Re: Berkeley notes
Author: stash
Date: 12-17-2009 - 22:04
AT&SF Railway's Oakland District line saw its final train in May 1979. Today, from El Cerrito through Albany and into part of Berkeley it is a pedestrian-biker trail, heavily used. South of around Cedar St. in Berkeley the right of way is clearly visible with a variety of uses. From Oregon & Sacramento Sts. in Berkeley to the Oakland station, there was a median with the track in Berkeley, street running along Lowell and Adeline Sts. The Oakland yard in Emeryville is where it is difficult to find evidence of the railway.
From the north end of El Cerrito to near Richmond's BNSF yard, the right of way is being made into a "greenway" trail. That is on the former Santa Fe parallel to Ohio Street. BNSF trains use the wye (part of the former Oakland District) moving between Oakland and Richmond via the Siberia Lead.
As for Point Isabel, Santa Fe served the Co-Op warehouse and a beer distributor there into the 1980s; maybe later. The paved trail is on the right of way and the bridges are former railroad bridges. Co-Op folded; Costco moved into the building at Point Isabel and expanded it. From Point Isabel the line ran toward the So. 23rd St. yard and via the Siberia Lead eventually to the yard at Richmond.