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Rock Ridge Railroad
Press Releases
September 9, 1885--Train City Herald
Randall "Rock" Ridge, founder of the town of Rock Ridge and owner of the Rock Ridge Mining Company, has decided to go into the shipping business. Corporate Headquarters of the Rock Ridge Railroad Company will be located in the industrial district of Train City. Mr. Ridge made the announcement this morning: the Southern Pacific Railroad has leased the newly formed Rock Ridge Railroad Company the Train City Freight Yard and adjoining buildings for a period of ten years with an option to buy any time within that 10 year period. The Rock Ridge Railroad will have shared trackage rights from Sacramento to Virgina City for the same period, with options to renew indefinitely. The Southern Pacific has retained the right to carry any freight originating or terminating outside the Rock Ridge Railroad's territory.
"This is a great day for Train City." said Mr. Ridge. Local residence look to increased growth and prosperity now that shipping of local products is being handled locally.
September 10, 1885--Train City Herald
Randall "Rock" Ridge, new railroad magnate, announced today that the Rock Ridge Railroad company has placed purchase orders with the Baldwin Locomotive Works for two 2-6-0 "Moguls" and one 4-4-0 "American" locomotives.
To begin operations, the Rock Ridge Railroad has acquired from the Rock Ridge Mining Company a Climax "A". This locomotive will be dubbed Rock Ridge #1 and assume switching duties in the Train City Yard and adjoining industrial areas after being retrofit with a new engine from Ron Lefever Engine Works.
September 11, 1885--Train City Herald
In a move that surprised no one, Randall "Rock" Ridge announced this morning that the Rock Ridge Railroad Company has signed an exclusive shipping contract with the Rock Ridge Mining Company. "This is the first of many shipping contracts for the Rock Ridge Railroad," said Rock Ridge, "It is a win-win situation,"
September 11, 1885--Train City Herald
Federal troops were called in today to quell a riot that erupted as a result of the layoff of Southern Pacific workers. These SP employees worked the Sacramento to Virginia City route that is now leased by the Train City-based Rock Ridge Railroad Company. A spokesman for the former SP employs said that SP had promised that the Rock Ridge Railroad would assume all SP employees. Randall "Rock" Ridge stated that there was no such provision in the Southern Pacific--Rock Ridge lease and that all positions are open.
Tensions ran high between former SP employees and Train City residents seeking employment. What started the riots was unknown, although several witnesses reported seeing something thrown. Fights broke out between the factions and looked to run out of control until a cattle drover known only as GW of the G&D spread fired his sidearm into the air and talked the situation down.
Both factions then demanded that the Rock Ridge management settle the dispute. "Rock" Ridge and other officers were forced to retreat into their corporate offices where they were besieged until federal troops arrived.
"We will not kowtow to hooligans," said Mr. Ridge. "Anyone who wants to work for us must apply tomorrow, and do so in an orderly fashion." Mr. Ridge also said that federal troops will be standing by if needed. Doris Ridge, wife of Rock Ridge commented, "You'd think we no longer live in a 'civilized' world."
September 12, 1885-Train City Herald
Albert Gorre, owner of the G&D cattle ranch west of Train City announced today that he had signed an exclusive contract with the Rock Ridge Railroad. This makes the second major shipping contract signed by the Rock Ridge Railroad in as many days. As part of the contract, The G&D has purchase a drovers' caboose that will be parked at the Train City Cattle Yard as a mobile field office.
In a related story, representatives from the governor's office met with Randall "Rock" Ridge to settle the dispute with the laid-off Southern Pacific workers. In exchange for undisclosed compensation, the Rock Ridge Railroad will be hiring all the SP crew that previously worked the Sacramento to Virginia City run with the exception of those who had lost limbs.
"This settlement," said Mr. Ridge, "is one in which everyone wins. Now we can get back to work and make Train City the city it was destined to be." "It's about time," Al Gorre commented. "I've got 300 head standing outside of town getting thinner by the minute. Let's get this trains running get these cows to market."
G&D Ranch Drover's Caboose will be located at Train City Cattle Yard
September 13, 1885--Train City Herald
Randall "Rock" Ridge announced today that the Rock Ridge Railroad has signed an exclusive shipping contract with the Train City-based Bear Wiz Brewery. Terms of the contract include three local runs weekly, and well as bi-weekly runs to distributions centers in Sacramento and Virginia City.
"The Rock Ridge Railroad," said Rock Ridge, "will make it so that every jack man along the Overland Corridor is drinking nothing but Bear Wiz."
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