.svg) Oregon and California Railroad (red) and Southern Pacific system (orange) as of 1918 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Portland, Oregon via California |
| Dates of operation | 1869–1927 |
| Successor | Southern Pacific |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Oregon and California Railroad was formed from the Oregon Central Railroad when it was the first to operate a 20-mile (32 km) stretch south of Portland in 1869. This qualified the railroad for land grants in California, whereupon the name of the railroad soon changed to Oregon & California Rail Road Company.[1] In 1887, the line was completed over Siskiyou Summit, and the Southern Pacific Railroad assumed control of the railroad, although it was not officially sold to Southern Pacific until January 3, 1927. This route was eventually spun off from the Southern Pacific as the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad.
- ^ The Oregon and California railway. Faxon D.Atherton, a well known capitalist from San Francisco. London Daily News , January 18. 1871.