March 14, 2006 > All aboard for volunteers!

by Barbara Culp

The Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources (SPCRR) will hold an open house for New Volunteer Membership at Ardenwood Historic Farm, on Saturday, March 18. Our group has an immediate need for active members in equestrian operations, railroad operations, railroad maintenance-of-way, new rail and building construction, interpretive opportunities, and event operations. No experience is necessary, just the willingness to be part of a dedicated group of people interested in preserving and interpreting a significant piece of early 19th century history.

SPCRR, a nonprofit, 501c organization, restores and operates railroad equipment from the 19th century era in which historic narrow gauge lines in California thrived. Our collection contains 13 cars from the 1870s and 1880s. The Carter Brothers (a railway car manufacturer that operated in Newark) built most of the cars in our collection. In addition, the SPCRR maintains and operates a mile of track, recreating the historic Centerville Branch once owned and operated by the South Pacific Coast Railroad. The Centerville Branch was truly unique, even among early narrow gauge railroads because it routinely hauled full-size narrow gauge cars behind horses between Centerville and Newark, just three miles apart.

Come to Ardenwood Historic Farm on March 18 or any second Saturday of the month to see what our organization is about. Meet us by the Front Station or the Museum Car in the train yard, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

SPCRR'S museum and collections are located at Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont, at the intersection of the Dumbarton Bridge Freeway (I-84) and Ardenwood Blvd. Parking is onsite and free.