1984.  Manteca, California.

Soon after the merger, ex-WP GP35s, now clad in yellow, became regular TS local power.  Here UP 789 heads down the Manteca Branch past the venerable Manteca Bean Company, once a TS shipper.  The branch would be gone by the 1990's.

Greg Elems photo,

1984.  Manteca, California.

UP 789 rumbles past the Manteca Bean Company, a classic example of the kind of small, food based industry that once flourished along the line.

Greg Elems photo,

Gallery.. Manteca Branch 1980's

Tidewater Southern Railway

1984.  Manteca, California.

Another view of 708 near Spreckels.  In years past, the TS often hauled cuts of sugar beets into town, but its runs paled to those of fellow Spreckels hauler Southern Pacific.  The tracks within the plant were jointly operated.  Today, only 708 remains, preserved at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.  Even Spreckels is gone, now part of Holly Sugar.

Greg Elems photo,

1984.  Manteca, California.

WP GP7s and GP9s were never common visitors to the Tidewater, but in the first years after the UP merger, almost anything could be seen.  Here, WP 708 comes down the Spreckels Sugar plant lead at the very end of the branch.  By the late 1990's, the plant and branch would be gone and this area covered with warehouses.  WP 708 is now preserved at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola.

Greg Elems photo,

Opened for traffic in May 1918, this branch was the last major addition to the Tidewater Southern.  It ran 6.6 miles in total length and served numerous agricultural and food related industries during its life.  Spreckels Sugar was and remained its major shipper.  Manteca had its own freight office and there is evidence that the branch was electrified until about 1930.  All trackage back to the junction was removed by the early 1990's.