Steve Wrote:
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> Nice photos Jim.
>
> Does anybody know why there is a block signal on
> the sidewalk in the first photo? Appears to be
> pointed perpendicular to the tracks.


A little (or a long) bit of history and identification of the photos:

Pic #1: Yard job heading RR and compass East along Weber Ave. east of Union Ave in Stockton on the old Oakdale Branch. Jim is standing on the NW corner of Weber Ave. and Pilgrim St. across from the old Schneider Vocational School.

History part - The signal shown is protecting the SP/WP crossing at Weber and Union Aves. It was turned more inward than signals usually are (see "History" to Pic #2). However, the interlocker may have already been removed by this time in 1990 so it would have been turned all the way inward to denote "not in service." I'm not sure when the interlocker was removed. There also a switch at the signal that diverges to the right in the picture and forms the "East" leg of a wye that joined the drill track along the Eastbound main by the depot. There was a tall-masted signal that protected movement eastward on that track. There was also a spur diverging from that trach in the eastward direcdtion into some kind of tank farm (a pesticide plant I think?) There was a color light dwarf signal that protected movement out of the spur as its switch was within the interlocing limits. The "straight" track portion of the switch on Weber made a turn to the left after crossing the WP and was the "West" leg of the wye as it were. Eastward movment on that track was protected by a "medium" height masted signal. This track also joined the same drill track as the East leg and took you to the old South Yard at Charter Way. Side bar - there is nothing left there now to ever indicate there was a little yard at Chsrter Way. If you happen to be brave enough to go there in daytime, look at the old pole nearest the Charter Way underpass, you will see the remnants of an over head light reflector. This was positioned just over the entryway to the little shanty we used for break time and beans (and maybe a nap or two. Fairly high seniority made up that crew.

Pic #2: Yard job delivering to the ST&E further East on Weber Ave. just east of the Wilson Way crossing. Jim is standing on the sidewalk along Wilson Way.

History part - In the distant part of the picture is the AT&SF lead from Mormon Yard crossing the Oakdale Branch. The BNSF still uses this lead today to deliver to the ST&E interchange located between Fremont St. and Waterloo Rd. The CCT travels down this lead to Mormon to pickup/deliver their traffic. The track diverging off to the near left of the picture (with the derail) is part of the CCT interchange trackage. Not seen in the picture but immediately to the right-hand side of the Oakdale track was a westward Distant signal tied into the SP/WP interlocker. An approach-lit signal, we ran prepared to stop until the signal lit up. Usually, it would show a Yellow aspect (the most restrictive indication a Distant signal can give). We would just about be stopped and then it would change to Green thus indicating that the "signal in the sidewalk" (first picture) was showing a proceed indication through the interlocking. The interlocking was all automatic in that the WP dispatcher in Sacramento would leave the interlocking in the "self-clearing" mode for the SP unless a WP train was manually lined up through the plant. If you were bringing back about 20 reefers from Del Monte and the foreman and engineer decided to "role the dice" (mostly because we were running late for our quit) and took a gamble on passing the Yellow Distant signal at Wilson Way hoping to find a proceed at Union St., there was a 50/50 chance you would get the signal. You could sort of see the signal from Wilson WAy but not always due to tree branches or just out of position. The signal head was turned quite a bit inward keeping you from seeing the aspect at Wilson Way. A couple times it was tried when I was working the job but resulted in us blocking all the crossings from Wilson Way through Airport Dr. because we didn't get a proceed at Union St. Usually it would be a WP yard job lined-up and headed out to the ST&E interchange along Union St. just North (RR East) of Park St. A city cop would be by shortly to ascertain the situation and make sure we had everything under control. Also appearing on the scene might be the trainmaster (in my day it was H.H. Marsh). He would let you know that he wanted to spend a little "quality time" with the crew when we got to the yard ("WTF, over!"). Good times!

Pc #3: Same date as Pics #1 and #2 and shows the delivery to the "Pencil Factory" aka Cal Cedar - the makers of the original "Dura-Flame" log earlier in the day.

History part - This is located along Washington St. in the Greater Port of Stockton area (job is crossing Washington St. with the street to the left being Harbor Dr.) and on the other side of town form Weber Ave./Oakdale Branch. From the lighting in Pics #1 and #2, it looks to be (late) afternoon probably around 4:30 pm PST or so and is an afternoon job. Pic #3 is around high noon and is a day job.. Jim is probably standing on the little bit of sidewalk on Fresno Ave.