THE SIERRA WESTERN
& SANTA FE RR

LOS MOLINOS

• Los Molinos is a small rural community surrounded by farming and grazing. Most of the half dozen trackside industries located here support the agricultural needs of the area
• A Santa Fe standard design #2-A depot is located on the siding adjacent to the south mainline track. Los Molinos was eliminated as a station stop in 1963 and the depot is now being used by maintenance crews and for equipment storage
• Entering town from the south, the double-track mainline separates to make room for a short passing siding located between the south and north mainline tracks opposite the depot. This passing siding is occasionally used to spot cars interchanging with the Massi branch. It will hold fourteen 40ft cars. Prior to 1963 this center siding was used primarily to allow northbound passenger trains closer access to the depot when these trains still stopped here, and permitted southbound freight trains to go around southbound passenger trains stopped at the station
• A double ended siding is located in front of the depot. Two industrial spurs connect to the siding, one at either end of the depot platform, and extend parallel to the mainline. 3 industries are served by these two spur tracks
• The property across the tracks from the depot is owned by the Lonestar Cement Company, the largest industry in Los Molinos, and the largest source of traffic for the Santa Fe between Chico and Redding. A double-ended siding parallels the north main and is used to spot cement hoppers. This siding holds fifteen 32ft cement cars. A spur track extends from the south end of this siding and heads northeast then splits into two tracks serving the plant. A chainlink fence surrounds the property, including the siding
• At the north end of town the double-track mainline from the south ends and the single-track mainline northwards to Redding begins. The junction with the Massi branch, which splits towards the east and and heads towards the foothills, is also located at the north end of town prior to the end of double track
• A spur track extends north from the east side of the branchline track north of the turnout from the mainline. It serves as the town's team track