Went on my First specific Rail Fanning trip today. The 3751, 4-8-4, was making a run between Los Angeles and San Diego. The route went passed our house about 6 miles away, so decided to go and see it run by. What a positive experience for our 1st dedicated trip.
We came across this viewing point, it was ideal! Could see down the tracks for at least 2 miles in each direction.
East View - Towards Fullerton Rail Station, probably about 10 miles down the track.
West view -
When we arrived there was only 1 truck in the above picture. As we waited 2 other pick-ups, pulled up to where we were at, then backed down the acess road as shown. No one said anything to us, even though we were inside the right of way fence. The gates were open to allow crew access. About 10 minutes later a security guard pulled up, and my wife asked if he knew when the steam engine was coming by. The guard said that it was held up on a siding waiting traffic about 10 miles up the track. She then called and asked someone on the other end if they would call and let her know when the engine left the siding. The guard then left, she came back about 20 minutes later and told us it was on the way. Would be there in 10 to 15 minutes.
I had my video camera with us, and while we were waiting decided to shoot some introduction footage while we waited. I was filming to the east (1st pic), and trying to see if I could see the lenses of the signal bridge, no luck. Then panned towards the west, picking up the cars on the siding, and there was a pair of headlights coming down the track. Continued filming the oncoming train, which was the Amtrak Surfliner going to San Diego. As I filmed and subsequently panned back to the east as the train passed, there was another set of headlights on the adjacent track heading west. It was a Metrolink commuter coming from Riverside or Anahiem don't know.
Continued to wait and then there was another set of lights coming from the east, it was a BNSF freight, as it approached we were waving and the engineer turned on the flashing Ditch Lights, and gave us a real good horn blast. (We were well out of the danger zone, and the engineer was enthusiastically waving as well.) The train was all containers probably empty headed back to the harbor, it was at least 60 or 70 cars long. Was headed with 4 engines all were working with plenty of heat waves coming from the stacks.
A few moments later we could see 3751, headed our way;
Tickets for this trip started around $180 and were sold out over a month ago, I know there were some tickets for the dome liner, but they were all presold. I was expecting to see some vintage passenger cars in the consist, but the only one that I saw was the dome frome the California Zephyr.
3751, is permanetly housed in San Bernadion, owned by the historical society there. It is really beautiful and was sparkling clean for this trip!
I couldn't help but notice the resemblance of crew-member in the cab, seems to resemble a certain PA fellow on the forum. (The guy that works at the museum)
Needless to say the entire experience was tremendous! There were 2 other trains that came through this area while we were there. As well as a pair of engines that came in and was working the cars spotted on the sidings. I am still amazed that we found such a good spot on our first outing. The only thing missing was rest rooms and coffee service. Been a terrific day.
