Nostalgia & History > When did the last train cross SP's Dumbarton Bridge?

I am asking about the former SP bridge across
San Francisco Bay between Fremont and Menlo Park.
The bridge was closed sometime in 1982.

I would also like to know what engines had the honor
of making that very last crossing, and what was in the
cars they pulled.

WAF -- got any info on this?

TIA!

Just thinking that this has been brought up in the distant past and could be in the TO archives with the right search words.

Something about the Newark switcher crossed to spot cars on the Redwood side, did this a couple of times before the line was closed. At one time CalTrain had funded rebuilding part of the span, there might be something in that story about the last crossing.

+ The topic of last crossing is kinda in here:

Date: 10/05/03 16:05
Newark Industrial Lead/SP Dumbarton Line

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,627250,page=1



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/17 23:01 by TCnR.

> Something about the Newark switcher crossed to spot cars on the Redwood side, did this a couple of times before the line was closed.

All switching work between Tracy and Redwood Jct was Western Division work, which means one of the "Newark switchers" (actually 6 day a week brakeman's locals) went across the bridge as a matter of course as part of its chores. All these so-called "Newark switchers" actually went on and off duty at Niles or Warm Springs.

Summer 1982

Thanks, WAF. Do you have any more details --
exact date, locomotive number(s), what was
in the cars?

I think the rest of the details may be lost.
Still wondering if anyone has any more info.

Are you thinking formal train or just the last crossing?

The last crossing was probably one of the switchers with a car or two.

The last train might be easier for somebody with one of those collections of SP info to figure out.

What date did the very last train -- even if that
was a light engine move -- go all the way across
the SP's Dumbarton Bridge?

TIA!

The answer may be lost in the mists of time.....
I hope not. No big deal -- I'm just curious.

(And I seemed to have done the impossible --
stumped WAF as to the exact date!)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/17 13:33 by Margaret_SP_fan.

Margaret, nobody knows the answer since no train orders have surfaced. Service was spotty over bridge as stated. MDO might have that date

WAF ---
Thank you very much! Train orders are
"ephemera", and rarely survive the death
of the collector. Sad, as they contain
very interesting info.

I'll ask MDO.

Will let everyone know what I find out.

Margaret_SP_fan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WAF ---
> Thank you very much! Train orders are
> "ephemera", and rarely survive the death
> of the collector. Sad, as they contain
> very interesting info.
>
> I'll ask MDO.
>
> Will let everyone know what I find out.

Mike should have it in his files. Lots of paper tossed when stations closed. Glad to have acquired ( OK, JLY, you say stolen) what I have and will make it available down the road.

WAF ---
So glad you saved those priceless records
from being thrown away.