I have been looking at Google Maps and see that there is a road in western Merced/Fresno county between Newman-Los Banos-Dos Palos-Firebaugh-Mendota that is called "Santa Fe Grade". I do not see any reference to ATSF ever having a line in the Western side of the county in this area, rather only the ATSF mainline that Amtrak's San Joaquin run on through the eastern side of the valley.
Is anyone familiar with the history of the Santa Fe Grade between Newman-Los Banos-Dos Palos-Firebaugh-Mendota and know the story behind it? The route doesn't even appear in Mike Walker's SPV Comprehensive Railroad Atlas (CA/NV edition).
Is anyone familiar with the history of the Santa Fe Grade between Newman-Los Banos-Dos Palos-Firebaugh-Mendota and know the story behind it? The route doesn't even appear in Mike Walker's SPV Comprehensive Railroad Atlas (CA/NV edition).
