Modesto and Empire Traction Company

Modesto and Empire Traction
	standard gauge
Other
Website	metrr.com

The Modesto and Empire Traction Company (

Union Pacific (ex-Southern Pacific) at Modesto and with the BNSF Railway Stockton Subdivision (ex-Santa Fe

) at Empire.

Traffic

The MET handles 24,000 cars per year (1996 estimate).

Products shipped include:

Food products

Wine ^[1]
Syrup
Plastic
Paper Products

History

The MET was incorporated on October 7, 1911, by Mr. T. K. Beard. On November 1, 1911, it leased the electrified Modesto Interurban Railway (MIR). Passenger service was the primary service for the railroad when it started in November 1911, but only lasted until 1917. The MET went to diesel-only operation in March 1952.

Modesto Interurban Railway

The Modesto Interurban Railway was incorporated on March 23, 1909, with plans to build 9.5 miles (15.3 km) of track from Modesto along McHenry Avenue and then directly to

Santa Fe bypassed Modesto by 5 miles (8 km) to the east at Empire. The Modesto Interurban Railway linked the Santa Fe with Modesto. On April 12, 1909, the grading commenced. Just days before the Modesto & Empire Traction began taking over the railroad, the Modesto Interurban Railway completed construction and operated its first train. By November 1, 1911, the Modesto & Empire Traction was leasing the railway. ^{[citation needed}

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