I wanted to ride the northbound Coast Starlight Detour one more time so I had only one choice, November 14, 2008, the last day of detours. Chris Parker called to let me know that "Tioga Pass" would be on the rear of the train that day. It was a no-brainer to see about riding the private car so I called Norm Orfall, the owner, and signed up online for this trip. The next day I called Norm and received an affirmative that I could go and nearer the date, saw Marti, the night-time agent at Santa Ana station to turn in my Starlight ticket into a round-trip to Santa Barbara.
I then waited and worked until the day arrived and I packed for another unique trip over the Tehachapi Mountains and north on the former Southern Pacific Valley Line.
11/14/2008 I was up early with a cold so after packing, went out and bought some over-the-counter cold remedy then finished upgrading my computer before driving to the Santa Ana station and parked. After making sure that the lateness of Pacific Surfliner 763 was caused by signal problems in San Diego County, I went over to Track 1 and after an on-time Metrolink train, I waited for Amtrak to arrive.
Pacific Surfliner 763 11/14/2008
The train arrived eighteen minutes late and I had to walk to the third car to board as the crew had the cab car closed for a group travelling north out of Los Angeles. I sat in a Superliner coach and enjoyed a Coca-Cola as the train made its way to LAUPT, arriving there twenty-three minutes late, where I detrained and waited on the platform for the Coast Starlight to reverse into the station.
Coast Starlight 14 with "Tioga Pass" on the rear 11/14/2008
The Coast Starlight reversing into Los Angeles Union Station.
"Tioga Pass" on the rear on the Coast Starlight. I put my luggage in a room then went to get the consist.
"Tioga Pass" was built by the Canadian National Shops in Point St. Charles, Quebec. It was originally numbered 23 and later re-numbered 93, spending most of its Canadian National life in Edmonton, Alberta. The car was sold by CN in 1992 and named "Tioga Pass" when purchased by Mr. Rutherford P. Hayes, a wealthy local businessman in Barstow, California. Soon after buying the car, Rutherford died in late 1992. Aronco Leasing then purchased the car in 1997 and in 2002, the car went through an extensive restoration.
This Coast Starlight had P42DCs 83 and 99, baggage 1164, transition 39007, sleepers 32072, 32011 and 32050, Pacific Parlour Car 39970 "Columbia Valley", diner 38040, lounge 33020 and coaches 34046, 34512, 34065 and 34006, with Canadian National 93 "Tioga Pass" PPCX 800693.
The Sunset Limited arrived at 9:32 AM with the private cars "Silver Solarium", "Colonial Crafts" and "Silver Rapids".
The tail sign of "Silver Solarium".
The Sunset Limited and the Coast Starlight. I went back to "Tioga Pass" and boarded the car for good.
The lounge section.
The dining room.
We departed on time at 10:15 AM.
Leaving the station behind.
The Coast Starlight made its way towards Mission Tower.
Our train passed by Mission Tower as we started running along the Los Angeles River.
The LA Metro Gold Line shops.
Minutes later, we passed the Metrolink shops at Taylor Yard.
Passing through Glendale station.
My good friend Tony Escarcega, from Mexicali, was aboard "Tioga Pass" with us today.
Just short of the Burbank Downtown Metrolink station, we met a Metrolink train heading to LAUPT.
Going through that station.
Our train reached Burbank Junction, which was the starting point of our detour.
We headed north on a beautiful late Southern California morning.
We crossed the San Fernando Valley and headed into the hills.
Climbing the grade to the San Fernando Tunnel.
Entering the 6,976 foot San Fernando Tunnel 25.
We later exited the tunnel.
Making our way towards the Newhall Metrolink station.
Passing the Saugas depot and Southern Pacific 2-6-0 1629 on display.
Rounding the large curve east towards Soledad Canyon.
At Honby, a Union Pacific freight train was waiting in a siding.
An abandoned tunnel along our route.
The historical marker of the Southern Pacific completion at Lang along with a tumbleweed.
Passing through a rock cut before we crossed the Santa Paula River for the only time.
The train entering Tunnel 19, a 328 foot affair.
Crossing the Santa Clara River.
Travelling through Tunnel 19.
Between Tunnel 19 and 18.
The 266 foot Tunnel 18.
Rounding the curve east of Tunnel 18.
We went underneath Soledad Canyon Road.
Our passage through Soledad Canyon.
The Roar Foundation/Shambala Preserve.
We climbed the rest of the way up Soledad Canyon towards Vincent Summit.
Taking the siding at CP Quartz.
Rolling down the siding at Vincent.
We waited for the Metrolink train from Lancaster to pass.
The Coast Starlight crested Vincent Grade.
Our descent of Vincent Grade.
Looking down towards the Antelope Valley.
Rolling down Vincent Grade into the Antelope Valley.
Approaching CP Harold, where the Metrolink line to Lancaster and the Palmdale Cutoff takes off.
Passing the junction with the Palmdale Cutoff at Palmdale Junction.
We sped through the Palmdale Metrolink station.
The Martin Lockheed Plant in Palmdale.
The end of the Metrolink tracks in Lancaster.
Looking back as we crossed the Antelope Valley.
The train went by Oban Siding.
Running through Rosamond.
Climbing Ansel Hill.
There was a Joshua Tree at the top of Ansel Hill.
