Tidewater Southern Railway

Proposed Extensions

From day 1 and on into the late 1930's, the Tidewater was projected to go much farther than Hilmar and Turlock.  Early TS management talked about reaching Fresno.  WP ownership brought thoughts of reaching the coast at Oxnard and the Ventura County Railroad and perhaps even Los Angeles.

While some surveys were done and reportedly still exist, this map is loose speculation based upon published reports of locations the railroad proposed to reach.  Los Angeles would probably not have had two lines, but it is unknown if the company envisioned a coast route or an overland route.

If any of these extensions had come to pass, it is likely they would have been steam lines, probably under the Western Pacific name.  However, I like to sit back and imagine every now and then camping out in the rugged mountains above Oxnard.  I can hear the train coming for miles and when it finally reaches me, there is a brace of 4 steeplecabs, Tidewater Southern Railway proudly proclaimed on their cabsides, struggling to pull a string of reefers and boxcars over to the port.

map by Eugene John Vicknair