The first locomotive rolled through Pleasanton in 1877. The Southern Pacific route, which was constructed to link the Bay Area to the rest of the country, was part of the original transcontinental railroad from the mid-west which opened in 1869. "There is a lot of railroad history in Pleasanton, “ says TJKM Draftsman Dave Givans. Dave has been a railroad buff since his childhood, when he used to accompany his father to the station in Oakland. "My father would take the overnight to Los Angeles. I would go to the terminal before his train departed and I was so fascinated,”  remembers Dave. "There was a massive train shed there, and - well - at that age it really turned me on. I loved it!" Dave likes to quote “one of the great railroad presidents of all time,” Alfred Perlman of the New York Central, who said, ''There are three great forces in this world: the stage, journalism, and the railroad. Everyday, something is in motion. The world of the railroad is the world of the unexpected - something is always happening.” Dave says, "True as it may be today, the railroad of yesterday was truly the center of everything. It was the major means of transportation. The roads were very unreliable back then,” he explains, "if you wanted to get anywhere, especially long distance, you bad to take the train.”

The last passenger train stopped in Pleasanton in 1970. The California Zephyr, "perhaps one of America's most celebrated passenger trains,” according to Dave, would stop every morning at 10:45 a.m. here en route to Oakland. "Western Pacific's Zephyr was a familiar site here for 22 years. lt's discontinuation marked the end to an era of passenger service to this area.”

Western Pacific joined in the Bay Area transportation market in 1910. W.P. opted for a similar route to that of Southern Pacific's. Both routes continue south from Sacramento until they cross the Altamont pass, roll through Livermore and Pleasanton, then push through Niles Canyon before terminating in Oakland.

Much has changed since the early days of the train.  Not only has passenger service become a thing of the past on the two lines which pass through our town, but both Western Pacific and Southern Pacific themselves have undergone changes that will affect the people of Pleasanton. Western Pacific was bought out by Union Pacific Railroad, the main line west of Omaha, Nebraska, last year. U.P had previously controlled nearly all western ports with the exception of San Francisco. By purchasing Western Pacific, that sitluation has been remedied.
The effect for Pleasanton could be less freight traffic through town, as Union Pacific hopes to re-route and expedite freight traveling from Sacramento to the Bay Area. Southern Pacific has already put its route from the east side of Pleasanton through Niles Canyon up for abandonment, so the only freight traffic remaining will be that required for local use.

The railroad's heyday is definitely gone. People prefer to fly, for it is much faster for long journeys. Or, they would rather drive on trips lasting less than a day. "People's images of the train are all wrong,” Jim says. "They forget how enjoyable it can be to kick back and enjoy the scenery. Besides,” he says, "the excitement and energy on a train ride cannot be matched. It's much more personal than a quick plane trip.”

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: December 17, 1984.