Tag Archives: laws railroad

Community News, Local News

Laws Museum Train Rides Postponed

Regretfully, all train rides in the Brill car, Old Smokey, and on the hand car, have been postponed until the state of California moves to Stage Four in the recovery stages. These very popular attractions at Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site are not able at this time to meet safe distancing and other criteria under present recovery stages.

Presently, the Railroad Express rides, sponsored by the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, are still scheduled for Saturday December 12, and the Museum hopes that they can have train rides at that time.

The Inyo County Health Department is allowing the Museum to offer special Charter rides in the Brill car for single family groups with a maximum of ten people at one time. All participants will be required to wear face masks, practice safe distancing, and follow all the other guidelines for your safety during the ride. Charter rides are available at almost any time during Museum open hours, by advance reservation only. Please call the Museum at 760-873-5950 to make your reservations.

Community News, Local News

New Exhibit Arrives at Laws Museum

A new exhibit has just arrived at Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site! The Museum has acquired, on loan, the restored Bodie Railway and Lumber Company (Bodie and Benton Railroad) flat car number 8, and it is on display on the Museum grounds.


Several years ago, members of the Friends of the Bodie Railway and Lumber Company group were exploring the BR&L right of way and found the remains of a wrecked flat car. The metal parts were salvaged and cleaned up, but the remains of the wood parts were too far gone to salvage. The Friends located the number on the car and found the plans for it and started in on the restoration. The car was restored by the Friends of the Bodie Railway and Lumber Company about 17 years ago and has been on display in June Lake until last week. The restoration effort included acquiring custom cut full dimensional lumber to replicate the original lumber in the car. The restoration was completed in 2002


The Friends of the Bodie Railway and Lumber Company recently decided to disband, and turned ownership of the car over to the Bodie Foundation. The Foundation did not have a means of moving or storing the car, so two former members of the Friends, John Fredrickson and Paul Thompson, stepped up and negotiated a loan to the Laws Railroad Museum to display and maintain the car for the next several years. The Museum hired Kurt Van Nest, owner of High Sierra Storage, to move and set up the car in its new location. The move was made by his company, with the help of a volunteer crew from Laws Railroad Museum, on Sunday November 17.

Community News, Local News

Laws Museum Appoint New Museum Administrator

The Board of Directors of Laws Museum is pleased to announce the selection of Raven Angeles as our museum Administrator. Since beginning her employment as office manager in May 2019, Ms. Angeles has consistently met the highest professional standards in her position. Her bookkeeping and office management expertise is matched by her problem solving skills and her dedication to do what is best for the museum, staff, volunteers, and visitors. The Board of Directors looks forward to a new and exciting future for Laws Museum with Raven Angeles on the team as our Administrator!

When you visit Laws Museum, what you experience is the result of the many years Howard Holland has dedicated to the museum as our Exhibits Manager. At the October meeting of the board of directors Howard Holland announced his retirement and his intention to “pass the torch” to Katie Olson. We are thrilled to announce Katie Olson has accepted the position of Exhibits Manager. Katie was elected to the Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site Board of Directors in June after retiring from a thirty eight year career with Walt Disney Imagineering. Katie brings a wealth of experience to the Laws Railroad Museum and we are excited about her new role at the museum.

Please join us in congratulating Katie and Raven on their new positions!