Re: Time Rolls Back On The Sumpter Valley Ry

Hi Jim,

Regarding ski trains, Winifred Oesterling (who served as a Sumpter Valley office clerk in the late '30's) related to me that she went on several ski trains in the 1936-37 time-frame. If I remember correctly, she wasn't sure if it was the regular train that took them up or if it was a special, but she did remember that they were taken to Whitney and set on a siding. From there they climbed the nearest hill and skied down. She said that after two or three trips most of the fun went out of it. Once that point was reached, they could retire to one of the cars where there was coffee and hot-cocoa, along with a well-stoked potbellied stove. Evidently once the car was full of wet skiers trying to warm up next to the hot stove, the car resembled a steam room.

I have also heard rumors that a somewhat dubious ski-lift once existed somewhere near the present Mason Dam site.

At any rate, thank you both Martin and Bret for posting the great pictures.