Southern Pacific, Promontory Branch

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This page was last updated on October 27, 2024.

Overview

The original Central Pacific line through Promontory became the Promontory Branch in 1904 when the Lucin Cutoff was completed, with its trestle across the lake.

In 1904, SP trains on the Promontory Branch began using Union Pacific's Oregon Short Line mainline as it paralleled the original Central Pacific line north from Ogden to near Corinne. The OSL mainline ran from Ogden to Brigham City, and the SP Promontory trains then used OSL's Malad Branch from Brigham City to a new station called Corinne Junction, where it connected with the original Central Pacific line to Promontory. (Both Union Pacific and Southern Pacific were owned and controlled by the Harriman interests at this time, and the change did away with parallel lines.)

Promontory Branch Station Summary

(west to east)

Umbria Junction

In service as Umbria, 1903 to 1904
In service as Umbria Junction, 1904 to 1916
3,390' siding
Connection to Promontory Branch, 1903 to 1916
MP 678 in 1915

Lucin (MP 679.2)

124 cars capacity passing siding
Not shown in 1909 employee timetable
Watering station for locomotives (1931)
Wye track (1931)
Connection to Promontory Branch, from August 29, 1916
MP 679.2 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Lucin (MP 680) (old location, on Promontory Branch)

In service, 1869 to 1915
MP 680 in 1923

Grouse (MP 674.3) (old location)

In service, 1905 to 1908
New location of Grouse (1912-1966) was on the new westbound line between Tecoma and Lucin, completed in December 1911
MP 674.3 in 1923

Medea (MP 690.0)

In service, 1900 to 1907
MP 690.0 in 1923

Warm Springs (MP ???)

Bovine (MP 699.8)

44 cars capacity passing siding
4,653' siding
In service, 1869 to 1942
not shown in 1942 employee timetable
MP 695.9 in 1909
MP 695 in 1915
MP 691.6 in 1923
MP 699.8 in 1931 (ETT)

Walden (MP ???)

In service, 1899 to 1907
MP 701 in 1915

Watercress (MP 699.8)

8 cars capacity passing siding (9 cars in 1942)
In service, 1917 to 1942
Not shown in 1909 employee timetable
MP 702 in 1915
MP 699.8 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Terrace (MP 702.1)

66 cars capacity passing siding
4,204' siding
In service, 1869 to 1936
shown in 1931 employee timetable without siding or car capacity
not shown in 1942 employeee timetable
Site of Eastern Division mechanical shops until 1893.
MP 705.9 in 1909
MP 704 in 1915
MP 702.1 in 1923
MP 702.1 in 1931 (ETT)

Red Dome (MP ???)

In service, 1895 to 1907
MP 710 in 1915

Matlin (MP 712.8)

33 cars capacity passing siding
2,948' siding
Wye track (1931)
In service, 1869 to 1942
not shown in 1942 employee timetable
MP 716.5 in 1909
MP 715 in 1915
MP 712.8 in 1923
MP 712.8 in 1931 (ETT)

Romola (MP ???)

In service, 1900 to 1907
MP 720 in 1915

Ombey (MP 722.6)

35 cars capacity passing siding
8,286' siding
In service, 1870 to 1942
not shown in 1942 employee timetable
MP 726.4 in 1909
MP 725 in 1915
MP 722.6 in 1923
MP 722.6 in 1931 (ETT)

Peplin (MP 727.3)

In service, 1890 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as spur, 43 cars capacity (2850 feet)
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as spur, 9 cars capacity
not shown in 1942 employee timetable
MP 731.1 in 1909
MP 730 in 1915
MP 727.3 in 1923
MP 727.3 in 1931 (ETT)

Zais (MP ???)

In service, 1902 to 1907
MP 734 in 1915

Kelton (MP 734.1)

In service, 1870 to 1942
The Wells newspaper reported that a new roundhouse has been built or is being built at Kelton to replace the one destroyed by fire last fall. Kelton was a helper station, but not a terminal for crews operating over the road. (Nevada State Herald (Wells), March 27, 1903; from John Sweetser, email dated June 17, 2005)
Wye track (1931)
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 108 cars capacity (4686 feet)
Shown in 1931 and 1938 employee timetables with fuel oil refueling station for locomotives (no oil service shown in 1942 employee timetable)
Shown in 1931 and 1938 employee timetables with watering station for locomotives
SP received Utah PSC approval to close the agency at Kelton on June 12, 1939. Only one train per week on the Promontory Branch. (Utah PSC Case 2227)
MP 737.9 in 1909
MP 736 in 1915
MP 734.1 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Elinor (MP ???)

In service, 1902 to 1908
MP 741 in 1915

Seco (MP ???)

In service, 1870 to 1902
MP 744 in 1915

Nella (MP 743.9)

In service, 1902 to 1907
Not shown in 1909 employee timetable
Re-established at new MP 744 in 1915
In service, 1915 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as spur, 5 cars capacity
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as spur, 4 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable without siding or car capacity
MP 747 in 1915
MP 743.9 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Monument (MP 748.6)

In service, 1869 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 43 cars capacity (2850 feet)
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as spur, 9 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as spur, 9 cars capacity
MP 752.3 in 1909
MP 751 in 1915
MP 748.6 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Kosmo (MP 751.6)

In service, 1902 to 1907
Not shown in 1909
Re-established at MP 754.0 in 1913
In service, 1913 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as spur
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as spur, 5 cars capacity
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as spur, 5 cars capacity
MP 754 in 1915
MP 751.6 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Lake (MP 755.6)

In service, 1870 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 44 cars capacity (3443 feet)
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as spur, 21 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as spur, 21 cars capacity
MP 759.3 in 1909
MP 758 in 1915
MP 755.6 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Metaurus (MP ???)

In service, 1899 to 1912
MP 763 in 1915

Centre (MP ???)

In service, 1875 to 1890
MP 766 in 1915

Rozel (MP 765.0)

In service, 1870 to 1942
Watering station for locomotives (1931)
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding (9384 feet)
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as siding, 44 cars capacity
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as siding, 19 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as siding, 19 cars capacity
MP 768.7 in 1909
MP 767 in 1915
MP 765.0 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Gravel Pit (MP ???)

In service, 1885 to 1890
MP 771 in 1915

Bronte (MP ???)

In service, 1899 to 1907
MP 771 in 1915

Promontory (MP 772.9)

In service as Terminus, 1869 to 1870
In service as Promontory, 1870 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 90 cars capacity (2520 feet)
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as siding, 90 cars capacity
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as siding, 32 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as siding, 32 cars capacity
MP 776.7 in 1909
MP 775 in 1915
MP 772.9 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Dathol (MP ???) (old location)

In service, 1902 to 1912
New location of Dathol at MP 796.5, 1916-1942
MP 778 in 1915

Surbon (MP 778.8)

In service, 1890 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 43 cars capacity (2850 feet)
Shown in 1931 employee timetable, without siding or car capacity
Not shown in 1942 employee timetable
Non-agency station at Surbon closed on August 20, 1930. (Utah PSC Case 1285)
MP 782.5 in 1909
MP 781 in 1915
MP 778.0 in 1923
MP 778.8 in 1931 (ETT)

Blue Creek Section House (MP ???)

In service, 1887 to 1888
MP 784 in 1915

Lampo (MP 782.0)

In service as Kolmar, 1888 to 1912
In service as Lampo, 1912 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 34 cars capacity (3120 feet)
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as siding, 34 cars capacity
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as siding, 42 cars capacity
not shown in 1942 employee timetable
MP 785.7 in 1909
MP 784 in 1915
MP 782.0 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Blue Creek (MP 784.4)

In service, 1870 to 1942
Watering station for locomotives
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 44 cars capacity (7762 feet)
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as siding, 44 cars capacity
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as siding, 18 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as siding, 18 cars capacity
MP 788.2 in 1909
MP 787 in 1915
MP 784.4 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Connor (MP 788.4)

In service as Eton, 1900 to 1905
In service as Hansen, 1905 to 1915
In service as Conner, 1915 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 44 cars capacity (2900 feet)
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as neither siding nor spur
MP 792.2 in 1909
MP 791 in 1915
MP 788.4 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Balfour (MP 793.8)

In service as Quarry, 1870 to 1888 (possible MP 796.3)
In service as Balfour, 1888 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 44 cars capacity (2862 feet)
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as neither siding nor spur
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as siding, 20 cars capacity
MP 797.5 in 1909
MP 796 in 1915
MP 793.8 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Dathol (MP 796.5) (new location)

Same (?) as Rochforte (below)
In service, 1916 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 13 cars capacity
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as spur, 20 cars capacity
Old location of Dathol was at MP 778, from 1902 to 1912
MP 799 in 1915
MP 796.5 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Wyben (MP ???)

In service as Child, 1900 to 1902
In service as Wyben, 1902 to 1907
MP 799.25 in 1915

Stokes (MP 798.1)

In service, 1907 to 1942
Shown in 1931 employee timetable as spur, 225 cars capacity
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as spur, 232 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as spur, 232 cars capacity
MP 801.5 in 1909
MP 800 in 1915
MP 798.1 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

Rochforte (MP 796.5)

In service as Rockfort, 1907 to 1908
Same (?) as Dathol (above)
Track still in place in 1914, as a side track
MP 804 in 1915
MP 796.5 in 1923

Corinne (MP 801.8)

In service, 1870 to 1942
Shown in 1923 employee timetable as siding, 54 cars capacity (8800 feet)
Shown in 1941 employee timetable as siding, 51 cars capacity
Shown in 1942 employee timetable as siding, 51 cars capacity
MP 805.0 in 1909
MP 804 in 1915
MP 801.8 in 1923
MP 801.3 in 1931 (ETT)
MP 801.8 in 1938 (ETT)
MP 801.3 in 1941 (ETT)
MP 801.3 in 1942 (ETT)

Corinne Junction (MP 802.9)

In service, 1907 to 1942
Connection to OSL Brigham City Cutoff after 1903
MP 806.6 in 1909
MP 805 in 1915
MP 802.9 in 1923 to 1942 employee timetables

After 1903, all SP trains began using the parallel Oregon Short Line mainline north from Ogden to Brigham City, then the OSL Malad Branch from Brigham City to a new station called Corrinne Junction, and a connection to the original Central Pacific line. Corinne Junction was 2.3 miles east of Corinne, which was where the OSL Mald Branch spilt off of the SP Promontory Branch. The line between a new station called "SP Junction" (where a connection was made with SP tracks at the north end of Ogden yard) and Corinne Junction was operated as joint trackage, governed by employee timetable dated February 1, 1903, showing the following stations, which were stations on the OSL:

SP Junction
Five Points Spur
Harrisville
Hot Springs
Willard
Perry
Brigham

Before 1903

Stations of the original Central Pacific line between Corinne Junction and Ogden, whch was out of service after 1903.

Perry (MP 808.0)

Mile post approximate

Dayan (MP ???)

In service, 1902 to 1907
3.8 miles from Corinne Junction
MP 562.4 in SP Salt Lake Division timetable #1, dated June 19, 1904
MP 808 in 1915

Brigham/Zenda (MP ???)

In service as Brigham, 1870 to 1899
In service as Zenda, 1899 to 1936
In service as Brigham, UP (OSL) MP 21, 1936 to 1942
MP 812 in 1915

Location was west of I-15, very near the crossing of today's SR 315, the Willard exit off I-15 at Exit 357.

Gravel Pit (MP ???)

In service, 1885 to 1890
MP 812.5 in 1915

Enda (MP 809.0)

MP 812.7 in 1909 (ETT)
MP 809.0 in 1923, "additional station"

Willard/Willards (MP ???)

In service, 1870 to 1905
MP 813 in 1915

Rutlam (MP ???)

In service, 1902 to 1907
MP 814 in 1915

Bonneville (MP 815.9)

As shown in 1909 employee timetable
In service, 1870 to 1936
MP 819 in 1915
MP 815.9 in 1923

Utah Hot Springs (MP ???)

In service, 1894 to 1907
MP 821 in 1915

Cawdor (MP ???)

In service, 1900 to 1907
MP 825 in 1915

Chase (MP ???)

In service, 1883 to 1907
8.85 miles from Bonneville
MP 825.25 in 1915

Cecil Junction (MP 781.5) (via Lucin Cutoff)
Cecil Junction (MP 825.1) (via Promontory Line)

In service from 1907
Connection between line to Lucin Cutoff, and old Promontory line.

R.G.W. Crossing (MP 829.0)

MP 829.0 in 1909 (ETT)

Ogden (MP 829.7)

As shown in 1909 employee timetable
MP 830 in 1915
MP 826.0 in 1923 (via Promontory Line)
MP 826.0 in 1931 (ETT, via Promontory Line)
MP 826.0 in 1938 (ETT, via Promontory Line)

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