Picnic Paradise – Introduction to Pinehurst

No area through the East Bay Hills personifies the unique nature and unusual serenity of an interurban railway as the SN right-of-way at Pinehurst. Little has changed along this section of Canyon through to the Moraga border save the growth of trees. But it also contributed a very strategic role for the SN. Northwest view from the western portion of Pinehurst along Pinehurst Rd.

L69-05-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 1 of 20)

For this overview, the physical layout of the western section or area containing the double-track section and shelter, designated by the orange dotted line, will be reviewed. The insert showing Pinehurst shelter with the green arrow also shows the double-track section, complete with a two-car train on the main line from 1940.

L69-10-USDA, AAA, Western Division Laboratories, BUT BUU-283-80, Panel 79, Courtesy EBMUD and others, (Image 2 of 20)

The approach to the double-track section from the northwest, upper left to center, and the double-track section itself, center to lower right, are revealed in the north view aerial detail from 1935. Note how Pinehurst Rd. bends away and then sharply back toward the right-of-way. The small shelter used for passengers cannot be clearly delineated from this angle, although its location may be approximated using information from L69-10. EBRPD Ref: USNPS-11-B

L69-15-HJW Geospatial Inc, Pacific Aerial Surveys, Oakland CA, Courtesy East Bay Regional Park Distr, (Image 3 of 20)

In the last update, the image on the left with SN 1014 and three trailers in 1941 was said to have two unequivocal features of the approach to Pinehurst; the bend in Pinehurst Rd., and the distinctive western tree line profile. The northwest view of SN 1012 and 1026 from June 18, 1939 on the right shows a train to the south relative to the left image, within the double-track section of Pinehurst. Follow the tree line from the black arrows to the left in both images to see they are a perfect match. Ref: Art Alter Photo, Moreau Collection.

L69-17-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 177704sn, l, 171688sn, r, (Image 4 of 20)

An Oakland, Antioch and Eastern train has either just passed or is about to enter Pinehurst in this northwest view circa 1913. Except for the overgrowth of vegetation, little has changed along the right-of-way, primarily as a result of the area being a part of the EBMUD watershed. The double-track configuration here was very strategic for railway operation, as it provided the only passing track between Havens and central Moraga.

L69-20-Eston Cheney Photo B-2609B, Vernon Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, WRM Archives, 24192sn, (Image 5 of 20)

Pinehurst was a major picnic destination as can be attested by this six-car train pulled by two box motors, northwest view, circa 1914. A passenger waits on the small platform separating the two tracks, and the entrance to the picnic grounds is to the left. Picnic Specials ran until 1940, using up to 10 cars. More details in an interview with Vernon Sappers, Oakland Tribune, Jun. 6, 1968 pp 25,28.

L69-25-Vernon Sappers Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, (Image 6 of 20)

In addition to Pinehurst Park to the west, the Oakland, Antioch and Eastern tried to establish summer homes to the east, but eventual designation of this area as watershed doomed the railway’s attempts to promote development.

L69-30-Courtesy California Board of Equalization, 862-7-1B, (Image 7 of 20)

Now for a tour of the western section of Pinehurst courtesy of Enrique “EK” Muller, who documented the area just after abandonment in 1957. Starting from the west, an east view of the two block signals and the switch producing the passing track or spur.

L69-35-Redwood Canyon, Pinehurst, 1957, EK Muller Photo, 69114sn, (Image 8 of 20)

Now further east, the switch comes into view, 1957.

L69-40-Redwood Canyon, Pinehurst, 1957, EK Muller Photo, 69112sn, (Image 9 of 20)

Proceeding further east, but now facing west, the relatively straight approach to the area can be appreciated.

L69-45-Redwood Canyon, Pinehurst, 1957, EK Muller Photo, 69113sn, (Image 10 of 20)

Further east puts you between the set of tracks, soon approaching the site of the shelter, east view, 1957. Note the second set of block signals for the area as well.

L69-50-Redwood Canyon, Pinehurst, 1957, EK Muller Photo, 69109sn, (Image 11 of 20)

The previous site of the shelter in L69-50 can be pinpointed from this freight image showing the small building, circa 1950. This image is also of interest as passenger motor MW 302 sits right in front of the caboose, and its pantograph is engaged with the catenary. It also appears that there are a few hands hanging out the two open windows.

L69-55-Redwood Canyon, Pinehurst, Railroad Negative Exchange, Courtesy Charles Smiley, (Image 12 of 20)

The derail mechanism is just under foot as views continue to the east toward the end of the double-track section, 1957.

L69-60-Redwood Canyon, Pinehurst, 1957, EK Muller Photo, 69110sn, (Image 13 of 20)

Now turning west, the switch and telephone booth operated by the SN are featured.

L69-65-Redwood Canyon, Pinehurst, 1957, EK Muller Photo, 69108sn, (Image 14 of 20)

Mason Fara of Moraga wanted more information about the Pinehurst shelter, seen here with SN 1014 uncharacteristically placed at the rear of a four car train, unless this one intends to be the school train toward Concord the next day, as it is Sunday, May 26, 1940. Northwest view.

L69-70-Wilbur C. Whittaker Photo, Courtesy Arnold Menke and Garth Groff , (Image 15 of 20)

The shelter was not present when the original footprint for Pinehurst was devised and revised on June 30, 1914. A detail follows.

L69-75-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 4012sn, (Image 16 of 20)

This detail from the previous map shows the station area had a platform between the two tracks, and nothing indicating a shelter. Since images between 1915 and 1935 of this spot are very rare, it is not known when the platform was removed, or when the shelter was added. The platform is also evident in L69-25. The next image provides a closer look.

L69-80-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 4012sn, Detail, (Image 17 of 20)

This southeast view shows one end of the passenger platform. SN 1019 is in the lead of this two car train, and the lack of a trolley pole indicates it is not motorized. As to the date of this image, according to Demoro’s “Sacramento Northern”, the steel car had controls when built and delivered in 1913 by the Hall-Scott Motor Car Co. of Berkeley, and was motorized in 1915.

L69-85-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 162087sn, (Image 18 of 20)

Two undated views of the shelter, the left image being the only found showing it with windows, the right view showing it in its most dilapidated condition while the overhead catenary was still in place. There is no pictorial evidence or written record indicating it housed an agent. The style of the station resembled the one at Clyde, so it was likely built by the railway. Refer to “Where the SN Met the Bay Point and Clayton at Clyde.”

L69-90-Gumz Coll. l, Moreau Coll., r, Courttesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 162918sn, (Image 19 of 20)

Sam Sperry of Moraga raised the issue as to whether the use of “station” for Pinehurst was appropriate, as it was considered a “flag stop” for a picnic in the redwoods. These timetables from 1913, left, and 1939, right, indicate it was always considered both, independent of the presence of a platform or a shelter. Unlike many other flag stops not listed, trains adhered to the timetable here, and needed to stop to allow trains to pass in the opposite direction. With the landmarks of the area outlined, next to include images with trains and important events in the next update.

L69-95-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, (Image 20 of 20)