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Re: Return to Richmond's Unsolved Mysteries
Author: Dr Zarkoff
Date: 01-12-2021 - 09:39
>> 1. Was the phenol plant across Castro from the
>> Richmond Transfer Yard yard office switched by
>> part of the Richmond Belt?
>The switch to it came off what was called the "siding" (it wasn't an actual siding) that paralleled what was called the Richmond Belt "main" (it wasn't a main track). I don't specifically recall Santa Fe switching it during their turns operating the Belt - it's been 45+/- years, and I really didn't pay attention to what Santa Fe did anyway - so I can't give you a definitive answer.
I can recall switching the plant when the AT&SF was operating the Richmond Belt (but not switching this plant).
My recollection is that the SP's trackage included the wye, the leg leading to the "SP's" mini hump yard, and the yard itself (including the leads at both ends) because the Santa Fe never used any of this trackage. Standard Oil's yard, the "SO yard", next on the south-ish side of the hump yard was a different matter. This is the situation as things stood before operation of the Belt was given to a contract operator, which was granted rights all the way to Stege on the water side drill (and the SP switching jobs went away).
Working Richmond was not at all "fascinating". The lead from the wye ran along one side of or was within the Iron Triangle. On at least one occasion, the yardmaster had to hide under his truck up by the main lines to avoid being shot and killed (it was some sort of very militant black power rite of passage).
>> Richmond Transfer Yard yard office switched by
>> part of the Richmond Belt?
>The switch to it came off what was called the "siding" (it wasn't an actual siding) that paralleled what was called the Richmond Belt "main" (it wasn't a main track). I don't specifically recall Santa Fe switching it during their turns operating the Belt - it's been 45+/- years, and I really didn't pay attention to what Santa Fe did anyway - so I can't give you a definitive answer.
I can recall switching the plant when the AT&SF was operating the Richmond Belt (but not switching this plant).
My recollection is that the SP's trackage included the wye, the leg leading to the "SP's" mini hump yard, and the yard itself (including the leads at both ends) because the Santa Fe never used any of this trackage. Standard Oil's yard, the "SO yard", next on the south-ish side of the hump yard was a different matter. This is the situation as things stood before operation of the Belt was given to a contract operator, which was granted rights all the way to Stege on the water side drill (and the SP switching jobs went away).
Working Richmond was not at all "fascinating". The lead from the wye ran along one side of or was within the Iron Triangle. On at least one occasion, the yardmaster had to hide under his truck up by the main lines to avoid being shot and killed (it was some sort of very militant black power rite of passage).
