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Nostalgia & History > OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES"Date: 05/27/06 12:51 OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen So much has been written about the many trains that once arrived and departed from the "Oakland MOLE" on the SP.
The list was endless or so it seemed. The "MOLE" had a certain "aura"-- a "mystique" -- a truly "magical" place on any mainline railroad. FOUR railroads shared those giant wooden train sheds once upon a time. The Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, Santa Fe and the Interurban Electric (IER) ... The noises: whistles, horns, sea gulls, waves lapping at the pilings and the rocks of the MOLE itself.. The Critters: CRABS on the rocks at low tide, feral CATS, RATS (as big as Cats), COCKROACHES (as big as Canarys).. The smells: Salt air, oil, steam, the Bakery, low tide. It all lasted from 1882--1960; then, it was GONE ! Here are a few samplings that I have run before-- but are being run again for the benefit of newer T.O. members! They are not being identified this time-- for expediency in displaying-- They are from the 'KRK Archives' and comprise the partial collections of "John Illman", "Marvin Maynard" and "Victor Shattock" ... Enjoy !! "Key Route Ken"...  Date: 05/27/06 12:52 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen 4423 at the Oakland Wye
 Date: 05/27/06 12:54 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen Zephyr at the Mole
 Date: 05/27/06 12:55 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen WP Exposition Flyer
 Date: 05/27/06 12:57 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen WP Train 18
 Date: 05/27/06 13:00 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen Electric trains too.
 Date: 05/27/06 13:01 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen Long electric trains as well.
 Date: 05/27/06 13:03 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen Foot traffic; always in a hurry...
 Date: 05/27/06 13:05 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen MOLE Years, in earlier times.
 Date: 05/27/06 13:07 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen The Diesel Age meets the Ferries...
 Date: 05/27/06 13:09 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen WP train entering the great sheds of the MOLE...
 Date: 05/27/06 13:13 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen A good "source" of cars, for SP trains...
the SP West Oakland Coach Yard...  Date: 05/27/06 13:45 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: danf Oakland had a transfer table? Never noticed that before.
Date: 05/27/06 15:26 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen Hi Dan-- Yes, West Oakland Yard had a Transfer Table...
I remember seeing it in operation in the 1950's during my many exploits of that Yard and Oakland Pier.. But I cannot remember for sure what it was used for. I think that it "transferred" CARS in the Coach Yard to and from the old Car Repair Building which later became the current Diesel Shop. I have another photo that shows the Coach Yard directly behind the current Diesel Shop. By the way, the SP LAUNDRY was just a few feet away from this area shown in the photo. Over a million++ pieces of linen processed per month. Care to fold sheets ?? KRK Date: 05/27/06 15:32 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen Dan F.--
I found my tally regarding the SP West Oakland Laundry.. What do you think ? On a typical three-day RUN, a Dining Car was stocked with up to 2000 misc linens. 220 Tableclothes 1000 napkins 250 Doilies Numerous Aprons & Waiters Coats On a typical peak Summer day in the height of the tourist season, the West Oakland Laundry in the Coach Yard processed the following average amounts, EACH DAY... 14006 Napkins 5022 tableclothes 11000 Towels 2531 Aprons 1175 Coats 1333 Sheets Untold misc other things.. TOTAL of 1,500,000 pieces EACH MONTH.. "Key Route Ken"... Date: 05/27/06 17:55 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: Nitehostler You certainly shared an important piece of history here Ken...about that laundry: I was told that at one time, it was the largest in the world. That's quite a statement to the size of the entire SP West Oakland plant. It was like a small city.
Thank you for posting these today. Tom Date: 05/27/06 18:33 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: yardclerk Ken,
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. Date: 05/27/06 18:50 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: danf Thanks Ken. That table looks like it is right in front of the car repair shop, which makes sense being that it only has a few stalls, but is fed by so many yard tracks. I wonder if there are any remnants left of the transfer table or the pit.
Date: 05/27/06 19:07 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: KeyRouteKen Tom (Nitehostler)--
I admit that the totals for the SP Laubdry may seem excessive--BUT-- In the old days, SP ran a LOT of passenger trains.. Streamliners Coach Trains Mixed Trains Excursions Specials Troop Hospital and you name it... They had Dining Cars, Tavern Cars, Parlour Cars, Kitchen Cars, Lounge Cars, Dome Cars, again, you name it.. You can readily see that a few napkins, pillows, coats and aprons here and there, can add up pretty darn quick.. KRK Date: 05/27/06 19:56 Re: OAKLAND PIER "MEMORIES" Author: rcall31060 Ken:
Did some of the tracks running into the East end of the Mole, protrude from the Bay side of the sheds for a short distance, or did all tracks dead-end at bumpers inside the sheds? Thanks in advance for your reply. Great pictures, BTW. Thanks for posting. Bob Callahan Monticello, IN |