| The Railroad ran from 1896 to 1930. It was built using 8.25 miles of track to ascend the 0.5 mile-high Mount Tamalpais. There were 281 curves, the sharpest of which had a radius of 72 feet. The longest stretch of straight track was 413 feet, midway through the section named The Double Bow Knot. From the top of the mountain and The Summit Tavern (aka East Peak Tavern or Tavern of Tamalpais), passengers could coast back to Mill Valley or to Muir Woods by gravity car or return by mountain train. |
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| 1896 | 16 January | Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway incorporated. |
| | 1 February | First meeting. Election of officers. Plans laid out for financing, construction, operation. |
| | 5 February | Construction begins. |
| | 4 March | Arrival of first engine, No. 498, a 20-ton Shay geared locomotive. |
| | 17 March | First rails laid. J.H. McInnes property dispute. |
| | 18 March | Injuction filed against California Construction Company by Mill Valley Property Owners' Association to prevent track laying on Corte Madera and Blithedale Avenues. |
| | 23 March | Superior Court rules in favor of the Railroad. Work resumes immediately. |
| | 18 August | Superintendent Graves drives the last spike. |
| | 22 August | First passenger train to the summit for the townfolk of Mill Valley. |
| | 25 August | Official grand opening for about 75 dignitaries and members of the press. |
| | 27 August | Regular passenger service begins. Round trip $1.00 from Mill Valley $1.40 from San Francisco |
| | end 1896 | Tavern near summit of east peak completed. |
| 1902 | 17 July | First dividend declared: $1.00 per $100.00 share. |
| 1904 | | West Point Inn constructed. Bolinas Stage connection. |
| 1905 | Spring | Lee Street Local, Black Maria. |
| 1906 | | Engine No. 6 (the dinky) service to Lee Street Station, $.05 |
| 1907 | Spring | Branch line to Muir Woods and Muir Woods Inn opened. |
| 1913 | | Railway reincorporated as Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway. |
| | | Tavern damaged by forest fire. Muir Woods Inn destroyed. |
| 1914 | | Muir Woods Inn rebuilt somewhat farther down the valley. |
| 1915 | | Ten new gravity cars added at $230.00 each. |
| 1916 | | Kissel Kar arrives for local Blithedale service. |
| 1917 | | Daily runs suspended from November through March, except the Lee Street Local, Blithedale service. |
| 1920 | | One daily train reinstated. |
| | December | 36-ton Heisler, No. 9, the last and most powerful locomotive was ordered for $16,000.00 |
| 1921 | | Railroad deeds a portion of their Muir Woods land to the government. |
| 1923 | | Tavern of Tamalpais destroyed by fire originating in the kitchen. Rebuilt in stucco and tile. |
| 1929 | | Fire ends railroad operations to Muir Woods. |
| 1930 | Summer | The scrapping train dismantles the Railway. |