 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2017) |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Willows - Fruto, California |
| Dates of operation | 1884–1888 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The West Side and Mendocino Railroad is a defunct railroad that operated in California.
The WS&M had a 16.84 mile route that ran west from Willows, California to Fruto, California. It began officially operating on July 1, 1888, however special excursion trains were being chartered by San Francisco real estate developer Eastin Eldridge & Company in order to bring prospective buyers to Fruto and develop the area. Fruto existed as a postal location from 1888 - 1953. Fruto today is a Willows postal location.
There was a depot at Fruto. The stationmaster lived at the depot. The depot was destroyed by fire in the 1950s. The end of the line at Fruto also had a water tower, freight storage area, livestock loading area, and a roundhouse. In the branch's early days there were two trains that ran the line; one freight and one passenger. The passenger train originated at Fruto and ran to Willows in the morning. It returned to Fruto in the afternoon. The freight train originated at Willows in the morning and returned to Willows in the afternoon.
During World War I and II the line hauled chromite ore to Bay Area smelters.