Report on a railfan's trip to Southern California and Western Arizona in November 1996 Rolf Stumpf, 101713,213 Nov, 4th My brother Frank and I started off with flight UA 941 Frankfurt - Chicago. We there changed for UA 841, nothing special seen during the landing process except the dull weather. California should be better... We arrived at LAX after 8 pm, couldn't get our car because Dollar had already shut their office and headed to our first Motel 6 (LAX), we chose with one exception Motel 6 for the nights on the following two weeks. Nov. 5th Weather: hazy + smog. After we got our car (Dodge Intrepid) we went to Long Beach to see the Spruce Goose. Bad luck, the plane was moved to Oregon some years ago. They should update this in the travel guides of 95 and 96! On the way back to L.A. I spotted a DRGW unit in the Dolores yard the I-405 crossed. Next exit right and we eventually started our railfan trip The DRGW was SD45 #5326, a good starter. Following Sootern Pacific units could be photographed: 7476 (chalk marking on front truck 'brakes frozen'), 7499, 7414. On the servicing tracks were among others: SSW 9637, SSW 9680, SP 9662. Our next stop was Griffith Observatorium, some sightseeing before we departed for Bakersfield. Nearby Traveltown already had closed when we pulled in the parking lot. Nov 6th Woke up, sun's not quite out. Foggy. No need to hurry then... Bakersfield BNSF yard had lots of units in dull weather. Some BN green as well. Spotted: 2712 (GP30), 3432, 3671, 3001 (GP20), 3813, 5085, 95, 5850, 5264, 92, AMTK 353 (being fueled), Amtrak California 2052 5161+5839+BN 7048+BN 6835 sitting with a Barstow-bound manifest (solid box car train) As we drove the 58 to Tehachapi the sun finally broke through, leaving still some haze. Anyway, the usual work window was already on, a string of MoW equipment was all we saw near Caliente. At Woodford at least a tunnelmotor and two Flares (8275+7479+7461) were dealing with a work train. Some good shots with the workers. They shoved the train up to Marcel, so we got some shots of the Loop before we had to change plans, 'cause days are short in November. We had our tank full in Mojave (8678 sitting solely in the yard) and headed to Trona. Their SD40-2 really look fantastic, we could take pictures of the units sitting next to the RR office, #3004 was doing the switching job, a further unit (# 2001?) was also assigned for switching but deeper in the facility, this unit really put on a show, maybe my first witness of a hard working 567 engine... 3001+3006+3003+3005 were prepared for their 6 pm departure to Searles, too late for daylight shots. The visit at Trona yielded some nice stuff in the late sunlight. The sky over the desert was a crisp blue after all. We spent the night at Barstow Nov 7th No clouds! We followed the BNSF Barstow - Cajon and visited many good locations. Hodge: UP eb manifest, 6086+6257+6100 BNSF wb manifest, ATSF 3827+5849+98+GP50+GP? We chased the latter one and got it twice til Helendale. Helendale: ditto BNSF eb pig, ATSF 5829, MK-5978, GP50, B40-8 UP eb, 9546+9484+5985 'We will deliver' +CNW8001+3906 BNSF eb auto rack, ATSF 5071+5073+5176 BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 898+BN6382+847+112 UP eb doublestack, UP 6003+6239+CNW8713 Oro Grande: switching job ATSF 5002+5184+smoky 6372 UP wb coal, SP 126+UP SD60+UP SD60 BNSF eb, ATSF 7439+GP50 Victorville/Hesperia Rd: BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 5202+5183+5264 BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 5089+B40-8 UP wb auto rack, UP 6357+3197 BNSF eb pig, BNSF B40-8+ATSF GP50+684+B40-8 BNSF eb manifest, SD40-2+SD40-2+F45+GP50 AMTK eb Desert Wind, 817+F40PH BNSF eb manifest, 6412 (type B trucks)+5072 Victorville: no helpers seen, all active? UP wb doublestack, 9422+9436 After that parade of trains we drove up to Cajon summit. I wanted to see this worldfamous fence... All this reminded me of our German border, yet taking photos was tricky before 1989. Summit's still good for shots down to the cut, either a morning or an evening task. The fence ends at the grade crossing. UP helper set at idle, 3564+3257 UP wb doublestack, 9422+9436 (no, we didn't chase it ) Summit Rd: BNSF wb manifest, ATSF 5814+5077+5061+5867 Quite a good day, but waiting for trains suitable for some locs was hard (as ever...) Nov 8th Again we drove the old 66 to Victorville. The scanner stopped us at Bryman. So shortly after sunrise we started taking photos, weeds in the foreground, cliffs of the Mojave River in the background. Not the best but a nice place. BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 831+836+882 UP eb doublestack, UP 9557+6172+6313+6096 BNSF eb pig (mostly J.B. Hunt), ATSF 220+827+C40-8 BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 508+606+801 We turned and drove to Hodge (one of my favorite's on that stretch of track, look for 'lenwood.gif' in the graphics library) BNSF wb manifest (or local), ATSF 5089+9560 BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 4030+340+7432?+5090 BNSF wb grain, ATSF 612+870 UP eb coal empties, SP 269+228+3rd AC, heavy black smoke when they hit that 8th notch... BNSF wb manifest, ATSF 5038+SD45-2B+3 SD40-2's BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF GP50+GP60B+7431+5090 both trains met for a fine 300mm shot BNSF eb autorack/manifest, ATSF 5165+5160+GE dash8+GP60+GP? After shopping the Barstow factory outlet (a pair of new Levis for the flight home...), we finally found DeLormes SoCal Atlas&Gazetteer at Pilot gas station. So equipped we visited UP's Yermo yard. UP wb doublestack, UP 6168+SD40-2 UP eb coal empties, UP 6247+6182+9317 UP eb coal empties, SP 269+328+201 waiting for a fresh crew SP 9330, sharp condition but dead UP eb pig, UP 6179+6332+CNW8025+6196 We dropped the first section of the Needles sub and started at Essex following the Goffs Road east. Not a bad decision in the end. Essex has a nice junkjard adjacent to the tracks... Pretty desolate place . Essex: BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 3812+5014+SD45u BNSF eb pig, ATSF 936+692+813 BNSF wb mainfest, BN 6706+6329+2 more BN green, helper: ATSF 5111+5102 Goffs Road (good for chasing) : BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 899+204 BNSF eb manifest, ATSF 5863+GP?+SD45-2B we paced this one for a while, enjoying us and the engineer... BNSF wb doublestack, BN 6370+860+C40-8 last light of the day, train was in the grade to Goffs with the red glowing Dead Mts. in the backdrop. Excellent! We saw another westbound with a Warbonnet in the lead, alas the west track disappears in a cut, could've been a nice late shot with the colorful evening sky. Needles: already in darkness we spotted a GP30 on the point of a westbound, later I took some night shots of the sleeping units from the depot. Nov 9th Started the day at Needles depot. Weather was still fantastic with comfortably 70 to 80 degrees, the reports tell nothing else, except heavy snowfalls in Cleveland... Taking photos is no problem from where the yard office is. A security officer tells us that during his shift altogether 27 trains are scheduled, that'll be fine with us. Units in the yard (all ATSF) : 5102, 2866, 5131, 665, 5013, 8158 We headed further east, left the I-40 at Park Moabi road where the ATSF tracks come in a big curve through some bright old Colorado River gravel. Thumbs up! BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 5184, 5002, 5261, 5802 Topock, Colorado Bridge ('The Grand Canyon Line'): BNSF wb unit, ATSF 214, 634, 947 (gee, what a smoke.. ) BNSF eb manifest, sacrilegious solid BN 6379+6810+6329+5127+6370 Some time later we pull into Kingman Canyon to get some more of the 27 trains... BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 5184+5002+5261+5802 (hey, we had this one already!!!) BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 202+3823+3830+5986 BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 682+217+BNSF132+871 BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 656+941 BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 149+5153+ 2 B40-8's BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 3800+GP60+BNSF B40-8 In Kingman we had a look at ATSF Northern 3759 which is displayed along with a Santa Fe caboose in a small park near the tracks. Satisfied with the traffic density we followed old Route 66 to the east, near Crozier we waited for the next trains. A eb came soon, but then both the scanner and the tracks kept being quiet in both directions. BNSF eb doublestack, 832+SDP40+5125 We needed only a single wb (you know this ). After over two hours we finally gave up, sun was almost gone behind the mountains so we decided to leave and to visit the Grand Canyon Caverns. For me as a becoming geologist (getting to the finals) much of interest. Rather disappointed with the afternoon we proceeded to Williams to continue our tour in the Kaibab Forest, we had enough of dry lands, so let's see something different... We found the Williams Motel 6 to be quite a real hotel for it's the former Holiday Inn. Still reasonable priced ($ 38,61 for a double) for a really spacy and decent room with a (breakfast) table at the window and view to the BNSF to Phoenix. Indoor pool! Nov 10th We started things slow, at 8 am we went to the Williams depot to look after the GCR cabs. ex-VIA 6793+6773 (MLW FPA-4) pushed the vintage train to the platform, the sun just came on time over the mountain crest, blue sky, a bit chilly and shiny ALCo cabs. What a morning! After getting some excellent lit morning shots we filled the time til departure at 9.30 with Santa Fe action (hopefully). We followed the 64 out of town, parked the car right behind the railway overpass and went into the woods. The smell of the pine trees in the sun, and the grumbling of distant diesels... This morning we could rely on the mainline. BNSF wb manifest, ATSF 8258+5187+SD40-2+GP40X BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 931+606+651 BNSF eb unit, ATSF 5068+4020+BN5548+BN7805 BNSF wb doublestack, ATSF 5127+LMX8561+ATSF SD40-2 Pleased we then photographed the departure of the Grand Canyon train. After cruising some forestry roads with our family car we came to a halt at the Sherwood grade crossing and walked a mile or so along the tracks. Again lots of action in the woods. But also lot of waiting for the eb... Last traces of early snow on the ground. Sherwood Road, exit 171 on I-40: BNSF eb manifest, ATSF 5867+BN2980+BNSF 570+BN7038+ATSF7423 good show BNSF eb pig, ATSF 3010 (GP20!!!)+234+GP60B BNSF wb auto rack, ATSF 229+946 (finally...) BNSF wb auto rack, BNSF B40-8+BN2300+ATSF3810 BNSF wb, ATSF 5048+3447+655+C44-9 (GE's with thick black smoke) BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 880+??? BNSF wb pig, ATSF 897+2 GE's (snowcapped San Francisco peaks in the backdrop) BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 647+4022+7437+151+509 Maine, exit 178 (again San Francisco Peaks conveniant in the frame...), good for the afternoon and good for both directions. Maybe worth further exploring to the west. Grades and dips. BNSF wb auto rack, ATSF 117+147+826 Ended railfanning for sightseeing purposes (Sunset Crater), but we better had kept fanning, we've seen better craters so far... When we drove back to Williams the sun disappeared behind some low clouds, a train we chased turned out to be Phoenix-bound train. We waited for a silouette shot north of the mainline as we heard the train rumbling through 'downtown' Williams... After all not a bad day. Nov 11th This day we had special arrangements on the Grand Canyon Railway, because I'll do a story about the operation for our German fans. My brother took the train to the canyon whilst I took our car there. On the southbound trip we swapped places, with the exception that I took cab class instead of coach class... An ALCo cab is a class of its own The day started cloudy but some blue was visible to the north. We were awaited at the depot and got a tour around the train, depot and museum before the Cataract Creek gang started their show to entertain the train riders. This day the 6793 took the train alone along with the steam generator car. As I took the departure the day before I left early to look for a decent first spot. Near the Red Lake Trading Post is a low wooden trestle, easy to find and surely often framed... The skies brightened up a bit as the MLW came along with the Pullman coaches in tow. I figured that Willaha should be a good remote location for the next photos. The Willaha road (exit not marked) turns off to the left before Red Butte. It's a dirt road in fair condition. Willaha boasts one of the few sidings and a cattle loading chute. The headlights appeared no sooner I had my gear ready. Excellent prairie scenery, with sun - finally. Btw the lowest point on the line. I awaited the train behind Bright Angel Lodge in GC City where the wye begins. I got the MLW with some smoke, there's a 10 mph speed restriction within the yard limits however... I met my brother and burned another half roll of film when the train was wyed and positioned for the sb turn. There were two and a half hours left for lunch and the canyon itself... I should met the engineer (Richard Ferguson) at 3 pm. The unit was lit by an excellent afternoon sun, again some roster and whatever shots The ride was extremely enjoyable, highlights were the countless grades, Coconino Canyon and the handsome painted unit itself. I never thought that the 251 engine would be so strained on the rather slow ride (max speed 40 mph). Near Red Lake we entered a grade with 25 mph and hit the apex doing a meager 16 mph at run 8 with 473 tons in tow... I tell you, my ears were ringing even one hour after the trip. When I saw our white Dodge 'Dusty' standing at Willaha, I knew my brother too had fun taking a tough ride on the wash-board-like Willaha Rd Nov 12th We had no need to get up too soon, my GCR shop tour started at 9 pm. Again a spotless blue sky. We lost some time at the shops because there were problems with a release I had to sign because there were apparently no left... Finally they found a last one. 6973 was in the shop, together with the steam generator car which needed some repair. So the 6779 hit the tracks alone today. Pullman car 'Bonaventure' is being overhauled to replace the 'Chief Keokuck' in next year's season. ex-ATSF GP7 #2134 stood outside, the steamers were gathered outside, too, along with the vintage Jordan spreader. All steamers were in sharp condition. ex-Amtrak domecar #9405 awaited overhaul outside the shops. It will be painted in the GCR colors. The BNSF main line was quite busy, whilst I was at the shops... Short stop in Flagstaff for shopping in a bookstore. Got the DeLorme Colorado and Utah Atlases. In the yard waited ATSF 3701 with some cars for the things to come. As we wanted to look for Canyon Diablo we passed some decent locations where both the S.F. Peaks and a forest fire (at lest the smoke of it) were in the backdrop. We left the I-40 at Two Guns for the Canyon Diablo, but soon turned back because the road is suitable only for 4WD's or at least smaller cars than ours. Too much rocks to curve around... Next time a 4WD! No time for driving back to Flagstaff, we proceeded to the Meteor Crater. A real tourist trap. They erected the museum and viewing point on the northern rim. If you want to get some good photos of the crater - buy some... Oh, we should've done some more trains instead. Complete waste of time, even for me, considering it's one of the best meteor craters to see. Our moods weren't brightened when we waited on the road overpass at West Winslow. Scanner quiet, no trains seen from the Interstate, no trains within an hour and light kept going. Enerved we headed for Holbrook. That was much better. Close to sundown came a wb local in: BNSF wb local, ATSF 2358+2701 (GP30) Got some good shots after the train stopped at the depot to fetch new orders from the fax machine. After this they shoved some cars around but stood most time idling somewhere. Right after sunset an Apache RR train came in (all things ALCo... 83+800+84+82+81). But, again, no further trains on the mainline within more than one hour. At least some nice evening photos. Nov 13th Drove right thing in the morning to Snowflake. We found the shops without trouble. All ALCos stood around the shop building. I asked for permission to take some photos. I was politely told to do so only from the parking lot (hey, wrong light...!). Asking for the train schedule, there were none that day (next day at 11am to Holbrook). Only maintenance on the units. Again bad luck. At least we saw a train the evening before. But not the quality shot I hoped for. Noted (outside): 81, 82, 83, 84, 800, a stripped RS-type (what type?) We were prepared for that worst case, so plan beta went into action. As we were heading to Tucson that day anyway, some more railfan destination were on our way. On our way was Salt River Canyon, no, no railroad there but a great canyon after all. Miami AZ: We found the Arizona Eastern units 24+25 (both battered SW1200's) sitting in Miami's Hillstreet yard where they got some attention by the crew. Interesting scenery, at least something totally different: this is mining country. No further action to expect, the Miami depot still sports SP lettering, the tracks end shortly after. Superior: Not much to be seen or to be heard so we drove to Hayden. Finally a locomotive packed yard! Within several minutes we saw most of the Copper Basin Railway roster! Hayden Junction: This is where the CBRR shops are located. Easy photographing from the parking lot. No bothering. Wrong light but there were thin clouds and the units are painted grey... So slides turned out good. 504 (GP39?) sat in front of the shop building 208(GP9)+203(GP18)+505(GP39?) set out a bad ordered hopper next to the 504 before they were shut down (for lunch break ?) 501(GP39)+502(GP39)+503(GP39?) pulled in from a train assignment and were put next to the shop building 206(GP9)+20?(GP?) were apparently stored behind the shops 204(GP9) was in the shops This were altogether 10 units of 16 on the roster. And counting... As we left for San Manuel we encountered 403+402+401 (all GP39's) with a string of hoppers on the ore loading track not much more than 1 mile from Hayden Junction. We got some decent stuff as the train proceeded. So that was 13 out of 16, we're having fun again! San Manuel The mining spur has some very good photo locations, among them a steel trestle, visible from the street that runs parallel. We found Geep 4-A in good light with an ore train on the unloading track, behind the hoppers we spotted 3-A. Up in mine we saw another GP, too far away to depict a number. Both units (3-A and 4-A) are painted grey with a yellow nose and a blue cab. We finshed railfanning and stopped for a few minutes in parking lot of Biosphere 2, decided that this was an even bigger tourist trap considering the admission of $12,95 a person. Finally we arrived at Tucson, the first major settlement after we left L.A. more than a week ago First we looked after the US Airforce boneyard to save time the next day. We found it and went to our Motel (again Motel 6). Nov 14th Visited the USAF boneyard (from the outside). Even after most of the old stuff is scrapped, there are still a lot of treasures to spot. At the moment some 1500 'Phantom' fighters are stored... At 9 am we entered Pima Air museum and left it around 1 pm. Something different than trains all the day Thumbs up. Driving to Tucson yard we spotted PFE 1048 behind some cars, SW1500 2750 was idling near the fence. Again thumbs up at UP's Tucson yard. We could take photos from the parking lot, in best afternoon sun. Yard office already lettered for Union Pacific! But the old time still reign on the rails. Three DRGW units right before us. 3017 (GP30), 3051+3052, along with oddball 7200 (GP40X, sporting some different trucks). The locomotive shop building was in progress of being pulled down. Further notes: 8610 (shut down), 8510+SSW9635+7524+9608 light movement, a string of 6 TEBU's (1613 in front). No UP units sighted (sigh -> relief!). Btw, Tucson was the first yard where weed rolled over the tracks. Nice atmosphere... Next thing was getting straight shot to Yuma, with occasional stops if necessary. We paced a wb UP (SP) manifest with 8181+8155+9682 west of Tucson but eventually they slowed for a siding before I could get (better) shots. Some miles before Aztec later that day we passed a wb manifest. We left I-8 at Aztec, where we saw a watertower suitable as a background (8106+C44-9+B40-8). Sky was mostly overcast now. It was already dark when we arrived at Yuma. We had to put the room's A/C on, the room was sweltering hot, outside the pool was open: near 80 degrees with the sun gone! Nov 15th Clouds are gone, sun's already up, we have to... Yuma's East yard only hosts a single train, got a decent shot with shiny three 'false flares' in front and a Renzenberger disappearing in the dust. UP (SP, all units SP) wb manifest, 8679+8601+8681+4824+8637 SP 7419 obviously had switching duties Next stop: El Centro A strong (dusty) wind is blowing, we have to hurry to get some last pictures before the clouds move in front of the sun. Lots of units, we never expected this. 'Rotten Belt' 7656 yard switcher train assignment (northbound): SP 8599+9771+8650+8622 servicing tracks: DRGW 3136, SP 7135, 2629 yard (shut down): 2628 ('Bay Area'), EMD leasing 754 (ex Conrail, real junk) For me as an Alcohaulic Plaster City was must. Here in this desolate place the winds were even stronger. #112 was sitting shut down in the plant, no chance for a roster shot. I managed to get a front view through the fence with my 300mm lens. Everywhere was the dust, so after half an hour we headed back to El Centro having lunch. At least one of the DL535E seen! Driving north to Niland we saw to the left near Imperial a steam engine sitting in a supposed-to-be-a-museum. Another ALCo! Tiny #151 of Imperial Irrigation District. (bn 59389, Cooks Works 9/1918). Soon we overtook the slow moving freight to Niland. The train stopped at Estelle to add some cars. Some shots of this as well. We found the line along the Salton Sea not of much interest, we eventually met the train we saw earlier the day in Yuma and chased it to get two quite good shots, one on a steel trestle. But after all this is not an area I'm going to visit once again. I had a picture in mind I wanted to do in the windmills near Palm Springs. So we made a literally mindblowing experience, from Indian Av we spotted a doublestack sitting in the siding Garnet. Wind was blowing with at least 7 beaufort, our faces got sand blasted, we had to cover our cameras just ready to make the shots of the day. The light was really eerie with the hazy sun between us and the drifting sand. And windmills everywhere. SP 6885+7339+UP3722 were uncoupled while 8620+8652+8640+8024 arrived light on the parallel track. 8024 was left there the 3, other moved on. They had to dig out the switches!! Looked like winter in the mountains...hard job railroading in the desert. We didn't spend too much time out of our car and had a late look on Beaumont Hill in the fading light of the day. One eastbound chased the other, within 30 mins we saw 4 eb's! No more wind&dust. A peaceful evening except for the trains UP(SP) eb manifest, SP 8643+8635+8147+81??, a ST&E boxcar bringing up the rear UP(SP) eb doublestack, SP 8332+9627+8305, two hobos waved to us, got a shot of this... don't have the nos of the other two trains, no pictures So Beaumont Hill shoud be fine for the following day. Nov 16th Not long after 'sun'rise we stood trackside and waited for the first train at Beaumont Hill. Yet it was quieter than the evening before. Several photo locations. UP(SP) eb pig+auto rack, SP 7341+7426+9755+GP60 UP(SP) eb doublestack, SSW8058+SP7517+6815 We chased the 2nd train and managed to get three good to excellent shots. For diversion we drove off to Cajon Pass we missed in the beginning of the trip (except for Summit). We stopped at San Berdoo depot. Good guess, tracks were full with Metrolink equipment. Four units were posed side to side like for a PR shot, 3 F59PH, a F59PHI, if this wasn't enough, all two color schemes were at present. The film rolls kept going. The GO Transit trainsets were still there. This is everytime worth a visit. Last year's visit yielded a late Desert Wind and a ATSF GP30 among the Metrolink F59's. Spotted: Metrolink units 878, 868, 864+867, 855, 852 The parade at Cajon: BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 893+BNSF 8271+C40-8, rear helper ATSF 5095+5206 UP(SP) eb coal empties (BNSF north track), ATSF 5860+SP317+2 SP AC's BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 949+4012+3802+3823 UP wb stack empties (SP track), UP 9459+2481 UP(SP) eb manifest (SP track), EMD leasing7019+ EMD 7011+SP SD45R UP(SP) wb coal (BNSF north track), UP6090+UP6121+SP220 UP wb coal (?) (BNSF north tack), UP 3253+3243 BNSF wb doublestack (north track), ATSF 5041+5204+5078+830, rear helper ATSF 5095+5206 BNSF wb doublestack (south track), ATSF 861+344+554 BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF 839+142+3850 BNSF wb pig, ATSF 159+676+243+BNSF122 Cajon Summit for the relaxed evening: very late wb Desert Wind, AMTK 394+9 (?? AMD-103!) BNSF eb doublestack, LMX8585+LMX8576+EMD 6847+ATSF SD40-2 UP eb doublestack, UP 6324+9701+7036+SD60M BNSF wb manifest, ATSF 5077+2293+330+6368+MK5973+5153...what a consist!! BNSF eb pig, ATSF 5093+3811+C40-8 BNSF helper set, ATSF 5126+5137 The security guy told us to park our car behind the sign (our front protruded two feet in BNSF territory). Must be a boring job up there... Spent the night in Victorville's Queen's Motel. Adjacent Motel 6 had no vacancies... Nov 17th Sunrise at Cajon Summit is still something special. For the first time in 2 weeks we took our winter coats on... Temps near zero, we have to get through this!! UP eb, UP9700+3312 'We will deliver'+SP 126 BNSF eb doublestack, BNSF122+ATSF7417+ATSF3845 BNSF wb light helper movement, ATSF5126+5137 UP wb, CNW8017+UP5989+6117 BNSF eb manifest, ATSF 5835+5162+BN6358+525+3062! BNSF eb doublestack, ATSF243+676+159+559 UP(SP) eb doublestack (BNSF north track), SP 9603+9731+9746 Orange Empire Museum (10 am), met Rodney looked esp for the ALCos, of course Visited also the March AFB museum No further rail activities, slowing things down, last shopping and getting some railmags Nov 18th We're driving a last time to Cajon. We spot the Cargill switcher standing free in the sun. Turn off at Devore and to the Cargill facility. A eb UP is putting on a great show. UP eb coal empties, UP 6121+SD60M+9053, a great yellow in yellow toned shot. We take roster shots of Cargill #305 and proceed to Blue Cut. UP(SP) wb unit, SP 8659+8594+8580+8638 UP(SP) wb coal, SP 373+280+194+UP9465...last train on our tour Dropped our car at LAX some 90 mins later and left with UA 818 to Chicago. We arrived at 11.40 am the following Tuesday in Frankfurt. Thanks again to all who helped to make this trip a success! Rolf Stumpf, Germany 101713,213