Author Description

Hank Johnston's Railroads of the Yosemite Valley chronicles the history of the rail lines that once brought visitors and commerce to one of America's most breathtaking landscapes. Focusing on the Yosemite Valley Railroad, which operated from 1905 to 1945, the book explores how this vital transportation link shaped tourism, industry, and daily life in the region. Johnston delves into the railroad's construction, its picturesque route along the Merced River, and the challenges of operating in rugged terrain. He examines the competition and collaboration with stagecoaches, the impact of economic fluctuations, and the eventual decline of rail service to Yosemite. Richly illustrated with rare photographs, maps, and technical drawings, the book offers a detailed account of the locomotives, rolling stock, and the people who kept the line running. Beyond the rails, Railroads of the Yosemite Valley captures the romance of early Yosemite travel, from the luxurious Pullman cars carrying tourists to the freight trains that supplied remote communities. Johnston's meticulous research and engaging narrative bring to life an era when steam engines echoed through the Sierra Nevada, leaving an enduring legacy on the national park's history. An essential read for railroad enthusiasts, historians, and lovers of Yosemite, this book preserves the story of a vanished but influential chapter in American railroading.