The
line the Operation Lifesaver train was traversing eventually split with
the tracks diverging left to the Alameda Corridor. The split to
the right brought the train along the east bank of the Los Angeles
River. The
crew pointed out a moving train heading towards the port marine
terminals via the
Alameda
Corridor. The engines are visible in the third through fifth
photographs
above.
We
then paralleled the east
bank of the Los
AngelesRiver.Across the river is the Amtrak Los
Angeles locomotive facility and coach yard.Next up the river was the Los Angeles Metropolitan
Transportation
Authority Red Line maintenance facility and yard.At
the time of our passing, the MTA mechanics
were still on strike.
Along the east
bank we met Metrolink train 402 bound for Riverside.This train contained my friend Chris Guenzler
who told me later that afternoon that he had seen the Operation
Lifesaver train.
We
passed Pasadena Junction and then the East
Diamonds, which is an intersection of railroad tracks.The track we crossed transits the LA River to
the west bank and allows trains to work their way into Union Station.Union Station has about 450 trains per day
using
the facility.
Looking
across the LA River entrance tracks to Los Angeles Union Station are
visible. The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
headquarters building is in the center of the photograph. We
continued forward
encountering an autorack train and then stopped at a red signal.
