California Iron

From: "Craig Bell" sc_bell@sbcglobal.net

I've been kind of a rail buff since the sixties when my friends and I, as teens, used to walk the tracks between Auburn and Colfax. I've often marvelled at the tunnel faces along track 2 wondering if the granite was cut in Rocklin, how they cut it, how it was transported, how it was put into place, etc. way back in the early 1900s.

I've briefly perused the CPRR museum website, but haven't found much regarding track 2. Also, I would very much like more information regarding the tunnels on track 1. If you could recommend a good book(s) on the subject, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, I'm trying to teach my two boys more about what a supreme accomplishment building the railroad over the summit in six short years was. The CPRR site is great, the museum, here in Sacramento, is great, but I want to know more. ...

—Craig Bell