There seems to be great interest in the old Sacramento Northern mainline in Solano County that still sees rails leading to Montezuma and Molena Stations. Here is a current report that describes both locations:

Montezuma (MP 49.98) Montezuma is the southern end of the line. The line itself is barely visible due to
heavy vegetation and can be identified by some remaining line and power poles along the right of way. To
the south wetlands extend to Chipps Island and Suisun Bay. Remnants of the wooden trestles that crossed
the wetlands are visible from Montezuma. The land near the tracks remains much as it was in 1913. The
region is rural with family owned farms, ranches and wildlife preserves in the immediate area. Sheep and
cows are still visible along the right of way. A 1000-foot livestock loading spur and depot were adjacent to the
main line. The spur remains in place, along with a few portions of the adjacent livestock holding pens. The
depot no longer exists.


Molena (MP 51.97) Molena Station was established on land purchased from Moses and Lena Dinkenspiel in
1913 to serve the nearby community of Birds Landing. It was named Molena in honor of Moses and Lena.
The region remains rural with much of the surrounding area containing family-owned farms and hunting
preserves. A small waiting shelter was built there along with a speeder shed and a freight shed, where space
was provided for an express agent. Express service was provided at Molena until 1926, when the agent
retired, and locals had to go to Birds Landing to pick up items shipped on the railroad. A spur was built from
the north to provide freight service to a large warehouse. In 1926 the San Francisco-Sacramento Railroad
Company converted the spur to a 1018-foot passing siding by extending the spur across Dinkenspiel Road.
The passing siding is still in place. The last passenger train passed through Molena in 1940. With the elimination of passenger service, Molena began a gradual decline. The only surviving buildings are a
speeder shed and warehouse. A few line poles also remain.

More to come...

KRK