With no train service to the south due to track construction projects, I decide to ride out to San Bernardino to see the new train platforms but take a circuitous route. So I arose early, drove to the Santa Ana station then bought my Metrolink Saturday Day Pass and walked to the Santa Ana Boulevard grade crossing to get to Track 1.
The dead-heading Pacific Surfliner 763 equipment set flew through on its way to becoming the real Pacific Surfliner 763 this morning. Amtrak was running only to Irvine and Metrolink stopped all of its service at Laguna Niguel.
Pacific Surfliner 1761 arrived with the Vino Train cars at the front and I boarded for the quick trip to Los Angeles where I stepped off, walked to the front of the train and around to the other side.
The front of Pacific Surfliner 1761.
"Overland Trail", nee Southern Pacific 2981, a club-lounge car, built by Pullman-Standard in 1949.
"Pacific Trail", nee Union Pacific 44-seat chair car 5430, built by Pullman-Standard in 1950.
"Acoma" was built by the Budd Company in 1930 and designed for the Santa Fe's new streamlined Super Chief. It was the first, full-sized, all-stainless steel, "streamlined" lounge car built for any railroad.
Amtrak Veterans Cabbage Car 90208. I then tapped my Metrolink ticket at the subway gate and went to platform to wait for a Purple Line train to Wilshire/Western. It came about fifteen minutes later and I rode a round trip with no problems then returned to Union Station and went up to Track 6 to board Metrolink 354 for San Bernardino. The train departed on time and passed the first westbound train at Bassett.
The Santa Fe station in Claremont built in 1926.
The Santa Fe station in Upland built in 1937.
Later we crossed the flyover into San Bernardino and used the new station platform.
The new Metrolink signal bridge.
Metrolink train 364 at rest.
Metrolink F59PH 856, built by Electro-Motive Division in 1992. I went inside the station and walked through the railroad museum then later boarded Metrolink 359 for my return to Los Angeles, where I made my way to Track 8, only to see the sign that read "Metrolink 664 will operate 1 hour late due to bus bridge problems". However, a Metrolink official then came by and said that the train would be here in ten minutes. Sure enough, the train arrived at 2:10 PM and we left at 2:23 PM, 23 minutes late.
Three of the Metrolink's new F125 locomotives at Keller Yard.
Amtrak Veterans Unit 42 would be on the point of tonight's Southwest Chief, Train 4, to Chicago.
Amtrak Heritage Unit P42DC 822 at Redondo Junction.
Metrolink's brand new F125 914 at Commerce. It was a fast trip back to Santa Ana and I detrained one very happy railfan and drove home.
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