Altering San Miguel Road at the End of the Test Track

This northeast panoramic view of Concord from Mar. 3, 1969 will be used to follow the SN along the BART test track, right middle margin, out to Port Chicago.

L125-05-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 15606-37 , (Image 1 of 19)

A detail from L125-05, a northeast view from Mar. 3, 1969, shows the test track from a point north of Kilgore, right edge, to its end at Systron Dr. At the latter point, the SN continues along St. Stephens Cemetery, where Monument Blvd. approaches from the west. San Miguel Rd. can be seen on the north flank of the test track.

L125-10-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 15606-37, Detail , (Image 2 of 19)

A northwest view of the same area as in L125-10, Mar. 3, 1969, as well as the SN route into central Concord.

L125-15-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 15606-40, Detail , (Image 3 of 19)

Now back in time, circa 1956, where San Miguel Rd. is shown crossing the SN tracks and ending at St. Stephens Cemetery in this southeast view. Based on the previous aerials, this means that the direction of San Miguel had to be changed to accommodate the test track and leave the SN right-of-way intact. Ref: brk00017178_24a

L125-20-Clyde Sunderland Photo, Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, (Image 4 of 19)

John Harder left his Chevy Nova to take this pre-Bart test track, southeast view down the SN at the grade crossing of San Miguel Rd., July 27, 1963.

L125-25-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder , (Image 5 of 19)

Now that the previous route of San Miguel Rd. relative to the SN has been visualized, a repeat of L125-15 is presented to show the portion of San Miguel Rd. eliminated after construction of the test track, yellow arrow, between the SN grade crossing and the cemetery, northwest view, Mar. 3, 1969.

L125-26-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 15606-40, Detail , (Image 6 of 19)

The end of the test track berm alongside the SN track at the newly named Systron Dr., Feb. 1, 1965. Mount Diablo stands tall in the background. The track would be completed and ready to go by Apr. 12, 1965.

L125-30-Tony Perles Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 94244BARTD, (Image 7 of 19)

A northwest view of the now graded area for the new test track in 1964.

L125-35-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 8 of 19)

A similar view as in L125-35 taken a further bit north showing the finished test track in 1966.

L125-40-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder , (Image 9 of 19)

Now for a ride from the SN Kilgore spur on one of the oldest of the SN’s diesels, SN 147, as it heads toward Systron Dr., south view, Sept. 10, 1965.

L125-45-Tony Perles Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 94243sn, (Image 10 of 19)

SN 144 and caboose observed in a similar south view a further bit north relative to L125-45.

L125-50-SF BARTD Photo No.11019, Collection of Harre Demoro, Courtesy John Harder , (Image 11 of 19)

Back to a southeast view providing proof of the SN’s active line during the test track period. The train nears the Systron Dr. grade crossing, Nov. 3, 1965.

L125-55-Tony Perles Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 94246sn, (Image 12 of 19)

SN 145 and freight block Systron Dr. at the grade crossing, southeast view, Feb. 16, 1965.

L125-60-Tony Perles Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 94253sn, (Image 13 of 19)

Three consecutive southeast views to follow BART test track cars progressing closer to Systron Dr. Here, lab car A in 1966.

L125-65-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 14 of 19)

Next, lab car B approaching the switch tracks that will connect the test track to the shop maintenance shed, southeast view, 1966.

L125-70-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 15 of 19)

Lab car C, the first of the three especially made for the test track, crosses the double-switch in 1965, southeast view.

L125-75-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 16 of 19)

Finally a northwest image through the front glass panel of lab car C, with the end of the test track in sight.

L125-80-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 17 of 19)

Back in time to July 1956, the rear of this freight heading to central Concord is being pushed by SN 653 as the latter crosses the San Miguel Rd. grade crossing, northwest view. The gravestones of St. Stephens Cemetery can be barely appreciated behind the small orchard.

L125-85-Moreau Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 94744sn, (Image 18 of 19)

SN 145 slowly moves its small load south just north of the San Miguel Rd. grade crossing, north view, circa 1965.

L125-90-Robert P. Townley Photo, Courtesy Robert P. Townley, (Image 19 of 19)