New truss rods and couplers were then installed, as well as a brake wheel and proper lettering.

...and moved to the display site in Independence, where it now rests - next to a friend -

until they find a proper home.

OTHER CARS

There are still over 40 boxcar bodies being used for sheds around the Owens valley. We're hoping that - in time - we'll be able to acquire and restore a fair number of them.