Uploads from SP8254, with geodata

Modern Commutes

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:32:11 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

Since the 1870's, commute trains have been a staple in the public transportation tapestry on the Peninsula. Under the auspices of CalTrain, commutes continue to roll between San Francisco and Gilroy. The future of the commutes is solid, thanks to record ridership, baby bullet service, increased frequency of service and modern infrastructure, as seen at the beautiful multi-modal station in Millbrae (cross-platform connection with BART). With electrification in it's future, and California High Speed Rail sharing the line soon, the commutes future is solid.

Protected

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:32:12 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

Southbound CalTrain local 190 holds short of the South San Francisco station Northbound limited stop 289 rolls through the station at max speed. The old Southern Pacific era signal bridge in the background has protected train movements through South City since the days of the Commutes, Daylights and Larks.

Train Watching in Palermo..

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:28:21 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

...California, not Italy!

Stack trains on this section of Union Pacific's Sacramento Subdivision have been a rarity since 2009, when UP re-routed stack trains from the Feather River to Donner Pass. The sight of the KMNOA passing through Palermo was nice, as stack trains bound for Oakland and Lathrop once passed through here daily up until 4 years ago. I'm happy the have returned for a short visit. I picture many treks to the Feather River in the coming months!

Oroville S Curve

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:28:22 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

Between Kramm and Zephyr along UP's Canyon Subdivision sits a beautiful S Curve. I've been meaning to catch a train at this spot for a long time. On a threatening May afternoon, a westbound UP intermodal train negotiates the curves as it makes it's way into the Sacramento Valley and Oakland.

Stacks are back!

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:28:22 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

Busy days are back in the Feather River Canyon! Over the summer, Union Pacific crews will be busy on Donner Pass, adding new rail and concrete ties, and adding a ventilation system to Tunnel 41 at the summit. This means most traffic (with the exception of Amtrak and the Z's, will detour through the Feather River Canyon. This westbound I train passes through Pulga on a stormy May afternoon.

Traveling Light?

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:32:53 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

The Roseville to Roper Yard freight is typically the heaviest and longest train on UP's Roseville Sub, requiring multiple DPU sets and extra section. Today's Roper was a shorty, containing only 25-30 cars and requiring 3 locomotives (2 in the front, one in the rear). The 7968 was handling this train with ease, as it passed through Casa Loma.

ZG2LT at Weimar

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:32:52 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

UP 7999 was in charge of the daily Global 2 (Chicago-Lathrop Premium Intermodal) on this warm April afternoon in the small Sierra Foothill community of Weimar.

Up Close and Personal

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:48:19 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

*** WARNING ***
Don't ever get close to a rattlesnake! Those suckers can move quick!

While driving in Austin Creek State Recreational Area near Guerneville, CA, I ran across this little sucker. I was in the safe confines of my car. This was one of three Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes I encountered inn 20 minutes. The warm spring weather has brought out many rattlesnakes. This was the first time I've ever seen a rattlesnake in the wild. If you go out, be safe!

Meow

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:48:18 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

Northern California is Mountain Lion territory. While walking around Casa Loma, CA, in the Sierra Foothills, I found Cougar prints in the mud. The prints appeared to be a few days old. You're never alone in the wilderness.

Blue Eagle

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:38:34 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

The Missouri Pacific RR Heritage Locomotive rolls through the new crossover at Webster (also know as West Causeway), just east of Davis, CA. Back in November 2012, the MP locomotive was a DPU on the rear of the IG3OA (Global 3 Yard in Rochelle, IL - Oakland, CA).

Riverbank Local

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:38:34 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

The daily BNSF local between Stockton and Riverbank returns to Mormon Yard in Stockton with a long string of freight cars. While the train passes the west end of BNSF's Mariposa Intermodal Yard, the competition rolls past on Mariposa Road.

Trailblazer

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:08:29 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

The daily Hinkle Yard to Roper Yard drag freight rolls through the beautiful, rustic countryside of Baker County in Eastern Oregon. The route of Union Pacific's Oregon Short Line parallels the route of the Oregon Trail. It's humbling to think how we take travel and transportation for granted. 160 years ago, one could never imagine traveling down a road at 75 MPH, or hauling 11,000 tons of goods with ease.

Brighton Nights

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:08:29 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

The old station of Brighton on Union Pacific's Fresno Subdivision is a favorite spot for train watching in Sacramento. You have all elements of transportation in this scene: UP's Fresno Sub, Sacramento Regional Transit's Gold Line, and US 50 in the background. On this crisp autumn evening, the southbound Fresno job waits in the hole for the northbound Tracy job, returning to Roseville. Overhead, an eastbound Gold Line train passes over Brighton. Small space, lots of action!

No Train Required

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:23:01 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

In our avocation, there are those who require the presence of a train in the frame to take a rail photograph. This is far from true. There are times when the presence of a train is nOT necessary, and NOT desired. On this late winter afternoon near Sacramento, the universal symbol of a railroad, the crossbuck, sits silhouetted against a dramatic sunset. A train was not necessary. You don't always need a train to take a rail related photograph.

Sleepy Wheatland

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:23:00 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

It's a sleepy Saturday in Wheatland, CA, just north of Sacramento. On this warm Spring afternoon, the stillness of the streets ceases for a brief moment. Union Pacific sends a long southbound freight from Oregon through town. The one signature of a pulse on this pleasant Saturday. Upon it's departure, the stillness of the day resumes.

Inspection

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:22:59 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

BNSF moves an empty Inspection train from Northern California to the Pacific Northwest on a bright February afternoon. The train was worth the long chase from Sacramento to Lake Oroville. The train is passing Ellis Road, just north of Marysville, CA.

Old Guard

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:23:00 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

A northbound Union Pacific train bound for Lake Yard in Portland, OR passes through Pleasant Grove, CA. The barn in the foreground has been witness to WP steamers, countless Zephyrs, Pearlman Green Diesels, Armour yellow and gray, and the BNSF rainbow of colors. The stories that old sentinel can tell.

Old Friends

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:37:35 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

I've never made it a secret that this railfan's heart lies with the old friendly, the Southern Pacific Railroad. Each day, traces of this once magnificent road fade to armor yellow or disappear all together. It makes moments like this, in Auburn CA, where a patched AC4400CW still in speed lettering pasees one of it's former numbers, a C-50-7 class bay window caboose, still proudly wearing Southern Pacific lettering, even more special. While sunset is falling on the remaining traces of the espee, at least at this moment, old friends can still salute each other, and one can relive and easily reminisce about the days of the friendly railroad.

After a Train

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:37:33 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

It's 10:30PM on a Saturday night in Sacramento's Land Park neighborhood. On this balmy March evening, people are out, traffic on 21st Street is robust. For a moment, the pulse of the street stops for the passage of a PNW bound BNSF freight train. Squeeling flanges, syncopated beats and a dull roar conspire to interrupt the still of the night.

The train passes. The clang of the electric bell ceases, gates rise, rhythmical flashes of red stop suddenly...life returns to normal on 21st Street. Cars and pedestrians cross the path of the train. The only evidence of the train's passage is the timed red lash from the train's FRED. Life at the crossing can be interesting.

Catch and Release

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:37:34 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

The more I railfan, the more I've adopted a "catch and release" policy. Catch the train at an ideal location, get the shot, and let it go. I've saved my chases for trains that are worth following (contains a unique locomotive, special unit train, passenger special). I've found this policy makes me more methodical and careful with selecting locations to catch trains and for composing the image.

In this instance, UP 8339 leads the QFRNP through the Sierra Nevada Foothill community of Dutch Flat, CA. I had spotted this train while chasing a westbound containing an ex SP AC4400CW in DPU service. I had time to run to the Sacramento St crossing to see the 8339 pass. Although this train was beautiful, was struggling up the grade, and easy to chase, I got my shot here, let her go, and caught up with my SP DPU. It's all about catching and releasing. :-)