North Shore 1725
Item
Dublin Core
Title
North Shore 1725
Subject
North Shore 1725
Format
Railcar
Railcar Item Type Metadata
Location
SPCRR Carbarn/Yard
Objectives
Restore to 1910s condition with SPC/North Shore style excursion car body
Physical Dimensions
28' Length
Builder / Manufacturer
Carter Brothers
Build Date
1888-1890
Ownership / Custodial History
Built as South Pacific Coast XX
1888
Sold to North Shore RR
1906 or 1907
Converted to Northwestern Pacific 5499
1908
Acquired by United Commercial Co
1930
Sold to Westside Lumber Co
1930
Sold to West Side & Cherry Valley Railway
1968
Entire WS&CV sold to Henley Management
1982(?)
Sold to SPCRR
September 13, 1985
1888
Sold to North Shore RR
1906 or 1907
Converted to Northwestern Pacific 5499
1908
Acquired by United Commercial Co
1930
Sold to Westside Lumber Co
1930
Sold to West Side & Cherry Valley Railway
1968
Entire WS&CV sold to Henley Management
1982(?)
Sold to SPCRR
September 13, 1985
Road Number
North Shore 1725
Historical Road Numbers
SPC 581-869 odd possible
(1888)
North Shore 1725
(190X)
NWP 5499
(1908)
WSLCo 56
(19XX)
WSLCo 8
(19XX)
NS 1725
(1989)
(1888)
North Shore 1725
(190X)
NWP 5499
(1908)
WSLCo 56
(19XX)
WSLCo 8
(19XX)
NS 1725
(1989)
Car Type
Flat Car
Weight
15 ton
Dimensions
28'
Restoration History
Converted to bunkhouse by WSLCo in 19XX. "A" end damaged in an accident; car rebuilt by WSLCo. at an unknown date with modified trucks, parts and link and pin couplers. Restored as North Shore # 1725 by SPCRR volunteers 1987 to 1989 . SPCRR's second passenger carrying car, ADA compatible, in 1989. Refurbished 2024-202X
Date Acquired
1985
Restoration / Conservation Notes
Equiped with temporary NS/NWP style picnic car sides, roof and benches.
Status
Under Restoration
Online Description
This 28-foot, 15-ton, 36-inch gauge flatcar was constructed by Carter Brothers circa 1888-1890 as a South Pacific Coast Railroad flatcar. The exact SPC number is unknown, but the car came from a series numbered 581 to 869 (odd numbers only), indicating late 1880s construction during the SPC's equipment expansion period.
The car was sold to the North Shore Railroad in 1906 or 1907 as that Marin County system expanded its freight operations. It was substantially rebuilt at the North Shore RR's Sausalito, California shop and numbered as N.S. #1725. When the North Shore merged into the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in 1908, it became NWP #5499 and was rebuilt approximately 1908 with new frame members and safety appliances to meet updated railroad standards.
The car was retired on May 19, 1930, which was the last day of NWP narrow gauge operations. The entire NWP narrow gauge system was acquired by United Commercial Company for scrapping in 1930. However, UCCo sold this car to West Side Lumber Company in 1930, giving it a second career in the logging railroads of Tuolumne, California.
West Side Lumber Company modified the car extensively for various uses. A body was built on top of the flatcar for use as a bunk car in 19*X*, and it was numbered WSLCo #56. It was later rebuilt as a tool car in 19*X* and renumbered WSLCo #8. The ""A"" end was damaged in an accident; the car was rebuilt by WSLCo at an unknown date with modified trucks, parts, and link and pin couplers, demonstrating the resourceful reuse of available components typical of industrial logging operations.
West Side Lumber Company ceased railroad logging operations on October 28, 1960. The car passed to the West Side & Cherry Valley Railway from 1968 to 1975 (not used), then to a private owner from February 19, 1976 to 198*X* (not used). The entire WS&CV was sold to Henley Management in [1982], later becoming Quality Resorts of America (Westside Resort) in 19*X* (car still not used).
SPCRR purchased the car on September 13, 1985 for $3,000.00, with funding provided by the East Bay Regional Park District specifically to provide an additional passenger-carrying car for the museum's operations. The car was moved to Ardenwood in October 1985. SPCRR volunteers undertook restoration from 1987 to 1989, returning the car to its North Shore #1725 identity. It was equipped with temporary NS/NWP-style picnic car sides, roof and benches, becoming SPCRR's second passenger carrying car in 1989 and notably being ADA compatible.
The car is currently being refurbished (2024-2025) to continue its passenger service and investigate more of the SPC and Carter Brother's origins. At 137 years old, it represents one of the oldest operational narrow gauge cars in California and documents the remarkable longevity possible with proper maintenance and volunteer preservation work - having served passenger, freight, bunk car, tool car, and historical operations across four different railroad systems.
* Unknown date information, closest confident date range used.
[] Needs further research or citation
The car was sold to the North Shore Railroad in 1906 or 1907 as that Marin County system expanded its freight operations. It was substantially rebuilt at the North Shore RR's Sausalito, California shop and numbered as N.S. #1725. When the North Shore merged into the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in 1908, it became NWP #5499 and was rebuilt approximately 1908 with new frame members and safety appliances to meet updated railroad standards.
The car was retired on May 19, 1930, which was the last day of NWP narrow gauge operations. The entire NWP narrow gauge system was acquired by United Commercial Company for scrapping in 1930. However, UCCo sold this car to West Side Lumber Company in 1930, giving it a second career in the logging railroads of Tuolumne, California.
West Side Lumber Company modified the car extensively for various uses. A body was built on top of the flatcar for use as a bunk car in 19*X*, and it was numbered WSLCo #56. It was later rebuilt as a tool car in 19*X* and renumbered WSLCo #8. The ""A"" end was damaged in an accident; the car was rebuilt by WSLCo at an unknown date with modified trucks, parts, and link and pin couplers, demonstrating the resourceful reuse of available components typical of industrial logging operations.
West Side Lumber Company ceased railroad logging operations on October 28, 1960. The car passed to the West Side & Cherry Valley Railway from 1968 to 1975 (not used), then to a private owner from February 19, 1976 to 198*X* (not used). The entire WS&CV was sold to Henley Management in [1982], later becoming Quality Resorts of America (Westside Resort) in 19*X* (car still not used).
SPCRR purchased the car on September 13, 1985 for $3,000.00, with funding provided by the East Bay Regional Park District specifically to provide an additional passenger-carrying car for the museum's operations. The car was moved to Ardenwood in October 1985. SPCRR volunteers undertook restoration from 1987 to 1989, returning the car to its North Shore #1725 identity. It was equipped with temporary NS/NWP-style picnic car sides, roof and benches, becoming SPCRR's second passenger carrying car in 1989 and notably being ADA compatible.
The car is currently being refurbished (2024-2025) to continue its passenger service and investigate more of the SPC and Carter Brother's origins. At 137 years old, it represents one of the oldest operational narrow gauge cars in California and documents the remarkable longevity possible with proper maintenance and volunteer preservation work - having served passenger, freight, bunk car, tool car, and historical operations across four different railroad systems.
* Unknown date information, closest confident date range used.
[] Needs further research or citation
Class
Collection
SPC No
Unknown
Carter Brothers?
Yes
Collection
Citation
Carter Brothers
, “North Shore 1725,” The Railroad Museum at Ardenwood, accessed October 1, 2026, http://museum.spcrr.org/items/show/38.
