For today, not too much - a couple of near misses, and more clarity on the rail ramp:
I took this a few days ago, first near miss, as this Amtrak is a pusher unit that was remarkably quiet, and surprised I got a picture at all.
Then, another from Richmond, showing the train/boat ramp:
I took this the same day as the other, but didn’t use it. But, you can see more clearly how this worked - with a fixed pivot point on the land side, apparently several trusses attached to a beam, and then to the cable lifts - still pretty cool - it looks like there are counterweights in the structure (one ea side) which makes sense, as they would make raising easier - mechanical advantage and whatnot…sorry, as I said above, I like this thing
And near miss number two from just hours ago, rounding the corner to my final stretch, this was rolling by, slowly at least, so I hustled up the bike ramp mid point to snap a quick shot:
3 UPs pulling lots of tankers and a few odds and ends mixed in -
OK, have a good day
Nick
1 Like
While still not too dramatic, these are a bit more interesting, and better than the last set of pictures:
I’ve seen this pair before, but today, they were sitting still - two old GP 60s - both nice weathering opportunities, and I really like 1005, a patch over from SP. If there were a 1/35 kit, I’d like to make this unit - actually, both of them -
And below, a BNSF light power move. Funny story about this train, I first saw it rolling in Richmond, but it was mostly screened by a fence and lots of vegetation, so no real reason to bother with a picture. And then, about half an hour later I was riding toward home (about 15 miles from earlier sighting) I saw it again, moving very slowly, so pretty easy to take a couple of pictures:
OK, on we go - 
Cheers
Nick
2 Likes
Today was not a great day to be out on the bike, as it was windy and cold. But, as it is Saturday, a good time to roll through the Port of Oakland, as practically nothing is happening on the roads, so windy or not, ideal for a guy like me to be out riding.
And today is another AMTRAK day. There is a big loop road that runs from the middle to inner harbor, which ends at a bridge that crosses a mainline. On a weekday, the traffic is so heavy with trucks pulling containers, there is no way I’ll go out there. It turns out this bridge crosses a portion of the AMTRAK yard, so pretty cool if you like seeing this kind of stuff:
I’ve seen this Dash 8 before, and as it is sort of weird anyway (BB axles) I guess it is indeed a switcher. BNSF also use one of these at the Port Potrero auto racks in Richmond, so maybe typically used as switchers? I don’t know.
So if you’re an AMTRAK enthusiast/nerd, well this is apparently the place to be!
I include the picture above because you can see many container ship cranes, the Bay Bridge, and Yerba Buena Island in the background. In real life you can also see the San Francisco skyline - Back to AMTRAK action!
How much AMTRAK here? ALL OF IT! 
Cheers
Nick
5 Likes
So holiday or not, a guy went on the Monday bike ride up to Point Richmond and Point Potrero. While basically sunny, there was a lot of wind so it was a bit of a struggle, and a nice coincidence, not one, but two Dash 8’s with BB axles on the auto racks were spotted:
These BNSFs, 506 and 515 are both Dash 8s, like the unit I saw last time out, in the AMTRAK yard. Some of you might recall me saying my one-time, but always mediocre railroad model, could only run BB axles, so I had two of these - one a patch over BNSF 812, wearing the Santa Fe red and silver, and the other, BNSF orange and green, which is pretty much like these two, so cool for me to see.
As for the day:
Yes, while not fully engulfed in fog, it was blustery. If you look carefully in the distance you can see parts of the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, and just the base of the south. So the Marin headlands to the right, while the SF skyline is obscured by fog to the left.
There was a small craft warning on the bay, and while I am not small per se, I felt small trying to pedal against the wind. This is a fairly normal weather pattern around here - the end of spring, leading to summer is windy for a few weeks. It’s warmer than the winter, but not exactly a nice day to be riding - but, as I am trying to get into better shape, the wind adds to the challenge - that is, it’s more of a workout than normal 
Cheers
Nick
4 Likes
Meanwhile, at the other end of the country-
Commuter trains lined outside of Moynihan Train Hall, viewed from the High Line:
Unknown motive power in Penn Station:
2 Likes
That sounds pretty cool - the High Line and some still rolling trains. I’ve heard lots of good stories about the High Line and that it’s something of a must see while in NYC. I haven’t been there in a long time, but it is on my list of places to visit. I didn’t know that it went near active rail too - cheers
Nick
Yes, the High Line is definitely a must see. It used to be the worst part of Manhattan - prostitution, drugs, et al. Now it’s an attraction. Lots of signage, “self seeding” parks along the elevated tracks (weeds) and artwork, kiosks, and you can get in several thousand steps. In fact, anyone arriving at Penn Station is only blocks away.
And of course, seen in Queens:
1 Like
Another Shuttle Wagon, nice catch. Wow, I missed a lot in here. Will be catching up tonight…
Maybe not a must see for everyone, but I planned my trip around a few things, including the Manhattan Henge - only visible twice per year.
Here’s another High Line photo from today - the giant pigeon, but taken from street level:
There’s a sign up there that says “Please don’t feed the pigeon.” Singular.
2 Likes
The Manhattan Henge is not something I’ve heard of, but the picture is cool - as for the High Line, several friends have told me about it - as I understand it’s the reuse of a raised/elevated track, converted to a park running above the streets and between building - which sounds pretty cool too -
For today’s post - well, a freight train snuck up on me!
I was riding up this ramp, on my way home, when I heard an air release - the kind everyone has heard when a diesel loco is nearby, so looked over my shoulder to see this container train slowly moving past. Did I mention this is a hot track??? it is! trains run all day, and, as I ride in the morning in what seems to be a futile effort to avoid wind, I cross this bridge pretty frequently between 10 AM and noon - so, seem to see plenty of trains -
Cheers
Nick
3 Likes
There is one in Paris (France) too
Google street view on the foot path
Seen from the street down below
looking at the viaduct arches which are now used for shops et.c.
1 Like
As it was the weekend, back out to the Port I rode. I can squeeze in about a 16 mile ride with very few cars or trucks on long, flat roads - good for a hack like me to get some miles in! And of course, the chance to see lots of interesting rail stuff 
Such as more power at the AMTRAK yard:
This overpass is perfect for looking at trains. As I was curious, I finally looked up the Dash - turns out it’s a Dash 8-32BWH, and relatively rare (the boxy looking loco facing us). 20 were made, initially for long haul use, but have now been relegated to life as a switcher - mostly in major cities. I think they look pretty cool, but I also really like Chevy square bodies!
And, what might be a real oddity, I saw a UP Mobile Laboratory car:
When I saw this it reminded me of the mysterious Zephyr-esque lab car used on The X Files - lol - not quite that much of an oddity.
As I was curious about this too, I looked it up - and it is described by various “sightings”, suggesting that it may indeed be something rarely seen. It turns out UP built it to test/measure motive power units, which is pretty cool. It’s hard to discern the trucks in these pictures (they are painted silver) because there was a container trailer parked next to it - oh well -
Ok, have a good week
Nick
2 Likes
Not from my neck of the woods, but interesting nonetheless…
CSX unveils locomotives painted to honor first responders and veterans
https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/community-investment/pride-in-service/commemorative-locomotives/
H.P.
1 Like
More of the We Are One locomotive.
The 1776 is available in HO and N scale:
O scale:
I was stunned on Saturday afternoon to see a freight (almost entirely grain hoppers) on our local Metra commuter line. I don’t remember seeing that for … years. UP power. Sadly I was driving and there was nowhere to pull over to snap a shot.
