Western Railroad Discussion > Landlocked Railcars and Locomotives in California

For the past two years I've been locating and photographing landlocked railcars and locomotives among many other projects I am currently working on. These forgotten pieces of rolling stock have just as much a story to tell as any other train on the mainline or within museum grounds and are almost always overlooked. I feel they need to be documented while they still exist in their current state. I've located them based on my knowledge of various rail lines, google maps and with the help of a couple of members from this forum (thank you evan werkema and phthithu).

The project continues to this day and I'm curious if anyone else might have any suggestions or know of any other forgotten passengers cars, freight cars and locomotives in Northern and Southern California. Can be anything from a lone boxcar sitting in a field to a stuffed and mounted caboose. 

1. Modesto, CA
2. Cordelia Junction, CA
3. Pinole, CA

Thank You,
Alex Ramos 

 

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4. Oakland, CA
5. San Francisco, CA

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phthithu Wrote:
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> Thanks for sharing images Alex. I saw this the
> other day on
> AP: http://www.altamontpress.com/discussion/read.
> php?1,182592,182592#msg-182592
>
> These aren't stranded per se, but one doubts there
> going anywhere
> soon: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4795122,-12
> 2.1622445,114m/data=!3m1!1e3
>
> Also there's a caboose maybe two at Redwood City
> inside the wye you just drive in and can see
> it. 
>  

Those are all great suggestions. Yes, there are two SP caboose at Redwood City wihch are easily accessible for anyone who wants a closer look.

Best,
Alex Ramos 

 

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The ATSF 2921 in the first picture was relocated to the Amtrak Station.  I think this picture was taken before the move.

What's the story with that poor Santa Fe 4-8-4 in the lead photo?

Hi Alex,

Great shots.  You may know about these, but a few I can think of that seem to be lesser known...

WP wood caboose 675 next to old SP Depot in Los Altos - https://goo.gl/maps/SX4zpa7eedm
WP wood caboose 658 along Industrial Way in Benecia
SN steel boxcar behind industry in Antelope
Several boxcars in industrial part in Beckwourth, including a UP, a Tidewater Southern and a couple WP

Z
 

Great to see you're as artistic as ever.    Great photos.

CPR_4000 Wrote:
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> What's the story with that poor Santa Fe 4-8-4 in
> the lead photo?

That was in the middle of preparations for movement.

South of Redding on HWY273, just past the casino, is a small stemer with two boxcars and a cabosse. Directly next to the UPRR main.

ross Wrote:
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> South of Redding on HWY273, just past the casino,
> is a small stemer with two boxcars and a cabosse.
> Directly next to the UPRR main.

This?https://www.google.com/maps/@40.49729,-122.3697535,3a,15y,57.65h,88.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJA8zJWJRB5oWZVKEYse3xA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Looks like a little diesel switcher, a camp car converted from a wood boxcar, and a wooden baggage car.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/19 10:43 by CPR_4000.

jst3751 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CPR_4000 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What's the story with that poor Santa Fe 4-8-4
> in
> > the lead photo?
>
> That was in the middle of preparations for
> movement.
The last time I looked, passing through on one of the San Joaquin's, it was located just south of the Amtrak station with a six foot fence surrounding it. From what I could see, it was in very good condition.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/19 10:56 by Cupolau.

CPR_4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ross Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > South of Redding on HWY273, just past the
> casino,
> > is a small stemer with two boxcars and a
> cabosse.
> > Directly next to the UPRR main.
>
> This?https://www.google.com/maps/@40.49729,-122.36
> 97535,3a,15y,57.65h,88.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJA8
> zJWJRB5oWZVKEYse3xA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
>
> Looks like a little diesel switcher, a camp car
> converted from a wood boxcar, and a wooden baggage
> car.
Looks like a couple of SP concrete phone booths off to the left if you move the angle

The locomotive is the original California State Railroad Museum switcher. It's knick name was Can't Start Rotten Motor by UP Joe and Ken Yeo, because you could never get the darn thing to start!
CPR_4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ross Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > South of Redding on HWY273, just past the
> casino,
> > is a small stemer with two boxcars and a
> cabosse.
> > Directly next to the UPRR main.
>
> This?https://www.google.com/maps/@40.49729,-122.36
> 97535,3a,15y,57.65h,88.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJA8
> zJWJRB5oWZVKEYse3xA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
>
> Looks like a little diesel switcher, a camp car
> converted from a wood boxcar, and a wooden baggage
> car.

There used to be a short caboose in someonés yard that was visible from BART, somewhere around Hayward, I think. Of course, it's been many years since I rode that line and it's likely not there any more.

There is the caboose on a length of rail in someone's front yard in Wilton CA.

I think the Wilton caboose is the ex-WP wood caboose?

Out

CPR_4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ross Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > South of Redding on HWY273, just past the
> casino,
> > is a small stemer with two boxcars and a
> cabosse.
> > Directly next to the UPRR main.
>
> This?https://www.google.com/maps/@40.49729,-122.36
> 97535,3a,15y,57.65h,88.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJA8
> zJWJRB5oWZVKEYse3xA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
>
> Looks like a little diesel switcher, a camp car
> converted from a wood boxcar, and a wooden baggage
> car.

Correct. Was going off memory! Thanks for the clarification!

"There used to be a short caboose in someonés yard that was visible from BART, somewhere around Hayward, I think. Of course, it's been many years since I rode that line and it's likely not there any more."

Maybe this one? https://ncry.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=541047&module_id=170373&actr=4

*EDIT*  I quoted the wrong message originally...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/19 21:18 by BigE.

Mr Church (SP Cab Foward Book fame) has a SP caboose on his property in Wilton.
callum_out Wrote:
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> I think the Wilton caboose is the ex-WP wood
> caboose?
>
> Out

http://www.trainweb.org/foothill/frother.html