The Railroad & Dunsmuir

Photo © Rod Loder

Dunsmuir started it's life one mile south of its permanent site as the town of Pusher. Pusher was little more than a boxcar and a few outbuildings. When the town moved to its current location and changed its name to Dunsmuir in 1887, it became a major link in the north-south rail line. A roundhouse was built to repair the workhorse steam engines. Crews were changed here and currently still do by Union Pacific. Nearly half the town's adult population was employed by the railroad. The old roundhouse came down as a result of a heavy snowstorm in 1961, but the turntable that served it still stands and operates. Avid rail buffs from all over the world visit Dunsmuir to relive a touch of the "good old days" or to photograph trains that run through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Railroad Days

Our annual community celebration of Dunsmuir's railroad heritage! The weekend festivities includes model railroads, a parade, Lil Mr. & Mrs. Engineer Pageant, the Kids' Fishing Derby, Diaper Derby, Dads' 3 Innings Softball Game, 3 Day Traditional Softball Tournament, plenty of food, music with dancing in the street, and FAMILY FUN!!! For more information, visit our Events Calendar or contact 1-800-Dunsmuir.

Railroad Resources

• The Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Historical Society has a Railroad Display Room, open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., adjacent to the Amtrak Depot. Featured are locomotive photographs of equipment which ran through town, railroad memorabilia and artifacts. Mr. Jamie Carlberg's diorama of Dunsmuir's Roundhouse is on display. Fund-raisers (like the successful PIE SOCIAL) are held yearly to continue funding the maintenance of the Depot (the only Siskiyou County stop), the Railroad Display Room, and the renovation of rooms to house the soon to be re-established Dunsmuir Museum. Cost to "ride the Membership Train" is $10 yearly and can be mailed to P O Box 324, Dunsmuir CA 96025. Additional info from 530-235-0929.
• The Live Dunsmuir Railcam and information about the Dunsmuir depot at trainorders.com.
• Railfan Resources from photographer Robert Morris