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I’m not sure what makes railroads and trains such a romantic part of American History.  It could be because the train left from cities to an unknown place with boundless possibilities and for some, a new begininnig. Many people argue that the sound the wheels and haunting whistle add to the romanticism by adding to the mystery of the unknown. 

The truth is that trains were and intrigual part of the move to and population the West.  Besides bringing people and their belongings trains were the single most important aspect of industrilization.  Moving more equipment and workers to necessary outposts than ever before.  National parks in the United States found the railroad just as important and vice versa. 

The process of park development was shaped by needs of the railroads–from acquiring investors to selling mass-market tourism, they modified their advertising strategies to win the patronage of new passengers with the promise of fulfilling their expectations of the West in “America’s playgrounds.”

Yosemite National Park honors this heritage with The Logger.  Now celebating its 40th year the Vintage Shay locomotives provide the motive power for the one hour narrated excursion over tracks once used for logging trains at the turn of the century. You will ride into history wher powerful locomotie once hauled massivve log trains through the Sierra mountain and lumberjacks feelled the timber.  The Sierra National Forest’s majestic woods provide the back drop for this narrow gauge journey back in time. 

Schedules and prices can be found at the Yosemite Visitors Centers.  The station is located next to the Narrow Gauge Inn.