The Sankey Solution, Part 3 – North Sacramento to Robla

This update will review the section abandoned by the Sacramento Northern, SN, north of the Swanston Branch switch at Globe to Robla that occurred in 1970. This will be introduced by biking the SN Bikeway. Pictured here is a north view of a decorative arch along the trail south of Highway 80 marking Robla, a community forming part of the northern border of the city of Sacramento. The incorporation of what was known as "North Sacramento" into Sacramento City was completed with a merger in June 1964,

L318-05-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 1 of 37)

Pictured here in a northeast view is the SN shelter at their Robla station. In this update, the exact location of this shelter will be documented, as well as the fact that the decorative arch seen in the last panel is not part of Robla, Robla being entirely north of Highway 80. Many of the names of the communities have changed since the 1964 merger and highway construction, but to connect the past with the present, the next panel will highlight the fact that the SN Bikeway forms the western border of all the communities south of Highway 80.

L318-10-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 53998sn, (Image 2 of 37)

The aerial from 2024 will serve as a reference to the panels that follow. With the abandonment of the original SN mainline north of Sankey reviewed previously, this update will outline the first phase of the abandonment process south of Sankey. As a result of eliminating the SN  mainline between Globe and Robla, the section south of Sankey to Rio Linda was turned into a branch line accessible only via Western Pacific, WP, tracks.

L318-15-Courtesy Google Maps, Annotated by Stuart Swiedler, (Image 3 of 37)

Going back to a 1939 SN Employee Timetable, only North Sacramento, Del Paso and Roble were viable passenger and freight stops, while the four others highlighted in red were only flag stops. It is not known why the SN dropped the “Heights” from the Del Paso stop in its timetables or at the station itself, as the neighborhood has always retained it. No documentation was found in other timetables to pinpoint the location of Altos or Hagginwood on today’s urban grid.

L318-20-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 13474, (Image 4 of 37)

This printed schedule from 1912 on the left did provide mileposts, allowing lining up North Sacramento, Del Paso, and Robla on Google Maps as shown on the left. Using these numbers for all six sites and Google Maps, Arcade was located by Richardson Village Park, Brooke by Ford Rd., and Allison just south of Bell Ave. No images of the facilities, if any, at these flag stops were found. The presence of another station called Arcade on the SN South End added during the 1928 SN merger may have been responsible for renaming this one Hagginwood.

L318-25-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, l, and Google Maps, Annotated by Stuart Swiedler, r, (Image 5 of 37)

As a review, the previously presented bike ride in Apr. of 2019 included Globe, at what is now the crossing of the Union Pacific track, former WP, left, then where the SN Swanston Branch separated from the mainline, center. For this update, the first new landmark is a bridge over Colfax St., right.

L318-30-Stuart Swiedler Photos, (Image 6 of 37)

Two aerial views to connect this bridge with what existed on Aug. 17, 1937, left, when both passenger and freight service relied on an electrified third rail, and Oct. 30, 1952, right north view, when the SN was reduced to a diesel freight operation. These aerials also supply position of trees along the right-of-way, markers that will turn out to be useful in mapping the entire route. Att: Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6, left; Copyright California Department of Transportation, 2837-4, r

L318-35-Multiple Atributions, (Image 7 of 37)

First a detail from the north view from 1952. The red arrow marks the SN mainline overpass of Colfax St., the yellow arrow marks the SN Swanston Branch. Note from the WP crossing at Globe, left margin, the mainline rested on a berm. After the overpass, the berm slowly descended to ground level. The turquoise arrow marks the location of the next stop, North Sacramento.

L318-40-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 2837-4, (Image 8 of 37)

Railfan Paul Smith spent the last evening of passenger service between Sacramento and Chico documenting the last train northbound, the no. 6 with SN 221, SN 1003, SN 1004. The timetable notes the train left San Francisco at 1:20 PM, Sacramento at 4:35 PM, and arrived in Chico at 7:45 PM. This northeast view shows the WP track in the foreground, and how the SN track was supported by a berm to the overpass, slowly descending to ground level beyond that.

L318-45-Paul Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 168300sn, (Image 9 of 37)

Next on the left, a detail from the 1937 aerial showing the overpass over what appears to be a less developed Colfax St., if even a street was there at the time. A detail of the overpass from the 1952 aerial is on the right. Att: Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6, left; Copyright California Department of Transportation, 2837-4, r

L318-50-Multiple Attributions, (Image 10 of 37)

On reaching El Camino Ave. by bike, left, the trail swings momentarily off the right-of-way, due north. The exact location in 2024 is shown on the right, marked by a red circle.

L318-55-Stuart Swielder Photo, l, Courtesy Google Maps, r, (Image 11 of 37)

The railway crossed El Camino Ave. tangentially as seen in the 1937 aerial, left, and the north view from 1952, right. Att: Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6, left; Copyright California Department of Transportation, 2837-4, r

L318-60-Multiple Attributions, (Image 12 of 37)

This northwest view of the north side of El Camino Ave. shows an early Northern Electric, NE, era view of NE 130 at the station shelter stop, North Sacramento. Note the siding that runs to the east of the mainline, and possibly a second one seen just to the right of the shelter post. The type of utility poles paralleling the railway look very similar to the ones in Sutter County, but go to the next image.

L318-65-Moreau Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 127538sn, (Image 13 of 37)

Vernon Sappers went to North Sacramento on Apr. 22, 1944 to capture an electric freight, here SN 442, within a month of the inactivation of the third rail between Globe and Arboga as discussed previously. Recall that it was in this locale that residents pressed the SN to remove the third rail for safety reasons, the SN finally giving in. The shelter is gone, and at least one siding is intact; the 1947 Employee Timetable shows only the longer one remaining. The utility  poles have been changed to a unique style to be used up to Robla.

L318-70-Vernon Sappers Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 219012sn, (Image 14 of 37)

Back on the bike, the ride to the northeast has now progressed to Lampass Ave. along Altos Ave. and Traction Ave., approaching the second major turn since crossing the American River. The wide left turn set the right-of-way on a course directly north all the way to Rio Linda.

L318-75-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 15 of 37)

The aerial from 1937 reveals a structure of unknown function along the curve, red arrow, at about the level of Eleanor Ave. in 2024. Being only 0.6 miles from the North Sacramento stop, it does not correspond to any of the flag stops noted from the 1912 schedule. If indeed a shelter, it would best fit with the Altos flag stop in the 1939 timetable, but more research is needed here to verify if this structure corresponds with the flag stop.

L318-80-Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6, (Image 16 of 37)

Next, this southwest aerial on the left shows the SN right-of-way past Del Paso Heights ca. late 1940s. As an aside, this image also shows the entire Swanston Branch. On the right, a detail from the same image focusing on the curve and the SN line to the north to Arcade Creek, lower right corner.

L318-85-2010-3976, Cartwright Aerial Photograph Collection 194, Courtesy California State Library, (Image 17 of 37)

Continuing on the bike trail, the crossing of Arcade Creek shown here in a north view signals the entry into Del Paso Heights.

L318-90-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 18 of 37)

The 1937 aerial appears to show a trestle at the SN crossing of Arcade Creek, red arrow, but no ground images have been found of this structure to confirm this.

L318-95-Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6, (Image 19 of 37)

Further north, the image on the left show the point of entry from Kesner Ave. to the bike trail. Notice that the area to the right or east of the trail is cleared of any structures. The image on the right is the next major intersection of the trail at Grand Ave.

L318-100-Stuart Swiedler Photos, (Image 20 of 37)

A movement of packages on Nov. 13, 1939 from SN 1011 highlights this northwest view by the Del Paso, “Heights” omitted”, shelter at the southeast corner of the railway crossing of Grand Ave. The building to the left of the train across to the west on Altos Ave., no. 3741, still exists in 2024 after several rounds of external cosmetic alterations.

L318-105-Al Haij Photo, Moreau Coll. Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 197640sn, (Image 21 of 37)

Long after the third rail was removed in 1944, the small automatic substation shown on the left remained in place for several decades, here in a northeast view from Nov. 1962. A siding to the mainline and the characteristic utility pole for the North Sacramento area in the SN era are also seen. The WP Railroad Circular No. 167-E ca. 1957, right panel, indicates that the siding contributed to the team track in this location. As an aside, North Sacramento is also on this list, but the location as Bassetlaw Ave. could not be confirmed by period maps.

L318-110-Harre Demoro Photo, Courtesy John Harder, l, Courtesy Bruce Eldridge, r, (Image 22 of 37)

This side-by-side comparison 1937 versus 2024 of aerial views at the Del Paso station site provides an appreciation for the distance between the passenger shelter, red arrow, and the substation, green arrow. The permanent substation replaced a portable substation housed in a boxcar added to the line ca. 1920. The portable substation and the external structure of the permanent substation are in use at the Western Railway Museum. For more details prepared by Garth Groff, click here.

L318-115-Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6, l, and Google Maps, r, (Image 23 of 37)

A detail from the southwest aerial from the late 1940s, top, enlarged to focus in on the Del Paso station area, boxed in red on top shown on the bottom, locates the substation as expected, green arrow, but also the shelter, red arrow.

L318-120-2010-3976, Cartwright Aerial Photograph Collection 194, Courtesy California State Library, (Image 24 of 37)

In 1969, Highway 80 was extended around Sacramento, creating a physical separation between Del Paso Heights and Robla. The west view on the left from Aug. 8, 1969 shows the highway during construction, with portions of the right-of-way on either side. The SN was accommodated by building an overpass of the road over the right-of-way, right detail, despite the track being abandoned the next year. This turned out to be a great decision for bike riders of the future.

L318-125-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 16093-4, (Image 25 of 37)

The resolution of the previous west aerial from 1969 was of such high quality that the portions showing the SN right-of-way are presented starting here with the southern portion. It shows the SN Del Paso station area, with the Grand Ave. grade crossing at the right margin. The substation is marked by the green arrow. Buildings at 3737 Altos Ave., yellow arrow, and the church at 3723 Altos Ave. serve as useful landmarks for this neighborhood. No. 3741, blue arrow, was mentioned in L318-105.

L318-130-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 16093-4, (Image 26 of 37)

This south view that Harry Demoro took on Sept.15, 1988 is easy to identify as it shows the three buildings on Altos Ave. in a line, and has the distinctive utility towers along the east side of the trail still in place.

L318-135-Harre Demoro Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 27 of 37)

Further north in 1969, the growing neighbor following the section of track just south of the new highway is presented.

L318-140-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 16093-4, (Image 28 of 37)

Next, to the north of Highway 80 or the Robla side, the detail from the west aerial from 1969 shows Jessie Ave. running from top to bottom, left center of the image. More patches of open space here, still true in 2024. The church at the top left margin is a longstanding marker for this neighborhood.

L318-145-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 16093-4, (Image 29 of 37)

And the final segment to the north in 1969, up to Bell Ave, the road along the track is now Rio Linda Blvd. with essentially no housing close to the SN right-of-way.

L318-150-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 16093-4, (Image 30 of 37)

Once north of Highway 80, the bike trail surroundings take on a different appearance, more open and rural.

L318-155-Stuart Swiedler Photos, (Image 31 of 37)

Further north, the crossing of an unnamed creek is encountered, left. This image from 2019 is already out of date as the gap between Rio Linda Blvd. and the bike trail just south of Main St. is covered in 2024. North of Main St., the trail sits on a shallow berm for one block until it reaches Hunters Creek Rd., where it returns to the level with the road. Based on the 1937 aerial, right, there appears to have been a trestle at this spot, red arrow, for which a corresponding ground view has not been found.

L318-160-Stuart Swiedler Photo, l, Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6, (Image 32 of 37)

Finally, Marysville Blvd., where the trail swings left momentarily off the right-of-way toward Rio Linda Blvd. in this north view. Across Marysville Blvd., the trail can be seen coming back in line with the abandoned railway.

L318-165-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 33 of 37)

At the crossing ca. 1940 south of Marysville Blvd., the same north view shows the location of the SN Robla station shelter. Note the siding to the right or east of the shelter. The large utility tower motif would end here, replaced with the same style utility pole as seen in Sutter County visible here across the grade crossing.

L318-170-Howard T. Wolfe Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 232714sn, (Image 34 of 37)

This side-by-side comparison 1937 versus 2024 of aerial views at the Robla station site reveals how much the Marysville Blvd.-Rio Linda Blvd. intersection has been altered after removing the grade crossing.

L318-175-Aerial Collection, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, G4363 S2A4 1937 U6,l, Google Maps, r, (Image 35 of 37)

Continuing past Marysville Blvd., the last notable landmark in Robla is this creek bridge just short of the Sacramento City border and the entry to Rio Linda. As with previous creek crossings shown before, aerials from 1937 show a trestle here, but at this point it will not be shown since there are no ground images to confirm its existence.

L318-180-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 36 of 37)

Updating the map of the abandoned mainline, this leaves the short segment from Sankey to Rio Linda to discuss next update.

L318-185-Wayne Hom Drawing, Courtesy John Harder, l, and Moreau Coll., Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, (Image 37 of 37)