Tower at the Diamond
Jack Finn Collection
A Southern Pacific tower stands at a diamond crossing with the Pacific Electric in the Eastern Division.
Jack Finn Collection
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Is this the diamond in Bloomington where the P.E. crossed the S.P.’s Sunset Route?
No, I don’t think its the Sunset Route because the track does not look like it is in “main line running” condition. However it does seem to be double track.
Donald Duke’s PE Eastern District book (page 56) shows an almost identical scene, but with car PE 1209 going across the diamond. The photo caption identifies the location as Bloomington in the year 1940. Perhaps the relatively low angle of this photo has nearby weeds partially obscuring what must be a well manicured SP Yuma main.
This is without a doubt the Bloomington SP/PE crossing. An overhead view shown at “Historic Aerials” clearly shows the Tower, Tracks, Eucalyptus & Orange Trees and the Dirt Road as seen in the above photo. Photo is looking South. The SP Bloomington Depot is to the left of the tower just out of the picture.
Today the East End of the Southern Pacific (UP) West Colton Receiving Yard is located on this site. A portion of this old PE Right of Way is still visible just south of Slover Ave. I’m a Conductor with eSPee (UP). I pass through West Colton yard every weekend and it always amazes me at how much this area has changed since the PERy Rialto/Riverside Line passed through here.