This past Sunday 10/23/05...Amtrak #11, (The Coast Starlight) was rerouted down the San Joaquin Valley due to track work north of San Jose, Ca This highly unusual event (last time this happened was in 1974, garnered alot of local railfan attention...I even drove from Las Vegas 200+ miles...to witness this cool event. First image taken at Caliente... Next one at Walong (the loop)
Amazing all those foamers have nothing better to do. Just another train. If I was on the West Coast I'd go find something else to shoot that weekend that everyone else doesn't have photos of. ~Brian
Oh yeah! Cool shots anyway, Mike. I love the backlit effect in the first shot. Not many people can pull that off so cool!
While waiting for Amtrak to negotiate this steep mountain pass...with only two 4 axle locomotives...of dubious mechanical condition...both BNSF and UP had trains backed up both north and southbound...one train in particular...had in it's consist...a SW1500, GP-15, a SD40T-2 and a NS unit.. Next two images taken at Woodford.. Last one taken at Bena...north of Caliente..
The reason for all of the interest is that the Tehachapi Pass line has not seen revenue passenger service in nearly 35 years. This was a one time detour that will probably not happen again anytime soon.
And I understand that, but with the crowd evident it's not exactly a scoop news story or a hidden event.
GREAT SHOTS MIKE!!!!!!! I'm so glad you got these and shared them with us and I hope others will do the same. Who cares if it's a "news story" or not because what is most important is Railfans sharing photos, stories and captureing history as it happens. I rememebr not that long ago many of us chased the Schnabel Car and no one from the local media was there, just Railfans with their cameras.
...exactly, the fact that it was going to happen got out as early as Friday. That's why so many made the drive to see and photograph the unique setting. The only reason I wasn't one of them was prior family commitments. The truth is, the photo lines on Tehachapi are almost that big every weekend...after all, it's Tehachapi. People plan vacations from halfway around the world to come and see everyday trains there. If you've ever been there, then you would already understand.
It's the fact of that event being a rarity. First time in about 35 years. Next time? Maybe not in those fans lifetimes. So it was a catch it now, or maybe never see it again scenario. Boxcab E50
Paul..you must have drank too many Fosters!!..I am only a hack...that gets lucky once in awhile. Brian is the real deal...and I believe he still shoots film (transperancies) [ October 25, 2005, 03:18 AM: Message edited by: NSCALEMIKE ]
I am one of the people who came several thousand miles to visit southern California, and Tehachapi in particular. A passenger train over the pass is very special, so it is not surprising that many turned up to see and photograph it. Obviously I could not pop over for this event so I am very grateful to Mike for sharing the pictures here.
Great stuff, Mike! Amtrak on Tehachapi is some rare mileage, eh? I actually caught a rare move over Sherman Hill--while not as rare mileage, only the #5 WB California Zephyr detoured to Salt Lake City this way. The rockslide in Byer's Canyon caused a reroute of #5, but EB #6 went thru as normal (if only 45 min late). From my vantage point on #3 track, just east of Dale Jct, WY, we see the WB #5 on #1 track a few miles north of me:
I was with Hemi when we saw number 5 on Sherman Hill. He got the shot- I didn't. But that's OK- Hemi's work is pretty awesome! Plus, his camera has better zoom capability than mine, so I just sat back & enjoyed the view. As for the Amtraker detouring over the Tehachapis- thanx for sharing those pics. I wasn't there to see this movement, either, but I didn't get a case of sour grapes over it- not as long as we have folks like you to share these rare movements.
