Dr Zarkoff Wrote:
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> At one time it was
> possible to go from the Homestead almost all the
> way to 50th Ave without using the main lines

All the way to 66th Avnuenue, actually.

> Given what I've seen of the Alameda Belt over the
> last two years, I can't believe the number of cars
> we used to take each night (about 5-6 AM ) from E
> Oak, by Fruitvale Tower, out Clement St., along
> the side of Buena Vista, to the yard at Sherman
> and Eagle Sts., just beyond Del Monte plant -- the
> north end of the yard is now a gated retirement
> community. There was a creosoting plant on Clement
> just south of the Navy/Marine training center
> until about 1969. The drawbridge, which as I
> recall was replaced in the mid to late 1970s
> around the same time as the Brazos bridge, one of
> the reasons they look so similar, is operated by
> the Fruitvale Ave bridge operator. Once or twice
> we went out to the Navy just beyond Todd Shipyards
> (former W. Alameda shops)to get cars (daylight
> trips).

Until around 1974 or so, SP ran three daily yard jobs into Alameda. One on the day shift and one on the afternoon shift originated at the East Oakland yard, while the one on the midnight shift originated at the Homestead Yard at West Oakland and was known as the "Super Chief." It intererchanged with the ABL (although the afternoon job could, as well). The afternoon job went out at NAS as needed.

As interesting side note is that Alameda actually has a railroad curfew ordinance (no rail operations permitted between 10 PM and 6 AM), but it was not enforced.