Kilgore was Here at the Concord Yard

A northwest view from Oct. 25, 1973 of the remains of the SN Kilgore Ranch-BART interchange along the BART Concord line, the latter in operation since May of that year. Who was Kilgore and what purpose did this interchange play in the construction of BART?

L122-05-Robert A Campbell Sr Photo, Beach Collection, Courtesy BAERA, WRM Archives, 94258sn , (Image 1 of 18)

The Kilgore’s owned the ranch from the prior century that the railway right-of-way crossed, and their name still appeared at the location of discussion at least until 1914.

L122-10-Arnold and Glass Official Maps of CCC, Coutesy Contra Costa County Public Works, (Image 2 of 18)

There is a reference at the WRM Archives that shows the land was sold in 1913, but the document cannot be found to identify the buyer. In 1952, the land is in private hands although the SN still had right-of-way, yellow arrows. 1 inch is 700 feet. Ref: G4364_W17_G46_1952_C6_sheet2_

L122-15-CCC Title Company, Courtesy Earth Sciences and Map Library, U. of California, Berkeley, (Image 3 of 18)

This northwest image from Feb. 14, 1921 shows the railway shelter and a homestead in the background whose relation to the original Kilgore ranch has not been determined. Note the fences delineating a path to the shelter.

L122-20-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 95353sn, (Image 4 of 18)

Images of the shelter became popular during the SN’s final passenger days. Here, a southeast view from the first required Interstate Commerce Commission run, July 6, 1941. Note the mile 32 placard on the catenary pole, the approximate site of the trestle over Pine Creek. The writing on the shelter wall could not be resolved.

L122-25-Jim Spencer Photo, Moreau, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 91497sn, (Image 5 of 18)

SN 1014 with SN 1005 and the parlor car Bidwell trailing makes its way to the Kilgore shelter on the last day of regular Sunday passenger service, June 29, 1941. Southeast view.

L122-30-Addison Laflin Photo, Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, W Railway Museum Archives, 94239sn, (Image 6 of 18)

Next, two views of the shelter on the second and final Interstate Commerce Commission required service, July 12, 1941, with SN 1014, here in a southeast view ...

L122-35-Dudley Thickens Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 94237sn, (Image 7 of 18)

... and here with SN 1014 in a more eastward view, July 12, 1941. Note the mile 32 placard on the catenary pole, the approximate site of the trestle over Pine Creek. The writing on the shelter wall could not be resolved in this image as well.

L122-40-Paul Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 57101sn, (Image 8 of 18)

Although long gone by the time this circa 1956 east view oblique was taken, the information from the poles and the relation to the creek allows a fairly accurate location for the shelter. Ref: brk00017186_24a

L122-45-Clyde Sunderland Photo, Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, (Image 9 of 18)

The yellow arrows mark Pine Creek as it flowed under the SN, 1939, the BART test track, 1965, and present day BART, 2015. Now for the evidence of why Kilgore played a key role in the construction of BART.

L122-50-Courtesy Google Earth and The National Archives of San Francisco, (Image 10 of 18)

As the test track construction began in 1964, a rail siding connecting the land to the west of the construction zone to the SN right-of-way allowed initial building materials to be supplied along the entire length of the BART yard. Northwest view.

L122-55-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, Detail, (Image 11 of 18)

Construction of the facility to serve as the BART service and inspection center and for the test track coach storage was also initiated in 1964. Southeast view.

L122-60-John Harder Photo, Courtesy John Harder, (Image 12 of 18)

SN 145 is seen along the SN right-of-way in this northeast view just north of the Kilgore interchange track. The parallel aligned test track is nearing operation as is the BART yard facility, Feb. 16, 1965.

L122-65-Tony Perles Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 94249sn, (Image 13 of 18)

Western Pacific EMD F7A 917D and SN 301D diesel locomotives sit between SN cabooses 1641 and 1642 delivering BART test car B to the test track at the Kilgore interchange, east view, May 27, 1965.

L122-70-Tony Perles Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 80147wp, (Image 14 of 18)

A complementary view to L122-70 with Western Pacific EMD F7A 917D and SN 301D diesel locomotives, SN cabooses 1641 and 1642, and BART test car B being readied for delivery to the test track via a crane, northwest view, May 27, 1965.

L122-75-Tony Perles Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives 80362bart, (Image 15 of 18)

Models of BART cars sit near the BART yard facility in this east view from 1966.

L122-80-John Harder Photo, Coutesy John Harder , (Image 16 of 18)

Construction of the BART track required the entry of the SN up to but not connected to the BART right-of-way, appreciating that standard railcars could not navigate the wider BART track gauge. Southeast view, July 1971.

L122-85-Robert A Campbell Sr Photo, Beach Collection, Courtesy BAERA, WRM Archives, 94261sn, (Image 17 of 18)

The Kilgore SN track interchange is seen clearly in this northwest view as the test track rail and ties are in the process of removal, Aug. 24, 1971. At this point the siding providing access from the adjacent lot had been removed and a fence erected.

L122-90-Ted Wurm Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives 85345bartd, (Image 18 of 18)