West Coast Rails

This page is about two times that I visited Alta, California.
Once was in 2010.
The other, 2011.

2010.
I was invited to Alta in November of 2010 by my friend Roger Burdick.
I traveled there and had fun, photographing trains in the little town on the Hill, or above the canyons of the American River.
I nearly injured myself a few times, but had a lot of laughs during my time there.
On a sad note, this was the year that Union Pacific Railroad learned the hard way not to mess with Mother Nature.
Amtrak was delayed here during the snowy days of 2010.
A couple trains were stuck here, and further up the Hill, crewmembers died trying to restore service to the railroad.
Also, I'm humble to admit that I helped the railroad along.
Pacific Gas & Electric crews were out here during this snowy season, looking for downed power lines.
I still had my scanner then, and overheard a conversation between an Amtrak crew member and the Union Pacific dispatcher.
A tree had fallen down onto the tracks, tangled with wires.
Since there was a PG&E truck right in front of the house, I walked out and let them know that there was an issue with the railroad.
The crewmen in the truck immediately took off to help the stranded people in Alta.
The crews saved the railroad. I played a small part in the Winter of 2010-2011.
I take some time every now and then to honor the men and women who work hard every day, year after year, to serve the American People through a railroad dedicated to the nation

2011.
A friend of mine persuaded another friend of mine to take me to the Altafest in the sleepy town of Alta, CA on May 28th, 2011.
Because I am good friends with the people there, I was able to stay over for a couple days to railfan there.
Alta is located mid-way between Sacramento, CA and Reno, NV.

Below are some photos I took.

           

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