My Great Grandfather Joseph Stahr (or Stoehr) worked for the Central Pacific

From: johns@olypen.com

Here is some info in my Great Grandfather. His name is Joseph Stahr or Stoehr. He was born 20 Nov 1849 in Roschbach, Pfaiz, Bvr Germany. His Parents were John and Anna Maria Baron Both from Germany and both died in Buffalo, N.Y. Joseph's wife was Annie Gibbons. The Los Angeles Associated Press said Joeph was a Construction Foreman for the Central Pacific who directed the driving of the spike. He came to California around the horn in 1868.

The Ogden Associated Press said Joseph Stahr veteran Central Pacific foreman whose death is announced from Los Angeles was struck Sunday by an Automobile in Los Angeles died Tuesday afternoon. burial place in Ogden, Utah July 21 1926.

—Pam Schneider

California Fast freight Line

From: "Jim Wilke" woodburner@earthlink.net

I'm interested in learning more about the California Fast Freight Line, a private car line operated in joint ownership by several different railroads in the 1880s.

So far I don't know much – an illustration of a 28' car lettered for the line and bearing the initials of the Southern Pacific appears in Kyle Wyatt's article on 28' Central pacific boxcars in the Nevada State Railroad Museum publication Sagebrush Headlight, along with a photograph of a train with a similar 28' car bearing the initials of the Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific.

How many railroads operated this line, and where did the cars run? How long was it in business, and did it have established routes and specific schedules, like a stage or steamship line, or was it operated on another basis? And what colors were the cars, did they have a company specific scheme?

—Jim Wilke