First Photog Adventure of the New Year

[chris_wlkr]

Last Monday I got out for some photography around the LA city basin with my son. I had tried to make it out for pictures both days prior but it just never happened.

First shot of the new year was a westbound Amtrak crossing Los Nietos and Norwalk as they ran into LA at 11:53 Am. Sharing it for sentimental sake.

   

We rolled west to check out the box cars near the BNSF MOW Pico Rivera yard. I like to look here for box car art. Most of the cars were void of the chalk, but had the spray paint scribble instead. This piece by Learn stood out from the others.

   

From there we headed for the Commerce Metrolink station which is usually a good place to hang in the morning. We found the BNSF Citcom job working, so we hung in the Jeep to watch them go passed.

   

Besides the Citcom job working, the BNSF Commerce facility was full of the usual suspects so we did not stay long. Snagged a shot of BNSF 1893 which is a rebuilt SD40-2 now classified as an SD39-2.

   

We had stopped to watch the Citcom job again from the parking lot when another west bound stack train passed us. BNSF 7480 brought up the rear DPU as the train continued to the ports.

   

[chris_wlkr]

There was not much going on at Hobart as we passed on our way to the LAJ... I think all the power was in the J's A Yard...

   

It looked as if nothing was moving in the yard until we drove around to the yard office side. That was when we spotted a rather long train pulling towards B Yard. Not sure if this was an LAJ job or a BNSF job bringing over cars. I did not have my scanner on. Anyone in the know, feel free to clue me in as I am not sure which engines the J is harboring right now (other than the LNG's and a spotted warbonnet GP60M on the house tracks)

We met the train down at Eastern and hung on the bike train across the street. That sidewalk is no place for my son to be while I pay attention to taking pictures. Here area few pictures from this stop of the day.

           

[chris_wlkr]

Carried on to the normal locations, which included a stop at the UP J Yard for my 100 millionth shot just like this one ...

   

Over at the turntable in the Amtrak yard sat this Santa Fe private varnish. Too many things in the way for me to be able to make out what car it was. Anyone know, please feel free to provide the name. It looks to be a beautiful car.

   

I wanted to check out the reopened 1st Street bridge and just happened to time it so I could follow a Gold line train across. Nabbed this shot as I caught a signal on the west side of the bridge. (Shot a bunch of others but they never made it into focus thanks to my camera settings)... at least I got one good one and can try again later.

   

For those wondering where the UPY164 sled went ... it is on the south end of 4th Street yard. You can see it waaaaay down there in this image.

   

This was a nice sight ... I have not seen a car on this track in ages. (spotted for City Fibers)

   

[Amtrak/Santa Fe Boy]

Nice set of images there! Where is the last image of the boxcar at?
Anymore images?

Thanks for sharing

[chris_wlkr]

(I am still posting them Nathan, but thanks. City Fibers is at 26th and Santa Fe Ave.)

Trackside Garbage along the BNSF Harbor Sub.

   

UPS truck bridge over 26th Street and BNSF Hobart Yard. Nearly complete it appears.

   

BNSF 1302 sitting back at Commerce Diesel.

   

The Hangar Vodka blimp was making rounds over the area. I tried to capture a shot of it over a passing stack train with little success.

   

[chris_wlkr]

We ended our day trip at Commerce again.

BNSF 5002 led an eastbound baretable train passed us shortly after we got there. They were building it at Hobart earlier.

   

BNSF 6873 was the second unit. Seen here sporting it's "New Car" finish.

   

888-KILL-A-BUG... appropriate sign as two GE Roaches chug passed it.

   

A set of engines came by from the east.

   

That's all I got from the day. Thanks for looking.

[bastatim4294]

Nice catches dude!!!

[erielackawanna]

Nice stuff.

[MargaretSPfan]

Great shots, Chris! Sounded as though you and
your son had a lot of fun.

[chris_wlkr]

Thank You Margaret. It is work to have him along, but so worth the extra effort.