You're both right . . . sort of.

What John saw is the work being done by a UP System Gang that's replacing the track in Glascock as part of Caltrans' "Oak to 9th" I-880 project. The track in Glascock has been out of service for a number of years due to poor tie conditions and wide gauge, and execpt for a few emergency moves when the lead between the Conagra mill and 5th Avenue has been block by derailments, service has been from the north end. Since the lead along the Embarcadero will be removed when Caltrans starts their project, two or three years ago UP started replacing or repairing the track so service could resume from the south end. However, some of the residents who'd bought condos and lofts along Glascock started having kittens, so the work stopped. It finally restarted a couple of months ago, and the work to replace the track in Glascock is moving northward (it's currently about half-way to the 23rd Street crossing). The area along Fruitvale where John saw the gang working is where they build sections of panel track that is then "carried" to the work site on Glascock. If they eyed you with suspicion while you were taking pictures, it's likely because they're aware that the neighbors aren't happy campers.

Further reading here: [www.theoakbook.com]

So the answer is, no, no more service to Alameda, and yes, they're rebuilding the track in Glascock Avenue.