Hi Everyvody-- As a native of Oakland, CA I grew up learning about all the great steam and electric railway lines that were heavily concentrated on the OAKLAND side of San Francisco Bay so many years ago. The Southern Pacific was operating a huge assortment of Steam locomotives. The Western Pacific was operating a variety of Steam locomotives also. So was the Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) .. Electric Interurban and Suburban commute systems were being operated by the KEY SYSTEM, the SACRAMENTO NORTHERN, The RICHMOND SHIPYARD RAILWAY, the OAKLAND TERMINAL RAILWAY, and the CALIFORNIA RAILWAY that ran from Alameda, CA up into the Oakland Hills.
In the NW portion of Oakland and Emeryville, basically situated around Lowell Street, Adeline Street, 60th Street and Stanford Avenue, there was a major rail crossing complex that involved TWO railroads crossing ONE other railroad. The KEY SYSTEM and SANTA FE lines paralled each other for several blocks. The KEY SYSTEM's transbay "H"-line was powered at 600-volts DC. These two lines crossed the # 5 Shattuck Avenue line of the Southern Pacific--Interurban Electric (IER) line.
The SP-IER line was powered at 1200-volts DC. The Santa Fe line was known as the "Oakland Extension" that connected the ATSF main in Richmond, CA to the Mission-style Santa Fe depot at 40th & San Pablo in Oakland.
The crossing required an Interlocking Tower which was manned 24-hours a day. The tower was named "Golden Gate Tower" ... With the extensive streetcar system of the KEY, there were more tracks in the Eastbay that you could count.
The required Overhead wire work was quite complex and confusing. Section insulators had to be used because of the TWO different voltages. The whole scheme of things was probably a nightmare for a Traction lineman and his buddies.
Anyway, check out the TWO attached photos and see what you think ! Note: That old un-electrified track you'll see in the photo, is the Santa Fe. It was bad track and a lot of street running involved using Adeline Street and Lowell Street. BUT--
The "San Francisco Chief" and the "Golden Gate" operated through this area.
Amazing, huh ? Enjoy the photos and I'll watch for your comments !!
Ken Shattock (KRK)
