Pickering Lumber Corporation: The Final Years | Circa 1957 - 1977 Hunter Lohse 2025-07-10 | The Pickering Lumber Corporation was one of the most spectacular displays of railroad logging in the western United States. Trains loaded with fresh cut timber making their way from the woods to the Standard Mill at Fassler lasted into the early 1960s. In the late 1950s, the railroad's fleet of geared steam locomotives began to be supplemented with diesel power, with 4 SW9s being purchased for railroad operations by 1959. It was also during this time that the days of steam logging in the woods was coming to a close. The old steam donkey engines with numerous railroad spurs going deep into the forests were replaced by trucking and Lima cranes. By the early 1960s, the logging camp at Soap Creek was the last of its kind in California being served by the railroad. While diesels were the main power for the log trains to and from the mill, steam was still in service in the woods, assembling consists to be brought back down the hill. 1963 was the end of railroad service to Soap Creek, and a special trip was run for Pickering employees from Fassler up to the camp headed by Shay 33. This massive train of flat cars and SP gondolas with 2 SW9 providing assistance is seen as it rolls back down the hill to Standard.The 1964 season saw a condensed operation with logs being offloaded from trucks and onto waiting railroad cars at a new transloading facility at Juncion Landing. By 1965 the show was over, and the Pickering went out in style with Pickering 8 operating one last log train for press and railfans on December 4 of that year. You will see the 8 performing photo runbys in front of the Standard depot, as well as an interview with Pickering engineer Bill Scott, from the original KCRA television segment about this end of an era.The Pickering was now part of the Fibreboard Corporation, who was not keen on continuing railroad logging operations that had been occurring in Tuolumne County for nearly 60 years. Plans were initiated to revive the railroad as a tourist operation, and you will see Pickering 7 heading for storage at Lyons Lake in October of 1966. That same month, the Fibreboard Corporation ran one final inspection train over the railroad using leased Sierra Railroad rolling stock prior to the severing of line due to construction of Highway 108 near Twain Harte. The program concludes with Pickering’s final curtain call, with speeder rides offered by the Lyons Lake Resort beginning in 1967, and the only steam tourist operation over the railroad with Shay 7 in September of 1971. The Pickering may have been gone, but its legacy was not forgotten. Tom Irion purchased Pacific Coast Shay 11 in August of 1967, and moved the engine to the California Railway Museum at Rio Vista Junction, where it was quickly returned to operation. The engine would operate at Rio Vista Junction into the late 1970s and was sold to the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in 1981. Enjoy this look at California’s last steam logging railroad!Music in this video is used through Creative Commons:🎵 Music "Love Train" by ‘Langston’ youtube.com/watch?v=quH2mCgGnI4💿 Listen everywhere: https://lofihiphop.de/lovetrain✅ For more Copyright Free Music visit:youtube.tamamusic.com
Virginia & Truckee Part 1: Silver Shortline Of The West | Circa 1938 - 1953 Hunter Lohse 2025-05-31 | May 31, 2025 marks 75 years to the day of the abandonment of the Virginia & Truckee Railway.This shortline railroad in Western Nevada has become world famous for its connection to Nevada's Bonanza booms of the 1870s, and for the survival of so many of its locomotives and rolling stock, which made the railroad a living time capsule. The railroad's original purpose was to haul the endless string of valuable gold and silver ore from the mines in and around Virginia City, to Carson City and Reno. The mining in Virginia City was essentially over by the 1930s, and the program's first films are of some of the last trips over the line in 1938.The railroad had completed their line to Minden in 1906, and following the abandonment of the line to Virginia City, agricultural products, petroleum products, zinc, iron, and gypsum.A tour of the railroad from Reno to Minden is then given using all color movie film from 1941 - 1950. You will see the V&T as it divests itself of its 19th century locomotives and rolling stock, struggling to survive. The last major fantrips over the railroad are viewed, and the largest of these, involving a doubleheader with V&T 26 and 27, is viewed in its entirety. The demise of engine 26 is featured, and you will see in photos her final moments before going out in a blaze of glory a month before the end of the railroad. You will then see V&T 27 bringing the curtain down for the railroad, and she pulls into Reno for the last time on May 31, 1950.The story normally would end here, but the V&T refused to fade away. The program closes with the return of a V&T engine to Reno in 1953. The V&T's legacy would only continue to grow in the following decades, but that's a story for another video......Enjoy your trip to the Comstock, and to Carson City, and Minden! This is your ticket into the amazing story of one of railroading's most treasured, and fascinating shortline operations!*TRAIN TO TOMBSTONE and ROAR OF THE IRON HORSE are now public domain due to invalid/expired copyright*Music in this video is used through Creative Commons:After The Fall - Pieces (extended version)• ATF LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/AftertheFall• DOWNLOAD @ youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=dlkPsgtoBhQLicense: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Full license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...• Music released by: Chill Out Records @ goo.gl/fh3rEJHayden Folker - The Journey soundcloud.com/hayden-folkerMusic powered by BreakingCopyright: youtube.com/watch?v=Do6VrSy64sA
Colorful Trains From Sacramento To Stockton | AMTK 203 | BNSF | Foreign Power | 4/26-27/25 Hunter Lohse 2025-04-28 | The weekend of 4/26-27/25 saw some colorful train come through the Sacramento area.On 4/26/25, AMTK 203, the Operation Lifesaver 50th Anniversary Unit, heads west out of Roseville Yard as it heads for Sacramento. The train is followed by a UP freight as it throttles up out of the yard starting its run down the Central Valley.4/27/25 - BNSF 714 Red & Silver C44-9W with RS3L leads BCOL C44-9W 4651 south on the former WP mainline. The train is photographed in Sacramento, Franklin, and 2 times in Stockton. The RS3L is an amazing call back to classic days of the ATSF, and the BC Rail unit added to notoriety of this train.Enjoy this look at colorful trains in Sacramento, and the Central Valley!
Trains On The Cajon Subdivision, Tehachapi, And Through The Central Valley 4/6/25 Hunter Lohse 2025-04-19 | After two days of watching trains on Tehachapi and Cajon, 4/6/25, was the day we returned home. The day started with seeing the NS consist from the previous day left San Bernardino headed east as a solid set on an eastbound autorack train.After catching the train at Oro Grande, we headed home but didnt stop for anymore trains until Monolith, on the south side of the Tehachapi Mountain, and we were able to catch 3 trains.Following Monolith we captured more trains in the valley returning to Sacramento, which included Amtrak San Joaquins on the BNSF Bakersfield Subdivision, as well as some BNSF freights, which includes a Santa Fe caboose in the middle of the train! The final train of the trip was the southbound UP trailers on the Fresno Subdivision.Enjoy this look at trains in Southern and Central California!
Trains On Cajon Pass | BNSF | Union Pacific | Amtrak | Foreign Power | 4/5/25 Hunter Lohse 2025-04-14 | On April 5, 2025 a group fo 5 of us spent the day on Cajon Pass. This was my first time on Cajon, and while it may have taken longer that I would've liked to get there, I definitely will be returning sooner than later!The day started at Hill 582, and after waiting an hour and a half, the action picked up with a fleet of BNSF traffic, as well as a UP on the Palmdale Cutoff. Action continued as we relocated to other locations such as Silverwood, Summit, Alray, and Sullivan's Curve.The most notable catch of the trip was Norfolk Southern power on a westbound intermodal making its way toward San Bernardino. We relocated to San Bernardino after Sullivan's Curve to chase Amtrak Southwest Chief Train 4, and after catching the train leaving there, the day concluded with a final shot at Victorville.Enjoy this look at train action on Cajon Pass!
BNSF And Union Pacific On Tehachapi 4/4/25 Hunter Lohse 2025-04-13 | On 4/4/25, a group of 4 of us spent the afternoon on Tehachapi at Tunnel 2 and 5 between Bealville and Caliente.While there wasn't anything too interesting in the way of foreign power during our visit, there was still a good show of sound and a good number of trains to see. Most noteworthy on this visit was a train at Tunne 5 with a BNSF EMD SD70ACe gasping for air on the climb to Tehachapi Loop. Enjoy this look at trains on Tehachapi!
A Day On The California Northern 2/14/25 Hunter Lohse 2025-02-20 | Valentine’s Day action on the California Northern between Fairfield and Napa Junction. CFNRs final GP15-1 1570 is in its final weeks of operation as these staples of the railroad for over 30 years give way to more modern, low emission motive power.The video begins showing the 1570 switching around Fairfield. The sounds of the engine’s Leslie is gorgeous, and the classic sounds of a non-turbocharged prime mover add to the show. After the show with 1570, the UP power is chased from Fairfield to Napa Junction. On this occasion the SD59MX and SD70M power put on a great show with some great horn action!Enjoy this Valentine’s Day on the California Northern!
Southern Pacific Daylight: Los Angeles - San Francisco | Circa 1960 - 1968 Hunter Lohse 2024-11-12 | The Southern Pacific Coast Daylight Trains 98 and 99 throughout the 1960s slowly lost the glamour and prestige they once maintained only a few years prior. The new interstate freeway network, and equally new commercial jet air travel put a serious dent into the revenue books for passenger trains all over the country.The Southern Pacific by 1958 was already standardizing the paint on all of its passenger equipment to the Sunset colors of red and stainless, and into the 1960s, equipment was slowly painted from the classic red and orange, into this new standard scheme. Also in the early 60s, the railroad began phasing out its dining car service with their new automat cars, rebuilt from two tavern lounges, as well as former sleeper cars. These cars, fitted with vending machines, greatly reduced the size, and service staff needed for the run between Los Angeles and San Francisco.All of SP's major passenger diesels are seen on the Coast Line, and includes a cab ride from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. E9s, ALCO PAs, FP7s, and the new SDP45s are all seen working hard over Cuesta and Santa Susana Passes, and at speed through the and into the Bay Area.The end of an era is also witnessed, as Southern Pacific's overnight Lark train 75 is viewed at Burlingame, and arriving into 3rd and Townsend in San Francisco on its final run in April of 1968.These 8mm and Super 8mm Movies come from the cameras of 4 different railfans, and come from the collections of Angelo Figone, Dick Donat, and the Western Railway Museum.Enjoy this trip up the coast during the last years of Southern Pacific passenger trains!My friend Drew Jacksich granted me permission to use his slides in my videos before his passing, and I personally thank him for his support, presence as person. Thank you Drew. 9/22/1946 - 11/12/2024
Tehachapi: Circa 1974 - 1987 | Southern Pacific | Santa Fe Hunter Lohse 2024-10-15 | The mainline between Bakersfield and Mojave over the Tehachapi Mountains is one of the most fabled locations for watching trains on the west coast. In the 70s and 80s, the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe were the main railroads in the area, and with the era of mergers in full swing, both were trying to find ways to stay competitive, including attempting to merge with one another.Scenes of trains from Caliente to Tehachapi make up this presentation, and a variety of units from EMD and GE are seen throughout, including SD9s and SD24s, all the way up to the larger units such as C30-7s and SD45s. Units in the Kodachrome paint scheme show up as well, as the SP and Santa Fe attempt to operate as one before the rejection of their merger proposal by the Interstate Commerce Commission.Tehachapi Loop is viewed in all its majesty, and there are numerous sequences of both SP and Santa Fe trains descending and ascending as they contend with the over 2% grades.These Super 8mm Movies in both standard and sound formats are from the cameras of 3 different railfans, and come from the collections of Angelo Figone, Paul McClenahan and the Western Railway Museum. Photos were provided by Gary Perazzo.It is all here for you to enjoy in this 70s and 80s look at Tehachapi!Music in this video is used through Creative Commons:Yosoci - Ryvokisyoutube.com/watch?v=exhzvq692-A
Santa Fe Valley Division Part 5: Stockton - Fresno | Circa 1976 - 1987 Hunter Lohse 2024-10-07 | The fifth installment of this series on the Santa Fe Valley Division covers ‘70s and ‘80s action from Stockton to Fresno through the San Joaquin Valley. The Amtrak San Joaquins were in the early years of their operation in the mid 1970s, and you will see Phase I FP7s and SDP40Fs, along with Phase II F40PH units. Santa Fe from the 70s and into the 1980s was rebuilding and repainting locomotives into the Yellowbonnet freight scheme, and later into the Kodachrome scheme in an attempted merger with the Southern Pacific. In addition to the Santa Fe and Amtrak action, Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson 2860 makes an appearance on the Valley Division heading south to Los Angeles in March of 1977, switching activity is also viewed with CF7 power at Santa Fe’s Mormon Yard in Stockton.These Super 8mm movies in both standard and sound formats come from the cameras of 4 different railfans, and come from the collections of Rob Klyver, Paul McClenahan, and the Western Railway Museum.Enjoy this trip down the valley on the Santa Fe in the 70s and 80s!
Local Freights Around Sacramento 9/7/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-09-09 | On 9/7/24, a group of 3 of us spent the afternoon around Sacramento just to see what we could see. It was a good day to have gone out, because as luck would have it, UP 1004, one of the last remaining GP60s still sporting SSW Scarlet and Gray, was assigned to the Folsom Turn. The early afternoon light make for some really great shots of the engine as it worked the industries around West Sacramento. With it now being 28 years since the end of the Southern Pacific, fleeting moments like these will only continue to become more and more scarce. After photographing the Folsom Turn we made our way over to Polk, where the BNSF Sacramento Local was working the yard there, and we were just in time to watch its pair of GEVOs throttle out of town. We made our way to Elder Creek Road for one final shot of the train as it notched up to track speed for its return trip to Stockton.Enjoy this look at scenes in 2024 that will only become more and more noteworthy!
19th Century Steam At The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum 8/11/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-08-12 | On 8/11/24 the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City, CA hosted another one of its Second Sunday Steam Up events utilizing Antelope & Western 0-4-0 1, and Nevada County Narrow Gauge 2-6-0 5. This museum is the only place in the state of California where two 19th Century originals can be seen operating on a regular basis. This video is mainly concentrated on the operation of engine Number 5 from on board the train, on the engine, and trackside. In addition there are views of Antelope & Western 1 as it prepares to make its run up the hill with NCNG 5 at the end of the day!Enjoy your trip on the narrow gauge!
Donner Pass And Feather River Canyon Trains 7/6/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-07-14 | On 7/6/24, 2 of us set out to go scout Donner Pass and the Feather River Canyon in preparation for the Union Pacific 4014 Westward Bound Tour. While looking for locations we ended up catching 3 trains on Donner Pass at Casa Loma, including two making a perfect meet! Once over Donner we headed to Portola where we managed to catch a westbound train coming into the yard, and then gave chase through Blairsden over to Spring Garden.Enjoy this look at freight trains on two of California’s most well known railroad routes!
BNSF Power Leads California Zephyr Train 5 Sacramento, CA 6/23/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-06-28 | On 6/23/24, California Zephyr Train 5 came westbound into Sacramento with a BNSF C44-9W on the point. In addition to this catch 2 other westbounds, the IBRLC and LRS59, are also seen making their way across the American River in Old Sacramento. Enjoy this look at some interesting power through Sacramento!
Santa Fe Valley Division Part 4: Richmond - Stockton | Circa 1974 - 1987 Hunter Lohse 2024-06-21 | Part 4 of this continuing series on the Santa Fe Valley Division takes us on a 70s and 80s journey from Richmond to Stockton. At this time Amtrak had started running their new San Joaquin service via the Santa Fe between Port Chicago and Bakersfield, and they are seen running with FP7s, SDP40Fs, and F40PHs. In 1983 the ATSF and SP attempted to merge their assets together to form one big super system, the railroads were so sure of their success that units began being painted ahead of a merger that was thought to be approved but ended up being rejected by the ICC. This paint scheme dubbed "Kodachrome" shows up frequently in this program adorning both EMD and GE power.In addition to the Amtrak trains and Kodachrome units, there is also plenty of regular Santa Fe action to be seen, and you'll see the Richmond Road Switcher doing its normal switching duties at Christie and Collier, as well as the hot 199/991 trains between Chicago and Richmond starting and ending their journeys. Western Pacific's SN detour train of steel coil makes its runs between Pittsburg and Stockton on the ATSF, and the train is seen in Antioch, Stockton, and Holt. Steam also makes an appearance as Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson 2860 is also seen in the program running from Port Chicago to Stockton via the Santa Fe in 1977.These Super 8mm movies come from the cameras of Don Kaplan, Fred Klyver, Angelo Figone, and John Filson, and come from the Western Railway Museum, and the collections of Angelo Figone, and Rob Klyver. Additional views for this program were shot on 16mm film by Louis Stein Jr.Enjoy this look back at the Santa Fe Valley Division in the 70s and 80s!Music is this video is used through Creative Commons:by the laptop - Citycycleyoutube.com/watch?v=YcIZloR2GFAby the laptop - BLDGyoutube.com/watch?v=MOaIeybRpXg
Two Days On Donner Pass | Amtrak | Union Pacific | BNSF | 6/8-9/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-06-11 | Over the weekend of June 8 and 9, 2024 a group of 4 of went over the hill to capture trains on Donner Pass. While traffic over the weekend was light, there was still a good little bit of variety to be had. Two Phase VII P42DCs are seen on California Zephyr Trains 5 and 6, and the BNSF trackage rights trains also makes an appearance. Also of note was the abundance of unrebuilt AC4400s out on the hill the weekend, bring it back to how things were around here in the 2009 - 2014 timeframe.Enjoy this look at action on Donner Pass during some beautiful June weather!
Trains Around Greater Sacramento | Amtrak | Union Pacific | BNSF | 6/2/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-06-04 | On Sunday 6/2/24, a group of 3 of us set out around Sacramento just to see what we could see close to home. The action was mainly concentrated on this day around Haggin and Pleasant Grove, with another train seen near Antelope.Most notable this day was a grain train swinging over from the Sacramento Subdivision and onto the Cal-P, a Tier-4 SD70ACe leader, and ZLCTM starting from Pleasant Grove after having been stopped due to a stuck brake.Enjoy this look at train action around Greater Sacramento!
Sierra Railroad Rail Town 1897: The Final Weekend | New Years 1979 Hunter Lohse 2024-04-21 | Presented as part of the 2024 Sierra Railway Historical & Modelers SeminarOn New Year's Eve weekend 1979, a much loved and well reminisced chapter in the history of the Sierra Railroad. After 8 years, the Crocker Associates sold the Sierra Railroad, and ended the operation of their Rail Town 1897 at the end of 1979 after over 8 years of operation. A 30% drop in passenger revenue as well as an oil crisis combined with increase operation expenses is ultimately what brought the Rail Town 1897 Operation to an end.The Pacific Locomotive Association, and Shortline Enterprises both operated trips out of Jamestown over the New Year's Eve weekend, and ex-Feather River Railway Shay 2, Sierra Railroad 28 and 34, as well as Shortline Enterprises ex-Dardanelle and Russellville 4-4-0 8 are all seen in operation, with train going as far as Fassler, Cooperstown, and Oakdale during the weekend. After the closure of Rail Town 1897, the state of California took control of the Jamestown roundhouse and station facilities and began running trips to Chinese with engine 28 with the Pacific Locomotive Association as the concessionaire. Number 28 is seen at the very beginning of those operations, which continue today under the auspices of the California State Railroad Museum.These 8mm and Super 8mm movies come from the cameras of John Filson, Don Kehl, and Michael Spolini Sr. and are from the collections of the Western Railway Museum and Michael Spolini Jr.Enjoy this look at the end of an era on the Sierra Railroad!Music in this video is used through Creative Commons:by the laptop - Way Homeyoutu.be/nzWxksPKtl0?si=QjcX97AkEazYCo2i
Notable NorCal Railfanning | AMTK 161 | Phase VI ALC42s | Phase VII P42DCs | Foreign Power | 4/14/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-04-16 | On April 14, 2024, a group of 5 of us set out to capture Amtrak California Zephyr Trains 5 and 6 that were both running with notable power. Amtrak 6 had Phase I 50th Anniversary P42DC 161 in the lead, and the Zephyr is seen at McClellan Park and then followed to Rocklin. Coming into the picture was a surprise, a late Amtrak Coast Starlight 11 is photographed on the former Western Pacific at Pleasant Grove, again with more notable power in the form of 2 ALC42s in Amtrak's short lived Phase VI paint scheme. After the Starlight a BNSF autorack train makes its way north passing the searchlights as a bonus.The Station stop of train 11 in Sacramento gave us time to beat the train over to the Yolo Causeway where we get one more look at the ALC42s. After Number 11, we headed up the the hill to Carpenter Road just east of Colfax to catch Amtrak 5 with the 2 Phase VII P42DCs. The westbound Zephyr is followed from Carpenter to just west of Roseville. Once the Amtraks were out of the picture, more train action was heard on the radio on on the former Western Pacific, so we went up highway 65 to Marysville to photograph Union Pacific and BNSF action (with some Canadian Pacific foreign power) between the former WP depot and Pleasant Grove to round out the day.Enjoy this action packed and variety filled day of railfanning!
Amtrak Spirit of California | September 1983 Hunter Lohse 2024-04-14 | The Spirit of California was a short-lived state supported Amtrak service operating over the SP Coast Line between Los Angeles and Sacramento. During the trains short operating stint from 1981 - 1983, it was noteworthy for being one of the few state funded Amtrak operations that offered sleeping car service.This video follows the Spirit of California trains during their last days of operation and youll chase the action from Oakland to Sacramento with Phas II and Phase II power. This Super 8mm film was shot by Don Kaplan and is now part of the collection of the Western Railway Museum.Enjoy this look at the 1980s Spirit of California!
Train Action At McClellan Park | Union Pacific | Amtrak | Sacramento Valley Railroad | 4/11/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-04-13 | On 4/11/24 a group of 3 of us spent the late afternoon/early evening watching trains at McClellan Park. Pretty much all of the traffic this day was eastbound, and Union Pacific and Amtrak was the main show. We were also treated to the bonus of one of the GP15s of the Sacramento Valley Railroad coming in to tie up for the day at the end of their shift.Enjoy this look at afternoon action at McClellan!
Sacramento Southern EMD SW8 Diesels | California State Railroad Museum Hunter Lohse 2024-04-07 | The Sacramento Southern Railroad uses former military EMD SW8 diesels as the main power for its excursion trains. One of these units, the 2030, is painted in Southern Pacific inspired two-tone gray, and matches the passenger fleet of the SSRR. The 2008 is in its original military colors and can also be found working with the 2030.These videos were shot from 2009 to 2024. Enjoy this look at classic EMD switchers in museum service!
Trains Over Tehachapi | Union Pacific | BNSF | Foreign Power | Leasers | 3/30-31/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-04-02 | Over Easter weekend of 2024 a group of 6 of us headed down to Tehachapi to photograph the parade of trains on the UP Mojave Subdivision. On the morning of 3/30 there was snow on the ground in Tehachapi and the first scenes show the BNSF Edwards helpers shoving a stalled UP train out of town. The weekend action is mainly concentrated on locations between Sandcut and Marcel. UP and BNSF put on a show that was about equal, with many trains coming over the pass from both railroads. BNSF brought power variety, NS and KCS power, a Ferromex SD70ACe, and even the BNSF 4729 "Frankenbonnet" are all views snaking their way around the railroad's many curves. Several trains are seen passing under and over themselves at Tehachapi Loop, and many meets are seen at Woodford with both BNSF and UP trains.Enjoy this look at trains on Tehachapi during Easter weekend 2024!
Gold Coast Flyer: Southern Pacific 4449 Disney Daylight | Spring 1986 Hunter Lohse 2024-03-22 | In March and April of 1986, Southern Pacific GS4 4449 was contracted by Walt Disney Studios for a starring role in the movie Tough Guys starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. The movie featured the engine and train prominently, and included a crash sequence in which a full size mock-up of the engine was constructed. This video follows the 4449 with its 4 car consist down the Coast Line and up California's Central Valley. The GS4 makes easy work of its short consist and the train is seen in all types of conditions, from grades, to yard moves, at speed, and cruising. These Super 8mm and Super 8mm Sound movies come from the cameras of Paul McClenahan and Fred Klyver. The Fred Klyver films have been provided by Rob Klyver.Enjoy this look at 4449 turning and burning for its role on the big screen!
Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal 50th Anniversary | SP 4449 | UP 8444 | May 1989 Hunter Lohse 2024-03-09 | On May 6th and 7th of 1989, a notable gathering of historic railroad equipment took place in Los Angeles for the 50th Anniversary of LAUPT. Over the Cinco De Mayo weekend SP 4449, UP 8444, ATSF 347C, SP 6051, and UP 951 were all in attendance. 4449 came down from Portland, OR while the 8444 made its way west from Cheyenne, WY with the 951. SP 6051 and Santa Fe 347C visited from the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. The video begins following the 4449 on its journey to Los Angeles, and the GS4 is seen at Pinole, and Hayward. 8444 is then followed west over Cajon Pass and the two engines converge at Mission Tower for a side-by-side run into LAUPT. One of the major highlights of the event was a photo session with all 3 of the covered wagons lined up, and that is seen in photos provided by Gary Perazzo.After the festivities at LAUPT came to a close, the two steam engines started their journeys home and ran parallel over Cajon Pass between Dike and Summit. 4449 is then followed over Tehachapi after slipping off from 8444 as it continues its trip back to Portland. The video concludes with the 4449 on the Dixieland Jubilee Daylight running between Sacramento and Oakland over Memorial Day Weekend 1989.This Super 8mm film was shot by Don Kehl, and is part of the collection of the Western Railway Museum.Enjoy this look back at the LAUPT 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Sierra Railroad Rail Town 1897: Doubleheaders, Tripleheaders & Cannonballs | Circa 1978 - 1979 Hunter Lohse 2024-03-05 | From 1971 to 1979, the Sierra Railroad opened it's Jamestown roundhouse and yard facilities to the public as Rail Town 1897. In the late 1970s, the operation reached its zenith with 5 steam locomotives in running condition stationed out of the Jamestown Roundhouse. This video showcases the steam operations at Rail Town during the height of its popularity in 1978 and 1979. All five engines, Shortline Enterprises 4-4-0 8, Sierra Railroad 3, 28, 34, and Feather River Railway 3-truck Shay 2, are all seen operating along the Sierra Railroad's trackage between Oakdale and Sonora. Several notable, and memorable excursions are seen, and the number 3 appears in different guises as movie shoots on the railroad were still commonplace.This program was originally produced for Winterail 2020, and was presented at Winterail 2023 in Corvallis, OR and has been remastered for YouTube.These Super 8mm Sound films were taken by Paul McClenahan, who was out photographing the sights and sounds of steam during this wonderful period on the Sierra Railroad.Thumbnail slide was provided by Gary Perazzo.Enjoy this wonderful look back at Rail Town 1897 in the 1970s!
Pooches On The Peninsula: P30CHs On The Southern Pacific Commutes | Circa 1978 Hunter Lohse 2024-02-28 | The GE P30CHs were one of the first brand new passenger locomotives to be built following the formations of Amtrak. 25 of the 6-axle cowl units were delivered between August of 1975 and January of 1976. These units were not without their issues, and they suffered from terrible ride quality, HEP failures, dynamic brake problems, and constant vibration. These units were nicknamed "Pooches" due to the bulldog nose appearance, and the locomotive designation resembling the word "pooch". All units were retired by 1992.In 1978, the SP was power short for the San Francisco Commute service as a majority of the railroad's passenger power had been pressed into freight service. In order to keep up with scheduling demands, 15 Pooches were leased for service between San Francisco and San Jose. This video covers the P30CHs running on The Peninsula during off hour weekend service. Along the way, SP action is also seen at Burlingame, Santa Clara, and College Park. Units are seen moving in and out of Lenzen Street roundhouse in San Jose, as other blast by College Park Tower. In addition to views on the Peninsula a P30CH is also viewed on the point of Amtrak 6 at Oakland 16th Street, and Martinez.These Super 8mm movies were taken by Fred Klyver, and come from the collection of Rob Klyver.Enjoy this look back at that brief moment in time when the Pooches ruled the Peninsula!
Soldier Summit: Summer 1992 | Southern Pacific | DRGW | Utah Railway | Leasers Hunter Lohse 2024-02-18 | Soldier Summit is the fifth highest railroad mainline in the United States. This scenic stretch of track running between Provo and Price, UT has been a popular spot for railfanning for decades. Originally constructed as the Utah & Pleasant Valley Railroad, it was absorbed into the Denver & Rio Grande Western system in 1882. In 1912, the Utah Railway was incorporated to serve the coal mines in the region, and the railroad based out of Martin, UT acquired trackage rights over Soldier Summit that continue to this day.These sequences were taken on Soldier Summit during the Summer of 1992, and show Southern Pacific and Utah Railway action following the Rio Grande absorbing and assuming the SP identity in 1988. Utah Railway coal trains are seen with helpers as they move east and west with loads and empties, and also seen are MPI leaser units working as helpers moving the tonnage. In addition to the Utah Railway action, SP freights are also seen with classic scarlet and gray, and DRGW power.This VHS recording was made by Fred Klyver, and comes from the collection of Rob Klyver. Slides and research assistance for this presentation was provided by James Belmont.Enjoy this look at action on Soldier Summit during the early 1990s!
Espees Last Gasp | UP 6379 Leads The MRVWC-17 Through Sacramento 2/17/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-02-17 | It is really starting to sink in how the colors of the Southern Pacific are really starting to fade out of the railroading landscape. Tunnel Motors, Scarlet and Gray unpatched units, and searchlights were all still pretty common up until the mid-2000s, and from the late 2000s to mid 2010s, one could always count on seeing at least one patched unit on an outing, and there were still some unpatched units around too. Now in 2024, it’s been withered down to just a handful of patched units left in SP paint, which made UP 6379 leading today’s MRVWC across the classic SP bridge over H Street in Sacramento all the more poignant.
Caltrain Stadler KISS160 Delivery 2/13/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-02-14 | As electrification of the Peninsula mainline between San Francisco and San Jose inches further and further to completion, more Stadler KISS160 Electric Multiple Units are making their way into California. On 2/13/24, two EMU sets rolled through the area running as SSCCL.Originally, 2 GEVOs were the power for the run over Donner Pass, and an additional SD70ACe was added to the point for the rest of the trip to Santa Clara. Arguably, this was the better leader, but it also delayed the departure of the train out of Roseville until last light.While waiting for the Caltrain sets, several other trains are seen at McClellan Park, and Antelope. The SSCCL followed California Zephyr Train 5 over Donner Pass, and the Amtrak train is seen at McClellan along with ZG2LT. After the 2 trains at McClellan we relocated to Antelope, where the LRS59 is seen prior to the Caltrain sets making their appearance, blasting out of the yard, as they cross over for running on the number one track into Sacramento.Enjoy this great afternoon of trains in the Sacramento area!
Pepsi Can On The California Zephyr | AMTK 160 Over Donner Pass | 2/11/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-02-12 | AMTK 160, the Phase III Pepsi Can Paint Scheme Heritage Unit, came east out of Emeryville on California Zephyr Train 6. In addition to the notable leader, for Seaboard Air Line "Hollywood Beach" brought up the rear of the eastbound train, adorned by a classic SAL drumhead. A group of 3 of us followed the Zephyr eastbound out of Sacramento to Yuba Pass on the west slope of Donner Pass. After leaving the Zephyr at Yuba Pass we intercepted the ZG2OA on our way back down the hill, and photographed the train at Newcastle.Enjoy this look at AMTK 160 over Donner!
CSX 4568 Descends Donner Pass With ZG2LT-14 1/17/24 Hunter Lohse 2024-01-19 | CSXT 4568, the railroad's Operation Lifesaver SD70MAC, was put on the point of the ZG2LT-14 after one of the train's units failed in Iowa. While this made for a later than normal appearance into California for this train, the rarity of something like this warranted a late night chase.Using natural light and the high-beams where we could, we were able to get some decent exposure as the blue and white EMD is seen 4 times from Colfax to Roseville.
Pinole Post-Merger: Circa 1999 - 2001 | UP | BNSF | SP | CNW | Santa Fe | BN | Amtrak | Leasers Hunter Lohse 2024-01-05 | Pinole, CA has been a long time popular spot for watching trains in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gately siding on the BNSF Stockton Subdivision runs above the UP Martinez Subdivison, which runs along the shores of San Pablo Bay. After the BNSF merger in 1995, and the Union Pacific's acquisition of the CNW in 1995 and the Southern Pacific in 1996, the railroads were very power short. This period provided a time of intense variety, as units in fallen flag paint schemes, leasers, old units, and new locomotives were all pressed to work while the railroads had a high volume of freight traffic to contend with. In addition to all the train movements, maintenance-of-way activity is also observed as tie replacements go on at Gately.This Hi8 video was shot by George Manley, who was out there recording this very colorful period for railroading on the west coast.Enjoy this look at Pinole during the start of the new millennium!
NRHS Convention 1992 Part 2: The Return Home | UP 3985 | SP 4449 Hunter Lohse 2023-12-24 | Part 2 continues where Part 1 left off with coverage of the 1992 NRHS Convention. While 4449 and 2472 were doubleheading from San Jose to Watsonville Junction, the 3985 started its journey back to Cheyenne, WY departing Milpitas for Sacramento. This video starts with the 3985 making its way east through the Feather River Canyon as it makes its way from Sacramento to Portola on July 27, 1992. The following day SP 4449 is chased up the Sacramento Valley on the second leg of its journey home to Portland as it heads for Klamath Falls. Also on July 28, the 3985 headed east out of Portola through the vast expanse of Nevada's high desert as it makes a run for Winnemucca. On July 29, the 4449 departed Klamath Falls on the final leg of its trip home to Portland. The GS4 is chased along Highway 58, and into Portland Union Station, where after arriving, the engine is put away in the Brooklyn Roundhouse. That same day the 3985 departed Winnemucca for its next layover stop in Elko, and the Challenger is followed east through Palisade Canyon, where the chase wraps up as it follows the Humboldt River heading towards Carlin.VHS footage in this video was recorded by Fred Klyver, and is now part of the collection of Rob Klyver, the Super 8mm Sound footage was shot by John Biehn, and was provided by his son Mike Biehn.This video supersedes a previous edit of the 1992 convention with the surfacing of this VHS tape. Enjoy this feast of mainline steam as the Challenger and the Daylight both put on a fantastic show!
NRHS Convention 1992 Part 1: Steam To San Jose | UP 3985 | SP 4449 | SP 2472 Hunter Lohse 2023-12-23 | From July 22 - 26, 1992, the National Railway Historical Society held their annual convention in San Jose, in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. For 5 days the clock was turned back as 3 mainline steam locomotives took to the rails in the East Bay and on the Peninsula.Union Pacific Challenger 3985 is seen heading west through the Sacramento Valley on its only trip to the Bay Area, running through Niles Canyon and Altamont Pass. SP 4449 was brought down from Portland, OR, and the engine is seen on its final trip to the Bay Area prior to the UP acquiring the SP in 1996. The first convention excursion is the Altamont Pass Limited, and the 3985 heads east over Altamont Pass for a round trip excursion to Stockton. Then it’s over to San Francisco to watch 2472 hustle an excursion south to San Jose. At that same time the 3985 had made a run to Oakland, and passengers were ferried across the bay so they could ride round trip on both trains. The Challenger is seen at Niles being turned around, before moving over to Oakland for the westbound departure. The following day SP 4449 is on a round trip excursion to Sacramento, and is seen running along San Pablo Bay. The following day, UP 3985 began its journey back home to Cheyenne, WY, and is seen on Altamont Pass eastbound to Sacramento. The grand finale of the convention shows SP 2472 and 4449 in a spectacular display of high-stepping mainline steam as they doublehead south from San Jose to Watsonville Junction.VHS footage in this video was recorded by Fred Klyver, and is now part of the collection of Rob Klyver, the Super 8mm Sound footage was shot by John Biehn, and was provided by his son Mike Biehn.This video supersedes a previous edit of the 1992 convention with the surfacing of this VHS tape.Enjoy this look at one of the best remembered steam events in the west!
Nevada Northern Railway 40 | Excursions To Ruth In 1992 Hunter Lohse 2023-12-17 | The Nevada Northern Railway is one of the best preserved historic shortline railroads in the United States. After Kennecott Copper abandoned the railroad in 1983, the railroad was donated to the White Pine Historical Railroad Foundation in 1986, and excursions started running in 1987 behind the railroad's beautiful 1910 Baldwin 4-6-0, 40, one of few operating examples of Baker valve gear.The 40 is seen getting ready for the day and taking the train over to the East Ely Depot for its departures the Ruth. The train is then followed to Ruth amidst landscapes of vast untouched desert before running around the wye and returning to East Ely.This VHS recording was made by Fred Klyver, and is now part of the collection of Rob Klyver.Enjoy this look at steam running in the west looking very much the way it was!
Roseville Post-Merger: Circa 1999 - 2001 | UP | BNSF | SP | CNW | ATSF | Foreign Power | Leasers Hunter Lohse 2023-12-17 | After the Union Pacific acquired the Southern Pacific in 1996, Roseville was quickly gone through, and completely rebuilt from the ground up. The result turned it into Union Pacific's main classification center for freight traffic in and out of Northern California. The years immediately after the merger were a period of intense variety, with new run through agreements and practices being introduced, and any power that could move pulling the trains.These were the days before the Evolution Series of locomotives obliterated most of the motive power variety on the nation's railroads. With this in mind you will see several rebuilt iterations of second generation motive power, third generation power still going strong, and the railroad's dabbling with 6000 horsepower units.Colors in this era were far from just a sea of yellow, with plenty of pure untouched, SP, DRGW, CNW, and ATSF units all plying the rails, while their new owners were figuring out more important things than paint. Speaking of paint, several of the unauthorized Roseville 99 Repaint Tunnel Motors are also seen moving around Roseville, which was the last gasp of Scarlet and Gray.In addition to the mainline movements there is also plenty of local and yard activity, as the scene slowly changes from a mixed bag of paint schemes, to things that are slightly more formalized.This Hi8 video was taken by George Manley, who made many visits to Roseville over a 3 year period to document this changing scene.Enjoy this look at trains in Roseville during the dawn of the new millennium!
All Over NorCal Railfanning 12/2/23 | UP | BNSF | Amtrak | Foreign Power | Caltrain Holiday Train Hunter Lohse 2023-12-03 | On Saturday 12/2/23, a group of 3 of us set out for the Peninsula to catch the evening run of the Caltrain Holiday Train to Santa Clara. However, the day quickly turned to one of the biggest railfanning blitzes all of us have had in a really long time!The day started out at Siemens in Sacramento, where we checked out the next VIA set recently completed, and had a southbound show up on the Fresno Subdivision. From there we went over to Stockton where a lashup with a CP SD70ACu in the consist was taking their manifest out of BNSF's Mormon Yard, and swinging onto the UP Fresno Subdivision.A Northbay Z was on the heels of the manifest but we were not able to get up to it in time, but also had a M-RICBAR coming out of Richmond. The Z and the manifest were closing in on Pittsburg at about the same time, but the Z got there first, so we were able to get ahead of it as the manifest took the siding. After getting the Z in Pittsburg, we headed out to Oakley for 2 San Joaquins. We then headed to Knightsen where we caught another San Joaquin, and the M-RICBAR finally makes its appearance after working the yard in Pittsburg. Once the RICBAR was through we booked it through the East Bay and across the San Mateo Bridge, getting to San Mateo just in time to start the chase south of the Caltrain Holiday Train. The festive consist is seen rolling down the Peninsula at Santa Clara, Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Lawrence, and College Park, along with some of the regular weekend Caltrain locals. After College Park we headed back over to Santa Clara to watch one of Caltrain's MP15DCs pulls the Holiday Train back north, while waiting, an hour late Amtrak 14 is seen rolling through with an ALC42 leader, along with some more of the regular Caltrain Locals.We did not get back home until well after midnight, and had covered 4 different railroads, some foreign power, and a special train, from Sacramento to San Jose and back via Stockton. Enjoy this video of a very fun variety filled day of chasing trains!
Railfair 1981: Part 2 | SP 4449 | UP 8444 | UP 3985 | Engines At Railfair Hunter Lohse 2023-11-20 | Part 2 picks up where part 1 left off on the coverage of Railfair 1981. From May 2nd to May 10th, old Sacramento was saturated with the sights and sounds of steam from the opening of the California State Railroad Museum. Each locomotive at Sacramento for Railfair is looked at in detail, as well as museum equipment that was also being used for the event. The museum’s main pageant call Song of the Iron Horse is seen as the locomotives moving the show along move on and off the turntable and in front of packed bleachers. An evening cavalcade has all the operating steam locomotives lined up for a parade into old Sacramento, and each locomotive’s individuality really shines, showing how much variety each one added to the 9 day event.At the closure of Railfair, the three mainline engines started their journeys back home, and UP 8444 and 3985 are followed east out of Roseville over Donner Pass. 4449 went south to Los Angeles following Railfair to attend an SP Public relations event at LAUPT. Once those commitments concluded the headed back over the Coast Line to Oakland and picked up an excursion consist for its trip back to Portland. The Pacific Northwest Chapter NRHS sponsored excursion is seen leaving Davis and beyond as it makes it way back to Portland.Railfair 1981 attracted over a quarter of a million visitors to the California State Railroad Museum during its 10 day run. The success of this event paved the way for two more Railfairs in the 1990s. This event also was the first for a Daylight painted 4449, and for the general public to see newly restored Challenger 3985. All three of these locomotives would go on to have legions of fans all over the country, and this was the first to see them all gathered in the same place at the same time.The California State Railroad Museum remains to be one of the main attractions in Old Sacramento, helping preserve the story of railroad history in the west. These Super 8mm and 16mm movies come from the cameras of John Filson, Don Kehl, and Dick Bartel and are part of the archives at the Western Railway Museum.
Railfair 1981: Part 1 | SP 4449 | UP 8444 | UP 3985 | California State Railroad Museum Hunter Lohse 2023-11-15 | From May 2nd to May 10th, 1981 along the banks of the Sacramento River, history came alive with the greatest gathering of railroad equipment in 32 years to celebrate the opening of the California State Railroad Museum. This event was known as Railfair 1981, and was the first of 3 such events to be held in Old Sacramento.The first of the 3 Railfairs was also one of many firsts for the preservation world. This was the public debut of Southern Pacific 4449 after being repainted into its original Daylight colors, and the first time Union Pacific came to Northern California with their steam locomotives, in addition to it also being the debut of Challenger 3985. Smaller locomotives were also in attendance at Railfair, and arrived by road, rail, and air to reach Old Sacramento. This video covers the journeys of all 3 mainline steam locomotive to Railfair, as well as the final preparations of the California State Railroad Museum. SP 4449 is chased from Eugene, OR down into the Sacramento Valley, and the train is seen at several classic locations along the Shasta Route. After viewing scenes in Old Sacramento, UP 8444 and 3985 are chased west over Donner Pass as they make their way to Railfair from Cheyenne, WY. The program concludes with all the equipment gathered in Old Sacramento prior to the opening of the museum, and Railfair.Part 2 will cover the events and equipment at Railfair as well as the return journeys of the 3 mainline steam locomotives.The Super 8mm and 16mm films are from the camera of John Filson, Don Kehl, and Dick Bartel, and are from the collection of the Western Railway Museum.Enjoy this look back to 1981, and chasing the trains to Railfair!
KCS 5020 North Over The East Valley Line 11/12/23 Hunter Lohse 2023-11-13 | On 11/12/23, KCS ET44AC 5020 came into Roseville on the point of a grain train. The train came into Roseville as 2x1, and after cutting off the second unit the run up the East Valley would be 1x1 with the KCS as the sole leader!After getting him around wye at Roseville we caught the train just south of Brock, and in Wheatland. After Wheatland, it was time for some pacing, and after running ahead through Durham we sat and waited at Richvale. The 5020 came screaming up at track speed and after pacing him almost into Chico we got ahead of him again for final shot, which was going through the trusses at Tehama.To not make the trip home boring we had a chase back down of the MNPFR on the former WP, and after cutting over to get it at James, two more shots of it at Oroville, and splitting the searchlights on MP183, rounded out our day.
Santa Fe Valley Division Part 3: Oakland - Port Chicago | Circa 1958 - 1971 Hunter Lohse 2023-11-04 | This third installment covering the Santa Fe Valley Division focuses on operations in the San Francisco Bay area between Oakland and Port Chicago. The Golden Gate, and the glamorous San Francisco Chief passenger trains are seen rushing through Franklin Canyon and Port Chicago heading toward Richmond and Stockton. Freight action is also seen in profusion with plenty of Zebra Stripe GP7s, as well as appearances of ALCO power, and the Richmond - Oakley Turn. In addition to all of the passenger and freight traffic, two different ends of an era are also witnessed in this program. The last days of ALCO PAs on the Santa Fe are witnessed as 5 units were pressed into freight service in late 1968 and early 1969, and you will see them in action at Richmond and Pinole. The program concludes with the consist of the final San Francisco Chief Train 1 being reassembled for a deadhead move east of all of the passenger equipment on May 2, 1971.These 8mm and Super 8mm movies come from the collection of George Manley, and from the Western Railway Museum, the films of John Filson and I. J. Brain Jr.Enjoy the views between Oakland and Port Chicago by way of Franklin Canyon Santa Fe All The Way! Your ticket awaits!
Foreign Power Plethora On The UP Fresno Subdivision 10/27/23 Hunter Lohse 2023-10-28 | It was a very interesting day out on the Union Pacific Fresno Subdivision in the south area of Sacramento. After getting word of a 3x1 grain train with BNSF and Canadian Pacific power I went out to catch this interesting train. However, the set out 2 of the BNSF units in Roseville making the train a 1x1 for its trip down the valley. While all this was going on in Roseville, the regular traffic on the Fresno Subdivision provided some great variety. A huge LRS59 came first, then a new scheme UP AC4400CW was on the point of the MNPFR, and then interesting power arrangements were had on the West Colton trains, and the biggest surprise was a northbound grain train with a KCS leader heading through Sacramento, with the 1x1 BNSF KCS grainer rounding out the day.Enjoy this variety filled day on the the Fresno Sub!
Sierra Railroad 28: Oakdale - Tuolumne | April 28, 1963 | *REAL AUDIO* Hunter Lohse 2023-10-14 | On April 28, 1963, KQED, a local San Francisco television and radio station, sponsored a trip on the Sierra Railroad from Oakdale to Tuolumne behind 1922 Baldwin 2-8-0 number 28. These 16mm black and while sound films are outtakes from a KQED camera crew that was out filming the train that day. Additionally, silent sequences were on the reel as B roll, helping round out the trip and the experience that was had on that day in the Spring of 1963.Enjoy your trip from the valley and up into Motherlode Country with Sierra Railroad 28!
Riding The Powell & Hyde Cable Car 1/26/14 Hunter Lohse 2023-10-03 | The Powell & Hyde Cable is one of 3 remaining cable car lines left in San Francisco. This video shows a ride from out the front window from the end of the line at Hyde Street, to the other end of the line at Powell Street.At one time there were cable car systems in most major cities in the United States, however with the advent of the electric streetcar, most opted out with continuing cable car service by the end of the 19th Century. Due to San Francisco's geography of incredibly steep hills, the cable cars have still earned their keep as a form of practical transit in The City.This video gives you the full experience, the shakes, the bumps, the rumble, close calls, and the bell, enjoy your trip on the Cable Car!
Bicentennial Diesels On The SP And WP | Preamble Express | SSW 9389 | WP 1776 | Circa 1974 - 1978 Hunter Lohse 2023-07-19 | The Bicentennial of the United States of America was a multi-year, multifaceted celebration held throughout the mid-1970s. One of the most prevalent visuals of this celebration was the nation's railroads painting some of their locomotives in red, white and blue. Railroads such as the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific had some attractive paint schemes applied to their locomotives, and in this video SSW SD45T-2 9389, and WP GP40 1776, are seen on trains in California, and into Oregon. In addition to the SP and WP units, the Preamble Express, the soft precursor to the American Freedom Train, is seen making its way over Donner Pass with historic UP E9A 951 in a special red, white, and blue paint scheme.The bulk of these Super 8mm movies come from the cameras of Angelo Figone and John Filson, who were chasing trains all over California during this time period. Enjoy this look at patriotically painted locomotive during America's Bicentennial!
Western Railway Museum Showcase Weekend 2023: A Plethora of Traction | 5/27-28/23 Hunter Lohse 2023-05-30 | Over Memorial Day Weekend 2023, the Western Railway Museum held their annual Museum Showcase event. This year there were lots of interesting consists and equipment out including SN 654 with SN 1632, Key System Wrecker 1011, MUNI Rail Grinder 0109, and the museum's newest acquisition, LAMTA 164. All the cars that were operating over the weekend are seen in the video, and the whole history of electric transit and interurban operations in California are seen first hand in stunning cinematic 4K!This was the first outing for my Lumix G95, which is now my main video camera, and this video is sure to entertain both the full fledged traction enthusiast, as well as the casual railfan.Enjoy the action during Showcase Weekend 2023 at Rio Vista Junction!
The Diamonds At Stockton: Circa 1995 - 2001 | Southern Pacific | Santa Fe | Union Pacific | BNSF Hunter Lohse 2023-05-21 | Stockton, CA has been a popular railfan location for decades. From the mid 1990s and into the early 2000s this area experienced tremendous change as the railroads came out of their series of mergers with each other. Just before the mergers, the SP has first generation geeps and cadillacs in charge of their local and turn jobs, and we see five SD9s leading the Fresno to Roseville local out of Stockton in 1995. Stockton Tower watched over this busy junction until it was demolished on May 27th, 1999. With the mergers turning three railroads through the interlocking to just two, the former Western Pacific mainline and yard was tied into the former Southern Pacific, as the Union Pacific now owned both properties. Views of Stockton in the early post-merger years show lots of fallen flag motive power as well as brand new locomotives and leaser units rolling the trains into the new millennium, and George Manley was there with his video camera documenting this time of change onto Hi8 tapes.Trains are seen moving much faster across the diamonds after the cut over to remote dispatching, and you will see lots of interchange traffic between the UP and BNSF as well as the last of the EMD F40PH locomotives on Amtrak as they work the San Joaquin service between Oakland and Bakersfield.Enjoy this look at Stockton during this period of intense change for railroading in the west!
Trains Along The Bay: Pinole, CA Circa 1994 - 1995 | Southern Pacific | Santa Fe | Amtrak Hunter Lohse 2023-05-16 | The mid 1990s were a time of transition and change in western railroading. Both the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe were investing money into their motive power and infrastructure as they prepared for the last major series of mergers that would dramatically change the American railroad landscape.The Bay Area of California was an especially interesting place, as both SP and ATSF had older first and second generation power working alongside the newest in locomotive technology. GP9s, Cadillacs, Dash-8s, Warbonnets, and Amtrak San Joaquins are all seen during this pivotal time in railroad history.These Hi8 videos are from the collection of George Manley, who was there to document these changes and is the first in a series of tapes he took from 1994 - 2001. Enjoy this look back to 1990s Pinole!
Black Widows On The Shasta Route | Circa 1960 - 1965 Hunter Lohse 2023-05-05 | The Shasta Route is the Southern Pacific's main artery from Northern California and into Oregon, shortly after the end of steam on the SP, railfans were still treated to a show with EMD cowl and hood diesels reigning supreme in Black Widow colors. This program shows trains between Gerber and Salem during the 1960 - 1965 timeframe. Freights are seen with massive lashups of F units at the head end as well as Geeps and Cadillacs on local and helper assignments, as well as a few surprises.This footage comes from the 8mm movie cameras of 4 different railfans, and shows first generation diesels working in beautiful scenery.Enjoy this look at Black Widows on the Shasta Route!
