Imperial Valley section of the former SD&AE, plus Holton Interurban

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

On Friday I explored some of the former SD&AE route from Jacumba (San Diego County) east to El Centro; I bypassed Campo this time around.

Even though this line will open for through traffic, it really does not look ready for the big time. A couple grade crossings I saw had “Stop” signs (for the train crews) next to them; will the RR seek approval to get these eliminated?

Signals at a grade crossing near Ocotillo were largely demolished, with the gates and flashers long gone. The relay box had one door half ripped away, and most of the wiring was gone. Also in that area, the track was burnished from regular sand trains, but many of the ties were weathered or decayed. In some cases the tie plates had shifted and the rail was no longer seated properly.

I did write down the lettering on one of the rails:
COLORADO SEC 90 A.R.A. XI 1913 OH
Definitely a relic!

In Plaster City they had a track-mobile switching hoppers within the fenced area of the plant. Further east, in Seeley, there were a couple of retired commuter coaches in the yard (similar to what they have in Campo). More cars for future Tijuana commute service?

The junction at El Centro (with the UP/SP Niland-Calexico route) did not have much going on, although it was interesting to see a station still lettered for Southern Pacific!

Further east, I followed the former Holton Interurban (a one-time SP subsidiary; never a trolley line though). Only the mile closest to El Centro is still in active service, with several covered hoppers at an agribusiness. The track is now cut three miles out where it crossed Calif. route 111. The rails continue, mostly intact, to Holtville. There is a large wood and steel trestle over the Alamo River just west of Holtville.

MP

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Interesting report. Thanks!

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One additional question.

You write the Holton interurban never was a trolley, MP. Did they use motor cas with diesel- or gasoline-powered engines?

4

I don’t know; that might have been the original plan when the line was built. In all the SP books I have looked at it was treated as just another branch. Maybe some of the SP historians on the forum will know more.

5

I have always been curious about the SD&AE…like some other lines it gets more attention than its traffic base would merit. It does run through extremely rugged country. Even the I-8 route itself is rather windy and scenic. You can see the parallel earlier US80 route in places also.
There were three hoppers (sand?) near Coyote Wells, some other cars near Plaster City, and more at Seeler (including 2 commuter cars – destined for Tijuana?) There were also some cars at the Plaster City complex itself but I did not go wandering around teh plant property.
Most of the agribusiness customers along the line do not have sidings (not sure how many there ever were).

6

I was stationed at El Centro Naval Air Station in 1972. I recall seeing the SD&AE San Diego - El Centro freight running by the base on several occasions. On average the freight had 3 or 4 EMD hood units pulling 20 or 25 cars. El Centro itself was home to a significant SP switching business for local produce shippers. There were always many reefers sitting around as well as a good number of SP switch engines including several of those 1960’s ALCO center cab units. Business was brisk enough that the track north of El Centro (starting at Brawley?) had target signals. I recall strings of reefers sitting on the Holton Interurban line.