Whittier Branch (remnant of Anaheim Branch) - Union Pacific
This branch was originally constructed around 1917, as Union Pacific's entry into the citrus-growing region of Orange County. The line passed through what are now residential areas and light industrial/shopping areas. At one point the line extended as far east/south as Anaheim, but it was cut back over the years.
East of Whittier, the UP branch paralleled a Pacific Electric branch between Colima Jct. and Fullerton Jct. In 1962, the UP added a connection to the PE line and abandoned its route. At the same time, the PE gained the right to use the somewhat-parallel UP between Fullerton Jct. and Fullerton, and the PE abandoned that segment of its line.
The UP segment between Whittier Jct. and Colima Jct. was abandoned a few years after the UP-SP merger in 1995, as UP trains now use the former PE line to reach the last remaining segment of UP track at Fullerton Jct.
The right of way is easily located and is used as an informal path. However, the Whittier Police Department has posted "No Trespassing" signs along much of the right of way, likely at the request of the homeowners who live by the old grade.
This was Whittier Jct; this view faces east (uphill). The former line to Whittier (and Fullerton) branched off to the right; note the ties still in place, disappearing into the brush.
In June, 2003, a runaway cut of cars rolled from Montclair to Commerce, passing through this location.
Photo from January, 2003 courtesy Mike Palmer.
^ This view faces west near Colima Jct, which is just behind the camera. Note the lone wood-post crossbuck. The abandoned UP line veered off to the right, parallel to the pole line. UP trains now use the ex-PE line visible to the left. February 2003.
<--- Salt Lake Route sign, cast into the Pickering Ave. bridge (over the sidewalk) when this line was built around 1917. This bridge is immediately west of the truss bridge in the top right photo. The line was originally known as the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake, and this arrowhead herald was used at the time. June 2003.
This was one of the "highlights" of the branch, see photo below the narrative for the other "highlight".
The branch crossed over Whittier Blvd. (Ca. Route 72) on this combination truss and girder bridge. The bridge was fenced off when the line was abandoned.
