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Uploaded on Feb 23, 2012

26 comments

New Game, New Look

Change is the only constant in the world. Amtrak California's venerable fleet of EMD F59PHIs are no exception. These locomotives, built in 2001, have clicked off some reliable two million miles across the state of California pushing and pulling the states population between Sacramento and Oakland, and other points on the Capitol Corridor system.

Progressive Rail, formerly CEECO in Tacoma, Washington has rebuilt these beautiful locomotives into more modern, efficient and green beasts completely repacking and re-engineering these units. The rebuild will have these units on the road for at least another 15 years. Just in time for another rebuild.

The new logo and paint is Caltrans push to rebrand Amtrak California into a more "state-transit system", the new logo and font used on the long hood is easier on the eyes, is more inviting and lets the average person know that this is YOUR tax money and what YOU as California taxpayers have done - turned the Captiol Corridor from a 2 round-trip a day "trundler" into a 16 round trip a day high-speed, high-pace corridor. It only rivals the Northeast Corridor itself now - and not by far either.

Whether new logos, paint, gear or rebuilds; these beautiful machines will continue to serve California faithfully, just as the first generation units have since 1993.

Uploaded on Feb 16, 2012

13 comments

Eminent Domain

Even in an era where California has worshipped the automobile and continues to do so, the passenger trains and mass transit has justified its existence and now, has assured it permanently. Even with Interstate 680 soaring overhead, this eastbound Capitol Corridor train will beat any automobile to Sacramento without breaking a sweat. While carrying some 500 people.

I know. I've both ridden this train; AMT 536, and tried to out-run it some 60 miles back to Sacramento. Sorry, its not happening.

The Amtrak California Captiol Corridor service has enjoyed some 15 years of safe, reliable service in Northern California, and now has become the preferred mode between the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. At the beginning there were 4 round trips. Today there are five times as that...

Uploaded on Feb 11, 2012

17 comments

Western Heritage

This afternoon I decided to take my wide-angle Canon L lens (EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM) and begin playing with it on a macro level. I normally photograph subjects on a grand scale, these same machines, but instead of being two inches tall, they're normally fifteen feet tall or larger with a vast landscape behind them (see my next few pictures). To bring things down to perspective I decide to play around with my Athearn (athearn.com/) Genesis HO Scale (1:87th) EMDI SD70ACe locomotive that I purchased two weeks ago from a local hobby shop.

This locomotive has special meaning to me. A native of Butte County, California the Western Pacific Railroad had a huge presence there - even on the western side of the county dominated by the SP - as the county and the small city of Oroville, CA served as the gateway to the famed Feather River Canyon, which made this railroad famous. Being a rail-fan, I naturally took to the old "Wobbly" and devoured anything I can about it and studying it furiously. Finding out that the old Sacramento Northern Railway (an WP subsidiary) was based in Chico I naturally loved it instantly. Being a mass transit nut my love for interurban railways and traction exploded as a child.

Now a student in college with a major in Journalism I hope to make my living as a writer and photojournalist. Hence why I'm always taking pictures and practically live on Flickr. This locomotive normally adorns my desk but today for some reason I took it off my desk and sat in the kitchen with it, my books spread all around while doing homework...even at 22 years old its amazing what small things comfort you and remind you of where you come from...

The angle of choice and composition on my desk is one that I kinda find humorous. The brown wood grain of the table and the silver of my laptop is kinda a play on the locomotive's paint scheme, by doing what I did and its angle, the 'Perlman Green' pops and stands out while in focus, and the 'Zephyr Orange' feather leafing and the 'Zephyr Silver' long-hood of the locomotive can blend into the background and the computer better. Kind of my way to keep your eye up front, and attentive to the large "WP" on the nose. Of note, the background is one of my recent favorites, two images over "Real Class" (www.flickr.com/photos/rt462kid/6724725261/in/photostream/) if you'd like to take a look...

Uploaded on Jan 25, 2012

8 comments

Storms Approach

As epic weather approaches Northern California and dumps inches of rain on the valley and feet of snow on Donner, a SafeTran Type D "Vader" signal shows "Approach" for the approaching light power move. The foreground switch is lined off the #1 main-track and lined for an eastbound movement on the #2. In the background another Type D signal shows "Stop" on the same track about 500 feet away. This signal does much more than simply authorize a movement controlled by a dispatcher 2000 miles away, it serves as a gateway to one of the most important engineering feats in our nations history. This is the beginning of the famed Donner Pass.

In the 15 or so years this signal has been here in the small town of Roseville, California guarding not only Donner, but the old Natron Cut-off; this signal has seen thousands of trains roll past it, and millions of freight cars, people, crews, maintainers, railfans and others who acknowledge its presence, but few who understand its importance.

The Central Pacific, then Southern Pacific, now Union Pacific's gateway to Donner Pass is guarded by this simple lowly but humble signal. A route that is celebrating its 150th birthday this year with Union Pacific throwing a year-long celebration around the country. In September and October 2012 Roseville and Sacramento will be the focal point of this said triumph of our nation celebrating Donner's monumental importance to the industry and our economy. All this beautiful signal can do is protect and look on as a railroad pushes and pulls its mighty trains into the future.

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Uploaded on Jan 23, 2012 | Map

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