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Coastie with a Camera Photography

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09/03/2026

I got bored the other day and started to let my mind wander. And one of those random thoughts was realizing I have seen quite a few 1501’s in my time. The more you know I guess 🤷🏻‍♂️

06/15/2026

Going away again for a while. As they say, duty calls.

However, before leaving, I took it upon myself to document the three CalTrain F40's that now have found a new home on Amtrak's Capital Corridor service on Union Pacific's Martinez Subdivison. Unlike their many sister units, these three did not get exported to Peru. With commuter traffic demands increasing on the Capital Corridor, CalTrans leased the three F40's and some Bombardier bi level passenger cars from CalTrain on a 5 year lease agreement to help meet demand that has gradually been increasing since COVID ended. Currently, these F40's are in service as trailing units. Only time will tell if or when they will be able to lead passenger trains on their own again. Although this does provide a unique opportunity for fans of commuter rail. Between the Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, Gold Runner (formerly named San Joaquin), and Capital Corridor services that operate on this former Southern Pacific mainline, railfans have a unique opportunity to watch aging fleets of GE Genesis P42's, EMD F59PHI's, and EMD F40's (powered and cabbage variations) intermingling with new modern Siemens SC-44 and ALC-42 Chargers that are gradually replacing all three on both regional and long distance passenger services. It is safe to say that UP's Martinez Subdivison is one scenic option for railfans looking to witness a modern diesel motive power transition unfold.

06/12/2026

A morning in Tracy well spent. Three solid catches all crossing the Lyoth diamond: California Northern 2269 with the regular southbound road train, a westbound Altamont Corridor Express with two aging F40's in charge followed by the UP's eastbound unit auto rack train AMICX.
Taken on: 06/08/2026

05/21/2026

Went out to Hercules this evening to catch a late westbound California Zephyr with a colorful power lineup but also wound up catching a surprise CalTrain F40 trailing on a westbound Capital Corridor train as well.
Taken on: 05/20/2026

05/17/2026

Made a trip to Old Town Sacramento to take care of an errand and also capture US Air Force 1655 in action. Among the variety of motive power in the CSRM's collection, this little switcher does not seem to get out very much. So it was a nice change of pace from the usual SW8's that frequent the diesel powered trips most of the time.
Taken on: 05/16/2026

05/10/2026

So halfway through being out foaming on my weekend off work, I realized that today is National Train Day. So today's foamer holiday shenanigans included UP's Benicia Industrial Switcher, Sacramento Northern action at the Western Railway Museum, and a last second catch of a UP work extra heading east through Suisun City.

So yea....happy things that go choo choo day!
Taken on: 05/09/2026

04/27/2026

Western Pacific GP7 713 provided the power for Niles Canyon's Ride the Rails for Relay for Life excursions. The proceeds from their ticket sales benefit the American Cancer Society. Judging by how busy Sunol Station was and how full the trains were, I'd say that they had a good turnout.
Taken on: 04/26/2026

04/24/2026

Got out of work early yesterday so I decided to roll the dice on a short line that seems to be a little elusive to railfans: Northwestern Pacific. After finding the cage missing two locomotives in Schnellville, CA, I drove down to the west end of the Brazos Lift Bridge thinking they were already in Lombard. I was pleasantly surprised to hear horns coming from the west instead of the east shortly after the lift bridge was lowered. NWP MP15 1501, dressed in Southern Pacific heritage colors, brought 16 cars east to Lombard and American Canyon for interchange with the California Northern. The crew would make a quick turn back west with 5 cars heading back to Schnellville. A nice afternoon on the tail end of job training in Petaluma.
Taken on: 04/22/2026

04/19/2026

Crossed another item off the bucket with a visit to Roaring Camp in Felton, CA. I packed a backpack and brought out my inner hiker and hiked up the mountain following one of Roaring Camp's Shay locomotive: "Dixiana" through the Redwood Forest to Bear Mountain. Shooting in mostly shaded areas and harsh lighting conditions forced me to get a little crafty today. Definitely want to come back to see their Heisler: "Tulonme."
Taken on: 04/18/2026

04/11/2026

Midway through its Coast to Coast Tour to celebrate America's 250th, Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 marched along the iconic former Western Pacific Railroad mainline in the Feather River Canyon. Beginning the day in Portola, CA, 4014 along with SD70's 1616 and 1776 eased their way through the scenic mountain countryside enroute to Roseville, CA. This would be the second time 4014 has navigated the Feather River Canyon, the first being back in 2024.

Among the 25 Big Boys built for the UP, only 8 survive. And among the 8 that are preserved, 4014 is the one that was selected by UP for operational restoration. While mainline steam always draws the crowds, expect even larger crowds when the King of Steam makes its nationwide tour in 2026.
Taken on: 04/09/2026

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