Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources

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Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources
Locale California
Dates of operation 1998 – Present
Track gauge 3 ft (914 mm)
Length 1 mile
Headquarters Fremont

The Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of railroad artifacts created by the Carter Brothers of California. The society operates a demonstration railroad at Ardenwood State Park in Fremont, California.

Carter Brothers

The Carter Brothers began repairing railroad equipment in 1874, mainly rebuilding wooden cars for the South Pacific Coast Railroad (the original SPCRR). The Carter Brother's business lasted until 1902 during which time they built over 5,000 railroad cars mainly for narrow gauge lines.

Ardenwood Park

Antelope and Western Railroad Porter No. 1 at the SPCRR 2005 RailFair

The society's headquarters are in Ardenwood State Park, Fremont, California. A one mile-long track is laid along three sides of the park and the society's collection of Carter Brother's rolling stock is kept here. For most of the year passenger trains are hauled by two Belgian draft horses. Once a year, the society holds a RailFair at which trains are usually hauled by a loaned steam locomotive for the weekend.

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