San Diego & Arizona Railway
In 1916 rails reached Campo on the last
transcontinental railway link built in the U.S.
Passenger service arrived in September from San Diego.
Begun in 1907 by John D. Spreckels and E.H. Harriman
(Southern Pacific), the line was completed in 1919,
having overcome a "Desert Revolution", Southern
Pacific litigation, and the challenge of spectacular
Carriso Gorge. Regular passenger service ended in
1951, and freight in 1976 when tropical storm
"Kathleen" destroyed trackage at the eastern end.
The Metropolitan Transit Development Board bought
the rebuilt line from Southern Pacific to gain
right-of-way for San Diego Trolley. MTDB granted
freight operating rights to Kyle Railways (1979-83) and
later to the San Diego & Imperial Valley Railroad
(Rail Tex). Passenger service resumed in 1986 with the
demonstration trains of the San Diego Railroad
Museum under the banner of the original SD & A.
Plaque placed for the MTDB, San Diego Railroad Museum,
and SD & IV Railroad by Squibob Chapter, E Clampus Vitus,
September 28, 1991, to mark 75 years of rail service to Campo.