For over fifteen years, a dedicated vision has been taking shape on Mt. Tamalpais, a testament to the region’s unique railway heritage. This ambitious project, navigating various challenges and fueled by passionate fundraising, aims to properly acknowledge the significant place of the singular Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway in Mill Valley history. While still a work in progress, the heart of this commemorative endeavor lies in the concept of a Car Barn, envisioned to house a piece of railway history for generations to come.
Randy Hogue, a Mt. Tamalpais State Park Ranger since the early 1970s, was the initial driving force behind this project. As early as the late 1980s, Hogue began his quest to secure funding for a locomotive – specifically a Heisler or Shay, types used by the historic railway. His original intention was to place this locomotive as a prominent display near the summit of Mt. Tamalpais, allowing visitors to connect with the mountain’s railway past. By 1992, the first major milestone was achieved: Mt. Tamalpais State Park was awarded a $25,000 grant from the State Volunteer Enhancement Funds, specifically earmarked for the acquisition of a locomotive.
However, plans are often subject to evolution, and this project was no exception. The initial idea of purchasing a full-scale locomotive shifted towards a more focused and, arguably, more symbolic approach. It was decided that the grant funds would be used to construct a replica of a gravity car. These gravity cars were iconic to the Mt. Tamalpais Railway, which uniquely utilized gravity for downhill runs. The replica was initially intended as a centerpiece for the Railway’s centennial celebration in 1996, with temporary tracks laid on the East Peak of Mt. Tamalpais for the event. The long-term vision, however, was grander: to build a permanent Gravity Car Barn and Museum on East Peak. This car barn would serve as a dedicated space to protect and exhibit the gravity car replica, ensuring its longevity and accessibility for the public. In late 1995, the State officially approved this multi-stage initiative, aptly named the East Peak Railroad Project, solidifying the commitment to honor the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway.
To bring the gravity car replica to life, Hogue approached Jerry Coe, a skilled metalsmith based in Berkeley. Coe recognized the significant undertaking, estimating the project’s value at $80,000 at standard rates. However, the challenge, coupled with the modest $25,000 budget, proved irresistible. Coe later reflected on his decision, highlighting the unique nature of the project, its benefit to a vital state park, and Randy Hogue’s infectious enthusiasm. As Coe noted in his detailed account, “Downward Bound: Or, How I Built the Gravity Car for Mt. Tamalpais,” available on his website, the collaboration with Hogue not only advanced the project but also forged a lasting friendship.
In December 1995, tangible progress was made on East Peak. Hogue, together with volunteers from the Mill Valley Boy Scouts, laid sixty feet of standard gauge track near the Plank Trail, a popular path leading to the mountain’s summit and the fire lookout tower. These tracks remain visible today, offering hikers a glimpse into the railway history as they approach the highest point of Mt. Tamalpais. The gravity car replica, the future centerpiece of the car barn exhibit, was completed just days before August 18th, 1996. This date marked the centennial anniversary of the “last spike” ceremony, a pivotal moment in the Railway’s construction. Coe recounted the final stages: “The gravity car was carried to the summit of Mt. Tam by a vehicle with a hydraulically articulated flatbed that allowed for safe loading of the 3,000-pound gravity car without a forklift in under ten minutes.” Tragically, Randy Hogue, the driving force behind the car barn vision and the East Peak Railroad Project, passed away just months before the centennial celebration. Despite this loss, his dream of commemorating the railway and establishing a car barn to house its legacy continues to inspire and guide the ongoing efforts on Mt. Tamalpais.
