Nostalgia & History > A few more SP at West Oakland

In a previous post photo there was a U.S. Navy 80-ton Whitcomb partially showing in one of the photos. For many years the Whitcomb and GE 70-ton SP5119 sat together near the passenger car yard at West Oakland. On October 4, 1974 it was moved to the West Oakland Diesel Shop. Here is it with Amtrak FP7 #119. - Tony J.

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Prior to being moved here is USN #60641 with SP5119 on August 2, 1974. - Tony J.

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SP5119 was sold to White Terminal & Utility RR (WCTU) at White City, Oregon, Now called WCTU Railway the 5119 and sister WCTU #5117 are surplus and up for sale. - Tony J.

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Western Pacific #606 switches Oakland on September 5, 1979. - Tony J.

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Over at the West Oakland Diesel Shop is GP30 SP5012 on January 28, 1975. - Tony J.

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Interesting photos, Tony. Wasn't the spot where the 5119 and the Navy unit were stored referred to as the "39 pocket"? When I was around Oakland in '73, these units and a few Alcos and F-M's were rusting away in what appears to be the same spot as that shown in your photo.

John

Lone Star Wrote:
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> Interesting photos, Tony. Wasn't the spot where
> the 5119 and the Navy unit were stored referred to
> as the "39 pocket"? When I was around Oakland in
> '73, these units and a few Alcos and F-M's were
> rusting away in what appears to be the same spot
> as that shown in your photo.
>
> John


John,
I don't remember what the stoarage area was called. It was on the north side (same side as the passenger car yard) between it and Magnolia Tower. Topper would remember. - Tony J.

Lone Star Wrote:
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> the "39 pocket"

That was a short piece of track at the west end of 39 track, between the switch where 39 split off from 40 and the east end of the caboose track (known as Passenger Yard 6). The engines that worked the 40 Lead job and the Coach Yard job engines often parked there.

The lineup of dead switchers, including the two mentioned, was as the east end of the passenger yard, opposite the Kirkham Street yard. The tracks used were 30, 32 and 34, and the units would occasionally be moved from one to another. Passenger cars (mostly baggage cars and "subs") were often stored on the tracks as well.

All of this was removed during the I-880 project.

Thanks for the explanation, Topper. I also loved your photos of "Tripod". - Tony J.

TonyJ Wrote:
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> I also loved
> your photos of "Tripod".

Sadly, he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge at 3:20 this afternoon.