Southern Pacific Uptown D and C Yards, 1960

Picture W-7 shows the Southern Pacific El Paso uptown C and D yards. Engine No. 48 which is in center of the picture is on track No. 24 in C yard and approaching the C yard lead track which is straight track running up through the center of the picture. Towards the center background of the picture under the overpass, is a puzzle crossover which connects the C and D yards tracks together and into the D yard lead of tail track. These puzzle crossovers can be lined up in several directions: either across the tracks or up and down and because of the several directions in which the crossovers can be lined it is important to keep the under close observance. One of the duties of the fireman is to see that these switches are properly lined up. If they are not lined up and the engine proceeds through them, the crossover may be split or the engine derailed. If either of these events occur, delays in operation will follow. Note also here that the switch targets on the C yard lead track are on the engineer's side with respect to locomotive No. 48. These switch targets may be noted in the center of the picture running from the left bottom portion of the picture up through the center background. Although these targets are on the engineer's side, only the firemen on the left side of the locomotive, which would be your right as you look at the photograph, can observe other movements which may occur on other tracks in the C yard. The fact that the engineer's view of what is happening on the other side of the train is restricted is clear here; his view is obstructed not only by the hood of the locomotive, but also by the box cars ahead of it. The picture clearly shows the curvature of the track at the ice dock in the upper left hand portion of the picture. To the left of the ice dock and off the picture are the A and B yards.