stash Wrote:
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> YBI was a stop for all trains as I recall. Listed on the timetable. No siding there. Just a center platform.
>
> A pair of crossovers in the tunnel. You can see the manholes on the south wall of the tunnel today. The large ones were probably where the switches were. Hand throw but signaled per special instrux in the timetable.

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I rode Key Trains on the bridge in '57 and '58. IIRC, YBI/TI was basically a flag stop. If you were on the train, you'd let the conductor know you wanted off there and the train'd stop. If you were on the platform, I think the approaching train slowed and you signalled whether you wanted it to stop or not.

Realizing that train service would be ending soon, I often would save a bit of cash by not riding a train all the way to SF, but instead transferring from a WB to an EB train at YBI/TI or the Bridge Yard/Army Base station. The YBY/TI stop was east of the tunnel, so afforded some nice views of the East Bay, and the chance to catch some breezes in an otherwise impossible-to-get-to place.

Best Typical trip, Berkeley to East Oakland:
F train EB to end of line
F train WB to Bridge Yard (no extra fare) or YBI/TI (extra fare, but less than to SF)
Transfer to B train EB to end of line
B train WB to McArthur Blvd
Transfer to EB 57 bus to continue trip.

Alternative would have been to take a Telegraph Ave or College/B'way bus to a point where I could transfer to a 57 bus. Not nearly as nice a trip, even if shorter.