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Altamont Pass and Niles Canyon Freights

This is a list of freight trains that run over the former Western Pacific tracks between Niles Junction and Tracy. These tracks pass through Niles Canyon, the Livermore Valley, and over the Diablo Range at Altamont Pass. The trains in the first section titled "Regular Appearances", typically run over this route. The ones in the second section titled "Occasional Appearances", typically do not, but at times can due to congestion, work windows, or other factors.

In addition to these freight trains, Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) runs passenger trains over this line. Their current schedule can be found on their website located here: www.acerail.com

It should be noted that this is not an a perfect list. Other trains can and do show up on the line. It should also be noted that trains listed here can be subject to change by the Railroad. Any corrections, additional info, and updates are always greatly appreciated.

This list was last updated on: 2015-06-26


Regular Appearances
ILTLT (Lathrop Shuttle) Intermodal Lathrop, CA Lathrop, CA Tue-Sun
This train moves intermodal traffic between Lathrop and Oakland. It typically heads west out of Lathrop around 0100, getting into Oakland approximately an hour and a half to two hours later. After doing any work required in Oakland it will head back to Lathrop. While it will often reach Lathrop before sunrise, it is not uncommon to see it in Niles Canyon or on Altamont in the first few hours of daylight. On either leg of the trip it can be run as baretables, loaded intermodal cars, a mix of both, or light power. Sometimes the power can be left in Oakland the crew driven back to Lathrop if the train is going to return light power, and there is need for the locomotives in Oakland.
ILTRAR
"Radum Turn"
Intermodal Lathrop, CA Radum, CA Sun
This train moves empty intermodal cars from Lathrop to Radum (a siding near Pleasanton) for storage, to be retrieved later in the week when they are needed. The locomotives used typically return light power back to Lathrop. This job typically run in the early to mid afternoon.
IRALTR "Radum Turn" Intermodal Radum, CA Lathrop, CA ---
This train moves empty intermodal cars from Radum (near Pleasanton) to Lathrop. It typically starts as a light power move in Lathrop, which run west over Altamont Pass to Radum. Once its train is assembled it will run east back to Lathrop. This job typically run in the early to mid afternoon, usually some time later in the week (Wed-Fri).
IOAST Intermodal Oakland, CA Stockton, CA As needed
This train runs with Marine containers in well cars from Oakland to Stockton. When the KLTG4 departs Lathrop it will stop in Stockton to add the entire IOAST to its train (power and all), often with the KLTG4 coupling to the rear of the IOAST, and the crew moving up to the former IOAST power. The former lead units of the KLTG4 are changed ober to be used as DPUs. The IOAST tends to depart Oakland in the early evening for a night run through Niles Canyon and over Altamont Pass.
KMNOA Intermodal Marion, AR Milpitas, CA ---
This is a double stack train that runs from Marion, AR to Oakland, CA. It will often run with several units on the head end and a single DPU, though if it is short enough it may not have the DPU unit. By the time it gets to this section of track its schedule is rather unpredictable, with its times over Altamont all over the place. This train will typically make a setout in Lathrop, and the section that continues west to Oakland can be rather short.
MNWRV Manifest Newark, CA Roseville, CA Mon-Sat
This train takes manifest traffic from Newark to Roseville. Manifest traffic from San Jose along with the power from the previous days MRVSJ will have been brought up to Newark by a local during the night. It tends to depart Newark between 1000 and 1200. This train will often run via Altamont Pass, but it can be run via the Cal-P if needed.
MMIRV Manifest Milpitas, CA Rosevile, CA Tue, Thur, Sat
This train moves manifest traffic from Milpitas to Roseville. It's counterpart the MRVMI tends to be run via the Cal-P instead. It tends to depart Milpitas between 0900 and 1200. It usually passes over Altamont Pass between late morning and early afternoon. It will often run ahead of the MNWRV, though this does not always hold true.
LRM54 "54 Local" Local Newark, CA Newark, CA Wed, Sun (Sun-Fri)
This local job is based out of Newark, and mostly serves industries around the East Bay Area. On Wednesdays and Sundays though it will typically make a run out to Lox in Livermore to deliver loads of rebar to Harris Salinas. This train goes on duty around 0700 and will often first work "The Salts" (Cargill Salt) before heading to Lox, though on Sundays it may do the Lox run first.

Occasional Appearances
AGBMI Autos Gibson Yard, IN Milpitas, CA ---
This is a loaded auto racks train that runs from Gibson Yard, IN on the IHB to Milpitas, CA. This train typically runs on the Cal-P, and will often do setouts in Benicia.
AMIKSR Autos (empty) Milpitas, CA Kansas City, KS ---
This is an empty auto racks repositioning train that runs from Milpitas to Kansas City, KS. This train runs as needed, and as of this writing seems to typically be running on the Cal-P.
MRVSJ Manifest Roseville, CA San Jose, CA Tue-Sun
This train takes manifest traffic from Roseville to Newark and San Jose. It tends to leave Roseville early in the morning. Currently it typically runs on the Cal-P, but can be run on Altamont if needed. It usually gets into Newark in the mid afternoon. It will continue south to San Jose after making its setout at Newark. Train length can range from around 20 cars on a light day to over 100 on a heavy day. Power traditionally was all on the head end, though recently it has been running with DPUs.
MRVMI Manifest Roseville, CA Milpitas, CA Mon, Wed, Fri
This train typically runs on the Cal-P (Martinez Sub). It will usually pass through Niles junction around daybreak (plus or minus a few hours). It can on occasion run over Altamont Pass.
KOADU Intermodal Oakland, CA Dupo, IL Mon, Wed, Fri
This is a double stack intermodal train that runs from Oakland California to Dupo, IL. It typically runs on the Cal-P, departing Oakland in the morning shortly after Amtrak #6 (eastbound California Zephyr) departs.
UCOSF Unit Train Columbia Jct, UT South San Francisco, CA ---
Empty unit Dirty Dirt train used to haul contaminated soil from Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. Runs as needed, but very infrequently, typically about once a month. This train can take either the Cal-P or Altamont Pass on its way into the Bay Area.
USFCO Unit Train South San Francisco, CA Columbia Jct, UT ---
Loaded unit Dirty Dirt train used to haul contaminated soil from Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. Runs as needed, but very infrequently, typically about once a month. This train can take either the Cal-P or Altamont Pass on its way out of the Bay Area.


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