Loyalton Industrial Lead — Sierra Valley
CA · Beckwourth → Loyalton
A lumber branch across one of the Sierra's biggest mountain valleys.
Heads up: It connects to Union Pacific's busy Feather River main line — stay well away from the junction.
Sierra Valley is a huge high-mountain meadow on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada. Early railroads were built through it to haul timber, and the line to Loyalton later became part of the Western Pacific, whose main line through the Feather River Canyon runs nearby.
For decades the branch served Loyalton's sawmills. Once the mills closed, the industrial lead went disused, though the rails and trestles still cross the valley.
⚠️ Before you go: every railroad on this map is private property. A line that looks abandoned may still be owned by a railroad, used to store rail cars, or put back into service at any time — sometimes with no warning. Before going near any track, make sure it's truly abandoned (no recent use, rails not polished, no signals or cars stored on it) and that you're allowed to be there. Never assume a track is dead.
📷 Photos & stories from riders
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