[1][2] The West Side Flume & Lumber Company was founded in May 1898 to log 55,000 acres (22,000 ha) of land outside of the town of Carter (now called Tuolumne).

A 10-mile (16 km) long 3 ft (914 mm) gauge railroad was laid into the woods east of the town.

[6] This 3 ft (914 mm) gauge railroad used the lower section of the track and several steam locomotives of the West Side Lumber Company railway.

The museum also arranges annual field trips to West Side logging camps in the woods.

The West Side had a very capable shop, that could make major engine repairs as well as build cars from scratch, including a caboose which is on display at the Southern California Railway Museum.