19th Century – Free Model Railroad Plans

California Southern Transcontinental Terminus Depot Plans Added

California Southern transcontinental terminus depot west elevation plan National City California

The California Southern Railroad’s depot in National City, California is the last transcontinental terminus depot in the United States at its original location and in its original condition. The Italiante-style depot was built in 1882, the fruition of more than 10 years work to secure a transcontinental railroad link for the San Diego Bay region, and marked an end to the monopoly of the Southern Pacific Railroad in California. The depot is currently operated as a museum by the San Diego Electric Railway Association.

The Historic American Buildings Survey of this building was completed before the depot was renovated to its original state in 1998. The plans we’ve published from the survey include a site plan, four exterior elevations, first and second floor plans, roof plans, a section plan and two detail plans.

Other Features at Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops

To wrap up our deep dive into Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops, we’re posting some items that we have pictures of, but no plans: The privy, the water tower, the turntable, and the pitless transfer table.

Southern Pacific Sacramento Shops Planing Mill Plans Added

One of the earliest of the remaining buildings, the Southern Pacific Sacramento Shops Planing Mill was built beginning in 1867 and was in use by 1869. The masonry structure was 231 feet by 90 feet with an additional wing, built of local materials, on a foundation of brick and stone rubble, oriented east to west. Round-arched windows with corbels dominated the exterior walls between load-bearing pilasters. The ground floor of the east side had double pilasters to provide openings for four large doors to allow cars to enter and exit. Check out the page full of plans and photos.

Southern Pacific Sacramento Shops Blacksmith Shop Plans Added

Blacksmith shop, north end, looking south. Photo by Jet Lowe.

Originally built in 1869, the blacksmith shop was 60 by 150 feet in size. Within a year, the blacksmith shop was enlarged by adding a 167 by 90 foot addition. Housing everything surrounding the forging of wrought iron, by 1880, there were 50 forges, two furnaces, and a trip hammer and other metal-shaping machinery in operation in the blacksmith shop. Check out our page with a historical overview, six detailed photos and five delineated plans.

Southern Pacific Sacramento Shops Boiler Shop Plans and Photos Added

Up next in our deep dive into the Southern Pacific Sacramento Shops is the Boiler Shop. During the steam era, railroad back shops revolved around the erecting shops and boiler shops, and the Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops were no different. Check out the five pages of plans and 12 photos of the boiler shop, which is now the restoration shop for the California State Railroad Museum.

Southern Pacific Sacramento Shops Erecting and Machine Shop Plans Added

Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops were centered around the erecting and machine shop, where heavy locomotive maintenance was performed. The facility housed craftsmen who were experts in every step of overhauling and retrofitting the railroad’s equipment. Our page takes a deep dive into the erecting and machine shop with many photos, plans, and a historical narrative.