Railroaders' Nostalgia > Oakland Pier

Was there anywhere on the SP that afforded a better place to ride or watch trains?  A fabulous place from sunrise to sunset. Oh and the Ferries! How could you be a railfan and not a lover of those ferries!
Non-stop action back in the day. I saw some steam there. I believe the Overland still went out behind steam. Also everytime I was there during SP steam days, there was  a 1200, 0-6-0 on spot under the sheds.
I never saw it run, I never saw the crew.. I always wondered where they were hiding out. I'll bet that job went to number one or two!
Not alot of the WP but still impressive. WP had a Zephyrette ran ran to SLC three times a week. I got to ride it  a couple of times. It accelerated out of station stops like a bat out of hell.
West Oakland , 1707 Wood St, had something in common with Taylor Yard. People were friendly. You had your run of the place. I stayed away from the pit and whiskers naturally, and no ever said a thing.
There was steam there too. The RH  had their own "Dinky" engine.
The SP was truely the Friendly Place!
By the way, a  ticket from Stckton to the Pier cost me $ 1.78! The ticket was a small cardstock item with the words "Special Coach" printed on it. One could take the CZ zephyr to the pier and return on the zephyrette on certain days.
I think all the trains out of the Pier were named. Even the Ogden Mail!

Western Div offices at 1707 Bay st were the Oakland Pier before it was closed in 1960

Division offices after the pier were at 1707 Wood Street.  Oakland terminal offices were 515 Bay Street.   

No wonder nobody answered Wes's letters.

TCnR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No wonder nobody answered Wes's letters.
Got the address right



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/23 15:05 by WAF.