Nevada Railroading

[Sonofahoghead]

For as far back as I can remember (60's), the Southern Pacific had everything E/W between Ogden, UT and Oakland, CA as it crossed northern Nevada (the E/W mainline switched to the Union Pacific heading east from Ogden across southern Wyoming).  It's all UP now, but in those days the SP crews going west from Ogden changed in Carlin, NV (near Elko) and again in Sparks, NV (near Reno), then again in Roseville, CA (near Sacramento) and on to terminate in Oakland.  Probably still do.  That is the track line you were going parallel with on the highway last week as you left Reno.. across the Great Basin heading east, and across Donner Pass heading west.  I was in Ogden and knew many SP crew members on that route.  The WP presence in northern Nevada during old times served points north of that with local lines in a few places coming south to meet the SP mainline and various towns and along the I-80 corridor.  Hope this helps.

[MidlandMike]

The main lines split at Winnemucca, and west of there the ex-WP swings well north of I-80.  WP served Reno on a branch, and as Deg said, came in from the north.  The Parr yard is evidently a UP project, as the older topo does not show it, but satellite does.  The topo shows a modest end-of-line facility in Reno at the junction with SP.  Satellite view shows most of this is gone.   You might also notice the red roofed building that is now the Depot Brewery.

http://www.mytopo.com/maps/?lat=39.5321&lon=-119.8061&z=16

 

[Deggesty]

Westbound, all traffic moves on the former SP from Alazon (just west of Wells) to Weso (just east  of Winnemucca). All eastboud traffic moves on the former WP between the two points. The SPV California and Nevada Railroad Atlas lists Weso as "Wesco."

Yes, you paralleled the former SP from Reno. The WP came into Reno from the north.

The atlas shows the North Reno-Parr Yard about 5-6 miles north of Reno. I cannot give you any exact information of the former WP's presence there.

 

[rugbug48]

I was in Nevada this past week.  Several questions--the former SP and WP have directional running.  Which road is used for east bound?  Leaving Reno on I-80E, was I paralleling the SP?   Where are the WP facilities in Reno?   Thank you.