Hi guys, Need help trying to ID a former ATSF branchline in Rialto Cal. The line in question ran North from the ATSF 2nd District at Cactus Ave. (in Rialto) to the mouth of Lytle Creek Canyon (about 7 miles or so). Old road maps show this line,but not so detailed ATSF maps don't show its existance. Road maps show a wye where it leaves the 2nd Dist. main. I grew up a block away from the right of way. When I was a kid (mid 70s)the tracks ran just short of Foothill Blvd. and ended next to a vineyard where I would see trap door gondolas parked there on occasion. The only part of this line that still exists is about 250 yards of track now serving a new BNSF MOW yard and lumber yard (North of Rialto Ave.). The right of way is still clear all the way up to the canyon's mouth. What was build date,purpose of this line? The North end of the line would've been in some god forsaken territory(washes). These tracks would have run close to a WW2 munnitions storage facility in North Rialto,was there a spur to this facility at one time? Did this line go to any quarries? Today,there are several quarries where the line would've terminated. I'm a SFRH&MS member and have e mailed the society on this matter and have got no response. Are there any DETAILED ATSF line maps for this area? The local historical society has been unable to shed light on this question. I have been curious all my life as to the purpose of this branchline. Maybe someone here knows? Thank you, George Angelini
George, Sorry I have not been able to reply right away...have been trying to find info on the line in question. Unfortunately I have run into a dead end. I would suggest trying the Sanborne maps of the area to see if the line is there. If you are unfamiliar with Sanborne maps, they are highly detailed renderings of relatively small areas. They may be available on line, or if there is a regional Bureau of Land Management office near you they may have them. If not try the State Historic Preservation Office. I think it is likely that the line served quarries further up canyon, and during the war it is probable that it served the munitions depot as well. Good luck, and let us know what you come up with!! Happy Modeling!! John
Well,i finally got some info. The line in question left the 2nd District at MP85.8. This info. comes from the book "Santa Fe Coastline Depots-L.A. Div.(pg. 80)It was called the "Rialto Citrus Spur" and was established on 4-24-1914 with no abandonment date shown. The line was later called the "Rialto Foothill Spur" established 6-1-1930 and shows the line as active(as of the 1991 publishing date). I don't know why it was a "citrus" spur. My research shows that only wine grapes were cultivated in the area the line traversed. Still looking to see if maybe the line served the WW2 Army munnitions depot that was in North Rialto during that time.
Thanks for the update George...I was wondering about that line myself. My library is pretty limited right now and none of my books mentioned it. Let us know what else you find!! John
jcater, Haven't had any luck locating any Sanborne maps. I e mailed a couple of universities and ,after a month now,i haven't even got any response of any kind to my questions. Oh well that's ok. I posted this same branchline question on another forum and got quite a surprise. A gentleman,whom i've never met,sent me over 200 pages worth of ATSF track charts,out of the blue. What a blessing! He has given me a wealth of information encompassing all ATSF lines in So. Cal. I'm eternally grateful to him. These charts do show the line in question,but don't show any detail as to it's purpose,(i. e. trackside industry). Still going to keep my eyes open as far as this line is concerned. Best regards to all here!
