The Southern Pacific's line through Niles Canyon, just east of Fremont, California, was at one time an important through route for SP between Stockton and the Bay Area. In fact, the Niles depot at the west end of the canyon was featured on the cover of the November 1947 Trains, which collectors will recall was the first large format issue ever published of that magazine. The polished rails (if not the poorly maintained ballast) indicate that the line was still in use when this and the following photos were taken. Western Pacific also had rails through the canyon; today only those (now part of Union Pacific) remain.
