Crossing America By Rail?

BarstowRick Mar 22, 2019

  1. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Tonight, Saturday, the Amtrak consist that arrived in Barstow, Ca., is made up of five Metro-link passenger cars with three Genesis type motors on the front end. Normal consist of Amtrak High Liners. Not sure why they are headed for Chicago. Repairs maybe. Nice catch on Barstow's live rail cam, courtesy of Virtual Rail Fan.

    Monday, according to one of the LaPlata Chatter Box participants. Allegedly, #4 SWC will be leaving Chicago with the same MetroLink equipment and a Bombardier locomotive/motor tied in with others. You should be able to catch it on LaPlata's Live Rail Cam. They have three of them so there's no excuse for missing it

    Unless your screen starts the buffering routine that I'm all to familiar with.

    Thinking that Bombardier motor is what I call the Chinese Dragon Head. It don't matter and call it what you want.

    Check it out.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2019
  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    My bad Highliners are actually called Superliners. John A., pointed this out to me in a PM. Think I knew that when I wrote this but I thought it would stir up some discussion here.

    I will have to double check. Here's what I re-learned. Santa Fe called them Hi-Level cars. Highliners did get thrown in there but I think mainly by railfans like you and I.

    Allegedly Santa Fe's fleet of Hi-level cars was stored but for how long and where? Anyone have that answer and this might turn interesting. Wondering why BNSF isn't using them for their official or business trains? That might be a clue as to where they are or aren't.

    Looks like Amtrak and hosting railroads are working on their schedule. It appears they added ten minutes to the timetable, on their LAUPT eastbound route to Barstow, CA. Making #4 SWC appear to at least be on time.

    Not much else to report here. Amtrak is what it is and for now can't be anymore then what it is.

    Changes are rumored.
    That's about all they are is rumors.
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wish there was a rail cam in my vicinity.
     
  4. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Enquiring minds what to know where and a link to access it?
    Oh, my bad. Yep, I wish there was one, too!
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Now that I think on it, where is the nearest one to me? I have never paid any attention. Maybe if I Google...?
     
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    OK. I Googled. Nothing anywhere near, or so it seems. :(
     
  7. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Is Missoula, Montana at all near you?
    The following cam shows an osprey nest in the foreground, but in the background just below the highway are railroad tracks.
    The location is shown on this map: https://www.google.com/maps/@46.865186,-113.974009,2845m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en-US

     
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  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That is just almost at the west end of the Hellgate Canyon. (Clark Fork River.) What is called East Missoula on Montana Rail Link. A very healthy two and a half hours from where I live. I am up north on the old High Line of the GN.
     
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  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I must have been writing at the same time the above answers showed up.

    To the best of my knowledge (disclaimer) I'm afraid you are right. Seems Virtual Railfan has one or two in Canada but that would be the closest. We'd like one on one of two restored train stations here. Either Caldwell or Nampa, ID. Hint, hint, hint.

    Nampa would be preferred as there is yard action there. It would be fun to watch the local's switching as well as arrivals of local trains from the short spur lines that leave Nampa.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2019
  10. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Those Metro-link passenger cars many of us saw on Live Streaming Rail Cams... and where are they going? Is there a final destination? Or will they be headed back West in a month or two.

    Easy answer is: East! That much I can say with assurance. There is speculation they are going to Chicago for needed repairs. It's been suggested. Allegedly a commuter small line is purchasing them and the location is North Carolina or was that South Carolina?

    I heard rumors a few years back that Metro-link wanted to retire this particular style of Bombardier coaches. Sighting some safety issues. Looking for cars that are more like the style Cal Trains uses in the San Francisco Bay Area.

    So, I leave you with rumors and speculation, as that's all I have to offer. Nobody asked me if it was okay to send them to North Carolina. Besides, I thought everyone in North Carolina got around in their Goat's and Fix or Repair Daily type of vehicles. I don't think bike riding except on a hog would be the preferred choice.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2019
  11. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    What are the odds those Metrolink cars were headed to the Talgo-SYSTRA facility in Milwaukee for rebuilding?
    https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/talgo-systra-tapped-for-rail-car-rebuild/
    https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail...jv-awarded-contract-to-rebuild-metrolink-cars
     
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  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm tempted to say that's, "One hell of a comeback". Then there's those purist who wouldn't appreciate it. So, that's one right on comeback. You'd have to know where to look to find that. Searches being fussy and persnickety as they are.

    So there you have it. Headed for Michigans Talgo-Systra facitlity, to be rebuilt and new systems added. Five car sets every 90 days.

    Thanks Point353

    Only the readers here will know. :cautious::):cool:
     
  13. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Monday morning, and I was thinking about the live rail cams I watched over the weekend. On the old Santa Fe Mainline starting with LaPlata, MO, then moving to Flagstaff, AZ and Barstow, CA. I was surprised at how many people boarded and de-boarded Amtrak's trains. They aren't running empty by any stretch of the imagination. The other thing I noted was how close to being on schedule. Or should I say closer to being on time. An hour late but nothing like the 3, 4, 5, and 6 hour late arrivals as we've witnessed in the past. Freight traffic is kind of interesting to watch as well. On one day it looks like the number of trains is up and the next you wonder where they all went.

    The fine folk boarding and departing are a mix of all ages. No one specific group, other then numerous troops of boys and girl scouts noted. Looked like one group of Pathfinders. A church sponsored, parochial spin off from the scouts. Headed for some sort of pow-wow. Cutting it close considering schools will be starting up again in September. Last hoorah!!:):cool:
     
  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    On the Osprey cam, there is a train sitting on the tracks in the background. There you go Ken.

    The construction workers aren't pixled out. Grin!
     
  15. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    The gubbermint retired them not long after they turned 50. About nine years ago, several were spotted at a place called Illinois Transit Assembly Corp.
     
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  16. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    How's that new one-stop strategy working out?
     
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  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks for asking. Bob Cox the proprietor at the station would most likely tell you it's working out great. They are adding a lip on the platform and I'm thinking that's the 16"s you were referring to.

    Ken, the goober guys can screw up everything anytime, anywhere.
     
  18. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Just asking, since I noticed this morning that #4 made a two-stopper at the "high-level" platform. :confused:
    And, I'd also like to hear Amy's opinion regarding the "new & improved" platform as to whether it's (y) or (n).
    If they do add that lip to the platform, maybe the conductors will then be able to put the step boxes on the platform instead of on the ballast. :rolleyes:
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2019
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  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would too. On the chatter box. You can sometime get Bob to answer but I haven't yet...read where Amy responds. That or i missed it. That chatter box can move along faster then a speed reader like me can read it.:cautious:

    For those who may have just tuned in we are talking about the LaPlata, MO station platform that's been under going new construction for the platform.

    You do realize I'm working from a handi-cap here. I can't really see in 3D to know what's going on. And, I don't have the plans/blue prints in front of me.:(

    From what I can see the platform from one end to the other, is not the same elevation. The middle just below the East Cam appears to be lower then the two ends and may be the same height as the ballast. One of the assistants took out the step stool and it was still a stretch for those passengers getting off the train. It appeared they still had to step down and onto the platform from the step stool. o_O

    This morning, like you I saw a two stopper and wondered why. I didn't have the West Cam up so no clue as to whether the construction workers were present and working there.

    You got me on that one. :confused:
     
  20. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    My bad, It should have read Actpulsa...
     

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