Southern Pacific Uptown Yards, D and E Yard Leads, 1960

Picture W-6 depicts the Uptown El Paso yards and the D and E leads. The D yard lead track is the straight track running up through the center of the picture into the center background where it intersects with track No. 31 under the viaduct. The row of box cars is standing on track 31. The E yard lead track is the track which runs off the right hand center portion of the picture just behind the small building in the lower right hand corner of the picture. This lead also crosses over the trackage in the center of the picture. There is a crossover there from the D yard lead and also crossovers with a track where the Texas and Pacific deliveries are made. Not particularly the sharp curvature in the E yard lead track and the "S" curvatures in what is sometimes used as a Texas & Pacific delivery track which is to the right of the D yard lead track and which is frequently used by yard engines to by-pass the E yard lead when it is occupied. The E yard lead track connects with a series of tracks that are used for repair track service and also to storage tracks for cars destined for industries in El Paso and Fort Bliss. There cars are stored and switched for transfer to the Santa Fe and various industries around the river area. When switching on the E yard lead fireman is essential to maintain a lookout because of the track curvature and the number of transfer and crossover movements in the area. Switching here is also dangerous because there are narrow clearances under viaduct in the center of picture where the tracks converge and the pillars from the overpass obstruct vision. With engineer busily engaged in taking signals from the ground crew in this locale, the fireman must be looking ahead for other train or yard movements in the area.