Hunting the Espee in California - 2003

[James Costello]

In a weeks time, I'll be departing Brisbane, Australia and travelling to the USA for a little bit of a holiday.

I'll have the opportunity to spend some time hunting out what remains of the Espee in 2003 - well not so much what remains, but a chance to visit some of the famous places I've read about and seen in magazines over the years.

Apart from the mandatory biblical sites of Tehachapi, Cajon, Beaumont, Colton etc...where are some other places that the you enjoy railfanning, especially those along the coastline between San Fransisco and LA?

I'll be spending a few days in SF, before heading down to LA on the Coast Starlight/Pacific Surfliner. I would like to spend a night somewhere in between the two cities, where I could check out some of the former SP facilities and action, maybe even catch a former SP loco running around. Any recommendations?

I'll be limited to public transport.

I wouldn't mind checking out the Californian Northern whilst in SF as well.

Feel free to mention your favourite model train dealer as well!

Thanks!

For the full details of my journey, check out the my post in the N Scale section.

[esprrfan]

Try Roseville, the Amtrak Ca. will drop you off just past the Roseville engine facility. Its like 2 1/2 east of SF by train and you might even see some Ca Northen in Davis. Plus you could also get off in Sacramento and check out the state RR museum. Then just hop another e/b comutter to finish your trip to Roseville. On your way south/north watch yourself around the nearly abandoned SP yard in Bakerfield, not a good area.

Duane