This shows part of the Northwestern Pacific right-of-way that has been converted to bike paths between the GreenBrae Larkspur depot and the ferry terminal at Tiburon where ferries would come in from San Francisco. This picture is looking north to the railroad bridge from the corner of Tamalpais Drive and San Clemente Drive. Photo by Andrew Laverdiere, February 2008.
The Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society
Wikipedia: The Northwestern Pacific Railroad
Add your comments
Having recently seen the movie "Dirty Harry" on TV, I notice something in the movie that's related to this web page. In the movie, the killer drives his hijacked schoolbus under a railroad tressel, where Harry jumps onto the bus, from the tressel. That tressel is part of the Marin Co. NWP railroad system.
DL bakersfield, CA 12/1/2008
____________________
Many thanks for the photo set. I am looking into doing some railroad walks (inspired by BBC show). At least until they bring rail back to Marin. Great images...
Michael Novato, CA 3/9/2009
The rails though downtown Novato have had ties replaced, and should have new ballast soon. Also with the approval of voters last November, there will be a commuter train from Cloverdale, to Larkspur.
Lawrence Labranche Eureka, CA 8/14/2009
For a few months now, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad between Schellville and Windsor in Sonoma and Marin Counties is no longer abandoned! Active rail freight service is operating on an as-needed basis bringing grain to customers in Petaluma, CA. Typically two to four trains operate per week to Petaluma. Just south of Windsor, the anticipated inbound lumber business to Standard Structures has not materialized but the company is promoting the use of its spur as a team track for other customers and shippers. Thus far it has generated one outbound load.
Northwestern Pacific has two locomotives: a "Gen-Set" engine leased from RJ Corman, the RJC 2009; and an EMD GP-9 leased from locomotive broker Bruggere and Monson, in traditional Southern Pacific grey/scarlet paint, lettered "Northwestern Pacific 1922."
Gene Poon Rohnert Park, CA 11/15/2011
[That's great news, thanks for sharing! —Greg Harrison]
I believe I walked through NWPRR Tunnel #4 back in 1992. Do you know how long it has been gated off?
Dave Point Reyes, CA 11/9/2012
SMART started the upgrading the tracks from Sonoma Airport where the maintence faciliy is going to be to Downtown San Rafael. As money comes available, it will expand north to Cloverdale and south to Larkspur.
Lawrence LaBranche Eureka, CA 1/27/2013