Barnwell and Searchlight Railway
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Defunct | 1911 |
| Fate | Merged into California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | California, Nevada |
| Parent | Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway |
The Barnwell and Searchlight Railway was a short-line railroad that operated between 1906 and 1911, connecting Barnwell, California with Searchlight, Nevada. Throughout its existence, it was managed under the control of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF).
Line Construction
The discovery of gold in Searchlight, Nevada in 1897 sparked a local economic boom. By 1900, the Quartette Mining Company had been formed, and the area's population reached its height of approximately 5,000 residents by 1907. It was during this period of peak activity that the Barnwell & Searchlight Railway was created to serve the mining region.
Construction commenced on May 1, 1906, and concluded on March 31, 1907. Shortly after finishing the build, on April 7, 1907, the railway was leased to ATSF as a non-operating subsidiary, integrating its operations into ATSF’s extensive rail system.
Integration into California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway
On December 28, 1911, the Barnwell & Searchlight Railway was consolidated into ATSF's non-operating subsidiary known as the California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway, simplifying corporate management.
Line Abandonment
Following flood damage to the tracks on September 23, 1923, the railway was officially discontinued on February 18, 1924. The downturn in mining activity caused Searchlight’s population to decline drastically to about 50 inhabitants by 1927.
Chronology
- April 1906: Establishment of railroad
- May 1906: Start of grading work
- September 1906: Initiation of rail installation
- March 1907: Completion of construction
- April 1907: Lease agreement with ATSF as non-operating subsidiary
- December 1911: Merger into California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway
- September 1923: Flood damage to track
- February 1924: Official abandonment
Connection at Barnwell
At Barnwell, the railway connected with ATSF’s non-operating subsidiary California Eastern Railway, which provided a link from North Ivanpah to Goffs on the ATSF mainline running between Los Angeles and Needles.
Route
- Barnwell (Interchange with California Eastern Railway)
- Hart
- Juan (Nevada)
- Searchlight
See also
References
- Robertson, Donald B. Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History - The Desert States. Caldwell, ID: The Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1986. ISBN 0-87004-305-6.
- Robertson, Donald B. Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History - California - Volume IV. Caldwell, ID: The Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1998. ISBN 0-87004-385-4.
- Walker, Mike. Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - California and Nevada - Post Merger Ed. Kent, UK: Steam Powered Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-874745-08-0.
- About.com Las Vegas, NV (Robert Romano), Searchlight, Nevada: Boom Town-Ghost Town-Historic Living Town. Accessed November 25, 2005.
- Searchlight Museum Guild, Searchlight, Nevada. Accessed November 25, 2005.
- Ghost Town Seekers: Nevada, Barnwell & Searchlight Railroad!. Accessed November 25, 2005.