Omni Publications

This 2018 reprint contains 16 more pages of text and photographs including Jawbone construction data and information on Southern Pacific narrow gauge locomotive #18, and additional information on the railroads herein. The story of California railroading in Owens Valley and Inyo County and the upper Mojave Desert.

This book begins with the history of Southern Pacific's standard-gauge Owenyo Branch (Mojave to Owenyo), built in conjunction with the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1908. The aqueduct was necessary to bring water to the growing Los Angeles urban area. This branch line was later known as the Lone Pine Branch and more affectionately as The Jawbone.

Also included are construction and operation material on the Trona Railway, the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) short line at China Lake, California and the beloved narrow gauge railroad between Laws and Keeler, the southern portion of the old Carson & Colorado Railroad. Contains many old B&W photographs with some Color, timetables and station plats.

Contents:

• Foreword-Acknowledgements, pp. 7–10
• Los Angeles Aqueduct, pp. 11–16
• The Owenyo Branch: Mohave to Owenyo, pp. 17–33
• Stations Along the Route, pp. 34–74
• Trona Railway Co.: The Brine Line, pp. 75–94
• N.O.T.S. Railroad: China Lake, pp. 95–100
• Behold the Slim Princess, pp. 101–119
• Bibliography and Index, pp. 120–128.Addendum: 2018, additional photographs, some correspondence, data, pp. 129–144. Omni Publications, hardcover, 144 pages, standard portrait book 8 x 10 in
• B&W plus 10 pages of Color photographs. Features: New Hardcover Philip C. Serpico Omni Publications

Omni Publications, hardcover with color jacket, 296 pages, 8.5 x 11 x.75 in., over 500 B&W and Color photographs and illustrations.

An historical account of the iconic T&T (1907-1940), the epitome of desert railroading. This line was originally built by Francis Marion Smith of the famed Twenty Mule Team operations to haul his wealth of borax from the depths of Death Valley, California.

It also served as a connecting line to the gold and silver mines of southern Nevada and in later times thrived as a shipper of talc and clay. Included in this title is information about other Death Valley railroads including the 'baby gauge' railroads at Ryan, as well as the Bullfrog Goldfield; Las Vegas & Tonopah; Tecopa, Borate & Dagget; and the Ludlow & Southern.

Within the 296 pages are nearly 500 B&W photographs and illustrations, timetables and maps. 60 color pages of ephemera and a comprehensive locomotive, rolling stock and station name roster.

Contents:

• Foreword and Acknowledgements, pp. 7–8
• Smith, Borax and Friends, pp. 9–26
• The Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad, pp. 27–196
• A Tale of Two Ryans, pp. 197–249
• Appendix, pp. 250–285
• Bibliography, pp. 286–288
• Index, pp. 289–296. This would make a very interesting model railroad. Printed on high-quality paper stock.

A reprint of the 1939 original book. Paperback, 56 pages, 8.5 x 11 in., color cover and B&W images. The author revisits the bustling life of the Bullfrog Mining District with stories and memories of the fast and furious times of Rhyolite. A look at selected people, businesses, schools, railroad transportation and more history.

Omni Publications, hardcover, 160 pages.

An historical account of the rise and demise of the Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad which lasted from 1905 to 1919. The railroad served the gold and silver mining districts of southern Nevada including Tonopah, Goldfield, Bullfrog and Rhyolite.

Leading the company was one-time US Senator, William Andrews Clark, and his brother James Ross. William Clark was the key to the development of Las Vegas, Nevada and Clark County, Nevada and Clarkdale, Arizona are named after him.

Included is related information on other companies Las Vegas Ranch, Las Vegas Land and Water Company and the Tonopah & Goldfield (with connections to the Virginia & Truckee and Carson & Colorado) and the Bullfrog, Goldfield and Tonopah & Tidewater railroads.

Inside are nearly 225 black & white photographs and illustrations, timetables and maps plus 40 color images of artifacts, ephemera and maps. Also included are comprehensive locomotive, rolling stock and station name material.

Contents:

• Nevada Mining and Railroads, pp. 5–16
• The Clark Brothers, pp. 17–38
• Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad, pp. 39–128
• Appendix (color photographs, shops, distance tables, locomotive and rolling stock rosters), pp. 129–155
• Bibliography and Index, pp. 156–160.

Softcover, 5.5 x 8.5 x.25 in., 112 pages, B&W photographs and illustrations.

Here we have the story of the Los Angeles & San Pedro Railroad and its founder Phineas Banning. The book is well written and historically researched. This company was acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876 as part of the agreement that the same would build from San Francisco to Los Angeles, literally putting the latter on the map.

This trackage remains in use today for freight trains to and from Los Angeles Harbor.

Contents:

• New
• Softcover
• John W. Robinson
• Omni Publications
• 1977 reprint

An informative biography of the man and the company, his Santa Fe railroad relations and his encouragement of Southwest Indian crafts. This enlarged edition includes B&W photographs and illustrations of Harvey Houses and Girls, China, hollowware, menus and recipes, as well as a listing of railroad-related eating facilities operated by the company and when.

One of the best books on this topic!

Contents:

• Birth of a Businessman, pp. 1–8
• Fred Harvey: Entrepreneur Extraordinary, pp. 9–19
• The Harvey House and the West, pp. 20–27
• Indians
• Architecture
• Etcetera, pp. 28–34
• The Later Fred Harvey System, pp. 35–39
• Fred Harvey Hotels
• Eating Houses and New Stands, pp. 40–43
• The First Contract Between the Santa Fe Railway and Fred Harvey, pg. 44
• The Second Contract Between the Santa Fe Railway and Fred Harvey, pg. 45
• Fred Harvey's Surprise Visit: September 11, 1881, pp. 46–47
• Seventy-Five Cent Dinner Menu on Westbound Passenger Trains in 1888, pg. 48
• Poetry in Praise of the Harvey Girl, pp. 49–50
• From the Docket: The Coat Rule Controversy, pg. 51-52
• Elbert Hubbard's Eulogy on Fred Harvey, pp. 53–54
• Letters Concerning the Condition of Mules at the Grand Canyon, pp. 55–56
• References
• Index, pp. 57–63. Omni Publications, softcover, 88 pages, 6 x 9 x .25 in
• B&W photographs and illustrations. Features: New Softcover James David Henderson Omni Publications

This follow-up to their informative work on Santa Fes Los Angeles Division covers the structures between Barstow and San Francisco, California. Features: New Hardcover Lee Gustafson and Phil Serpico Omni Publications

Omni Publications, hardcover, 112 pages, 8.

5 x 11 x .5 in., more than 150 B&W photographs and illustrations including maps, railroad timetables and station plats. A Road to Riches: The Randsburg Railway Company and Mining District by Philip C. Serpico about an historic epic of California desert railroading and operations in the Rand Mining District from 1897 to 1934 which was built from Kramer to Johannesburg, California by private interests to serve the rich mining district.

Read about the discovery of gold on Rand Mountain, the immense tungsten deposits at Atolia, and the rich silver find at Red Mountain. Also included is material on the various stamp mills serving the area. This is a wonderful reference addition to any library on California desert mining and railroading.

Contents:

• Introduction, pp 6-10
• Ch. 1: The Gold in 'em Hills, pp. 11–21
• Ch. 2: Randsburg Railway Company, pp. 21–56
• Ch. 3: Tungsten and Atolia, pp. 57–74
• Ch. 4: The Great Silver Strike, pp. 75–82
• Ch. 5: Decline and Depression, pp. 83–88
• Ch. 6: Epilogue, pp. 89–112. Features: New Hardcover Philip C. Serpico Omni Publications