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Work begins on historic Boca & Loyalton Railroad restoration

Sierra Sun staff report
Project goals, among others, are to restore the historic Boca & Loyalton Railroad grade as a non-motorized, multiple-use trail for mountain biking, hiking, equestrians and cross-country skiing.
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TRUCKEE, Calif. — The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest and the community of Loyalton, began work this week on converting the historic Boca & Loyalton Railroad grade to a Forest Service system trail for nonmotorized recreation.

According to a news release from stewardship group, the Boca & Loyalton Railroad was said to have had the greatest effect in assisting with the growth of the economy in the Sierra Valley.

The railroad ran for 26 miles from Boca (between Verdi and Truckee on Interstate 80) to Loyalton. It was constructed in 1901 and ran until 1916, hauling timber from the outer reaches of the mountains to the sawmills in Loyalton, which at the time had 5 mills in operation.



According to Sierra Buttes, the project will focus on restoring approximately 8 miles of the historic railroad grade to meet Forest Service specification for a non-motorized, shared-use trail.

Work will include clearing brush from the trail corridor; removing root wads from the tread area; re-constructing damaged sections of tread; and building rock structures and drains to armor the tread and to protect from sedimentation in the nearby Smithneck Creek.



Funding for this project is provided through a grant from Sierra County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).


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