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Post by kevsmithnkp on Dec 28, 2017 16:58:27 GMT -5
Hi all
Not been over to the States for quite a while but the folks are in poor health and need a bit of help. I'm going to be in Goleta Ca. (Near Santa Barbara)for a couple of weeks so could do with knowing what will be running on the California Coast line on a daily basis to photograph and record.
In the U.K we have a fantastic website called realtime trains which tells you every train due to pass a station, freight and passenger, where it is in real time and how late it is running. Is there an equivalent USA website?
cheers Kev
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Post by zscalehobo on Dec 29, 2017 10:25:56 GMT -5
Sorry, I'm a little over 22 years removed from my daily monitoring of the Coast Line. I had heard of some washouts for a time, but I think things are running again. I hope your folks did ok through the Thomas Fire ... I have reports from friends in SB saying that it was a solid two weeks of thick smoke.
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spoilybear
New Member
Hello all! New--Bee here to AZL , Getting ready for Christmass most loving time of year.
Posts: 42
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Post by spoilybear on Dec 29, 2017 12:42:51 GMT -5
Great Idea, Wish I could but I'm Mountain Desert Rat so to speak. When I lived in desert near Palm Springs Ca . Younger days We kids would ride good old Sting Ray bikes few miles out of town to just watch trains. Lot of GP7 and *8's in those days did see Steam Engine one time when we moved to California in the 50's just don't remember much other than it was Big smoked like Dickens . maybe because Dad parked by Tracks and we were close. Great memories just to Witness real thing . Also Welcome back
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Post by markm on Dec 29, 2017 18:20:33 GMT -5
You should be able to get the Coast Starlight and Surfliner status from the Amtrak site. As far as freight trains, the railroads treat their schedules as a national security issue and casual train spotting on my part would suggest the schedule to be "at will." Being a Norcal guy, I don't know what the traffic is like around Goleta, but the northern end of the Coast Route isn't very busy. It seems that most of the traffic goes over the loop and up the central valley. If you have the time, I think you would be happier in Fresno or Bakersfield.
Should your plans take you up to Sacramento, let me know.
Mark
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Post by bloodynose on Dec 29, 2017 21:27:36 GMT -5
Kev, If you do go to Sacramento there is the railroad museum that has the only preserved cab forward which is Southern Pacific's last AC12. The museum is a short distance from the Sacramento Amtrak station so you could ride the train to get there. I haven't been there but it's in my bucket list. Markm probably can tell you more about what there is to see in that area. I live near Tucson AZ. so I don't know of anything besides the AC12 that I do own an AZL brass model of...
Cheers, Mark
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Post by neverland on Dec 30, 2017 6:18:52 GMT -5
The Amtrak website lists some train schedules but since it does not own huge sections of rail outside the busy corridors, passenger & freight train schedules are unpredictable & notoriously unreliable. I do my train watching on various train webcams across the US.
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Post by markm on Dec 30, 2017 9:42:43 GMT -5
The Amtrak website lists some train schedules but since it does not own huge sections of rail outside the busy corridors, passenger & freight train schedules are unpredictable... Amtrak has a real-time tracking app that has proven to be quite accurate for me on the west coast.
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Post by neverland on Dec 30, 2017 10:03:31 GMT -5
Like the NE, I'm sure you live along a major corridor. At least it was when I lived in N CA as a kid.
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Post by smr on Dec 30, 2017 10:10:49 GMT -5
Kev, If you do go to Sacramento there is the railroad museum that has the only preserved cab forward which is Southern Pacific's last AC12. The museum is a short distance from the Sacramento Amtrak station so you could ride the train to get there. I haven't been there but it's in my bucket list. Markm probably can tell you more about what there is to see in that area. I live near Tucson AZ. so I don't know of anything besides the AC12 that I do own an AZL brass model of... Cheers, Mark That is a really good recommendation. I had the chance to visit the railroad museum. Highly recommendable! If you, after the visit, want an AZL cab forward, let us know, we surely will find you one...... Have fun in the sun! Sven
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Post by markm on Dec 30, 2017 11:00:43 GMT -5
While I personally feel that Norcal is one of the most diverse regions in the world for rail enthusiasts, we should remember that trains are not Kev's primary goal of the trip. We shouldn't be tempting him too much.
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Post by kevsmithnkp on Dec 31, 2017 6:39:57 GMT -5
I visited Sacramento museum back in 98' My video of UP 4466 on youtube sill generates comments to this day.
I'll just play it by ear for the next couple of weeks and see how we go
Kev
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Post by smr on Dec 31, 2017 8:17:28 GMT -5
I visited Sacramento museum back in 98' My video of UP 4466 on youtube sill generates comments to this day. I'll just play it by ear for the next couple of weeks and see how we go Kev Great Kev, Please put the link to your video up here as well. Thank you! Best, Sven
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Post by markm on Dec 31, 2017 9:05:50 GMT -5
I visited Sacramento museum back in 98' My video of UP 4466 on youtube sill generates comments to this day. I'll just play it by ear for the next couple of weeks and see how we go Kev I had the opportunity to ride in 4466 about 2002, quite an experience. The CSRM hasn't changed much since your last visit, so obviously you'd want something new: Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad - near Santa Cruz on the old SP Felton line. They operate a Shay through the Redwoods and down to the beach. Nile Canyon Railway - operates out of Niles (present day Fremont) Steam and diesel through Niles Canyon to Sunol. You can charter a caboose for a unique view of the train. Railtown - Jamestown, CA (east of Stockton), They operate Sierra #3 ("Back to the Future III", "Petticoat Junction" & over 100 other movies and TV shows). Working shops for steam maintenance. If you can spare a weekend plus: The WP Railroad museum Portola, CA (north of Lake Tahoe) The attraction here is that you can drive a GP around the compound for about $70/hr. The VT Railroad - A recently completed route between Carson City and Virginia City, generally running steam. Mark
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Post by kevsmithnkp on Dec 31, 2017 11:56:10 GMT -5
Link to #4466 video
Also some action around Santa Barbara at the same time
Just a shame I didn't have the HD camcorder back then
Kev
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Post by surflinerscott on Dec 31, 2017 12:33:07 GMT -5
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