The Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy)
 We gathered at the north end of Preisker Lane, got the "don't violate copyright rules" speech from Kevin, and then we were off down the levy a bit for our first encounter with the PCRy right-of-way.   It's about following the pipeline markers...    A PCRy plaque at Railroad and Main.   The old bean warehouse is being taken down for a housing development.  Note the rail at the feet of the guys on the left.  Rail in the area between road and sidewalk.  The diamond where the PCRy intersected the Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR). Today, the SMVRR includes the right of ways in all four directions.  At Battles and Depot Streets is where the Suey Branch of the PCRy took off to the east. This location was known as Suey Junction. (Suey sounds like "sway".)  A PCRy plaque in Orcutt.     Harris Grade Road at Highway 135, a couple miles west of Los Alamos. The road was put right on top of PCRy track, and the metal detector proved there were two parallel lines of rail beneath the road right where it was cracking!  Harris Siding.     At the location of the gas truck and No. 106 collision just west of Los Alamos. Again, the metal detector had no problem finding the rail still beneath the surface of the road.   We had lunch at Plenty on Bell in Los Alamos. Wow, great new spot in town, very good gourmet-ish food.        Roast Chicken and Bread Salad. The menu says, "An homage to San Francisco's famous Zuni Cafe. This legendary cafe favorite ala Plenty on Bell is served with spicy greens, roast chicken, torn sourdough levain, currants and pine nuts." It was great, and other dishes got rave reviews as well.  The Los Alamos Depot.   The house of ill repute, reputedly.   The depot building is now a huge antique shop.  Part of our group enjoys the old photo of a PCRy train in front of this very depot building.  |
   The pipelines mark the path of the PCRy as it leaves the river and starts south through town. Remember, pipeline markers and power poles are often a good guide.  The parallel rows of weeds just happen to be narrow gauge. Imagine that!   How can you tell that's a PCRy tie for a fence post? And note one of our friends, the pipeline markers, in this case blue.  Looking north down the PCRy right of way as it leaves Clark Avenue in Orcutt.   Harris Grade Road. Yup, those cracks mark the location of the old rail.       The spacing between the asphalt chunks just happens to match the size of rail ties.  |