The Alameda & San Joaquin Railroad

The A&SJ was organized May 1, 1895 and the 36 mile line was completed July 1, 1896 from Stockton west to Tesla, California. It was built for the specific purpose of hauling coal from what were thought to be very fine deposits in Corral Hollow Valley. The Western Pacific purchased the line July 25, 1903, and the portion of the road from Carbona to Ortega on the southern edge of Stockton became the main line of the Western Pacific. From Ortega the A&SJ went along what today is known as Hunter Street to Hazelton Street and turned west until it reached Mormon Channel and followed Mormon Channel to Stockton Channel. It was at this point where the coal was transferred to barges and river boats and was the Stockton terminal of the A&SJ. The distance from Carbona to Tesla was 13 miles but the branch was eventually cut back to 2.3 miles from Carbona. Poors Manual of Railroads for 1900 states that the A&SJ had three engines, of which two become WP 121 and 122, but information on the third engine is unknown.