Mystery Crossing – Where did Roger Take the Picture?

This update is about two pictures taken by Roger Heller, left, here with Bill Larkins on the Ramon, circa 1948. These two took many SN photographs during this period, but neither could say where the following two images had been taken. For more biographical information on these two, refer to the Photographers’ section.

L71-05-From the collection of the Moraga Historical Society, Moraga, CA, NN-1, (Image 1 of 16)

We know Roger was present when this image of SN 604 about to cross a grade crossing was taken because his Packard is parked next to the several rows of pipes. Note the way the road rises past the crossing, the predominance of oak trees on the hill, the dense brush bordering the pipes, and the block signal.

L71-10-Roger Heller Photo, from the collection of the Moraga Historical Society, Moraga, CA, NN-69, (Image 2 of 16)

SN 660 carries up the rear in the second image. The assignment of the location of the photos as indicated on the backs of hard copies and internet species is of interest, ranging from Rockridge (particularly Roble Road), Montclair, and various parts of Contra Costa County. So, where did Roger take the picture?

L71-15-Roger Heller Photo, from the collection of the Moraga Historical Society, Moraga, CA, NN-62, (Image 3 of 16)

The search was on. Here is the first image as “discovered”, an undated south view at the north grade crossing of St. Mary’s Road, north of the campus. The block signal provides the orientation, revealing the wigwag signal as diagonally across from the placement in the Heller images. Were Heller’s images taken on the south side of the grade crossing, facing north? Read on ...

L71-20-David Merrill Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 44363sn, (Image 4 of 16)

A similar south view on the last Sunday of passenger service, June 29, 1941, with SN 1014 leading train 6, with the same features as L71-20. The uphill section of St. Mary’s Road to the south seen here, added to the uphill portion to the north in the Heller images is consistent with a grade crossing at the lowest point of the area. Not a problem with Las Trampas Creek there to carry flood waters to the north and the proximity to Lake La Salle.

L71-25-Richard Jenevein Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 69442sn , (Image 5 of 16)

For contrast, a north view of an empty right-of-way, very rare for Wil Whittaker, at the same grade crossing from June 17, 1940. Now all that was needed were images later in time to document the re-positioning of the wigwag.

L71-30-Wilbur C Whittaker Photo, Courtesy Arnold Menke and Garth Groff, (Image 6 of 16)

Although undated, the stripes and numeral size of SN 603 and 604 place this south view in the circa-1950 period. Study the details and move on to a key comparison.

L71-35-Dave Gumz Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 69438sn, (Image 7 of 16)

Key railway markers for L71-15 to the left, L71-35 to the right. The wigwag is placed on the southeast corner of the grade crossing in both frames. The position of the crossbuck on the right, however, is now to the north of the wigwag relative to Heller’s image, left.

L71-40-Combination L71-15, left, L71-35, right, (Image 8 of 16)

This northeast image with a SN 661-led freight was found next, here a north view, circa 1950. This image is the closest in angle to Heller’s shots. Study the details, and move on to a key comparison.

L71-45-Railroad Negative Exchange, Courtesy Charles Smiley, (Image 9 of 16)

Key railway markers for L71-45 to the left, L71-10 to the right. Everything is in the corresponding place except for the relative position of the crossbuck to the wigwag. And, no, that is not Roger Heller’s car!

L71-50-Combination L71-45, left, L71-15, right, (Image 10 of 16)

For completeness, a north image, circa 1950, of the north portion of the grade crossing. This view shows the right-of-way into present day Lafayette in the background, including the transmission tower along the right edge that still crosses the Burton Valley today at the same position.

L71-55-Norman Smith Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 55599.3sn, (Image 11 of 16)

Key railway markers for L71-20 to the left, L71-55 to the right. The combination of the two images establishes the proposed site of the grade crossing. The overlap sign is a safety measure to allow enough distance for a train to brake at the stop signal, allowing a little extra distance to avoid hitting objects on the track, including an oncoming train.

L71-60-Combination L71-20, left, L71-55, right, (Image 12 of 16)

The north view at the grade crossing in 2011, top, shows how including more key features such as the entry of Bollinger Canyon Road into the intersection or a greater presence of Las Trampas Creek helps in identification. Still unsolved is the the switch of the position of the crossbuck, lost until a photo can be had.

L71-65-Combination Stuart Swiedler Photo, top, L71-10, bottom, (Image 13 of 16)

Most earlier aerials focused on northerly views of the college center taken from a point south of the college, sometimes ignoring the grade crossing at the north end. This detail form a circa 1945 oblique barely includes the grade crossing at the top edge of the image, straining the limits of the resolution of the lens.

L71-70-Vernon Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 67025sn, Detail, (Image 14 of 16)

Uncovering more quality oblique aerial shots with sufficient detail as in this one from post-SN abandonment, 1962, west view, would provide more answers to aid identification.

L71-75-Herrington-Olson Photo A-2895, From the collection of the Moraga Historical Society, Moraga, , (Image 15 of 16)

As an example, the information in the image in L71-75 makes the identification of the location of this mid-1950s west view easy to establish to avoid the question of ‘Where did EK Muller take the Picture?”

L71-80-Enrique K Muller, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 69437sn, (Image 16 of 16)