Arcata & Mad River as NG

The A&MR was originally built to the odd gauge of 3' 9-1/4" and was one of the very first railroads built in California. Construction started on the Union Wharf and Plank Walk Co. in 1854. According to Hilton, the gauge was determined by measuring the first available set of wheels. By 1855, the line had 2 miles of wooden railed horse-tram. The first steam engine arrived around 1875 and the rails began to get iron strap facing.
The name changed to the Arcata Transportation Company in 1878. By 1880, the tracks extended 4 miles from Arcata and the road was renamed the Arcata and Mad River. The California & Northern, a forerunner of the NWP, arrived in 1901, while the NWP itself was completed in 1914, connecting the A&MR to the outside rail world.
Three rail trackage came in 1925, along with the start of conversion on the private lumber trackage connecting with the A&MR, as well as conversion of some steam engines. However, the line did not complete standard gauging until 1933.
It is interesting to note that the line has seen mainline trackage torn out or put out of service several times only to be returned to service years later. Perhaps there is still hope that the A&MR may see trains again, especially is a couple of mills are still active.
A&MR 7, a 50-ton 2-truck Shay built in 1918 (Lima c/n 3014), is the only steam engine that appears to survive and it was an SG engine. It was built for Lamson Logging in Washington and purchased second-hand by A&MR in 1942. The 7 was donated to city of Arcata in 1956. In 1970 it was returned to service on A&MR for tourist service until 1973. Today, it is owned by the Timber Heritage Association.