After a short night following a great NHL Stadium Game at Dodger Stadium and a very late night returning home, the alarm went off at 5:30 AM and I thought to myself, "What the hell are you doing?" I showered and fixed a light breakfast before driving to the Covina Metrolink station where I parked in the parking structure to the west then walked over to the station and down the south platform.
Here I found Union Pacific's Southern Pacific Heritage Unit SD70ACE 1996.
Next to it was the reason I came here, Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 4014 in the beginning of its journey to Cheyenne, Wyoming to be rebuilt.
On the east end was Union Pacific SD70M 4884. Here I ran into Bruce Jacobs and Dale, among several others I knew since this event was really popular with many railfans.
Here you can see the Union Pacific Steam Crew preparing the engine for today's trip to West Colton via Bassett.
The chalked "Big Boy" on the nose of the steam engine.
The American flag was attached to the front.
The Steam Crew certainly do a fantastic job with all of the steam engines the railroad still has.
It is Union Pacific 4014 at 6:51 AM this morning at Covina.
Union Pacific 4014 with today's date on the message board.
Three views of Union Pacific 4014.
Union Pacific 4014 with 4014 in the Metrolink message board. I walked to the north side to see what was going on while I waited for the sun to rise this Sunday morning.
LA Metro and Metrolink made a special sign that was hung on one side of the tender.
There were plenty of people who came to see Union Pacific 4014 on this unique Sunday morning here. I returned to the south platform as the lighting improved.
Looking east at this unique consist.
The Union Pacific Steam Crew uses their time wisely.
The sunlight hit Union Pacific 4884.
Union Pacific 4014 is bathed in that sweet early morning light at Covina.
The cab of Union Pacific 4014.
Union Pacific Southern Pacific Heritage Unit SD70ACE 1996.
The steam engine was awaiting its time to move.
Photographers' shadows on the fence between the tracks.
Union Pacific 4884 was sitting in the bright sunlight this Sunday morning.
My last shot of Union Pacific 4014 at the Covina Metrolink station. I ran into Bob Riskie who came down from Bend, Oregon to see Union Pacific 4014. From here I ventured to the roof of the parking structure and waited for it to move. Chris Parker was now here and would meet me up here after the train started moving.
The final consist would be Union Pacific SD40N 1596 and 1739, covered hoppers SOXX 32964, SOXX 34304, TILX 33020, TILX 33435, SOXX 32950, SOXX 32259, TILX 34320, TILX 33034, SOXX 32995 and TILX 33017, Union Pacific SD70ACE 1996, Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 4014 and Union Pacific SD70M 4884. With a great view looking towards the Covina Metrolink station, I knew it would not be long until the big show would occur.
Union Pacific 1996's headlight came on.
That locomotive would head west to couple up to this consist before making its way to Bassett and then West Colton.
The move then started with Union Pacific 1996 bringing Union Pacific 4014 and 4884 with her. After that, I moved to the other end of the parking structure and would now wait while the standing air test and other such items were completed by the train crew.
The Union Pacific power on the west end of the train.
Union Pacific SD40M 1739.
The crew returned to the cab and the trip was about to start. With a toot of the horn, the train started forward.
Union Pacific 4014 left Covina behind as it made its way to Bassett. Chris Parker would meet me there and I went back to my old favorite spot for shooting Santa Fe 3751 on its trips from San Bernardino. Chris met me here and we walked down a little way, hiding behind some small palm trees that were here then when the train came, we popped up and took our photographs.
Union Pacific 4014 taking that curve at Bassett that would lead it the Sunset Route's mainline of the Union Pacific Railroad. Chris Parker followed me to our next photo location on the Valley Boulevard bridge over the Sunset Route in La Puente.
First a Union Pacific westbound freight arrived to switch out cars then when they were finished, the crew was out on the front of their locomotive waiting for Union Pacific 4014 to pass by. We then saw the train coming slowly our way.
With the train heading underneath us and the great pictures we took today, Chris and I decided we would break off the chase. I headed home and had a Coca-Cola to keep me awake on my way then filled the car with petrol before returning home to write the hockey game story and this one. A tired Chris went to bed early this night, but it had been two great days of my life.
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