San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite Railroad

The San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite Railroad, operational from 1886 to 1888, was a pioneering route providing the earliest rail access to Yosemite Valley. This short-lived line laid the groundwork for subsequent transportation developments in the region.

Incorporation and Early Operations
The railroad was officially established by the Southern Pacific Company on February 15, 1886. It spanned a 21 mi stretch from Berenda to Raymond, California. On May 14, 1888, the San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite Railroad merged into the Southern Pacific Railroad. During its time, the line was an essential component of the Southern Pacific's expanding network, enhancing access to California's interior.

Route to Yosemite
The railroad offered an innovative travel option for visitors to Yosemite, connecting with stagecoaches at Raymond for the 60 mi onward journey to the park. From 1887, this service allowed for an integrated travel experience from major cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, combining rail and stagecoach travel to reach Yosemite Valley.

Decline and abandonment
The introduction of the more direct Yosemite Valley Railroad in 1907 made the San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite obsolete. Despite the construction of a 2.3-mile spur from Knowles Junction to Knowles in 1890, the envisioned 20 mi extension to Yosemite never came to fruition. By 1942, the track east of Daulton was abandoned, followed by the section between Berenda and Daulton in 1956.

The final years saw the line's reduction to freight service for the Raymond granite quarry and small farms along the route, leading to its complete abandonment and dismantlement by 1956. A notable end to the line's history was marked by a railfan excursion organized by the California-Nevada Railroad Historical Society on March 27, 1955, celebrating the once vital route to Yosemite's wonders.