This line was part of the original UP branch from Los Angeles to the ports in Long Beach and Terminal Island. In the early 1930s UP opened a line that diverged from the original track at Douglas Junction and bypassed the city of Long Beach, and a 2+ mile segment of the original route remained as the Lakewood Industrial Lead. (The tracks south of this segment ran mostly on city streets and were abandoned when the bypass opened).
A separate spur served the Douglas Aircraft plant (hence the name Douglas Jct.) adjacent to the Long Beach Airport. The main stem of the branch was used as a team track. Covered hoppers were spotted at the end of the branch; auto rack cars were stored on sidings.
The south end of this track has been approved for abandonment in late 2002/early 2003. It does not appear that any trains have used this segment in some time.
This view shows a wye on the Lakewood Industrial Lead, which was approved for abandonment in late 2002/early 2003. The spur behind the camera served Douglas Aircraft (later McDonnell Douglas, and now Boeing). Photo from January 2003, courtesy Mike Palmer.
