Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach (Seal Beach, California, United States)

[Caveman]

I was looking for something on Google Maps when I found this interesting track arrangement at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach in Seal Beach, California, United States. I can remember seeing the bunkers as far back as about 1970. I always thought they were for hiding people and/or equipment from prying eyes in the air. It turns out they have open tops and you can see right into them. Now I'm wondering why the bunkers were designed that way. I also wonder why the track is arranged the way it is.

[Caveman]

If you want to explore the tracks or the surrounding area, it's located here: 33°44’17.1”N 118°03’04.0”W (33.738083, -118.051126)

[nsbob]

In all likelihood, this is a facility of bunkers for storing rail cars loaded with munitions.  The bunkers are open at the top to direct any accidental blast upward and away from the other bunkers. 

[Caveman]

In all likelihood, this is a facility of bunkers for storing rail cars loaded with munitions.  The bunkers are open at the top to direct any accidental blast upward and away from the other bunkers.

That makes sense. Thanks.

[SSW7771]

In all likelihood, this is a facility of bunkers for storing rail cars loaded with munitions.  The bunkers are open at the top to direct any accidental blast upward and away from the other bunkers.

Correct. I am working on a different NWS with the same set-up. The railroad operation associated with these facilities are really neat and would make an interesting model railroad subject.

[nickelplate759]

In all likelihood, this is a facility of bunkers for storing rail cars loaded with munitions.  The bunkers are open at the top to direct any accidental blast upward and away from the other bunkers.

How disappointing.  I thought it was large-scale terraforming art 

[Caveman]

Correct. I am working on a different NWS with the same set-up. The railroad operation associated with these facilities are really neat and would make an interesting model railroad subject.

It didn't take much searching on Google Maps to find similar construction at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown (Yorktown, VA).

[sirenwerks]

How disappointing.  I thought it was large-scale terraforming art 

Me too, thought DOD was putting some art in our lives, before blowing us up.

[johnb]

It's all munitions. Local rumor is that nukes are stored  there

[Lenny53]

In all likelihood, this is a facility of bunkers for storing rail cars loaded with munitions.  The bunkers are open at the top to direct any accidental blast upward and away from the other bunkers.

Wonder if the first car on the five car strings is empty as it is outside the bunker.   Some of the boxcars looked pretty rusted.

[nsbob]

Probably the first car is a buffer car, so as to prevent and/or minimize any damage to the munitions when coupling, uncoupling, and moving the cars.  This is the concept that has been adapted for use on the tank car unit trains.

[jnevis]

Concord NWS even has trackage loops on and off the piers.  Looks like a trainset loop on the water.
Concord is now shut down but the trackage remains and the piers are used for transship to boats.