The trip, in my opinion, was made up
of four distinctive groups. First were the vest people, ie NRHS
Central Coast Club; second, the lanyard people, ie 3751 crew, Amtrak,
and BNSF: third, the car owners, ie Conductor Bill, Wayne, John, and
the boys way out back; and finally the passengers, of which I qualified
to some degree. It was fun to see how people were dressed.
One car owner is known for
dressing in a Conductor's uniform and he looks great in it. One
guy, had a vest with about 50 railroad patches on it, people showing
off their "colors" on their hat, shirt or both. Me, I look around
for anyone with Alaska Railroad logos and chat it up with them. I
found that guy the second day.
They'll be working on the railroad.
Approaching West Ash Hill, the railroad alignment splits with the GCL
taking the southerly alignment closest to the Route 66. An old
wye still exists with maintenance of way cars stored there. An
intermodal train was heading west on the other alignment.
The rail alignments rejoined.
In the last few miles before our exit from the mailline, what appeared
to be a mine came into view.
Finally we slowed, stopped and switched off the BNSF mainline at Cadiz.
