Tahoetopia

Truckee

Blizzard of January 1952 - 100s Trapped on Train

At the start of 1952, a major blizzard shut down Interstate 40 (precursor to I-80) for 30 days straight, closing the sole transcontinental highway for a month, and stranding 226 passengers aboard a luxury train headed over the Sierra.

PLACES: Truckee. Historic, 80-ton locomotive arrives.

Truckee grew up around the railroad that still, today, connects America, East and West. One big part of that history is the snowstorm of 1952 that stranded a loaded passenger train for 4 days. The event was headline news around the world. As Sandy Coots, board member of the Truckee-Donner Railroad Society (in picture below) put it: "We have neglected the railroad part of Truckee's past too long. Now we're going to have a museum. This engine is a start."


January 1952

New Look: Tahoe-Truckee Art

A new art exhibit, Tahoe-Truckee: Modern Regional Art, opens in September (2007) in Truckee at Carole Sesko Contemporary Art Gallery in Truckee. "If you like your art strong, smart, and hot, you need to see this show," says the gallery owner and artist, Carole Sesko. "This is an exciting collection of arwork representing the artist's interpretation of their experiences in our local environment."

Donner Party Tracker: Aftermath - 1846 & 1847

One hundred and sixty-plus years ago in April, 1847 the saga of the Donner Party was over. Of the 81 pioneers who were trapped in the Sierra during the winter of 1846-47, nearly half had died of cold and starvation.

Donner Party Tracker: Last Chapter - April 17, 1847

One hundred and sixty-plus years ago this week, the saga of the Donner Party was just about over. The third rescue effort had returned with a group of survivors. Only five pioneers were still alive back in the mountains, and three of them were expected to die there.

Donner Party Tracker: Near the End - March 12, 1847

One hundred and sixty-plus years ago this week, most of the surviving members of the Donner Party were safe at either Johnson's Ranch or Sutter's Fort.

Donner Party Tracker: Starved Camp - Mid-March, 1847

One hundred and sixty-plus years ago this week, in 1847, the alive members of the Donner Party who had not yet reached the safety of Sutter's Fort were scattered about the mountains in three separate locations.

Donner Party Tracker: Another Storm - Early March, 1847

One hundred and sixty-plus years ago this week, survivors of the Donner Party were still being rescued. Frostbite and malnutrition had taken a toll on bodies, but these were not fatal injuries to the emigrants lucky enough to escape from the mountains with the first rescue effort. But another storm was brewing.

Donner Party Tracker: Rescue #2 - March 3, 1847

One hundred and sixty-plus years ago this week, one by one, the members of the Donner Party were rescued.

RESCUES & DEATHS: The Donner Party--February 26, 1847

One hundred and sixty-plus years ago this week, the stranded members of the Donner Party were finally getting the help that they so desperately needed.

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