Lake Elsinore Branch - Santa Fe

 

This is the former Santa Fe station in Lake Elsinore. Note the freight access door facing the tree.  Photo from March 2003 courtesy Mike Palmer.

 

 

This speeder is behind the station in the photo at left. At one time this track continued across the street, through the lumber yard visible in the distance. Photo from March 2003 courtesy Mike Palmer.

 

 

 

 

This branch left the Santa Fe mainline at Corona (between Fullerton and San Bernardino), and headed generally southeast to the town of Lake Elsinore.  There is a 2-3 mile segment still in operation that serves a quarry near Corona, but the rest of the line has been abandoned. Most of the customers along the route were rock and sand quarries. The branch passed through the settlements of South Corona, El Cerrito, Weisel, Arcilla, Alberhill, North Elsinore and the town of Lake Elsinore.

At one point the line continued further southeast to Elsinore Jct., where it connected to the remnants of Santa Fe's original through route to San Diego.  These remnants were built in the 1880s and abandoned around the 1930s. The Lake Elsinore branch was cut back in stages, first to Alberhill in the 1970s and then back to its current end point in the 1980s. The right of way roughly parallels Temescal Canyon Road, although in some areas it went through small canyons accessible only to 4WD vehicles.  There are a few small bridges still in place, but the most interesting girder bridge was removed for highway widening

 

Girder bridge along the branch.  Note barely visible heralds and Santa Fe spelled out. This bridge was later removed.

 

 

 

Severed track. Parallel Temescal Canyon Road in background. Both photos are midway along the abandoned branch from June 1984, courtesy Mike Palmer.

 

 

 

 

Washout at Arcilla siding, as seen in January 1984.  This was one of several washouts along the branch; it was probably not economical to repair all the damage.  Photo from Craig Bass.  For more photos see http://cbassweb.com/railroads/atsf/elsinore.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wooden pile trestle along the branch.  Large rocks and other barriers are piled at various places along the right of way; it cannot be followed easily like a trail. Temescal Canyon Road is adjacent. Photo from March 2003, courtesy Mike Palmer.