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Re: HERCULES POWER PLANT CALIF ..INDUSTRIAL TRACKAGE ?
Author: Glen Icanberry
Date: 07-03-2011 - 14:00
I lived in Pinole from Nov 1967 until March of 1969. I went on a hike with Boy Scout Troop 383 from Pinole, where we saw the narrow gauge track but no trains. Our hike began at the Methodist Church off Pablo Ave, a small group of scouts, about six to ten, and two adult leaders, walked west along San Pablo Ave to Crestview Drive. Then we turned north on the dirt and gravel road that was a continuation of Crestview Drive, crossed the Santa Fe near the west switch at Gateley. We continued north to the SP at Wilson Point. We then hiked along San Pablo Bay, to Rodeo. Our scoutmaster worked for Hercules Powder Company, and with his key to get onto the property, we were able to hike across the plant's reservation back to San Pablo Ave., near the former Santa Fe station of Herpoco. We then hiked west along San Pablo Ave, past the Santa Fe Pinole Depot, then back to the Methodist Church.
While along San Pablo Bay, we saw the narrow gauge track that went over a bridge, above the SP and out onto a wharf. While crossing the Hercules Powder Plant's Reservation, in the Refugio Valley, we were treated to looking at some of the empty bunkers where Hercules materials had been stored. Also looked inside some bunkers that were for people to take refuge, in case of a massive explosion and chain reaction at the Hercules Plant. I remember seeing some of the old yellow and black civil defense signs on the bunkers. I don't know if the railroad was intact, or even in operation, but we saw lots of narrow gauge track, all of it rusty, on the ball of the rail. Did not see any rolling stock or locomotives, but I have assumed, later that any rolling stock or locomotives would have been kept inside the main plant, where we did not go. As a Tenderfoot Scout of only eleven years old I was not observant enough to know if the track was 36" or 30" but that would seem about right. I did however look for some of the tiny spikes but found none. It was likely spring of 1968, when we made this hike, as I do recall lots of green grass, and forests of eucalyptus trees on the Hercules Powder Reservation. We did see some SP and Santa Fe trains enroute. I would certainly like to see photos of the Hercules Powder Co. Railroad.
While along San Pablo Bay, we saw the narrow gauge track that went over a bridge, above the SP and out onto a wharf. While crossing the Hercules Powder Plant's Reservation, in the Refugio Valley, we were treated to looking at some of the empty bunkers where Hercules materials had been stored. Also looked inside some bunkers that were for people to take refuge, in case of a massive explosion and chain reaction at the Hercules Plant. I remember seeing some of the old yellow and black civil defense signs on the bunkers. I don't know if the railroad was intact, or even in operation, but we saw lots of narrow gauge track, all of it rusty, on the ball of the rail. Did not see any rolling stock or locomotives, but I have assumed, later that any rolling stock or locomotives would have been kept inside the main plant, where we did not go. As a Tenderfoot Scout of only eleven years old I was not observant enough to know if the track was 36" or 30" but that would seem about right. I did however look for some of the tiny spikes but found none. It was likely spring of 1968, when we made this hike, as I do recall lots of green grass, and forests of eucalyptus trees on the Hercules Powder Reservation. We did see some SP and Santa Fe trains enroute. I would certainly like to see photos of the Hercules Powder Co. Railroad.
