Wavecrest Ledge to Devils Slide

It is possibly the most enchanting aspect of the Ocean Shore Railroad, that was the line that curved around the precarious Devils Slide. Blasted from the rock, with the aid of work gangs and steam shovels it was possibly the hardest part in completing the railway. As it did to the Cabrillo Highway (before they built the tunnel), landslides plagued the line; often shutting it down for weeks on end. One can only imagine what it would be like traveling through there during a windy stormy day. This section will be covering the line from Wavecrest (Pacifica) all the way to Devils Slide, stopping at where the Pedro Point Tunnel once was.

The tracks curved from Wavecrest and climbed a [unknown] grade, with the help of the ledge. As you can see, parts of the ledge have collapsed, eliminating the only road into Tobin and Shelter Cove. Remains of the road can be found on the ledge itself. It should be known that if the ledge had not collapsed, the people of Pacifica may have found a new beach destination like they did in the fifties.

The collapse is much more visible now, after constant years of Ocean Shore pounding.

The line curves around the mountain again, around Tobin and Shelter Cove. The site of where the Tobin station was is marked by the strange concrete circle, with Shelter Cove's once-famous beach lying beside it. Since the road collapse, the only way to enter the cove was via a small footpath, bringing tourism to the area as well as the small resort that was there to dwindle. There is small evidence of the asphalt road that once carried cars to Shelter Cove, but now carry only people and the wildlife that live there. 

A closeup upon the cut that was at Tobin, reveals the former road and where the Tobin station once stood. The path at the bottom was once there, to lead the people of the parked cars down to the seaside resort that was at Shelter Cove.

It is from here that the line curves to follow the mountainside, with much evidence of the railway being shown. If only this was the case on the other side of these treacherous hills. Since the abandonment in the 1920s, the line has faced much erosion and collapse. Some long-living residents of Pacifica recall riding their bikes on the ledge during the thirties to the then uncollapsed tunnel.

The spot where the Pedro Point tunnel once was, curving around Mussel Rock is evident.

From there, the Ocean Shore Railway would continue on the ledge until the Pedro Point Tunnel, which provided curved access into the other side of Devils Slide. Many legends surrounded the tunnel, as will be the interest of the next post but possibly the most famous was that the tunnel was possibly (probably) used for alcohol boot-legging during the times of prohibition. After that, federal agents blew up both entrances to the tunnel. The curved indent at the top of the hill shows where the ground shifted after the tunnel was blown, but maybe there are still pieces of wood or just empty space in all that rock. Quite fascinating, so until the next post readers! 

The station at Tobin, date unknown. The station now serves a private residence.