Every time I take the train to or from San Francisco I always think about what the Oakland Mole must have looked like in its heyday. We all know what the stations on the other end of the railroad system looked like (Grand Central, Pennsylvania, Chicago, etc) but what about on the west coast? Did UP, SP, and WP all use the Mole?
Can anyone here post some photos of the Oakland Mole, both exterior and interior shots? How about from the street? I'd love to see what the place looked like and get the feel for the change there from ferry to train.
With all the many books of railroad photographs that I own, I don't think I have seen but one or two pictures of this place. It certainly must have been something to experience: the unique weather and light of San Francisco Bay, the hooting of steam whistles, the smell of salt air, coal smoke, and crying gulls. I never saw the place, but, boy oh boy, I sure would like to if someone here can dig up and post some good photographs.
WP originally had their own ferry pier-- dunno offhand when they moved to SP's pier. UP never came to Oakland in those years, of course. SFe moved in circa 1933 and moved back out in 1938.
Oakland Mole was strictly an SP station. The California Zephyr used the
Mole for a few years,then WP moved to its own station in downtown Oakland.
I was 15 when I rode the California Zephyr to SF. I seem to recall getting off the train in Oakland, but don't recall if it was at a pier or Jack London Square.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
espeefoamerOakland Mole was strictly an SP station.
I do not personally have any photos, but a good option would be to go to www.historicaerials.com
When the web page displays (it is very slow sometimes) fill out the address search with 515 Bay Street Oakland CA. When the image appears (it will be a later year image (2000 or better) click on the 1946 date on the list of dates to the right of the image. This image will then load and you will see in black and white, SP's roundhouse. Follow the tracks just above the roundhouse to the left and keep going until you find the Mole. You may also select 1931 or 1958 and 1959 all the way up through current views. Looking is free; the photos are for sale.
When I worked for SP in the 70's, the only things standing in the 46 photo were Albers Mill, the large grain facility above the Mole, the Mole Tower and curiously enough, a footbridge overpass with steam blast plates on the underside to mark where the many tracks had once been. These plates were installed to diffuse the steam locomotive exhaust and prevent the sharp exhausts from damaging the bridge and/or blocking visibility.
As cold as it gets in the West Oakland Yard, it gets a lot colder down at the Mole. The wind is almost constant, and you get a good view of San Francisco, especially at night and moody when it is shrouded in fog. Every sound is amplified down there, except in the fog, when it all goes quiet.
A slight uphill grade, not much and really almost level, did cause steam locomotives to make something of a racket as they got heavy trains started. Old runners told me of a ramp next to the trainshed where coal loads were spotted when coal was the principle fuel for heating the facility. The Division offices were upstairs at the Mole, and the Superintendent's office overlooked a portion of that ramp. Woe be to anyone who shoved a load or two off the end of the ramp and into the bay. I am told by the old heads it happened more than once.
You can go to Robert Morris photography (the legendary "PhotoBob") and inquire about shots he may have. I do know he took several aerial shots from about 1959 or so until at least the 80's from very similar points in the air.
The Mole was an SP facility and the WP did use it for the CZ. The WP did have a pier at the end of their yard on Middle Harbor Road, but they were using it for freight.
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0000/ca0018/photos/010842pv.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0000/ca0018/photos/010843pv.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0000/ca0018/photos/010846pv.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca0000/ca0018/photos/010844pv.jpg
http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=c349444e1903c32c_landing
http://photoswest.org/photos/11005876/11005928.jpg
http://www.snowcrest.net/marnells/5623mole.jpg
http://calzephyr.railfan.net/gallery/phmole.jpg
Gentlemen, I am in your debt. All the comments are helpful & interesting. Wanswheel, I think your photos are exactly what I'm looking for; I especially like the one during WWII with the sailor, which made me think of my dad (US Navy) using the mole, looking just like that fellow. What an incredible scene this place must have presented. I can almost feel I'm there. Mr. RoadForeman, your written description is poetic; I can almost hear the foghorns and the buoys. I'll follow your links when I finish this.
As I expected, "The Oakland Terminal and Depot" (I guess that was the official name) wasn't very lovely to look at, but it looks very busy. What I wouldn't give to be there for a day and enjoy all the sounds, sights, and smells.
Thank you for giving this Ohioan a good feel for this famous railroad landmark.
I hope to read more such comments and see more photos, but I am grateful and impressed already.
Wow.....Those are interesting photos....!
Quentin
NKPguy, I recomend checking out John Signor's Southern Pacific's Western Division, It's a great read with lots of historical pics of the Mole, inside and out.
Thanks, chad thomas. I've noted your recommendation and will start the inter-library seek & loan right away.
Thanks for the great photos. They refreshed my memory nicely.
Don't forget that until rerouted over the Bar Bridge into SF's Bridge Terminal, SP's Interurban Electric subsidiary also used the Mole, and most tracks had catenary, and probably half or more of the arrivals or departures were electrics!
Was (or is) the station here used by Amtrak? I seem to remember getting on a San Joaquin and the California Zephyr at a station on the waterfront...
On our last trip south, we rode the Coast Starlight to San Jose, then took a commuter train to San Francisco. It allowed us a nice breakfast in the dining car, an extra train trip for me, and arrival at the hotel closer to check-in time. But a cruise across the bay must have been a fine way to be greeted by the Golden Gate!
"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." Daniel Burnham
MaglevWas (or is) the station here used by Amtrak? I seem to remember getting on a San Joaquin and the California Zephyr at a station on the waterfront...
No, this station was abandoned long before Amtrak came into existence. I do not remember what year it was, but the SP, and Amtrak, used a station at Sixteenth Street, which was badly damaged in the 1989 earthquake. Amtrak now uses a station at Jack London Square, which is right by the Oakland Inner Harbor.
Johnny
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