Pinole Post-Merger: Circa 1999 - 2001 | UP | BNSF | SP | CNW | Santa Fe | BN | Amtrak | Leasers

Pinole, CA has been a long time popular spot for watching trains in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gately siding on the BNSF Stockton Subdivision runs above the UP Martinez Subdivison, which runs along the shores of San Pablo Bay. After the BNSF merger in 1995, and the Union Pacific's acquisition of the CNW in 1995 and the Southern Pacific in 1996, the railroads were very power short.

This period provided a time of intense variety, as units in fallen flag paint schemes, leasers, old units, and new locomotives were all pressed to work while the railroads had a high volume of freight traffic to contend with. In addition to all the train movements, maintenance-of-way activity is also observed as tie replacements go on at Gately.

This Hi8 video was shot by George Manley, who was out there recording this very colorful period for railroading on the west coast.

Enjoy this look at Pinole during the start of the new millennium!