My Grandfather was the last Master Cabinetmaker employed at the Oakland Shops by the SP. When I was in grade school my Father took me to the yards to visit him and to specifically see a four wheeled rubber tired hoist that was used to lift the trailers off the cars.

I remember spending a few hours with him in the shop/mill it was dark and empty of activity by then. All the machinery was still in the shop but only my Grandfather and a helper. For some reason I remember to this day that his helper was a man about his age and was from the painters trade. Actually I recall my Grandfather saying the gentleman was the last Master Cabinet Finisher in the shops. By this time except for the rare one off piece of furniture for One Market or to repair some station furniture they were making crossing arms. I watched them make and paint some arms that day. Almost all the joints were doweled and glued, very few mechanical fasteners. I also recall them showing me a roll of Scotch 3M reflective tape that was soon to be used on the crossing arms, replacing the hand painted work.

I know a few years later my Grandfather retired and within weeks he told me the shops were razed as part of a union agreement that his position and that of the cabinet finisher would not be replaced. I guess maybe their work was sent to the general shops in Sacramento or farmed out.

Can someone please point out on one of the photos exactly where the wood shops where located and approximately when they were razed. I have gone to the library at CSRM looking for pictures and/or information on the wood shops at Oakland and have come up empty handed they had nothing. I have thought about going to the union and seeing if they have anything like the years he was employed by SP but I don't know which union he would have belonged to at that time.

Thanks in advance for any help and have a nice day

John