1890 to 1942

This important Southern Pacific route was called by many names, also including, “The Stockton-Tulare Railroad”, The Oakdale Line”, “The Oakdale-Montpelier Railroad’, and the “Eastside Route”. There were north-south bound trains daily. Passengers, wheat, cattle, equipment and new settlers were its daily cargo. From the north the train would depart Stockton.  Stopping at Peters, Oakdale, Waterford, Hickman, Montpelier, Ryre, Basel (Merced River), Arundel. Amsterdam, Nairn, Ferrin, and into Merced. From Merced the reverse would be true. Merced residents would ride the train to Basel to enjoy the recreation of the Merced River. The “Shaffer Bridge” was built in 1912, twenty-two years after the train’s trestle was erected. The route was discontinued because of the demands of World War II.

Dedicated   April 15. 1995

Clamper Year 6000

Russ Potts, Noble Grand Humbug