Uploads from SP8254, tagged unionpacific, with geodata

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!

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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).

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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!

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

Repo Man

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:10:04 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

UP 4437 leads a long string of empty well cars through Towle, CA. Dispatchers and passing trains referred to the movement of this train as the "repo." The well cars are being sent, or re-positioned, to another intermodal terminal, where the cars will be loaded with containers. The movement is a non-revenue run for Union Pacific, but is a necessary action.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

Smoking Section

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:10:04 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

For over 150 years, trains traversing Donner Pass have never had it easy. Weather, physics and human interference have made any track over this main line a challenge. Donner Pass is where the drama and emotion of railroading come alive daily.

Gravity and friction between the brake pads and wells conspired to create a continuious cloud of brake smoke on this westbound at Gold Run, CA. The drama of the hill was in full effect in this scene.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

Blue Bird

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:30:17 -0800

SP8254 posted a photo:

Union Pacific's Missouri Pacific heritage locomotive made a visit to Northern California this week (November 2012). She was assigned as DPU power on the westbound 1-IG3OA-16 (Global Three Yard, Rochelle, IL to Oakland). Here, at Newcastle, CA, her dynamic brakes were in full power as she rolls off the Sierra Nevada range into the Sacramento Valley.

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

Rail for SMART

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 00:24:44 -0800

SP8254 posted a photo:

California Northern, with the help of two Union Pacific SD59MX's, deliver a Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) train to the Northwestern Pacific RR interchange at Napa Junction. The rail will be used for the new SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) Commuter Rail system. Construction on the new line started in late May 2012. The 38 mile line from Santa Rosa to San Rafael will have nine stations, new sidings, CTC signaling, welded rail and concrete ties. It's been exciting to see the construction take place. It will be more exciting to see SMART's DMU's being tested on the property, starting October 2013!

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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.

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

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. :-)

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

The Rest of the Story

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:10:05 -0700

SP8254 posted a photo:

UP 3915 had a tough afternoon on UP's Roseville Sub. The 3915, in charge of the ZNPOA, had the misfortune of hitting a dirt bike near Casa Loma, at Milepost 159. Thankfully, nobody was on the bike when 3915 ran it over. The train was delayed for an hour as the crew cleared the debris from the track and inspect the train. The crew was unable to get names or license plates of any members of the party involved. They fled the area before CHP arrived.

Here, at Gold Run, the crew continues their trek down the hill to Roseville. Thankfully, for the crew, the remainder of the trip was uneventful. Never a dull moment on the hill.

And now you know....the rest of the story.

© 2013 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

Screaming Eagles

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:12:56 -0800

SP8254 posted a photo:

Only 25 miles to go! UP 1982 nears the end of a long journey between Rochelle, IL and Oakland, CA. It acted as DPU support on the westbound IG3OA. Here, at Crockett, CA, the screaming eagle passes the docks and boats that line the waterfront in Crockett.

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

Summer Blues

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:40:30 -0800

SP8254 posted a photo:

I've always loved the Fall. It's my favorite time of year, always has been. But, as cool, crisp breezes develop around us all, I long for Summer. I long for being back in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. Being in a place where time and cares are still. Where a gentle, cool breeze compliments the warm, sunny skies. Where the sound of wind whispering through the pines soothe the senses, and the growl of trains struggling out of the Grande Ronde Valley spur excitement inside. Regardless of the season, the excitement of Union Pacific's line over the Blue Mountain is delivered daily. I'm sure the four seasons on Kalema hill are amazing. But, for now, I long for that warm moment in July.

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved

Union Pacific Country

nobody@flickr.com (SP8254) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 00:24:43 -0800

SP8254 posted a photo:

UP 7749 guides a two car passenger special through the farmlands of the Sacramento Valley north of Elmira, CA. A few weeks ago, tall stands of corn covered this field. With the late summer harvest completed, this John Deere Tractor rests. Ready for another season, a short time away.

© 2012 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved