The SN Route to the Station

Railfan and author Jeff Moreau visited Marysville in 1990 to photograph existing SN track, and the route through downtown where no evidence remained. He took these two images at the western continuation of 2nd St. between F and G Sts., a very important area for the SN, where evidence to the keen eye still existed.

L200 01-Jeff Moreau Photo, Moreau Coll. Courtsey BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, (Image 1 of 48)

That important area was the entry of SN passenger trains to the station at E St. and 2nd St. West View with SN 127, August 4, 1940.

L200-02-Wibur C. Whittaker Photo, Courtesy Arnold Menke and Garth Groff, (Image 2 of 48)

This update will follow SN passenger trains from the joining of the WP mainline in Oliver to the passenger station at 2nd. and E St. The main landmarks are indicated on this southeast view of the area in question in 1940. Ref: Image downloaded from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Olivehurst,_2_miles_south_of_Marysville,_Yuba_County,_California._Air_view_of_the_city_of_Marysville_._._._-_NARA_-_521573.jpg

L200-01-Dorothea Lange Photo, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, NARA-521573, (Image 3 of 48)

To start, an east view from F St. down 2nd St. to E. St. in 2018. No evidence of the existence of the former SN remains.

L200-05-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 4 of 48)

From the same location, same east view, with SN 654 during the tail end of the last SN electric service, 1963. The warehouse and station can be seen along the left or north edge, but behind these structures the Western Hotel is gone.

L200-10-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 5 of 48)

From the same location, same east view, Apr. 1950, and everything is still in place as far as the eye can see from the SN passenger era that lasted until 1940.

L200-15-Holmes Bros. Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 99548sn, Detail, (Image 6 of 48)

Now moving east down 2nd St., an east view of the destination of this update, the SN station circa 1940 with Birney cars no. 68 and no. 70 taking a breather.

L200-20-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 125415sn, (Image 7 of 48)

This trip on a SN passenger train starts south of Marysville in Oliver where the SN fused with the WP mainline, the latter partially obscured by smoke from a WP locomotive in this north view from Jan. 14. 1953. The Yuba River is at flood stage as can be seen by the portion that splits Oliver from the rest of Yuba County. The WP trestle, left, and Highway 20, right, modified in this area to accept the extra flow.

L200-25-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 2876-4, (Image 8 of 48)

A detail of the north view from Jan. 14. 1953 of the north end of the huge SN trestle coming in from Alicia on the left to join the at present occupied WP mainline.

L200-30-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 2876-4 Detail, (Image 9 of 48)

Back on the ground, but now from Apr. 28, 1940, the north view from the front of SN 1008 catches the moment of waiting as WP Mike 326 passes the switch leading to SN track from the joint trackage over the Yuba River.

L200-35-Louis Bradas, Jr. Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 68855sn, (Image 10 of 48)

Rail fans on the SN Bidwell parlor car on the last Sunday of service from Sacramento to Marysville, Oct. 27. 1940, anticipate crossing the Yuba River on the joint trackage in this north view as the conductor returns the switch to accommodate the next WP train.

L200-40-Wilbur C. Whittaker Photo, Courtesy Arnold Menke and Garth Groff, (Image 11 of 48)

After crossing the Yuba River and passing the first switch, SN 101-SN 200-Bidwell as train no. 2 looks ahead to the switch to point it toward the SN station in this south view from Oct. 27, 1940.

L200-45-George Henderson Photo, Wurm Coll., Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 33070sn, (Image 12 of 48)

Looking north, a three-car, Sacramento-bound train consisting of a southern-end, Cincinnati Car Co.-Hall Scott Motor Co. combination of SN 1007-SN 1023-SN 1024 blocks the route just at the City Limit sign on Sept. 6, 1937, but the track north of that switch will accommodate a north-bound train to wait to allow the south-bound train to move forward.

L200-50-Wilbur C. Whittaker Photo, Vielbaum Coll., Courtesy BAERA, W. Railway Museum Arch., 13278sn, (Image 13 of 48)

A similar situation, but the date is Apr. 1940, and a two-car, north-end, train consisting of Niles Cars SN 132-220 sits at the “City Limit” in this northeast view. That sign was a rail fan photographer’s fixture.

L200-55-J.G. Graham Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 17821sn, (Image 14 of 48)

After passing the first switch, Niles cars SN 229 and SN 226 approach the curve crossing the WP-SN freight track that ran along the Yuba River levee on the last day of passenger service, Oct. 31, 1940.

L200-60-Charles Savage Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives,9753sn, (Image 15 of 48)

The next segment was a straight shot to the station, as long as the switch to the SN freight track to the yard and Orange St. was ignored. Here, a two-car train consisting of SN 107-SN Sacramento prepares for an excursion to Colusa on June 16, 1940. The station is just up ahead in this northeast view.

L200-65-Art Alter Photo, Moreau Coll., Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 81783sn, (Image 16 of 48)

On the subject of Colusa, this northeast view at F and 2nd Sts. is said to show the May 8, 1938 train being assembled for the Cal-Nevada Colusa Mystery Excursion, but why SN Sacramento is still separated is unclear. The buildings in the background are architecturally of note. See the annotated version next ...

L200-70-Paul Smth Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 57105sn, (Image 17 of 48)

Annotated version of L200-70. The Hart Building was built in 1927 at 423-425 4th St. near E St., not along the SN right-of-way. It still stands today and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The Masonic Lodge at 3rd and C St. burned in the so-called Great Christmas Sausage Fire of 1956 started next door at Del Pero’s California Market. The Presbyterian Church and Water Co. Building were passed by the SN on D St., and will be discussed later.

L200-71-Paul Smth Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 57105sn, (Image 18 of 48)

Now sitting just west of the passenger station and alongside the freight station, this two-car train with SN 220 on the rear is readied to leave for Sacramento as train no. 3 in Sept. 1940. The tracks to the right or north are for freights, while the track coming behind the lead car on the left or south is from the track along Orange St. in this northwest view.

L200-75-Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 124673sn, (Image 19 of 48)

The same northwest view, in Apr. 1950 ...

L200-80-Holmes Bros. Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 99555sn, (Image 20 of 48)

... and in 2018.

L200-85-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 21 of 48)

The structure of the freight and passenger stations facing 2nd St. and documenting the level of traffic in the area are the next topics. SN 109 has arrived from Colusa via the Orange St. connector from 5th St. The need to use Orange St. versus the loop taken by the north-south interurbans reflected the significant traffic flow. The presence of SN buses to distribute passengers to surrounding towns added to this.

L200-90-Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 125280sn, (Image 22 of 48)

This east view from 1940 shows the administrative end of the freight station and the passenger station. SN 132 and a trailer as train no. 7 will be heading for Sacramento.

L200-95-Arthur Lloyd Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 129796sn, (Image 23 of 48)

It would be hard to pick a better picture of the Marysville SN Station than this northwest view from Charlie Savage from July 2, 1939.

L200-100-Charles Savage Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 9789sn, (Image 24 of 48)

Colusa local SN 109 and Birney no. 68 bound for Yuba City wait by the station in this northwest view in 1940. Birney traffic completed the array of electric trains and streetcars at the Marysville station. Based on the last several images and more to come, Art Peterson’s question as to why there were two tracks on 2nd St. relates to the the level of traffic on that street circa 1940.

L200-105-Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 125279sn, (Image 25 of 48)

Having concluded a review of the north side of 2nd St. between F and E Sts., now to the south side. East view, Apr. 1950.

L200-110-Holmes Bros. Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 99548sn, (Image 26 of 48)

The first building on the south side of 2nd St. and east of F St., seen on the right edge, was of an industrial nature. East view of a four-car train heading to Chico in 1940 with SN Sacramento, SN 1020, and unidentified trailer and SN 1006.

L200-115-Sappers Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 124714sn, (Image 27 of 48)

A closer partial view of the same building as SN 1006 is readied to lead a four-car train to Sacramento circa 1940, southeast view.

L200-120-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 125447sn, (Image 28 of 48)

Proceeding further east on 2nd St., there was a clearing with vegetation, seen to the right or south of SN 1006 with luggage loading for the trip to Sacramento.

L200-125-Art Alter Photo, Moreau Coll., Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 81790sn, (Image 29 of 48)

This southwest view of SN 1011 with two trailers accepting passengers for Sacramento brings into view the next set of structures to the south in this ca. 1940 southeast view.

L200-130-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 125446sn, (Image 30 of 48)

This east view from June 16, 1940 with SN 1006 and SN 107 show the final structure on 2nd St. with the southeast corner of E St.

L200-135-Wilbur C. Whittaker Photo, Vielbaum Coll., Courtesy BAERA, W. Railway Museum Arch., 132781s, (Image 31 of 48)

Before. An east view from 1940 with SN 131 and the Colusa local, SN 109.

L200-137-Louis Bradas, Jr. Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 68469sn, (Image 32 of 48)

After. An east view from 2018. The corner building on the south side of 2nd St. at E St. is gone, a curved entry to the E St Bridge now in its place. Now for more details about that building and explain how this scene from 2018 came to be.

L200-140-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 33 of 48)

First this southwest view from Aug. 18, 1940 with train no. 2, SN 1006-SN 1022-SN 1018, bound for Chico, and train no. 206, the Colusa local, SN 109. The top word on the building is “ting”, while the bottom shows “corn”.

L200-145-Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 124735sn, (Image 34 of 48)

No question about “corn” in this similar west view with train no. 2 now SN 131-SN 129-SN 226 and train no. 206, SN 109, again side-by-side, this time on Oct. 6, 1940.

L200-150-Louis Bradas, Jr. Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 68470sn, (Image 35 of 48)

And no question that the “ting” refers to sporting goods, here in an ad for a store on High St., located east of this spot between D and E Sts. SN 107 sits next to SN 101, the former of Oroville local fame until late 1937, here taking the role of the Colusa local. Southwest view, ca. 1940.

L200-155-Clooney Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 137942sn , (Image 36 of 48)

Some help needed here, and who better than the Yuba County Library’s wonderful collection identifying this building in 1915 as the Marysville Creamery Co., southeast view.

L200-160-Courtesy Yuba County Library, YCL 149, (Image 37 of 48)

One last southeast view with the SN Sacramento, and the south side of 2nd St. past E St.

L200-162-J.G. Graham Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 17811sn, (Image 38 of 48)

Heading to the E St-side of the building is in part the Columbia Cafe ca. 1940, with SN 127 and SN 109 as bystanders in this east view.

L200-165-Paul Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives 125450sn, (Image 39 of 48)

To understand why the south side of 2nd. St. between F and E Sts. was altered, it is best to start with this Dec. 24, 1955 east view of the Feather River in one of its most memorable floods. The high levees preserved most of Marysville, but levee-less Yuba City, forefront, bore the brunt of the rising waters.

L200-170-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 4724-14, (Image 40 of 48)

This detail of the Feather River from the same Dec. 24, 1955 east view starts off the subject of damage the flood caused to bridges and related structures, here showing the destruction of the SN bridge and 5th St. Bridge to the level of the levee and the Western Pacific, WP, Marysville Station, red arrow.

L200-175-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 4724-14, Detail, (Image 41 of 48)

The Yuba River was no less kind, the aftermath shown in a south view from Mar. 7, 1958. The WP trestle in Oliver was damaged in its wood-only section, orange arrow, and repaired, while the SN’s wood-only trestle was washed away, yellow arrow, leading to removal of its steel-reinforced section, brown arrow, and its right-of-way past Alicia in Yuba County, purple arrow. The D St. Bridge appeared to be unaffected, but it was said to be damaged. Focus on the section boxed in yellow. The blue arrow shows the SN-WP track along the levee.

L200-180-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 5886-2, (Image 42 of 48)

By Aug. 1, 1960, the D St. bridge had been removed, the new E. St. bridge in its place. The rest of the arrows correspond to the same structures in L200-180, but the composition of structures enclosed by the yellow box has changed. The left or eastern diagonal is now a combined D St.-F St. on ramp to the bridge.

L200-185-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7609-2, (Image 43 of 48)

To repeat the sequence of L200-180 and L200-185, only this time viewed to the north, first Mar. 7, 1958 and the D St. Bridge ...

L200-190-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 5886-3, Detail, (Image 44 of 48)

... to Aug. 1, 1960 and the E St. Bridge. This also placed the SN-WP track under the road, eliminating the prior grade crossing.

L200-195-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7609-4, Detail , (Image 45 of 48)

Now only to document the fate of the SN-WP freight station and the SN passenger station, both clearly seen just behind or north of the new on-ramp in this north view from Aug. 1, 1960.

L200-200-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7609-3, Detail, (Image 46 of 48)

Image L200-10 showed the two structures still intact in 1963, but this side-by-side, 1957 versus 1969 north oriented aerial comparison shows that neither the freight, red arrow, or passenger, yellow arrow, stations survived the 1960s decade. Ref: cas-1957_marysville May 21, 1957, left; cas-2579 1-36, Marysville, Apr. 30, 1969, panel 2579-1-36.

L200-205-Courtesy UC Santa Barbara Library, Special Research Collections, Detail , (Image 47 of 48)

Having now documented the structures on 2nd St. between E and F Sts., accounted for their removal, and surveyed the level of electric train traffic at the station, Birney no. 70 awaits on the last day of streetcar operation, Feb. 15, 1942, in this northwest view to continue the tour of the SN route in Marysville on 2nd St. across E St.

L200-210-Arthur Lloyd Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 129793sn, (Image 48 of 48)