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The Randsburg Railway was a 28.5-mile (45.9 km) branch line railroad in California's Mojave Desert. It originated at the main line of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad (AT&SF) at Kramer Junction, California, and terminated at Johannesburg, California, with a stop at Atolia. The Railway served as a supply link to the Rand Mine, which produced more silver than any mine in California. The Rand mine closed in 1929, as it was no longer profitable.

The line was completed on January 5, 1898, and began operation on January 17, 1898. The railway was acquired by the AT&SF in 1903. During its 35-year history, the Randsburg Railway served a number of local mining operations; it also provided passenger service.

The Randsburg Railway ceased operations on December 30, 1933, a victim of the Great Depression and a decline in the mining industry. The rails were removed the following year. Portions of the grade are still visible along U.S. Route 395 between Kramer and Johannesburg.

See also

• Trona Railway
• Calico and Odessa Railroad
• Death Valley Railroad

References

1. Bakersfield Daily Californian December 22, 1896
2. "Randsburg Railway". randdesertmuseum.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020.

External links

• Randsburg/Johannesburg Railroad
• "Randsburg Railway History". Archived from the original on June 1, 2008.

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• Defunct California railroads
• History of the Mojave Desert region
• Predecessors of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
• Railway companies established in 1897
• Railway companies disestablished in 1911
• Mining in California
• History of Kern County, California
• United States rail transportation stubs
• California transportation stubs