Bodie to Mono Mills   -   Bodie & Benton

">

">

">

">

This narrow gauge line was isolated from other railroads, and was one of several in the mountains of eastern California.  Bodie, its northern terminus, was once a booming place, but is now a well-preserved ghost town.  Roads to Bodie were never fully paved. At Mono Mills, the south terminus, little is left except discarded timbers. In recent years some historians/railfans tracing the right of way discovered a discarded flatcar half buried in the dirt.  The remnants of the car were removed and the car was restored; it now is on display at June Lake Marina, a popular vacation spot.  The B&B never served June Lake (and never made it to Benton), but the display site is in a well-traveled public area.

This photo shows the monument to the Bodie and Benton RR.  It is on Ca. Rte. 167 at the location where the former right of way was located.  According to the plaque, this 32-mile narrow gauge railroad was constructed in 1881, between Mono Mills, through Warm Springs, to the mining town of Bodie.  Bodie was at 8500' elevation, more than 2000' feet higher than Mono Mills.  Mining activity in Bodie decreased in the teens, and the line was dismantled in 1918. Photo from July, 2003.

Thanks to Mike Palmer for the information and pictures on this page.

This photo shows the rebuilt flat car on display at June Lake Marina. This car was rebuilt with much of the original metal parts, and placed in display in 2002. Photo from July, 2003.