Final Days of the Almaden Shuttle
VTA’s Almaden Shuttle
A Short History of the Shortest Light Rail Line in America
April 25, 1991 - December 27, 2019
ATP Transit
A Short History of the Shortest Light Rail Line in America
April 25, 1991 - December 27, 2019
ATP Transit
In its last days, Almaden Shuttle was a curiosity – a one car train shuttled a one mile route with occasionally one passenger. Although its closure was long debated and the cost saving measure won (the parallel bus service (Line 13) only added fuel to the fire), it is most right to take a brief glimpse of the history.
The line known today as the Almaden Shuttle is only a small portion of the original Southern Pacific Lick Branch. Constructed in 1886, the almost eight mile long spur serviced industries along the way to New Almaden, competing with a similar branch of the South Pacific Coast Rail Road.
These industries, including cinnabar mines and quarries, are long gone, but their memory remains. The Almaden Quicksilver County Park preserves the local history of cinnabar, and the works of the quarries are foremost visible in the original buildings of Stanford University.
The line from Lick Station to New Almaden Station can be readily traced from the modern day. For a brief moment, we will imagine the line in the current and previous settings.
Leaving Lick Station, at CP Lick (of the UP Coast Subdivision), we travel south along Hillsdale Ave (Hisslade was once the name of the station, along the “Monterey Line”). Cutting through Public Storage, the middle of Meadows Park, and fence line, we arrive at the intersection of Chynoweth Avenue and the Guadeloupe Parkway. Dropping off a car on the Pearl Team Track (for prune loading), we continue on the southern edge of Chynoweth Avenue and curve to run on the William H. Cilker Park. From there, we follow what are now the VTA tracks to Almaden Station, and service the team track for the Almaden Winery and Hubbard & Johnson lumber.
The line south of here to New Almaden was abandoned in 1937 (and the previous route, in January 1981), nevertheless, we will continue. From here, we run over the Almaden Lake Park, the former site of a sandstone quarry, and the 1906-opened Southern Pacific “Sunset Park.” After a brief swim, we continue south, paralleling the Alamitos Creek Trail. Cutting briefly through the houses of the community of Pfeiffer, we run on Graystone Lane to its respective end. From there, we cross the Creek, slightly before the fork, cross Camden Avenue (a combination of Cambrian and Almaden), and divide Greystone Elementary and Singer Park. On a still undeveloped right of way, we cross the South Pacific Coast Line paralleling Elmsdale Drive, and cross the Almaden Expressway. We bisect the New Almaden Yard, and reach the end of the line at the station on Cahen Drive and McKean Road, thus ending our journey.
As noted earlier, the VTA route follows part of this old right of way. It opened in 1991, as part of the expansion from Tamien to Almaden and Santa Teresa. We shall now explore the shuttle. At Ohlone/Chynoweth, we stand at the southern platform, towards the southern end. The train is only one car long, and its berthing position is perfect for easy departure. (The diamond was rarely used by the shuttle). The train operator switches ends, and our train departs. Diverging off the mainline and through a curve at 8 mph (later speeding up to 20 mph), we parallel the housing of Pearl Ave and Terner Way. Another curve crosses Winfield Blvd (which we will soon parallel) and passes under I-85. Briefly, to the right, the train parallels the Guadeloupe River Trail and a small lake.
We slow to a stop at Oakridge station, adjacent to the Oakridge Shipping Mall (opened in 1971), and depart. Crossing Blossom River Way and Blossom Hill Road (formerly Downer Ave), we pass by Golfland on the left. A wide right of way once again meets the Guadeloupe River Trail and a part of Almaden Lake. A second track emerges (of which, is rarely used), and we slow to a stop at Almaden Station, in Alamitos. A quiet station, home to a modest TOD, the area is a nice ending to our brief journey. Farewell, Almaden Shuttle!
The line known today as the Almaden Shuttle is only a small portion of the original Southern Pacific Lick Branch. Constructed in 1886, the almost eight mile long spur serviced industries along the way to New Almaden, competing with a similar branch of the South Pacific Coast Rail Road.
These industries, including cinnabar mines and quarries, are long gone, but their memory remains. The Almaden Quicksilver County Park preserves the local history of cinnabar, and the works of the quarries are foremost visible in the original buildings of Stanford University.
The line from Lick Station to New Almaden Station can be readily traced from the modern day. For a brief moment, we will imagine the line in the current and previous settings.
Leaving Lick Station, at CP Lick (of the UP Coast Subdivision), we travel south along Hillsdale Ave (Hisslade was once the name of the station, along the “Monterey Line”). Cutting through Public Storage, the middle of Meadows Park, and fence line, we arrive at the intersection of Chynoweth Avenue and the Guadeloupe Parkway. Dropping off a car on the Pearl Team Track (for prune loading), we continue on the southern edge of Chynoweth Avenue and curve to run on the William H. Cilker Park. From there, we follow what are now the VTA tracks to Almaden Station, and service the team track for the Almaden Winery and Hubbard & Johnson lumber.
The line south of here to New Almaden was abandoned in 1937 (and the previous route, in January 1981), nevertheless, we will continue. From here, we run over the Almaden Lake Park, the former site of a sandstone quarry, and the 1906-opened Southern Pacific “Sunset Park.” After a brief swim, we continue south, paralleling the Alamitos Creek Trail. Cutting briefly through the houses of the community of Pfeiffer, we run on Graystone Lane to its respective end. From there, we cross the Creek, slightly before the fork, cross Camden Avenue (a combination of Cambrian and Almaden), and divide Greystone Elementary and Singer Park. On a still undeveloped right of way, we cross the South Pacific Coast Line paralleling Elmsdale Drive, and cross the Almaden Expressway. We bisect the New Almaden Yard, and reach the end of the line at the station on Cahen Drive and McKean Road, thus ending our journey.
As noted earlier, the VTA route follows part of this old right of way. It opened in 1991, as part of the expansion from Tamien to Almaden and Santa Teresa. We shall now explore the shuttle. At Ohlone/Chynoweth, we stand at the southern platform, towards the southern end. The train is only one car long, and its berthing position is perfect for easy departure. (The diamond was rarely used by the shuttle). The train operator switches ends, and our train departs. Diverging off the mainline and through a curve at 8 mph (later speeding up to 20 mph), we parallel the housing of Pearl Ave and Terner Way. Another curve crosses Winfield Blvd (which we will soon parallel) and passes under I-85. Briefly, to the right, the train parallels the Guadeloupe River Trail and a small lake.
We slow to a stop at Oakridge station, adjacent to the Oakridge Shipping Mall (opened in 1971), and depart. Crossing Blossom River Way and Blossom Hill Road (formerly Downer Ave), we pass by Golfland on the left. A wide right of way once again meets the Guadeloupe River Trail and a part of Almaden Lake. A second track emerges (of which, is rarely used), and we slow to a stop at Almaden Station, in Alamitos. A quiet station, home to a modest TOD, the area is a nice ending to our brief journey. Farewell, Almaden Shuttle!
Addenum
The final day of the Almaden shuttle was almost a disappointment. The scheduled car, 992, made its rounds up and down the branch from the morning until the mid afternoon. From there, it was dispatched onto the Santa Teresa - Alum Rock run due to a shortage of trains. Thus, we thought it was the unceremonius end of the line.
However, luckily we returned and a new car, the 998, returned to serve the shuttle line. Gradually the rail-minded showed up, and of course, they outnumbered the actual riders. A few employees also gave a final ride throughout the day.
Night came, and the final run was as scheduled. The operator gave a brief speech recognizing the end of service. From Ohlone/Chynoweth, the train deadheaded to the yard, ringing the bell in a most fitting fashion. Thus was the end of America's shortest light rail line.
Photos taken at night were of the final run.
The final day of the Almaden shuttle was almost a disappointment. The scheduled car, 992, made its rounds up and down the branch from the morning until the mid afternoon. From there, it was dispatched onto the Santa Teresa - Alum Rock run due to a shortage of trains. Thus, we thought it was the unceremonius end of the line.
However, luckily we returned and a new car, the 998, returned to serve the shuttle line. Gradually the rail-minded showed up, and of course, they outnumbered the actual riders. A few employees also gave a final ride throughout the day.
Night came, and the final run was as scheduled. The operator gave a brief speech recognizing the end of service. From Ohlone/Chynoweth, the train deadheaded to the yard, ringing the bell in a most fitting fashion. Thus was the end of America's shortest light rail line.
Photos taken at night were of the final run.
Ohlone-Chynoweth
Oakridge
Almaden
Further Reading
“Abandoned Rails of San Jose, California.” Abandoned Rails, c. 2019, http://www.abandonedrails.com/San_Jose_California
“Almaden Branch.” Ktransit.com, 25 March 2017, http://ktransit.com/transit/NAmerica/uscalifornia/sanjose/lightrail/sjc_lr-almaden.htm
“End is Near for VTA's Almaden Branch.” Trainorders.com, 11 November 2019., https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4911840,nodelay=1
“Mt. Umunhum and VTA's Toonerville Trolley.” Trainorders.com, 22 Dec. 2008, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,1831186,nodelay=1.
“The New Almaden Branch: Alamitos to New Almaden, CA.” Abandoned Rails, c. 2016,
http://www.abandonedrails.com/New_Almaden_Branch
“No service this morning on VTA's Almaden Branch – opera.” Trainorders.com, 26 May 2005, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,1169465,nodelay=1
“San Jose.” United States Geological Survey, 1889.
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/overlay/CA/CA_San%20Jose_301582_1889_62500_geo.jpg
“Santa Clara VTA's Almaden Branch.” Trainorders.com, 27 June 2005,
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,948510,nodelay=1
“Santa Clara VTA Almaden Branch to Close” Trainorders.com, 09 April 2019, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4769675,nodelay=1
“Seeking information on the SP New Almaden/Lick Branch.” Trainorders.com, 08 June 2007, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,1422738,nodelay=1
“VTA Almaden Branch Facing Closure?” Trainorders.com, 26 June 2009, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,1962786,nodelay=1
“Abandoned Rails of San Jose, California.” Abandoned Rails, c. 2019, http://www.abandonedrails.com/San_Jose_California
“Almaden Branch.” Ktransit.com, 25 March 2017, http://ktransit.com/transit/NAmerica/uscalifornia/sanjose/lightrail/sjc_lr-almaden.htm
“End is Near for VTA's Almaden Branch.” Trainorders.com, 11 November 2019., https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4911840,nodelay=1
“Mt. Umunhum and VTA's Toonerville Trolley.” Trainorders.com, 22 Dec. 2008, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,1831186,nodelay=1.
“The New Almaden Branch: Alamitos to New Almaden, CA.” Abandoned Rails, c. 2016,
http://www.abandonedrails.com/New_Almaden_Branch
“No service this morning on VTA's Almaden Branch – opera.” Trainorders.com, 26 May 2005, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,1169465,nodelay=1
“San Jose.” United States Geological Survey, 1889.
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/overlay/CA/CA_San%20Jose_301582_1889_62500_geo.jpg
“Santa Clara VTA's Almaden Branch.” Trainorders.com, 27 June 2005,
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,948510,nodelay=1
“Santa Clara VTA Almaden Branch to Close” Trainorders.com, 09 April 2019, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4769675,nodelay=1
“Seeking information on the SP New Almaden/Lick Branch.” Trainorders.com, 08 June 2007, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,1422738,nodelay=1
“VTA Almaden Branch Facing Closure?” Trainorders.com, 26 June 2009, https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,1962786,nodelay=1
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