Riding the Rails

Marin’s Historic Trains
Before bridges and highways connected Marin County to the rest
of the Bay Area, railroads were the center of transportation in
Marin. Beginning with the first railroad line in 1869, trains offered
a fast, efficient and dependable form of transportation for over a
century. As the railroads prospered, so did Marin’s industries. Trains
provided access in and out of the county delivering local products to a
variety of markets. Electric interurbans hustled commuters from the
Sausalito ferry terminal to depots throughout southern and central
Marin. Steam trains carried tourists to the top of Mt. Tamalpais
and to Marin’s luxury hotels and rustic campgrounds.

The Northwestern Pacific Railroad
In 1907 the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe formed the
Northwestern Pacific Railroad (NWP) by consolidating several
existing lines. This merger allowed the network of railroads
throughout northern California to operate under one company.
The newly formed NWP provided a main line route connecting
Sausalito to Eureka, dominating rail traffic between northern
California and Marin until the end of service in the 1970s.
This exhibition presents the history of the NWP and its
predecessors, and celebrates the centennial of the Northwestern
Pacific’s presence in Marin and the important contributions the
railroad made in Marin’s development.