Mill Valley & Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway
From 1902 to 1929, gravity cars coasted from the top of Mount Tamalpais down to Mill Valley (8 miles) or to Muir Woods National Monument (7 miles), giving passengers the world's longest roller coaster ride on the "Crookedest Railroad in the World". San Francisco visitors could ride a side-wheel steamer to Sausalito, an electric train to Mill Valley and a steam locomotive to Tamalpais Tavern for a meal or room, and then coast on their return to Mill Valley in a gravity car, sometimes by moonlight. Each car carried up to 29 passengers and a brakeman in the right front sear who controlled the speed of descent. These truly unique wooden cars have all perished, but the suspension and wheels are authentic on this replica constructed for the City of Mll Valley in 1990.
Replica Project Team
Project leadership: 1989-90 City Council
Construction plans: Ralph Alexander
Research: Ted Wurm, Al Graves, Bill Provines, Robert Smith
Genuine rail car trucks: Al Graves
Construction materials: Mill Valley Lumber, Goodman Building Supply
Construction crew: Lions Club, Rotary International, Dull Plumbing,City Council members and staff, and countless volunteers
All materials and labor donated
Submitted by @billgraham