San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite Railroad
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | February 15, 1886 |
| Founder | Southern Pacific Company |
| Defunct | May 14, 1888 |
| Fate | Absorbed into Southern Pacific Railroad |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | California |
| Parent | Southern Pacific Company |
The San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite Railroad, operational between 1886 and 1888, was the inaugural rail route granting access to Yosemite Valley. Although its operation was brief, it laid important groundwork for subsequent transportation advancements in the area.
Formation and Initial Service
Established by the Southern Pacific Company on February 15, 1886, this railroad spanned a line from Berenda to Raymond, California. It was absorbed into the Southern Pacific Railroad network on May 14, 1888, enhancing connectivity to California’s interior regions as part of Southern Pacific’s growth.
Connection to Yosemite
At Raymond, passengers transferred to stagecoaches, facilitating a combined rail-and-coach journey to Yosemite Valley. Starting in 1887, this coordinated service linked major urban centers such as San Francisco and Los Angeles with the national park.
Decline and Cessation
The launch of the more direct Yosemite Valley Railroad in 1907 made the San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite line redundant. Despite constructing a 2.3-mile spur in 1890, plans to extend the railroad directly into Yosemite never came to fruition. By 1942, tracks east of Daulton were abandoned, and the segment from Berenda to Daulton ceased operations in 1956.
During its final phase, the railroad primarily transported freight for a granite quarry near Raymond and surrounding agricultural enterprises before being completely dismantled. The historical importance of this route was honored by a special railfan excursion organized by the California-Nevada Railroad Historical Society on March 27, 1955.