Sounds like there is still hope to reuse this long out of service SP bridge, which connects the East Bay with the San Francisco Peninsula, for planned commuter trains. Scroll down on the Altamont Press Newsline:

http://railroadnews.net/news/4-22.html

Several more prservation-related stories on the Newsline here:

http://railroadnews.net/news/4-21.html

There has been small but dedicated group of supporters working to get Dumbarton rail established. Strangely, while originally built in 1911, the line saw little or no passenger service over its life. Since the 1940’s the lower East Bay has gone from farm land to suburban homes, and providing a need for transit over the route.

Here are links to two San Mateo County Transportation Authority (the lead agency on the project) reports on the line.

http://www.smcta.com/Dumbarton_Rail/DRC ... tation.pdf

http://www.smcta.com/Dumbarton_Rail/DRC_PSR_Summary.pdf

In addition to the Dumbarton rail plan, there are several plans to streamline rail service (both freight and passenger) in the Bay area. Along with the UP (and its predecessor SP) absorbing every competitor in the area, we can expect major changes in the railroad map.

Randy Hees

Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resouces
www.spcrr.org

Member of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee.