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Re: Oakland WB/EB Main Lines At 7th Street Question
Author: Dr Zarkoff
Date: 11-22-2020 - 11:39
> Back in the old days, there was a westbound main and an eastbound main that ran past 16th St.
all the way down the Cal P.
It depends on which set of "old days" you're talking about. In the era of pic (after about 1961 and before BARTD), no, the Mtz sub WB and EB mains ended at the 34th St interlocking, at a point RR east of the Key System underpass. From there to 10th St it was 4 MT, interlocking. The track nearest the 16th St depot platform was Main Track 4, and the track furthest from it was MT #1. At 10th St, these merged into one MT which both entered WO yard and connected to the San Jose mains at West Oakland Interlocking, which is your red circle. At 10th St, they also merged into a yard lead primarily used for movements between WO yard and the Desert yard (your orange track).
Direction change between the two subdivisions on the main track was approximately where the private crossing appears (the crossing is long gone, but this is still change the change location).
> If you were headed from 16th St. toward 7th St., the WB main continued into West Oakland yard while the EB main rounded the 7th St. curve
No, see my first paragraph.
> and headed toward Maggie tower.
It headed toward West Oakland Interlocking, which was a separate interlocking plant from both 16th St and Magnolia.
> On the Maggie tower side of 7th St. a track diverged from the EB main and this track ran to East Oakland, next to the EB main.
This was a yard track, not a main, and came out of the diesel shop. However, it was unofficially referred to as "the old main" between there interlocking and Magnolia (Interlocking).
The EB and WB San Jose mains joined at the switch at WO Interlocking (your red circle).
> Also, did the westbound main disappear during this short section?
Yes, see my first answer.
all the way down the Cal P.
It depends on which set of "old days" you're talking about. In the era of pic (after about 1961 and before BARTD), no, the Mtz sub WB and EB mains ended at the 34th St interlocking, at a point RR east of the Key System underpass. From there to 10th St it was 4 MT, interlocking. The track nearest the 16th St depot platform was Main Track 4, and the track furthest from it was MT #1. At 10th St, these merged into one MT which both entered WO yard and connected to the San Jose mains at West Oakland Interlocking, which is your red circle. At 10th St, they also merged into a yard lead primarily used for movements between WO yard and the Desert yard (your orange track).
Direction change between the two subdivisions on the main track was approximately where the private crossing appears (the crossing is long gone, but this is still change the change location).
> If you were headed from 16th St. toward 7th St., the WB main continued into West Oakland yard while the EB main rounded the 7th St. curve
No, see my first paragraph.
> and headed toward Maggie tower.
It headed toward West Oakland Interlocking, which was a separate interlocking plant from both 16th St and Magnolia.
> On the Maggie tower side of 7th St. a track diverged from the EB main and this track ran to East Oakland, next to the EB main.
This was a yard track, not a main, and came out of the diesel shop. However, it was unofficially referred to as "the old main" between there interlocking and Magnolia (Interlocking).
The EB and WB San Jose mains joined at the switch at WO Interlocking (your red circle).
> Also, did the westbound main disappear during this short section?
Yes, see my first answer.
