Missing bridge being reinstalled on the Niles Canyon Ry. at Niles, California.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,770081
ryarger@rypn.org

> Missing bridge being reinstalled on the
> Niles Canyon Ry. at Niles, California.

The text of this post is a little bit misleading. When I was working on track crews as a member of the Pacific Locomotive Association, the track which constitutes the north leg of the wye in downtown Niles was layed. The south leg of the wye was the existing connection to the UP.

When AmTrak California rerouted the "Capitals" over that ex-SP line through Fremont in lieu of the "Coast Starlight" route between San Jose and Oakland, UP removed the switch.

The "missing" bridge was not missing at all, but removed by Caltrans to facilitate the widening of Mission Boulevard. The article is reporting that Caltrans is now putting it back in place. It's been several years since I left the left coast, so I don't know if the legs of the wye have been connected or not. That was the plan.

As was stated in another response to this thread, UP granted PLA permission to connect to an existing siding (i.e. NOT mainline trackage) on the ex-WP mainline between Sunol and Pleasanton, which hosts 6 ACE (Altamont Commuter Express) trains per day. Once that connection is complete, PLA will be able to move their locomotives and rolling stock from its present storage locations in Oakland to the expanded facilities at Brightside Yard.



gerald_altizer@atlanticbb.net

>PLA will
> be able to move their locomotives and
> rolling stock from its present storage
> locations in Oakland to the expanded
> facilities at Brightside Yard.

What about the equipment stored at Peralta and Shinn Streets in Fremont which last I understand were kept outdoors? Though it would solve the live rail connection and allow the Oakland stuff to be moved, the Shinn Street engines would have to be trucked. If the expanded Brightside facilites, perhaps more engine storage, happened I suppose the rest of the equipment would make it there?

I would suspect that the steam engines at the Shinn St. location would have to be trucked under any circumstances. The only steam that I'm aware of that would be able to move over UP is 4-6-2 2472.

It's been a while since I've spoken with anyone at PLA, but having seen the plans, I would say that there will be more than enough room for their collection at Brightside. The last time I was at the yard the grading and installation of storm drains was well underway.

gerald_altizer@atlanticbb.net

The three locomotives at in Fremont will be moved at the same time as the equipment from Oakland. The SP 2467 currently stored at Hunters Point will be moved some time after the equipment from Oakland arrives in Niles Canyon. We hope to be able to move all three locomotives by rail over the UP.

> I would suspect that the steam engines at
> the Shinn St. location would have to be
> trucked under any circumstances. The only
> steam that I'm aware of that would be able
> to move over UP is 4-6-2 2472.

> It's been a while since I've spoken with
> anyone at PLA, but having seen the plans, I
> would say that there will be more than
> enough room for their collection at
> Brightside. The last time I was at the yard
> the grading and installation of storm drains
> was well underway.


http://www.ncry.org/collection.html

johnathon_kruger@hotmail.com