San Diego & Arizona Eastern
CORONADO BRANCH:
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
The S.D.&A.E's grade crossing at Pomona Avenue in Coronado was covered up during a repaving job in early July, thereby cutting off North Island Naval Air Station. Traffic Manager K. D. Frye confirmed that the paving will be permanent, and that all traffic from the Air Station has stopped.
The branch is still in operation, doing some business with the Amphibious Base south of Coronado. Frye stated that the Base has agreed to stop rail shipments as soon as the railroad can get approval for abandonment. The official application has not been presented yet, but will be as soon as the railroad's legal department can get to it.
In other news of the S.D.&A.E., the San Ysidro Depot, shown here, is still standing, but not for much longer. It's taking the railroad a little longer than originally anticipated to complete the move into a nearby metal building, but the 50-year-old depot is just living on borrowed time. (R. R. D. )
EXCURSION NEWS...
Enclosed is a brochure on a Labor Day excursion being run by the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association and the Pacific Railroad Society. The advertised times of arrival and departure are being adjusted to allow for connections with the San Diegan. Fares from San Diego would be $5.00 more.
The Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California, Inc. is running a San Francisco Municipal Railway Excursion on September 6th. Contact them for information at P. O. Box 6576, Los Angeles, 90055, (T.W.M.)
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Money and how to raise it is always a problem and with the purchase of car 576, it has become a critical one for PSRMA. The Ways and means Committee, headed by Jerry Windle with members Dave Hobson and Chop Kerr, is tackling this task with a number of ideas. These include a railroad film series, excursions, railroad items for sale and even contacting Foundations seeking grants for the museum.
The Committee feels that these activities should be designed to attract the general public and not strictly the railfan since, as a general rule, the railfan contributes quite freely during the year of both time and money.
The job will not be an easy one and any suggestions by the general membership will be accepted and reviewed by the Committee. Anyone wishing to sign onto the Committee and put in their "Two-Cents-Worth" should contact Jerry Windle for the next rneeting date. The more members, the more ideas, an hopefully, more money. (J.W.W.) <>P
ROHR TO BUILD BART RAIL CARS
Railroading in San Diego took an interesting new turn in July with the announcement that the Rohr Corporation of Chula Vista is entering the rail equipment manufacturing business. Rohr, which primarily manufactures aircraft parts, has received a $66.7 million contract to build 250 aluminum cars for San Francisco's new bay Area Rapid Transit System.
The cars, traveling on rails, are capable of speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, with an average of 45 mph with station stops. Control1ed and scheduled by computers, the unique vehicles feature fail-safe systems. Rohr will deliver ten prototype cars in mid-1970.
This will be the first time that railroad rolling stock will be manufactured in the San Diego area for sale to other compinies. The only equipment construction in the past was by local rail companies for their own use, notably the San Diego Electric Railway. The BART cars will he built in a new addition to Rohr's main plant in Chula Vista.
EDITORIALLY, the writer would like to note the irony of San Diego producing equipment for one of the world's most modern transit systems, while our own is in such sad state. The past mistake of replacing smogless trolleys with diesel busses is perhaps too far in the past to be reversible, but we seem to be determined to follow the Los Angeles' smoggy policy of buildinp nothing but additional freeways to relieve our traffic congestion. Hopefully, the sight of those new BART cars passing within sight of city hall on their way up to Frisco will inspire our town fathers to think again. (R.R.D.)
CALENDAR
AUGUST
17 - 1-4 P.M. LOCOS OPEN TO PUBLIC. Crosby at Harbor
17 - 7:00 P.M. - COACH 576 OPEN at Santa Fe Depot
17 - 7:30 P.M. - GENERAL MEETING 2nd Floor, Santa Fe
Nominations for 1970 Officers - Reports of Museum activities -European trains & trams, films, Matson
24 - 1-4 P. M. LOCOS OPEN TO PUBLIC, Crosby at Harbor
31 - 1-4 P. M. LOCOS OPEN TO PUBLIC, every Sunday
SEPTEMBER
2 - 7:30 P.M. BOARD MEETING - Visitors are welcome.
This month only, at 915 W. Grape, S. D.
7 - 1-4 P. M. LOCOS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
14 - This is one of our most important activities, yet
21 - it's easy, relaxing and pleasant way to spend an
28 - occasional Sunday afternoon. Bring the family. Chop Kerr is coordinator, call him at 291-4787.