Re: Urban Legends .

I had a personal experience last weekend with a rumor that could have gotten out of control if wiser heads had not prevailed. Larry Brickell and I decided on Saturday to go exploring for the McKay Lumber Co. above Angel's Camp, CA to confirm whether or not they had a railroad as shown on the map in Dorothy Newell Dean's Sierra Railway Book.
We managed to find the area of the McKay lumber mill. After talking to three locals we were told that a railroad had been built there and had three branches totaling over a mile in trackage. We were told by two of the parties that a locomotive had been used. One of them said the locomotive in question was on display in Angel's Camp.
Larry and I did find concrete evidence of a railroad in the form of 20 lb rail and small pieces of metal. After checking at the Logging Museum in Arnold we found that the railroad was a mule drawn affair that was used from 1886 to 1906. An interesting story but probably the basis for many of the "lost locomotive tales". Incidentally a steam traction engine IS on display in Angel's Camp and is the one used in conjuction with the railroad.
If nothing else it was a fun day of exploring and we actually learned of a living decendant of this operation who has a multitude of photos of this little known tram line. Time to schedule another road trip...