I live in Chico, Ca. Our area is weathering a huge disaster that has destroyed Paradise, ca and displaced over 27,000 people. On the news last night, they were following the fires progress and were at James siding on HY 70. On the siding in the background was UP 9924. The reporter just thought it was a train. Later photos revealed that it was the UP fire train aiding the fire fighters. at least 4 fire fighting tank cars. Had to have come out of Roseville
Sometimes I really like UP. I hope they can get the fires under control. I cannot imagine the hell you folks are going through out there.
Here is a modeling project for somebody. I did a much older version of one for my RR Hose reels actually work. by John Moore posted Jun 25, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Sad but it's the popular thinking of the day that is at the root of the whole problem. Good to see the UP fire train still at work. You can knock down a lot of fire with the equipment if you can get it in and next to the fire. Like the model.
In the video one gets a good shot close up of the tank car end data and platforms which is very useful for modeling. I gladly ship about half of the rain I have been getting to the left coast. Just a months total here would spell and end to their drought.
The BBC here in England has just broadcast the latest casualty estimate. I feel huge sorrow for one of my favourite parts of the World. Hope you are well, Marty.
I have memories of California from when I was stationed there in the early 60s. The Southern part was dry and ice plant abounded everywhere as it was used in place of grass. I used to ride the train to La Jolla to go diving near the Scripts Institute.
The Wind had been coming from the north which has pushed the smoke down from the fire to Roseville, Sacramento and the Bay area. I have a Friend that is SFPD, he couldn't see Alcatraz from the Hyde St. Pier the other day. That's how bad the effects of the fire are. Smoke clear down to Fresno. Thankfully Chico itself has been spared for the most part though the Fire has reached US99. It's also made it down to Lake Oroville. So the UP (former WP tracks are right in the middle of it. Going to be a bad slide year this year.
Before the Smoke got too bad last weekend, you could see the DC-10 and the 747 air tankers taking off on a regular cadence at McClellan, flying over Roseville and heading north. fill, take off, dump, land, repeat. The second DC-10 was down in Socal at the other fire. I THINK that one was based at Victorville. And of course all the other smaller tankers too, but the DC-10 and 747 are huge.
