Folks, if you haven't heard, there is a 100+ unit intermodal train heading across the country full of boat parts for the America's Cup. It started in Montreal and is apparently headed for Pier 80 in San Francisco. Here is a picture, there are also some video's on Youtube if you google "America's Cup Train." www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=403324 The reason I'm posting this is that I really want to see this train come into San Francisco if I can. The little spur leading to Pier 80 is a bit of street running that has never seen the likes of this before. So if you catch this train going across the country please post updates on its progress.. Thanks!
Bumpity bump bump. Anybody tracking this train? I understand it was delayed in Vermont for a couple days but is on the way again, so should be arriving SF around July 21st?
Great photo G'day Jagged Ben,,,, Wow.. top snap..Especially that it's a double header SD40-2 consist. I LOVE THE DEAR OLD SD40-2s.. America's Cup too...pretty special for us Aussies seeing that in 1983 we were the first to win it from the USA with that Ben Lexcen keel. The skipper John Bertrand still races often and is still famous here.. There's nothing quite like the sound of an EMD loco is there... Cheers tigers1960 (Rod)..
Yes indeedy! Of great interest to a ex-Kiwi as well. Several interesting things about this photo. What is the NECR, North Eastern Canadian Railway? The fact that they are still running SD40-2's as mainline freight locos, early bulkhead ended well cars (correct me if I'm wrong here) and there seems to be some sort of banner or something hung on the handrails and last but not least is that these parts are coming from Canada for a US boat!? Or is Canada entering a boat?
My understanding is that a bunch of the boats were in Newport Rhode Island for exhibition races. Newport, after all, is where the America's Cup began, I believe. NECR is New England Central Railway, normally just a shortline that does not see this kind of train. BTW those early bulkhead well cars are nothing out of the ordinary for intermodal trains anywhere in North America. But SD40-2s are not.
Well, there have been some comments on the America's Cup Facebook page... Apparently the train sat in St. Albans Vermont until yesterday. :-( Thing is, if it doesn't get here by next Tuesday, I'll be on the California Zephyr heading for Colorado. I suppose there will be a chance we will pass that America's Cup Train on the way! But I'd much rather see it coming down Quint St. Hope the word gets around to Bay Area railfans to go check it out and take some pictures. Hopefully they won't do something sensible like bring it in during the night.
The CN locomotive at the head of the train as of yesterday was ES44DC 2342. If that helps anyone track it.
G'day jagged ben ,tootnkumin and crew...,On Canadian National stuff......My friend models CN but it's the other one Canadian Pacific that has a strong US link isn't it. CN runs into the USA but is CP partly US owned.. It's just that I notice both the maple leaf and stars and stripes on the locos... Any info on that will be interesting... Cheers tigers1960 (Rod)
G'day Tootnkumin.. Ex Kiwi eh.. spose you get the fush n chups thing all the time. We get the two heads line all the time and the geographical dig as well...Never mind..Sometimes it's great to be a little different and unique... Some workmates just spent three weeks in the South Island and had a ball..tey want to go back already... Do you know of a bloke by the name of Geoff Mackay...He's a kiwi adventurer and featured on Australian 60 Minutes one night..he has some great stuff on You Tube.. it's great.. I have about seven SD40-2 models and am waiting on two with full sound in September...Oldies but goodies..... Cheers tigers1960 (Rod)..
Well turns out there was a Twitter update from the America's Cup on Wednesday. "#AmericasCup train has cleared #UnitedStates customs via #Canada expected in #Chicago in late hours tonight #NoHolds " Don't know what that means as far as where the train is now though. I was really hoping a few more railfans would take interest in this and post photos of the train.
I am surprised that no one has responded. I did find this link, searching around the net. http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2012/7/The-Americas-Cup-Express/
I just found this on Altamont Press, and a later message says the train is now in Oakland and should leave about 2 PM. The 115-car "American's Cup Express" is currently enroute from Newport, RI, to San Francisco. The train arrived Portola, CA, at 12:08 AM today and will be departing after a crew change. Power currently is UP5053 and UP5117. Approximate times are: Oroville - 6:25 AM Roseville - 9:00 AM Oakland - 5:00 PM San Jose - 8:15 PM South San Francisco - Midnight "Subject to change without notice." The train will then be forwarded, likely in three cuts, to the Port of San Francisco by UP's "South City Switcher" YSF70. For more information on the train, visit this web site: [www.americascup.com]
Thanks Fitz!! Unfortunately, after all that, I'm going to miss it because the GF and I are heading out on the CZ for Colorado tonight. Hope somebody get's pictures and posts them here!
Well, it turned out the train was still waiting for a crew on the arrival track across from the station in Oakland/Emeryville when we showed up to catch the CZ yesterday morning. So at least I got to see it in person. Also I see someone posted another thread with a news report. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...t-line-S2s-at-work-with-America-s-Cup-Express I'm glad for that, hope there will be more.
