Metrolink 641 bound for Fullerton came in to the station.
Next Metrolink 602 picked me up for the 9.8 mile trip to Irvine. To say this was a quick trip would be an understatement. I detrained and waited for Bill who arrived on time and we took the toll roads to the Riverside Freeway but had to go west to Weir Canyon Road before we going east on the Riverside Freeway due to a long queue of people trying to go onto the 91 Freeway from the toll road. We were in the midst of stop-and-go traffic on a Friday afternoon on the Riverside Freeway but listened to good music.
We made it to Interstate 15 then with only a few minutes delay, reached Cajon Pass and out into the High Desert to Barstow where we stopped for petrol. From here we drove straight to Needles on Interstate 40 and checked into the Motel 6 there, after which I showed Bill my Winterail 2014 program before we called it a night.
3/22/2014 We arose at 7:00 AM and after checking out, went to McDonald's and I enjoyed my hot cakes and sausage then checked the Needles yard before taking Interstate 40 out to Topock and parked up on the bluff overlooking the BNSF crossing of the Colorado River.
The Needles rock formation from which the town of Needles got its name. We did not have to wait too long.
BNSF 6511 East was the first train of the day.
BNSF 6883 West was our first westbound.
BNSF 7125 West.
BNSF 6681 East entered Arizona.
BNSF 6779 West.
BNSF 7262 West came along next.
BNSF 7375 East came through as I was on the phone to Let's Talk Trains giving my weekly report. From here we crossed the Colorado River into California and stopped at the Park Moabi Road bridge over the BNSF mainline.
BNSF 8008 East. We drove down below the BNSF bridge then went up onto the hill overlooking the bridge.
The BNSF Colorado River bridge built in 1945.
BNSF 7324 East crossed into Arizona. We had no westbound trains as we waited so gave it until 12:30 PM and returned to the car.
One last view of the bridge. Next stop, Needles.
