David.Curlee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------



Earlier in the week when these were posted by David, there was some unfamiliarity expressed as to where/what/why concerning the pictures. Here are the answers plus a bit of history as I experienced it "back in the day" (mid-to-late 1960s):

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 "Side bar" to Pic #2). 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 direction 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 history - there is nothing left in the vicinity of Charter Way underpass (old SP main) 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 interchanging with the CCT further east on Weber Ave. just east of the Wilson Way crossing. Jim is standing on the sidewalk along Wilson Way. From the lighting in Pics #1 and #2, it looks to be (very late) afternoon probably around 4:30 - 5:00 pm PST.

History part - In the distant part of the picture is the AT&SF (now BNSF)lead from Mormon Yard and its crossing of the SP Oakdale Branch. The BNSF still uses this lead today to interchange with the ST&E. The CCT travels down this lead to Mormon Yard to pickup/deliver their traffic. The track diverging off to the left of the picture (with the high stand derail) is part of the old CCT interchange trackage.

Side bar - Not seen in the picture but immediately to the right and would be located on the right-hand side of the Oakdale track was a westward Distant signal tied into the SP/WP interlocker. It was an approach-lit signal so we had to run prepared to stop. Once the signal was lit up, it would usually show a Yellow aspect (the most restrictive indication a Distant signal can give) and we had to come to full stop. 9 out of 10 times it would change to Green thus indicating that the "signal in the sidewalk" (first picture) was showing a proceed indication through the interlocking. If it didn't show a Clear indication, then we had to wait until it did else we could expect a Stop indication at Union St. The interlocking was automatic in that the WP dispatcher in Sacramento would leave the interlocking in the "self-clearing" mode for the SP unless he had a WP train manually lined up through the plant. Now, if you were bringing back about 10-15 reefers from Del Monte and a bunch of stuff from the ST&E/CCT, it would be wise to sit and wait at Wilson Way for the signal to clear. Once in while, though, the foremen and engineers on various jobs decided to "role the dice" (mostly because of running late for the early quit) and took a gamble on passing the Yellow at Wilson Way hoping to find a proceed at Union St. You know Murphy's Law and it worked one time when I was on the job. We came up to a big, red, Stop signal and there we sat. Now you could sort of see the signal from Wilson Way but not always due to tree branches or just being out of position plus the signal head was turned inward a bit more than usual I think to keep you from seeing the aspect from Wilson Way. But that didn't deter everyone from trying to get away with it. Anyway, the result would be blocking all the crossings from Wilson Way through Airport Dr. A city cop would be by shortly to ascertain the situation and make sure we had everything under control ("Any way you guys can back this thing up to let traffic through at Wilson Way?"). If you were real lucky, 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 you got back to the yard ("WTF, over!"). Good times!

Pic #3: Same date as Pics #1 and #2 and shows the yard job working the old "Pencil Factory" aka Cal Cedar - the makers of the original "Dura-Flame" log.

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. Pic #3 is around high noon. Jim is probably standing in the parking lot of the liquor store at the corner of Madera and Washington Sts.