[BPWX]

I met your number one Mermaid. I gave her some tips on how to dismantle model trains.

Uh oh.... I may be in trouble.

[BPWX]

This past week...


Only caught one, Auto Train rolling through Seville last Sunday July 8th. If you look closely you can see Maryann.


And Maryann's look.

That is it for this week....next week I will in San Diego SO I hope to have some good ones when I get back.

BP

[BaltoRavens]

Have a great time in San Diego Bob!

[BPWX]

Good Evening I present a late version of the Trains of the Week...

This will cover the week of 7/15-21-2012 and include part of our trip to San Diego


Had taken Monday off to get ready for the trip but found time to grab 226 in the morning crossing the Tomoka River in Ormond (7/16/2012)


And the same train in St. Augustine crossing the marsh.

Then out west...

First stop was Del Mar California....we saw a lot of trains there, here are a few of them on 7/17/2012


First train was Pacific Surfliner 785 heading north through Del Mar California along the coast.


We saw a number of Coaster commuter trains, these run from San Diego to Oceanside and are quite popular. Maryann can be seen waving at Coaster 657 after getting her shots.


Coaster 660 runs along the cliffs near the Pacific Ocean


And we have Coaster 661 shoving to San Diego.

On 7/18/2012 we spent some time in San Diego.


This is the San Diego Trolley the first modern Light Rail system born in the United States. The Light Rail revolution started here. This is at American Plaza in the downtown section.


Trolleys pass each other near American Plaza. 7/18/2012

End of Part 1 - More to come.

[BPWX]

Continuing on 7/18/2012 in San Diego


San Diego Trolley in downtown. These cars are called U2's and were built by Siemens–Duewag. They will be retired by 2015 (the cars were purchased in 1980). A modernization of the entire system is underway.


These are the new cars called S70's built by Siemens. They are replacing the older cars and feature lower doors allowing better access for handicapped people. Seen at the Santa Fe Depot.

July 19th we were back in Del Mar for the morning.

An Amtrak Surfliner cruises down the coast.


And a Coaster Commuter train was spotted northbound.

The next day, June 20th we went to San Clemente....

More to come....

[trpkap]

Wow, those photos are all winners and the coastline is breathtaking. Looking forward to the rest.

[BPWX]

July 20th.. San Clemente


An Amtrak Surfliner swings through, using equipment not commonly used on this line. Sometimes that happens when demand caused them to bring in extra cars and locomotives. 7/20/2012.


Then a Metrolink Commuter Train which operates from Oceanside to LA.


Another Surfliner slides down the coast. Surfers can be seen in the distance.


Now from the pier....a northbound Surfliner scoots by bathers, joggers, swimmers, sun worshiping bikini clad beauties, walkers and others. This train also using borrowed equipment. This train will actually stop at the pier and then head north.


And another Surfliner cruises down the coast, viewed from the pier heading to San Diego from LA. The Pacific Surfliners are very popular and run up to 90 mph. Here though they are restricted to 40.


That same train heads south.


And the last train (we saw many more) was a southbound Metrolink using a borrowed Coaster locomotive. Metrolink serves the LA area.

Now more.....

[BPWX]

Now Saturday July 21st....San Diego



Back in San Diego now near the Convention Center I catch a set of Siemens SD100's departing. These cars were bought in 1995 when the system expanded.

Another set of SD100's this time with Advert wrap is spotted near Gaslamp Quarter. Extra personnel are on hand for a Padre's game.


This is a Vintage Trolley a Pullman Standard PCC car is spotted at Gaslamp Quarter. This car runs Sat - Sun and Tue & Thu at selected hours, however has been modified to operate on the Trolley systems modern infrastructure.

We climb a massive pedestrian bridge to get this view of the San Diego and Imperial Valley railroad's yards. They operate freight on some of the trolley routes at night when the trolley is not running.


The SD&IV recently took delivery of these fuel efficient locomotives in 2010.


When we were watching a BNSF locomotive briefly came into view.

And we also got a look into the trolley yard and barn area.

That's it for this week...more of the San Diego trip will be posted at the end of this week.

Enjoy

BP

[BaltoRavens]

Usually I have a favorite photo but there where so many great ones I could not decide, really liked seeing the vintage trolley, that was great. Amazing photos Bob, really enjoyed viewing them. Hope you had a blast!!!

[BPWX]

Good Evening! Here are the trains of the week...mainly the remainder of the trip to San Diego region.


We start in Morena/Linda Vista in San Diego on the green line. This is a new route opened a few years ago that runs from Old Town to Santee via Mission Valley. These Siemens S70 trolleys depart for Santee. 7/22/2012.


Another set of S70's are seen on the elevated structure at Mission San Diego in the valley. 7/22/2012


YES San Diego does have a subway...a little one. The Green Line goes underground at San Diego State and makes a subway stop here. 7/23/2012.


And my last train on the trip...Surfliner sits in Santa Fe Depot ready to head north. 7/23/2012.

That's it from this week and the trip.

Enjoy!

BP

[BPWX]

Good Morning! Here are today's trains of the week

Couple more from the trip last month


7/23/2012 - San Diego Trolley at Santee town center. They designed the trolley and the development around each other the trolley drops you off at the store front of businesses. A whole development grew around the trolley line.


Downtown San Diego....a trolley departs American Plaza. Again the city and the transit line complement each other.


Back to Florida...last Sunday (7/29/2012) caught 226 in St. Augustine.

BP

[BPWX]

Mermaid Maryann also got some shots...these are a few weeks old she is just getting to her photos...more will be added.


Photographing the photographer... 7/17/2012 in Del Mar.


Del Mar 7/17/2012


San Clemente 7/20/2012. Yes they stop at the pier.


San Clemente - 7/20/2012

Enjoy

BP

[BPWX]

OK folks it is TIME for the trains of the week.....


August 7th 2012 in Favoretta Florida FEC train 101 slides through a heavy thunderstorm heading southbound.

August 9th 2012 - FEC 226 crosses the salt marsh in St. Augustine.


I was not only after mermaids in Orlando - Here at Taft yard several CSX motors sitting in the yard. Taft (near OIA) is CSX's hub in the Orlando area. Several trains a day depart here mostly at night.


8/10/2012 - Florida Central Railroad is a short line operating northwest of Orlando on a few branch lines towards Winter Garden, Tavares, Umitilla, & Mt. Dora. Here a newly acquired former Canadian National locomotive sits at Modello Yard in western Orlando (near Lockhart) between assignments. Short lines like Florida Central frequently purchase second or third hand locomotives as their budgets do not allow them to buy the brand new ones. This is a GP 9 locomotive that produces 1,750 hp.


Another Florida Central locomotive a GP9 (that has had several previous owners) departs Plymouth Florida heading for Winter Garden with train # First Orlando.


The same train is seen in Apopka Fl rumbling south.


First Orlando arrives at Vulcan in Tronto Florida to switch some of the local industries. Another Florida Central locomotive a CF7 sits in the small yard.

That's it for this week.

BP

[mixologist]

Love the shots of the short line.

[BPWX]

One one this week....8/18/2012 FEC 226 in St. Augustine.

BP