The morning call., 1891-05-23
ALONG THE RAIL.
Various Branches Under Way by
the Southern Pacific.

The California and Nevada people are
having about all the excursion business that
they can conveniently handle with the pres
ent limited amount of rolling stock. Before
next summer it will be necessary to make
extensive additions to the passenger equip
ments now in service. Grading for an ex-
tension of this line from the present terminus
at Orinda Park northwest through Contra
Costa County to Walnut Greek has been
nearly finished. and track-laying will COM
mence within the next two weeks. The ex-
tension will be nine miles in length. and Of
the standard gauge, to which the remainder
of the line will be changed as soon as
practicable. The Walnut Greek connection
will probably be made by August or Sep
TENDER at the farthest, for Grant Brothers
are Dushing the work of construction as
rapidly as possible, and as they are undoubt-
edly backed by the Sante Fe Company 1t be-
comes a mere matter of speculation when
the little road will find an Eastern terminus.
The company has valuable ferry privileges
at Emeryviile and the financial support OF
strong corporation.
SAN RAMON BRANCH.
The San Ramon branch OF the Southern
Pacific. running from Avon to San Ramon,
a distance of twenty miles, Is practically
completed, and will be opened up for opera
ton on June 7th. There is some ballastng
TO do yet and several station buildings along
the line to be finished. This branch will
omen I'M a splendid fruit country aud make
the valley desirable location for suburban
residences. BY the new tlme-card, which
will take effect on June It'll, aud which also
includes the recently postponed changes IN
the time of the Sacramento locals, daily
train will he run on the new line, connect
ing at Martinez with the local to and from
IhnTn a Gt1f1CnS
the route, which will be known and deslg-
mated until further orders as follows:
Avon, Concord, Hookston, Walnut Creek,
Hemms Siding and San Ramon.
THE YUMA LINE.
The relocation of portion of the South
ern Pacific line at Yuma, the surveys OF
Which have been nearly completed, Will
necessitate the construction OF about twenty
five miles of new road along the Mesa
To the east of the town, and above the pos
sible reach of floods. Owing to the severity
of the climate during the summer months
construction work will not be commenced
until fall, in time, however, to have the
road completed for operation before tie
winter rains. 1t Will be an expensive piece
of work, but cheaper in the end than the
maintenance of the present line, which. by
reason Of its situation. cannot be kept in
the same county for twelve consecutive
months,
A dry spring in the San Joaquin Valley
has had a very noticeable effect upon
the land sales of the Southern Pacific Com
pany. Up 20 and including Nav Dist the
sales amounted to only So, 900 against
$50. $40 for the same period in 1890.
The citizens Of Fresno have raised bonus
of 500, 600 for the San Joaquin Valley Rail-
road Company and it is stated upon good
authority that construction work Will com-
mence shortly.
With the exception of the Kings River
bridge and some little balasting the west
side branch Of The Southern Pacific from
Los BanOS to Ammonia is ready for opera
tiGn.
UNDER WILDER's CHARGE.
The freight and passenger yards at Fourth
and Townsend streets have been put under
the charge of A. ID. Wilder of the Western
Division. They formerly belonged to the
Coast Division, under A. c. Bassett.
The weekly excursion of the Atlantic and
Pacific left Yesterday for the East i'll charge
If Norman Hall.
Tie annual convention Of the Railway
Agents Association is now in session at
Denver, Colo.
II. j. Small, Superintendent of motor
power and machinery for the Southern Pa
cific at Sacramento. is in the city.
J. B. Wright. Division Superintendent of
the Southern Pacific at Sacramento, is in the
city.
General Passenger Agent Goodman of the
Southern Pacific Company has gone to Port
land.
Mail service has been established on the
California and Nevada road.