East of Havens – Two Track Segment

East of the Havens shelter and Paso Robles Dr., the yellow arrow marks where the mainline is paralleled by the team track or spur to the point east where the latter unites with the mainline, the start of the descent of the right-of-way to the west portal and easement granted by Frank Havens’ Peoples Water Company.

L86-05-Courtesy California Railroad Museum and California Board of Equalization, 862-1-2, (Image 1 of 10)

An east view of SN 660 and freight from the late 1940s showing the two-track section of interest at the level of Paso Robles Dr., here showing the further division of the mainline to the west or left. Only one house can be seen in the background above Park Blvd., since renamed Shepherd Canyon Rd.

L86-10-Dave Gumz Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 67528sn, (Image 2 of 10)

One more look to the west to see the transmission towers, the Havens shelter and 7051 Woodrow Drive on the north flank of the right-of-way. The right edge shows the switch track uniting the spur with the mainline. SN 1011 from June 19, 1939.

L86-15-Wilbur Whittaker Photo, Courtesy Arnold Menke and Garth Groff, (Image 3 of 10)

Now to a series of east views starting with a circa 1937 scene with SN 1014 as part of a two-car passenger rain. The dip toward the tunnel after the switch and block signal is evident, while it is difficult to discern the house on the hill above Park Blvd.

L86-20-Paul Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 67514sn, (Image 4 of 10)

Its wartime, December 1, 1943, obvious from the hood covering the headlight of SN 605. A second motor to the rear prepares the freight for the down hill run into Rockridge.

L86-25-Wilbur Whittaker Photo, Courtesy Arnold Menke and Garth Groff , (Image 5 of 10)

Three motors lead one caboose on the SN mainline, SN 604, SN 603 and one of the larger motors from the SN 660 series, heading west with no other freight in view, circa early 1952, east view.

L86-30-Norman Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 55579.4sn 2.4, (Image 6 of 10)

Another east view, circa 1950, with SN 604 leading a freight to the two-track segment.

L86-35-Tom Gray Photo, Courtesy Tom Gray, (Image 7 of 10)

This east image from 1952 with SN 670 is noteworthy for showing the second block signal for westward traffic.

L86-40-Norman Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 55576.5sn , (Image 8 of 10)

One color image to complete the set, this east view of the rear of a freight with SN 653 pushing from behind, taken within one month of abandonment of this section, Feb. 9, 1957.

L86-45-Richard Kampa Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 58321sn, (Image 9 of 10)

While on the subject of the SN abandonment, one of John Harder’s haunting images from 1957, an east view of the SN’s remains once the catenary wires were removed prior to removal of the rail.

L86-50-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 10 of 10)