Here is a photo of Rio Grande #3130 taken at Bakersfield, CA on August 27, 2001. Yes, some untouched Rio Grande and SP power does still exist...but not for long. I recommend that you capture every sight like this one that you come across, because they will soon be gone. Enjoy...
Nice shot as always Kevin, I love those late-model DRGW GP40-2's. Too bad she's lost her gyralights, but hey, I'll take any DRGW unit I can get!
great shota as usual Kevin. It's a shame that UP does not restore and keep operational some of its fallen flags as a homour to those railroads
That is superb, Kevin! I wish one of those had been in the yards when we were there. We only saw two Rio Grande units during our stay, one on Cajon, but only managed to get a grab shot (a tunnel motor), and another whilst we were driving along I10? back to LA (no photo)
An update on DRGW #3130: As of today, this unit is still here in Bakersfield. It is the only unit in town and is being used as the yard engine for the one switching crew that remains on duty at Bakersfield. As for the Bakersfield Yard, it is now basically deserted. There were only two short cuts of cars on the yard tracks with the rest of the yard completely empty. What was once a hub of activity in SP days has been reduced to a ghost town by the advent of DPU helpers and UP's choice to move all valley switching to Fresno.
Great shot...I just wish it were under different circumstances...like in the old days! I can't believe the news on Bakersfield either. Man, when times change, they change radically! John
