Neighborhood Views at the Chabot Road Overpass

Near its final days in 1957, a southeast view of the Chabot Rd. overpass, or as some said “trestle” to reflect its origins prior to the filling in of the majority of the structure along Chabot Elementary School. This update will supplement several other updates featuring the overpass structure and surrounding neighborhood.

L90-05-EK Muller Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 80499sn, (Image 1 of 15)

For many viewers, the classic pose of MW 302 having just traversed the school-associated berm during a BAERA-sponsored excursion, Sep. 12, 1948, west view.

L90-10-Tom Gray Photo, Courtesy Tom Gray, (Image 2 of 15)

Alternatively, from a lower vantage point, revealing different features of the school. MW 302, BAERA-sponsored excursion, Sep. 12, 1948, west view.

L90-15-Tom Gray Photo, Courtesy Tom Gray, (Image 3 of 15)

A northwest view provided a greater sense of the density of housing on the north side of the overpass and the craggy contour of the eastern overpass supports. MW 302, circa 1948.

L90-20-Tom Gray Photo, Courtesy Tom Gray, (Image 4 of 15)

The east view provided the open spaces to the east save for the large homes set back off Chabot Rd. MW 302, circa 1948.

L90-25-Roger Heller Photo, From the collection of the Moraga Historical Society, Moraga, CA, NN-65 , (Image 5 of 15)

West views of the berm were useful in dating changes to Chabot Elementary School. Compare this image of a two-car passenger train composed of SN 1006 and SN 1026, July 4, 1940 ...

L90-30-Vernon Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 68148sn, (Image 6 of 15)

... to this west image of MW 302 during the BAERA-sponsored excursion, Sep. 12, 1948. The school’s long honored tradition of using portable structures is revealed.

L90-35-Addison Laflin Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 68165sn, (Image 7 of 15)

West views provided an opportunity to feature unusual freight cargo, such as this scene with SN 605 and SN 606 returning one car-load of military gear from the Oakland Army base, Apr. 22, 1950.

L90-40-Al Thoman Photo, Courtesy Al Thoman, (Image 8 of 15)

Or an excursion with SN 1005, MW 302 (SN 1020) and parlor car Salt Lake and Utah 751, west view, Dec. 6, 1952. The color insert is a reminder that this trio is still around and ready to board passengers at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun.

L90-45- John Harder Photo, and Norman Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, WRM Archives, 56009sn, (Image 9 of 15)

Ground views of the overpass, such as this northwest view from Jan. 28, 1954 provided architectural details of the neighborhood homes.

L90-50-Harre Demoro Photo, Courtesy John Harder , (Image 10 of 15)

Detail of L90-50 of the homes along Chabot Rd.

L90-55-Harre Demoro Photo, Courtesy John Harder, Detail , (Image 11 of 15)

Evidence for house exterior remodeling, such as this northwest view circa 1950 with SN 603 and SN 604.

L90-60-Dave Gumz Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 79341sn, (Image 12 of 15)

Obtaining information to the east required just the right camera angle, here a northeast view of SN 650 and SN 653, Oakland-bound in 1948.

L90-65-Roger Heller Photo, From the collection of the Moraga Historical Society, Moraga, CA, NN-63, (Image 13 of 15)

Here below SN 661 and a SN 650-series motor, the northeast view from 1948 sights a car at the intersection with Golden Gate Ave., possibly preparing a turn to head to the tunnel.

L90-70-Roger Heller Photo, From the collection of the Moraga Historical Society, Moraga, CA, NN-64, (Image 14 of 15)

And finally back to 1957, the rusted rails revealing the end was near as the EBMUD Claremont Laboratory shines to the northeast.

L90-75-EK Muller Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 80502sn , (Image 15 of 15)