Burbank to Chatsworth - Southern Pacific
This view faces east in Burbank, at the corner of Chandler Blvd. and California Ave. The branch ran down the center of Chandler for several miles. This location is about two miles west of CP Olive, where this branch connected with the SP main line.
Note the partially dismantled grade crossing signals. Several of the crossings near the east end of the branch still have signals, in various states of disrepair.
This right of way is owned by the Los Angeles MTA. Plans to open a light rail line have died, but an express bus route is under construction on part of the route. See photos, map, details at
http://www.mta.net/projects_plans/orangeline/defa
ult.htm .(Thanks to Derek Law for this update).
ult.htm .(Thanks to Derek Law for this update).
Photo from August 2003 courtesy Mike Palmer.
This branch was basically a low density bypass to the SP Coast Line in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. From east to west, the line branched off at what is now "CP Olive", in Burbank, just south (railroad east) of Burbank Junction. The line then passed through North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Encino, Tarzana, Canoga Park, and then reconnected to the SP Coast Line at Chatsworth.
The line was severed as a through route probably in the 1980s, with separate branches surviving between CP Olive-North Hollywood and Chatsworth-Canoga Park. The section to North Hollywood appears to be the last part to be abandoned, judging by the grade crossings still in place. Until the early 2000s, the wye at the junction in Burbank was used as a siding for Terry Lumber. There were a few low-volume customers at North Hollywood and Canoga Park, but otherwise there did not appear to be much on-line business.
The entire branch traveled through a mostly built-up area, and much of it has parallel streets so it is easy to trace. The eastern end has become a "jogging trail" even though it is posted as private property. Several miles of rails are still in place in several disconnected sections, but most of the grade crossings have been paved over. The middle section passes through a flood control area, and the tracks are in much better shape there, as if they were rebuilt only a few years before the line was abandoned. The bridge over the Los Angeles River in that area is being rebuilt as part of the MTA Orange Line Busway.
A short stub remains at the Chatsworth (west) end, which is sometimes used by maintenance equipment.
This bridge is in Canoga Park; this view faces south. This is the only bridge on the route that is not fenced-off or otherwise inaccessible.
A construction company has taken over the right of way south of the bridge.
Photo from August 2003, courtesy Mike Palmer.
