Dunsmuir station


The Dunsmuir station is an Amtrak train station in Dunsmuir, California. It is used by Union Pacific Railroad as a crew change point, but is not staffed by Amtrak. Dunsmuir station is the northernmost passenger rail station in the state of California. The modern station has telephones and restrooms and is maintained by city residents and local rail enthusiasts.
In addition to the passenger waiting room, the building houses the Dunsmuir Museum of the Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Historical Society, which has exhibits on local railroad history. In 2012, the society became home to the Southern Pacific Shasta Division archives.

History

The Central Pacific had constructed their rail line up the Siskiyou Trail by 1886, and the settlement of Pusher was founded near Upper Soda Springs as a town to support rail operations in the area. The first Dunsmuir stop was simply a boxcar located lower on the line further to the south than the current town. In January 1887, the Dunsmuir station was moved to the railroad's engine house while retaining the name, whereupon the town also adopted the moniker.
When Amtrak was formed in 1971 and Southern Pacific Shasta Route services were discontinued, Dunsmuir retained rail service as a stop on the Coast Starlight.