| The Gregarious Railfan |
Dunsmuir, CA, 96025 (population, 1,583 )
GPS: N 41.21127, W 122.27052 (Amtrak Station) Google map
Scanner: UP 161.310 [80] (Valley Sub); 160.785 [45] (Black Butte Sub)
Railroads: Union Pacific Sacramento Division, Valley Sub; Union Pacific Oregon Division, Black Butte Sub
Description: Dunsmuir is a city in Siskiyou County, California, and the gateway to scenic Northern California. The
official city slogan is "Home of the best water on Earth" so named because nearby Mount Shasta’s lava layers filter
the city’s water eliminating the need for additional treatment. Dunsmuir is a crew change point on UPs historic Shasta
route. The restored UP crew quarters now serves as the Amtrak Station, the northernmost Amtrak Station in the
state.
The Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Historical Society opened a display area in the station adjacent to the waiting room and
once a month showcases photographs, railroad memorabilia and equipment. The society also participates in the annual
Dunsmuir Railroad Days, held each July at the station. In fall 2012, the depot museum became home to the Southern
Pacific (SP) Shasta Division archives, which includes maps, historic photographs, drawings and other memorabilia. The
documents chart development along the former SP rail line in northern California and southern Oregon. When the
railroad closed its Dunsmuir engineering office in the early 1990s, much of the material was slated for the trash.
Fortunately, local railroad historians convinced the company to donate the items and create the independent archives.
Approximate # of trains in 24 hours: 18 (majority (10) at night)
Nearby RR stuff: A small yard with an operating turntable is right across the tracks east of the station. A large
mural depicting an SP diesel and Daylight steam locomotive adorns the fuel tank in the yard. The Railroad Park
Resort (N 41.18329, W 122.28989) (see below) boasts 22 restored cabooses converted for tourist lodging.
Local Breakfast: Penny’s Diner, 4000 Siskiyou Ave (in the parking lot of the Oak Tree Inn) N 41.23538, W
122.26790; Cornerstone Bakery & Café, 5759 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.21115, W 122.27190
Fast Food: Burger Barn, 5942 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.20912, W 122.27313
Pub and Grub: The Dinner House & Lounge at The Railroad Park Resort $$ (seasonal) N 41.18329, W 122.28989;
Spirits Bar & Lounge, 5827 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.21044, W 122.27227
Lodging: The Railroad Park Resort About 2 miles s. of Dunsmuir, off Exit 728 on I-5; N 41.18329, W 122.28989
www.rrpark.com/ ; Dunsmuir Inn & Suites, 5400 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.21531, W 122.27223
More Food and lodging offerings 7 miles north in Mount Shasta.
Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce
Dunsmuir Depot
GPS: N 41.21127, W 122.27052 (Amtrak Station) Google map
Scanner: UP 161.310 [80] (Valley Sub); 160.785 [45] (Black Butte Sub)
Railroads: Union Pacific Sacramento Division, Valley Sub; Union Pacific Oregon Division, Black Butte Sub
Description: Dunsmuir is a city in Siskiyou County, California, and the gateway to scenic Northern California. The
official city slogan is "Home of the best water on Earth" so named because nearby Mount Shasta’s lava layers filter
the city’s water eliminating the need for additional treatment. Dunsmuir is a crew change point on UPs historic Shasta
route. The restored UP crew quarters now serves as the Amtrak Station, the northernmost Amtrak Station in the
state.
The Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Historical Society opened a display area in the station adjacent to the waiting room and
once a month showcases photographs, railroad memorabilia and equipment. The society also participates in the annual
Dunsmuir Railroad Days, held each July at the station. In fall 2012, the depot museum became home to the Southern
Pacific (SP) Shasta Division archives, which includes maps, historic photographs, drawings and other memorabilia. The
documents chart development along the former SP rail line in northern California and southern Oregon. When the
railroad closed its Dunsmuir engineering office in the early 1990s, much of the material was slated for the trash.
Fortunately, local railroad historians convinced the company to donate the items and create the independent archives.
Approximate # of trains in 24 hours: 18 (majority (10) at night)
Nearby RR stuff: A small yard with an operating turntable is right across the tracks east of the station. A large
mural depicting an SP diesel and Daylight steam locomotive adorns the fuel tank in the yard. The Railroad Park
Resort (N 41.18329, W 122.28989) (see below) boasts 22 restored cabooses converted for tourist lodging.
Local Breakfast: Penny’s Diner, 4000 Siskiyou Ave (in the parking lot of the Oak Tree Inn) N 41.23538, W
122.26790; Cornerstone Bakery & Café, 5759 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.21115, W 122.27190
Fast Food: Burger Barn, 5942 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.20912, W 122.27313
Pub and Grub: The Dinner House & Lounge at The Railroad Park Resort $$ (seasonal) N 41.18329, W 122.28989;
Spirits Bar & Lounge, 5827 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.21044, W 122.27227
Lodging: The Railroad Park Resort About 2 miles s. of Dunsmuir, off Exit 728 on I-5; N 41.18329, W 122.28989
www.rrpark.com/ ; Dunsmuir Inn & Suites, 5400 Dunsmuir Ave, N 41.21531, W 122.27223
More Food and lodging offerings 7 miles north in Mount Shasta.
Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce
Dunsmuir Depot
