Trains of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge
From Colfax through Chicago Park and Grass Valley to Nevada City, the line carried freight, passengers, mail, and mining supplies for 66 years.
From Colfax to Nevada City
The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad ran from the Central Pacific depot at Colfax through Chicago Park and Grass Valley to Nevada City. Before the railroad, moving passengers and heavy mining equipment over county roads could take most of the day and became much harder in winter.
Construction began on February 11, 1875, and the last spike was driven on May 20, 1876. Over the next 66 years, the line carried freight, passengers, mail, and supplies between Nevada County and the mainline connection at Colfax.
The railroad earned the nickname "Never Come, Never Go," but its engine roster steadily grew. The first three locomotives were Baldwin wood burners, later additions came from other roads, and by 1916 all N.C.N.G. engines had been converted to oil.
Original N.C.N.G. locomotive, circa 1900
Construction started
February 11, 1875
Last spike driven
May 20, 1876
Oil conversion complete
By 1916
Final steam addition
Engine #8 in 1933
Engine Roster
Original Baldwin locomotives, later acquisitions, and the engines represented on the layout.
Engine #8 hauling a mixed freight consist
Engine approaching the trestle through the Sierra Nevada foothills
Grass Valley yard and engine house during the Christmas season
Original Baldwin engines
Engines #1, #2, and #3 formed the road's early Baldwin-built core.
Later acquisitions
Additional power came from the Lake Tahoe Railroad, Southern Pacific, and Denver & Rio Grande.
Fuel change
The first locomotives were wood burners, and all N.C.N.G. engines had been converted to oil by 1916.
Working railroad
The roster handled passenger service, freight, mining supplies, and interchange traffic at Colfax.
"Grass Valley"
- Source: Baldwin Locomotive Co.
- Roster: Original roster
Original Baldwin wood burner named for Grass Valley; later converted to oil with the rest of the roster.
"Nevada"
- Source: Baldwin Locomotive Co.
- Roster: Original roster
Original Baldwin wood burner named Nevada; part of the railroad's first locomotive group.
- Source: Baldwin Locomotive Co.
- Roster: Added 1877
Added in 1877; a twin of
- Source: Lake Tahoe Railroad
- Roster: Added 1899
0-6-0 switcher acquired from the Lake Tahoe Railroad in 1899.
- Source: Lake Tahoe Railroad
- Roster: Added 1889
2-6-0 acquired from the Lake Tahoe Railroad in 1889.
- Roster: Added 1915
2-6-0 added in 1915 as part of the later steam roster.
- Source: Southern Pacific
- Roster: Later acquisition
4-4-0 acquired from Southern Pacific.
- Source: Denver & Rio Grande
- Roster: Added 1933
2-8-0 brought over from the Denver & Rio Grande in 1933, giving the line heavier late-era freight power.
From NCO
Gas & Standard Gauge Power
The N.C.N.G. story also includes gas mechanical switchers and standard gauge power working out of Colfax.
The N.C.N.G. also rostered two gas mechanical switchers: #10, a 0-4-0 Plymouth acquired in 1936 and later wrecked, and #11, a 0-4-0 Whitcomb.
Standard gauge power appeared around 1913 on dual gauge track from Colfax to the Bear River gravel spur, where a two-truck Heisler and a two-truck Climax handled the work.
- #10 Plymouth - 0-4-0 gas mechanical, acquired in 1936
- #11 Whitcomb - 0-4-0 gas mechanical switcher
- Heisler and Climax - standard gauge power used on the Bear River gravel spur
Colfax depot — railroad crossing, Christmas tree lot, and horse riders
Train Views on the Layout
A few of the train and line scenes that appear across the railroad.
Full train on the Bear River Bridge — the signature piece of the layout
Steam locomotive passing through town with buildings and Sierra backdrop
Rolling stock detail on the N.C.N.G. layout
Period-accurate town buildings and scenery