Niles Subdivision Explained

The Niles Subdivision is a Union Pacific railway line which runs from Oakland, California to Newark, California in the East Bay.

Route

The line largely consists of the original Western Pacific East Bay main line between Oakland and Niles. The line between Newark and Fremont was originally laid out by the South Pacific Coast Railroad. The line features a street running section along Embarcadero in Oakland.[1]

Traffic

Freight movements are consolidated with the parallel Oakland Subdivision.[2] the line saw 17 freight trains daily.[3]

The Niles Subdivision also hosts several passenger trains. Amtrak operates the Coast Starlight and Capitol Corridor along the route, and the San Joaquins terminates at the northern segment of the line. The Altamont Corridor Express runs over the southern segment between Newark and Fremont. Fourteen daily passenger trains run over the line.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Lawrence . Elrond . Oakland to Sacramento, Calif. . 19 October 2023 . . July 7, 2006.
  2. Union Pacific Railroad Oakland Subdivision Corridor Improvement Study . 7 December 2020 . Alameda County Public Works Agency . Alta Planning + Design . November 2009.
  3. Union Pacific Tons per Train . 11 September 2023 . . 2003.
  4. News: Hegarty . Peter . South Bay Connect: Project could dramatically change East Bay rail service . 19 October 2023 . . December 22, 2020.