Santa Fe Railway

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF) ...  Pre-BNSF

Since these photographs were for the most part taken by me in the 1970's and 1980's, it stands to reason that a lot of the map locations shown for where they were taken are markedly different today.  Tracks may have been removed, re-aligned or replaced by urban passenger lines such as MetroLink.  It might be interesting to compare locations with how they look today.

 

Southern California

 

Escondido Branch

Santa Fe's Escondido branch is now owned by North County Transit District and has been totally revamped with double track on concrete ties for most of its length, and some of it has been rerouted and added on to.  Back when I lived in southern California in the 80's, there were no light rail or commuter trains; just the as-needed Escondido turn consisting of a couple of locomotives a few freight cars to serve the customers in Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido, all followed up by a waycar (caboose).

My how things have changed.

In this photo series, I picked up a train just entering Escondido, switching Bell Milling, and followed it as it went about its business in Escondido and then returned to Oceanside.

Eastbound passing Bell Milling CompanyEastbound passing Bell Milling Corporation's Escondido plant
Map location

Once they got to a convenient place, they parked the train and went to lunch.Once they got to a convenient place, they tied down the train and went to beans.
Map location

Front of a CF7Front of CF7 2641 in Escondido
Map location

Turning the power on the Escondido wyeTurning the power on the Escondido wye
Map location

ATSF 2571ATSF 2571

ATSF 2641ATSF 2641

Looking down toward the wye leadLooking down toward the wye lead
Map location

Santa Fe depot in Escondido. It has since been moved to Grape Day Park in central EscondidoSanta Fe depot in Escondido. It has since been moved to Grape Day Park in central Escondido
Map location
Grape Day Park map location

Working a spur in EscondidoWorking a spur

Getting ready to depart from Escondido for OceansideA different train, a different day. Getting ready to depart from Escondido for Oceanside

GP35u 2938GP35u 2938

 

San Marcos

Westbound at Valpreda Road San Marcos, heading back to OceansideWestbound at Valpreda Road San Marcos, heading back to Oceanside. This road no longer goes through.
Map location

Buena

Westbound at Buena, between San Marcos & VistaWestbound at Buena, between San Marcos & Vista
Map location

Waycar 808 bringing up the rear at BuenaWaycar 808 bringing up the rear at Buena

Vista

Passing westward through VistaPassing westward through Vista
Map location

Oceanside

Turning south on the wye onto the mainline at OceansideTurning south on the wye onto the mainline at Escondido Junction in Oceanside
Map location

 ATSF Coast mainline signal 2431

 

Next: Lake Elsinore Branch