I remember my Mom heading north from the City. There was a draw bridge over Richardson Bay, a stop light where you would turn right to Tiburon or left to Mill Valley. Then up and over the hill, then down to a stop light where you would turn left to Corte Maderea. Then on to another stop light at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. There was a draw bridge just before the light and the railroad draw bridge right next the the highway bridge. At the light you would turn right onto a little 2 lane road, under the tracks (low bridge) towards San Q and the ferry to Richmond or left towards Kentfield. If you went straight it would take you up over the hill and down into San Rafael.

Years later the built Redwood High School off of Lucky Drive. During PE you would run from the school, over to the tracks, east on the grade of the one track that was left, down to 101, then back to the gym. I remember the extra long ties, every 3 to 5 ties that held the 3rd rail. In my junior year a friend and I rode through the Alto tunnel a few times on our motorcycles. Years later, I had a friend that hired out behind me on the Coast in engine service. He was the fireman on the Horse Shoe job in the 60s and he said anything more than walking speed would rock box cars into the tunnel walls.

Marin had a hell of an interurban and its too bad its gone. I think this SMART thing is half ass. They never should have stopped at San Rafael. They should have kept going at least to Larkspur and use the ferry service. There was a double track main line RofW full circle, except the Alto Tunnel, that should have been reused.

My Thoughts,

Nudge