This morning I woke up still really sore from my fall yesterday and I did not sleep well. With an extra hour, I did my morning chores then watched a U2 show on VH1 Classic before driving to the Santa Ana station. After checking the status of Pacific Surfliner 565, I went up and over to Track 1 to wait for my train to LAUPT.
Pacific Surfliner 565 4/17/2011
The train arrived a few minutes late this morning and I boarded the cab car but it had those awful new seats that regular passengers avoid, so sat in the Superliner coach instead. The train made a quick stop at Orange but an extended stop at Anaheim before the usual one at Fullerton. From there, we ran non-stop to Los Angeles.
This is my ticket to ride Metrolink to San Bernardino and Santa Fe 3751 back to Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal later this afternoon.
The "Amber Trail" that was supposed to be have been on the steam train yesterday but was cut out at midnight Friday.
The Southwest Chief ready to go to the 8th Street coach yard. Our train arrived on Track 11 and Chris Parker was waiting for me on Track 5B.
The LAUPT view this morning with Chris Parker waiting for me by the Metrolink train to San Bernardino.
Metrolink 356 4/17/2011
For this Metrolink trip to San Bernardino I decided to photograph the spots from where we took pictures yesterday and compare them to those pictures. In the rear of the cab car, we were joined by several younger railfans and it always makes me feel great when younger people become involved in this hobby.
The view from under the old bridge into the former Southern Pacific piggyback yard.
The train in the middle of Interstate 10.
The train on the El Monte Flyover.
The flyover over the former Southern Pacific Sunset Route.
The views from Etiwanda Avenue.
The views at Catawanba Avenue in Fontana.
The train ran under the bridge of the Palmdale Cutoff.
Our train went up and over the San Bernardino Flyover then arrived at San Bernardino early. I decided to do something I had not done in over 20 years, which was to take pictures off the Mount Vernon Avenue bridge.
The Metrolink San Bernardino station where Santa Fe 3751 had been already turned for the trip back to LAUPT at 3:00 PM this afternoon.
BNSF 7777 west came through San Bernardino.
Two more views of the San Bernardino Metrolink station. I walked back down to the steam engine.
Santa Fe 4-8-4 3751 on display at San Bernardino Railroad Days 2011.
BNSF 7777 West had two DPU's on the rear.
San Bernardino Valley Transit "Old Blue" Bus 5876.
An Amtrak Thruway Bus.
Amtique fire engines on display.
The San Bernardino Police had their horse team at this event.
A Carnation dairy truck.
A Yellow Cab taxi.
A Stater Brothers Market truck.
Radio Lazer van and booth.
I went inside the museum and watched twenty minutes of the Charley Smiley Sacramento Northern DVD.
An impressive wood carving of an American 4-4-0 locomotive. I then enjoyed two chickens on a stick.
BNSF 7726 West came through San Bernardino next.
Calico Photo Studio was also here.
BNSF 6637 West was next.
Later a BNSF power set came through the San Bernardino Yard.
It was getting near boarding time so I here are the drumheads for this trip.
Santa Fe 3751 West to LAUPT 4/17/2011I boarding the "Pony Express" and sat down since my rib was really hurting. I would only stand up for a few pictures, relaxing and being able to hear the sounds of Santa Fe 3751 on the trip.
Right at 3:00 PM, the train started to move and I stood up for my first pictures of the trip as we left San Bernardino.
There was a large crowd as we departed.
The Short Way tracks took off to the south and are used by the Inland Empire Metrolink trains.
Santa Fe 3751 climbed up and over the San Bernardino flyover before I sat down and listened to the sounds of the steam engine and whistle.
The view inside the "Pony Express".
The train took the Baldwin Park curve.
Stan Garner, owner of the Pony Express, was working his bar of non-alcoholic drinks.
We took the flyover over the former Southern Pacific Sunset Route.
Santa Fe 3751 climbed the El Monte flyover and I went to the bar to get a Coca-Cola then talked with Stan for the rest of the trip.
Running down the middle of Interstate 10.
Santa Fe 3751 met Metrolink 366 at the siding in the middle of Interstate 10. After that meet, we proceeded the rest of the way into LAUPT, arriving on Track 11 just 90 minutes after we left San Bernardino. I was first off the train and walked over to the next platform, Track 10, for a few more pictures.
The train at rest.
Santa Fe 3751 looked beautiful in the late afternoon light. I then walked over to the Metrolink ticket machine to buy a ticket back to Santa Ana on Metrolink 664. That train departed on time and ran well, except for Fullerton where passengers did not listen to the station announcements and a group were left on the train, so a reverse move had to occur so they could detrain. After that, we ran the rest of the way to Santa Ana with no more problems and I returned home and wrote this story.
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