Operation Lifesaver has been operating in California for years and we have had trains and units painted or wrapped for that purpose.
The first California Operation Lifesaver Train crossed State College Boulevard in Anaheim on April 24, 1987.
The same train at the former Santa Fe station site in Santa Ana on April 24, 1987.
A few years later, the original Amtrak Operation Lifesaver locomotive, F40PH 231, was seen at Santa Ana on August 7th, 1996.
11/02/2008I saw on Trainorders.com that Amtrak had shrink-wrapped F59PHI 455, built by Electro-Motive Division in 1988, in a new Operation Lifesaver paint scheme. Knowing that I would run into it at some point, I decided to carry my camera with me until I saw it. Little did I know, but my wait would be extremely short.
Pacific Surfliner 564 arrived at Santa Ana with Amtrak Operation Lifesaver 455 on the point and I boarded for the short trip to Irvine where I detrained to photograph this unique locomotive.
Walking towards my target.
This locomotive is sponsored by Caltrains, California Operation Lifesaver and Amtrak California.
It features a surfer crossing the tracks, similar to the one that Pacific Surfliner 768 hit just short of San Clemente Pier. That surfer was lucky as he only had to go to the hospital, not the morgue.
"Stay off! Stay Away! Stay Alive!" is the slogan.
The locomotive's number is now in black on the cab, something it did not carry on its first trip to San Diego.
"Stay Off! Stay Away! Stay Alive!" on the nose.
Pacific Surfliner 564 looked good here at Irvine.
Roster shot of Amtrak F59PHI 455.
A view over the hedge of the locomotive.
Amtrak 455 from different angles.
The surfer crossing the tracks.
I walked towards the station in the light rain as the train departed on time then crossed the bridge and waited for Pacific Surfliner 565 to arrive, which I boarded for Los Angeles. I listened to the new Queen and Paul Rodgers' CD "Cosmos Rocks" as we made our way north. I called Chris Parker, who was at Philippe's, and he ordered me an early lunch. I quickly walked over there and Chris was at the head of the line. We received our meals and enjoyed them in the train room, catching up on a few topics before we drove to Los Angeles Union Station and parked. I told him about Amtrak 455 and he decided to ride down to Santa Ana with me so he could ride back to Los Angeles and get his pictures there.
It was another quick trip and soon we were up on the bridge waiting for Pacific Surfliner 571. About eight minutes before it arrived, I suggested Chris go down to the platform to wait for his train while I kept my elevated vantage point to get a few more pictures of the unique Amtrak 455.
Chris Parker waiting for Pacific Surfliner 571.
Pacific Surfliner 571 arrived and it had Amtrak 455 pushing on the rear.
Amtrak F59PHI 455.
Amtrak 455 pushed Pacific Surfliner 571 out of Santa Ana, after which I drove home a happy railfan.
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