Track out of use

We like to model track that is in use. However, railroads often “sideline” tracks that are no longer needed. The tracks are left in place for possible future reactivation, but they are not used and importantly for cost-conscious railroads, they are not maintained.

The Waterside Drill track runs all the way from Emeryville to North Richmond in the north Bay Area making the UP main look from a distance like a triple track main. The Waterside drill track is only active from Gilman Ave north. South of Gilman Ave, there are no live industry connections on the west side of the main so the UP has staked off the Waterside track at each grade crossing and taken it out of service.

This is the view looking north at Hearst Ave near University Amtrak station. The treatment is similar at all the other grade crossings through Berkeley on this UP main line.

Should traffic bloom or other needs arise in the future, this line could be rehabilitated and brought back to life. The grade crossing surrounds were renewed with the main tracks even after the Waterside track had gone silent. This makes it easy for the railroad to activate the line without impacting the public or involving a lot of red tape. 

There is also an east drill track in much worse shape on the other side of the main and it also has grade crossing track in place just in case. In the modeling context, it would be easy to leave space for another track alongside the main and just rely on the grade crossing track to give the suggestion of an old track that one day may be reactivated. Ties without rails and/or other roadbed remnants could also be employed along the out-of-use right of way.

Anyone seen my frog?

While I waited for the Warm Springs train here on Thursday, I took this picture of the switch on the out of service section of the Waterside track. The switch that leads to the concrete plant near Cedar Avenue and a connection to the street trackage along Second Ave.

The rails are the same color as the sides of the main to the right. The tops are totally rusty. A key aspect to making this look right is the heavily bleached ties. This track has been dormant for many years and the ties have sat untended. This switch has guard rails but many in similar circumstances have none.

The frog has probably found itself in use in similar low speed track around here. Note the pads and wires in the location where the frog used to sit.

Modeling notes

The idle track and switch are interesting details to add next to the modern main track on your layout. It doesn’t have to connect to anything. The out of service switch stand is another nice detail to add. No worries about fiddly mechanisms or careful alignment on this model! Debris and unkempt ballast complete the scene turning otherwise boring space along the right of way into an interesting detail that emphasizes the well maintained main line.

- Coxy

Comments

[Daryl Dankwardt]

Excellent post. A lot of neat ideas can be created on a layout from this posting.
Good work!!

Daryl