Copyright 2013, Ron Minor

NOTE - No part of this blog or the link to it maybe cross posted without the permission of the blog writer!!

Copyright 2013, Ron Minor

Saturday, March 22, 2008

March 1st and 2nd, 2008


March 1st and 2nd.

The first day of March brought a new face to the area. The Rarus Railway took over the Sierra Northern operation at McClellan park and we took a trip over to see the new units.

March 1st
Rocklin Rocket at Roseville, CA


  • UP 1365

  • UP 1346 - RGP*
Redding Turn at Roseville, CA


  • UP 1530 - SPP*

  • UP 1355 - RGP*

  • UP 1372 - RGP*
Rarus Power at McClellan, CA


  • RARW - 107

  • RARW - 105
Stack train at Roseville, CA


  • UP 4929

  • UP 5006

  • UP 3848

  • UP 4608
Light Power at Roseville, CA


  • UP 5430

  • UP 5066

  • UP 3444
Light Power at Roseville, CA


  • UP 5402

  • UP 4094

  • UP 4907
Grain train at Roseville, CA


  • UP 6047

  • UP 6207

  • UP 6153
Coal train at Roseville, CA


  • UP 5942

  • UP 6690

  • UP 7126
March 2nd
Only a quick run around the yard where a couple of trains where observed.

MNPRV at Roseville, CA


  • UP 8393

  • UP 4570

  • UP 4593
MRVTR at Antelope, CA


  • UP 9825

  • UP 9780

SPP* = Southern Pacific patched
RGP* = DRGW Patched

Friday, February 29, 2008

February 23rd, 2008

February 23rd
A wet, stormy weekend so only one day was spent railfanning.

LRD96/Stockton Turn at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 3566
  • UP 4989
Four way meet at Ostrom, CA.
sb/wb Auto Train on main
  • UP 85743
  • UP 3174
  • UP 9618
nb/eb Stack Train in siding
  • UP 5169
  • UP 4352
Redding Turn in the siding
  • UP 1530 - SPP*
  • UP 2541
  • UP 2528
sb/wb Stack Train on main
  • UP 3810
  • UP 4276
Rocklin Rocket in Roseville, CA
  • UP 1528 - SSWP*
  • UP 791
SPP = Southern Pacific Patch
SSW = SSW Patch

Thursday, February 28, 2008

February 16th and 18th, 2008


February 16th and 18th.

A three day weekend, but only two days of train watching.

February 16th
Call has come back around again, so its a stay close to home weekend.

Light Power
  • UP 5254
  • UP 4132
  • UP 526
Light Power
  • UP 8339
  • UP 4619
Grain Train at Antelope
  • UP 5272
  • UP 4620
  • FMX 4682
Amtrak #6

  • AMTK 185
  • AMTK 206
MOARV at CP Citrus
  • UP 5449
  • UP 2186
  • UP 3714
QWCRV
  • UP 5432
  • UP 4380
  • UP 4669
  • UP 9592
  • UP 4348 - DPU
  • UP 5382 - DPU
MRVEU

  • UP 4452
  • UP 4063
  • UP 4532
WB Auto Train
  • UP 7640
  • UP 5103
  • UP 5096
wb Auto Train at Sunset-Whitney
  • UP 4656
  • UP 9337
February 18th.
A busy Monday to keep us occupied.

QDVSTJ at Antelope
  • BNSF 4917
  • BNSF 858
  • BNSF 4730
Cement Train
  • UP 4649
  • UP 4175
  • UP 4757
Amtrak #6
  • AMTK 150
  • AMTK 182
MRVNW
  • UP 5394
  • UP 7576
  • UP 4438
  • UP 2561
MRVTR
  • UP 4500
  • UP 3828
QRVWC
  • UP 5511
  • UP 4780
  • UP 5444
Ballast Train
  • UP 4495
  • UP 5172
  • UP 5696
  • UP 8594
Light Power
  • UP 8320
  • UP 2162
  • UP 5371
  • UP 2405
  • UP 2416
  • UP 5593


Thursday, February 14, 2008

February 9th and 10th, 2008


February 9th and 10th

A clear and bright weekend after almost an entire month of rain and clouds. After the previous weekend snows, I was looking forward to getting some action in the snow. Unfortunately we where only able to get Amtrak 6 in the snow.


February 9th.

Started out rather slow with the three lined up on the west end of the yard, but nothing on the east end, so we would have to wait for #6 to begin our chase up the hill.


MRVNW at Antelope


  • UP 3870

  • UP 4577

Light power at switch 5


  • UP 5582

  • UP 5579

  • UP 8510

  • UP 4419

Redding Turn at Sunset-Whitney


  • UP 1372 - RGP*

  • UP 2528

  • UP 1365

MRVML at Antelope


  • UP 5387

  • UP 4716

  • UP 4360

Amtrak 6 at Antelope


  • AMTK 99

  • AMTK 164

MRVNP at Newcastle


  • UP 5554

  • UP 5570

  • UP 5563

  • UP 3829

  • UP 4341

  • UP 4973

Febuary 10th

Sunday started out really slow. The arrival side of the yard was empty and the receiving service tracks where also empty, but it got busier a little later.


Light Power


  • UP 3941

  • UP 2186

  • UP 9744

QPDRV


  • UP 8601

  • UP 4616

  • UP 4486

  • UP 8534

MNPST


  • UP 4216

  • UP 8350

  • UP 9547

Light Power


  • UP 4248

  • UP 8017

  • UP 4590

  • UP 4861

  • UP 5490

ASJNP


  • UP 5567

  • UP 5573

  • UP 8514

  • UP 4431

Light Power


  • UP 8543

  • UP 5548

  • UP 4805

  • UP 5449

  • UP 4953

  • UP 5455

QRVWC at Antelope


  • UP 7782

  • UP 4821

  • UP 4416

  • UP 5413 - DPU

  • UP 5441 - DPU

  • UP 5340 - DPU
RGP = Rio Grande Patch



Monday, February 04, 2008

Feburary 2nd and 3rd, 2008

Feburary 2nd and 3rd.
Well after three weeks or working and rain, I wasn't going to let a predicted rain/snow storm stop me from heading out. Besides it gave me an excuse to break in my new Jeep.

Saturday Feburary 2nd
Reading reports of Amtrak 6 being stuck in Gold Run got me thinking it was time to head up the hill, but first a run around the yard to see if there where any trains lined up to head up that we could follow.

The long line of stored units is slowly making its way to the shop for a looking over. Most of the units where retired in the last weeks of Jan and the lease units where getting preped to be returned to CEFX.

We did get into some snow around Wiemer Crossing and it was really snowing up around Alta and Gold Run. This allowed us to get some shots but after spending a hour 100' from the Alta off ramp. I had had enough of California drivers in the snow.

Light Power movement

  • UP 9379
  • UP 7612
  • UP 4043
Light Power movement
  • UP 5424
  • UP 4048
Light Power movement
  • UP 4826
  • UP 5367
  • UP 8324
  • UP 8395
e/b Grain Train

  • UP 6748
  • UP 6292 - SPP*
  • UP 7094

w/b Auto train off the Valley

  • UP 4487
  • UP 4607

MRVNP at Colfax

  • UP 5572
  • UP 5575
  • UP 8611
  • UP 3817
  • UP 4572
  • UP 5569 - DPU
  • UP 5576 - DPU

QRVPD at Roseville

  • UP 5121
  • UP 4772
  • UP 2080
QNPFRP at Roseville
  • UP 4822
  • UP 7730
  • UP 7726
Sunday Feburary 3rd
Ironically Sunday was the first sunny day is quite some time but there was nothing moving for trains.

e/b Auto Train

  • UP 4487
  • UP 4607

QPDWC at Antelope

  • UP 7699
  • UP 3891
  • UP 9693
  • UP 4398 - DPU
  • UP 4048 - DPU
  • UP 5454 - DPU

n/b HBARPAS at Sacramento

  • BNSF 4767
  • BNSF 4513
  • BNSF 4153
  • BNSF 4909
* SPP - Southern Pacific Patch

Thursday, January 24, 2008

December 24th and 25th, 2007

December 24th and 25th.
Christmas Eve and Christmas day action.


Monday December 24th
A surprisingly busy Monday morning, but the action tapered off by the afternoon as the UP was shutting down operations for the holiday.


Stack Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 3869
  • UP 7617
  • UP 4934
Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 45
  • AMTK 58
Auto Train at Antelope, CA.
  • UP 7755
  • UP 5305
Stack Train at Brighton, CA.
  • UP 5255
  • UP 9646
  • UP 4938
  • UP 7748
  • UP 3919
  • UP 5536
  • UP 9798
  • UP 3833
  • UP 5040
QDVSTJ at Brighton, CA.
  • BNSF 4725
  • BNSF 5308
  • BNSF 4410
MRVFR at Antelope, CA.
  • UP 5444
  • UP 5455
  • UP 5447
  • UP 1451
  • UP 813
  • UP 3542
Auto Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4319
  • UP 4441
MRORV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 8336
  • UP 2219
  • UP 2347
Tuesday December 25th
Nothing to report.


December 22nd and 23rd, 2008

December 22nd and 23rd.
Another weekend of being on call, so it was spent close to home. Saturday started out sunny but by early afternoon was cloudy and looking to rain.


Saturday December 22nd

MRVTR at Antelope, CA
  • UP 4594
  • UP 5429
Lt Power at Antelope, CA.
  • UP 5560
  • UP 5568
  • UP 5557
QDVSTJ at Antelope, CA.
  • BNSF 7590
  • BNSF 5246
  • BNSF 4761
wb Auto Rack at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 3825
  • UP 9215
MRORV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 3908
  • UP 9781
  • UP 3836
  • UP 5569
ZLCSE at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7602
  • UP 5093
  • UP 4974
wb Grain Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 8235
  • UP 7662
  • UP 6278
  • UP 6655
QWCRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5326
  • UP 4244
  • UP 4627
  • UP 4289
  • UP 5524 - DPU
Sunday December 23rd
A slow sunny day around Roseville.

wb Auto Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4889
  • UP 4524
Lt Power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7708
  • UP 5411
  • UP 4493
Lt Power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4629
  • UP 4862
  • UP 3781
  • UP 5426
Lt Power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4432
  • UP 7710
  • UP 5582
  • UP 5564
Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 129
  • AMTK 44
MNPRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7787
  • UP 9479
  • UP 2365
  • UP 9357 - DPU
  • UP 5485 - DPU

December 15th and 16th, 2007

December 15th and 16th.
Saturday started out with the typical winter fog, but after being on call the week prior I was looking forward to finding an eastbound and following it up the Hill.


Saturday December 15th
The day started out in Roseville with lunch in Truckee and ending back home in Roseville.


MMIRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 8607
  • UP 3192
QWCRV at Antelope, CA.
  • UP 7763
  • UP 5423
  • UP 5289
  • UP 5480
  • UP 5447
  • UP 5422
Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4096
  • UP 5443
  • UP 3868
  • UP 5459
Lt power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 8326
  • UP 9715
  • UP 2752
  • UP 5570
  • UP 3542
  • UP 2850
Lt power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 566
  • UP 589
Amtrak # 6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 40
  • AMTK 100
wb Auto rack at Truckee, CA.
  • UP 3865
  • UP 3258
  • GECX 8652
  • UP 5558
  • UP 5563
Sunday December 16th
Another typical Sunday morning around Roseville.

Grain train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 6565
  • UP 6465
  • UP 8177
Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5517
  • UP 5281
  • UP 7763
  • UP 5558
  • UP 5581
  • UP 5578
  • UP 5570
  • UP 5573
QFRNPP at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5424
  • UP 5451
  • UP 5401
  • UP 5052
  • UP 4891
  • UP 5184
Auto rack at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7737
  • UP 8550
QWCPD at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 6651
  • UP 7732
  • UP 3970

December 8th and 9th, 2007

December 8th and 9th.
Being on call limited my range this weekend, so it was spent around town.


Saturday December 8th
Around the Roseville area.

Redding Turn at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 1524
  • UP 9992
  • UP 1448
QPDRVX at Roseville, CA.

  • UP 5441
  • UP 5379
  • UP 5446
  • UP 4221
MRVRO at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5567
  • UP 5568
  • UP 5582
  • UP 5586
  • UP 4138
  • UP 8334
  • UP 9594
ZLCSE at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5109
  • UP 9741
  • UP 5065
Amtrak # 6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 40
  • AMTK 100
Unknown stack at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7647
  • UP 9587
  • UP 4084
Unknown stack at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 8588
  • UP 4084
Sunday December 9th
A typical Sunday morning.

MRORVB at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5574
  • UPY 1484
  • UP 8500
  • UP 4525
Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4817
  • UP 5549
  • UP 9733
  • UP 7722
Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 207
  • AMTK 74
Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 566
  • UP 589
  • UP 1215
  • UP 1510
Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5426
  • UP 5378
  • UP 3890
Empty grain train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 6746
  • UP 6654
  • UP 6357
Stockton Turn at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 9251
  • UP 4002
Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7601
  • UP 2397
  • UP 4096
Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5459
  • UP 3868
  • UP 5443
MNPST at Roseville, CA.UP 7692
  • UP 4991
  • UP 8538
  • UP 5575

December 1st and 2nd, 2007

December 1st and 2nd.
Saturday was spent on a trip to Woodland and Marysville, CA while Sunday was spent around Roseville.


Saturday December 1st
I was hoping to catch the
NREX 2007 running around on the California Northern, but it appears that CFNR isn't running on the weekends like it was a year or so ago.

The day started out in Roseville with the Redding Turn and ends back in Roseville with the MRVEU.

Redding Turn at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 1346
  • UP 1365
  • UP 1448
Amtrak 729 at Roseville, CA.
  • CDTX 2006
MNWRV at N. Highlands, CA.
  • UP 8323
  • UP 4082
  • UP 3255
ZLCBR at Ewing, CA.
  • UP 8405
  • UP 8560
  • UP 8608
Unknown gondola train at Sunset-Whitney, CA.
  • UP 4717
  • UP 4672
MRVEU at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5462
  • UP 5402
  • UP 5430
  • UP 5286
Sunday December 2nd
A fairly busy Sunday morning around Roseville, CA.

Lt. power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4388
  • UP 4786
  • UP 5413
  • UP 5384
QPDRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5488
  • UP 3996
  • UP 7606 - DPU
  • UP 7632 - DPU
Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 40
  • AMTK 100
ABNKC at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4260
  • UP 5127
  • UP 4325
MRVTR at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4553
  • UP 8331
MRVFR at Roseville, CA,
  • UP 4000
  • UP 4595
Unknown stacker at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5051
  • UP 4991
MNPRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 9174
  • UP 4002
  • UP 9251
  • UP 5492
  • UP 9738
  • UP 5567
  • UP 5578

November 24th and 25th, 2007

November 24th and 25th.
A lazy and cold weekend of train watching.


Saturday November 24th
After doing something other than train watching in the morning, I took a quick drive around the yard to see what was going on.

QNPRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5320
  • UP 8376
  • UP 5583
  • UP 5575
  • UP 5560 - mid-train DPU
  • UP 5577 - mid-train DPU
  • UP 9692 - rear train DPU
  • UP 5334 - rear train DPU
Unknown train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 8310
  • UP 5080
  • UP 4076
MRVFR at Roseville, CA
  • UP 5353
  • UP 4324
  • UP 4816
Sunday November 25th
Sunday morning was really slow around Roseville, CA.

Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 198
  • AMTK 167
Grain Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5949
  • UP 7235
  • UP 6565
  • UP 7305
  • UP 5588 - DPU
  • UP 5566 - DPU
  • UP 5571 - DPU
IG2OA at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4327
  • UP 3882
  • UP 5156
  • UP 5098

November 22nd and 23rd, 2007

November 22nd and 23rd.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday train watching


Thursday November 22rd

A surprisingly busy day for a holiday.


Lt Power move at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 3854
  • UP 4557
  • UP 5435
  • UP 4020
Empty Grain Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7659
  • UP 7039
  • UP 6227
Loaded Grain Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5717
  • UP 8358
  • UP 5513
QDVSTJ at Newcastle, CA.
  • BNSF 7563
  • BNSF 4513
  • BNSF 4859
QRVNP at Gold Run, CA.
  • UP 5578
  • UP 5582
  • UP 5006
  • UP 4877
  • UP 4467
  • UP 5568
  • UP 5566 - DPU
Friday November 23rd
Black Friday was a little bit slow around Roseville, CA.

MRVEU at Rosevile, CA.
  • UP 5553
  • UP 5325
  • UP 5407
Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 168
  • AMTK 179
ISCOA at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4826
  • UP 4976
  • UP 5095
QRVWC at Antelope, CA.
  • UP 7368
  • UP 8553
  • UP 5454
  • UP 9460 - DPU
  • UP 5358 - DPU
KMNOA at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4265
  • UP 4702

Sunday, January 13, 2008

November 17th and 18th, 2007

November 17th and 18th.
Typical November weather in the Valley, fog in the mornings and filtered sunlight in the afternoons.


Saturday November 17th
A busy day around Roseville, CA.

Auto Rack at Antelope, CA.
  • UP 4021
  • UP 2223
  • UP 4584
Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.
  • AMTK 51
  • AMTK 19
ZLCBR at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4312
  • UP 5120
  • UP 9685
Rocklin Rocket at Sunset-Whitney, CA.
  • UP 589
  • UP 566
Redding Turn at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 1386
  • UP 526
  • UP 992
MRVTR at Sacramento, CA.
  • UP 9831
  • UP 4557
  • CFNR 106
Ballast Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 3873
  • UP 4557
  • UP 9333
  • UP 3854
MMIRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4773
  • UP 4533
QPDRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5480
  • UP 5376
  • UP 4388
  • UP 4944
MNPRV at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5581
  • UP 4209
  • UP 9616
  • UP 4633
  • UP 5576 DPU
  • UP 5575 DPU
Sunday November 18th
Much slower day as is usual on Sundays around Roseville, CA.

Auto Rack at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 3804
  • UP 9390
  • UP 5572

Amtrak #6 at Sacramento, CA.

  • AMTK 61
  • AMTK 122

Stack Train at Roseville, CA.

  • UP 8560
  • UP 9652
  • UP 9702

MRVFR at Antelope, CA.

  • UP 4419
  • UP 2933
  • UP 3980

Amtrak #5 at Roseville, CA.

  • AMTK 41
  • AMTK 190

Grain Train at Roseville, CA.

  • UP 8255
  • UP 7261
  • UP 8063

November 10th and 11th, 2007

November 10th and 11th.
A foggy, rainy weekend with a slow Saturday and a busy Sunday.

Saturday November 10th
The weather was horrible so it was off to the International Railfair train show.

ZLBSE at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7799
  • UP 5179
  • UP 4644
Ballast Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 9333
  • UP 3854
MRVNP at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5578
  • UP 5575
  • UP 7756
  • UP 5161
  • UP 4974
  • UP 2862
  • UP 5559 DPU
  • UP 5566 DPU
Sunday November 11th
Sunday started out foggy but cleared out in the valley and slowly out to the foothills.

Lt Power at Antelope, CA.
  • UPY 862
  • UPY 857
Stack train at Antelope, CA.
  • UP 4205
  • UP 8425
Amtrak #6 at Sacramento, CA.
  • UP 51
  • UP 19
  • UP 172 - wreck damaged
Stack Train at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 7780
  • UP 8601
MRVNP at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5376
  • UP 4944
  • UP 4388
QDVSTJ at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5568 - BNSF power had a on line failure on the pass and this unit was added at Sparks, NV.
  • BNSF 4752
  • BNSF 8212
  • BNSF 6344
Lt Power at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 6781
  • UP 8074
  • UP 5829
Power came in from Polk after leaving
a unit cement train there.

November 3rd and 4th, 2007

November 3rd and 4th.
A trip to Chico, Oroville, and some lazy time around Roseville, CA.

Saturday November 3rd.
The day started off with the ZLBSE in Roseville and ended with a BNSF grain train in Rio Oso, CA.

ZLBSE at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 4102
  • UP 4359
  • UP 9506
Rocklin Rocket at Sunset-Whitney, CA.
  • UP 812
  • UP 649
QHKRV at Ostrom, CA.
  • UP 8384
  • UP 5363
  • UP 5413
  • UP 5421
MRVPD at Ostrom, CA.
  • UP 5452
  • UP 5416
Rare unknown sb BNSF grain train at Rio Oso, CA.
  • BNSF 5497
  • BNSF 7653
  • BNSF 4927
  • BNSF 710
Sunday November 4th
A lazy Sunday around Roseville, CA.

MWCCO at Roseville, CA.
  • UP 5535
  • UP 9164

Baretable train at Sunset-Whitney, CA.

  • UP 4302
  • UP 4488

MRORV at Roseville, CA.

  • UP 3801
  • UP 5514
  • UP 7786

wb Grain train at Roseville, CA.

  • UP 6793
  • UP 6243
  • UP 6569
  • UP 5572 DPU
  • UP 5582 DPU
  • UP 5582 DPU
  • UP 5561 DPU
  • UP 5568 DPU

October 27th and 28th, 2007

October 27th and 28th.

Some time spent around the Sacramento and the Roseville, Ca areas.

Saturday October 27th
A really slow day which was unfortunate since I pretty much had the day to do what I wanted.

Rocklin Rocket at Roseville, CA
  • UP 566
  • UP 589
HBARPAS at Sacramento, CA
  • BNSF 4885
  • BNSF 1017
  • BNSF 5069
  • CN 2600
  • BNSF 831
MRVNW at Sacramento, CA
  • UP 4207
  • UP 4901
Empty Grain Train at Roseville, CA
  • UP 5033
  • UP 4819
QFRNPP at Roseville, CA
  • UP 7729
  • UP 3859

Sunday October 28th
Sunday started out with me wondering it was going to be a dead day. Both the receiving and departure yards for the hump in Roseville where empty, but the morning soon proved to be productive.


Grain Train at Citrus Heights, CA

  • UP 5559
  • UP 6027
  • UP 5890
  • UP 5995
  • UP 7003

Grain Train at Citrus, CA

  • UP 5454
  • UP 9638
  • UP 4344

QWCRV at Antelope, CA

  • UP 5459
  • UP 5061
  • UP 3779
  • UP 5356 - DPU
  • UP 4398 - DPU

KOAMN at Antelope, CA

  • UP 4743
  • UP 8394

MEUWC at Roseville, CA

  • UP 4399
  • UP 3746
  • UP 5299

Lt Power at Roseville, CA

  • UP 5089
  • UP 9449
  • HLCX 6335

QPDRV at Roseville, CA.

  • UP 5418
  • UP 9754
  • UP 5381

QPDWC at Brock, CA.

  • UP 5363
  • UP 5413
  • UP 5421

Saturday, January 12, 2008

October 20th and 21st, 2007

October 20th and 21st.

A trip to Oakdale, Riverbank, Stockton and the Roseville, Ca areas.

Saturday October 20th
Finely we got a whole weekend without obligations or work and we headed for the Central Valley.


Stockton, CA

ZNBYWSP

  • BNSF 7537
  • BNSF 778
  • BNSF 707
  • BNSF 720
Riverbank, CA

North end switch
  • BNSF 2422
  • BNSF 2412
Oakdale, CA

Sierra Diner Train
  • SERA 50
UP Oakdale Turn
  • UP 1489
  • UP 1495
The SERA 40 and 44 BLW S12's are showing signs of being actively stripped of parts. An unexpected sight was the ex Swanson Milling GP-9 that showed up on the SERA property last year was stripped down to the prime mover and half the cab. The long hood and front half of the unit where missing.

Stockton, CA
We headed back to Stockton as there was nothing going on in Riverbank. West of Escalon a nb San Joaquin passed us with Amtrak 180 as the lead unit.
A quick stop at the BNSF Mormon yard showed the engine terminal full with a couple of interesting units. BNSF 3118 and NS 9387 helped break the orange and green monotony. At the east end of the yard are the Rail Power demo units in cold storage.They have been there since the RPRX 5402 took off unattended for no reason.

A run over to the UP side of things found some activity, but not much.

QFRNPP
  • UP 5501
  • UP 5264
  • UP 5028
  • UP 8550
BNSF Transfer
  • BNSF 2949
  • BNSF 2536
Sacramento, CA
After driving around the central valley without any luck on the train watching front, its was time to head for home, but we where sidetracked by the MRVNW at Elvas. A quick turn around and then down to Haggin resulted in the most trains for the day even though we did miss a sb stacker.

Unknown eb Auto Train
  • UP 4036
  • UP 9625
Unknown wb Auto Train
  • UP 5201
  • UP 3794
  • UP 4083
  • UP 9068
ZLCBR
  • UP 3803
  • UP 4359
  • UP 4491
After sitting for about 45 mins the MRVNW had still not moved from Elvas and the auto rack train was still waiting for it to clear and since there where things I needed to do, it was time to go.

Sunday October 21st
Sunday was a typical Sunday for traffic levels. Traffic has been off for quite sometime and always amazes me how empty the yard has been looking lately.
The east end of the yard had a CTC failure and all trains entering and leaving the yard had to hand throw all switches. This made for some extra radio traffic giving us some heads ups.

QNPFRP at Antelope, CA
  • UP 7733
  • UP 4225
  • UP 4423
  • UP 5572
  • UP 5568 - rear DPU
MRVTR at Citrus, CA
  • UP 4134
  • UP 5053
Lt Power at Roseville, CA
  • UP 3905
  • UP 4872
Lt Power at Roseville, CA
  • UP 3291
  • UP 2462
ASJNP at E. Roseville, CA
  • UP 4904
  • UP 9773
  • UP 9775
  • UP 9734
  • UP 9722
  • UP 9541
  • UP 9239
  • UP 9619
  • UP 4685
They had a bad order tank car and ended up setting it out in the city yard.

MRVEU at Roseville, CA

  • UP 5476
  • UP 7699
  • UP 5181

October 13th and 14th, 2007

October 13th and 14th.

A weekend around the home front.

Saturday October 13th
After having to work the weekend before and trying to get caught up on misc items, I was able to squeeze in some train watching time.

Roseville, CA

The day started off foggy, very winter like even though its only the beginning of fall. The other surprise was the sight of the departure yard empty, not a car in sight.

Unknown sb grain train
  • UP 6543
  • UP 6245
  • UP 5735
  • UP 5567 - DPU
  • UP 5569 - DPU
  • UP 5578 - DPU
  • UP 5571 - DPU
Lt. Power
  • UP 4677
  • UP 4161
  • UP 5371
MRVNW at Citrus, CA
  • UP 5387
  • UP 5374
Redding Turn
  • UP 2933
  • UP 1376
  • UP 1451
ZLCBR
  • UP 5471
  • UP 9776
  • UP 9655
Lt. Power
  • UP 4570
  • UP 4398
  • UP 5386
  • UP 5415
  • UP 4505
  • UP 4009
  • UP 4139
QDVSTJ
  • BNSF 7581
  • BNSF 5503
  • BNSF 4764
  • BNSF 8635
Lt. Power
  • UP 5454
  • UP 5413
  • UP 5383
  • UP 8153
Sunday October 21st
Sunday was a rush day to see what we could find before my son had to go to work.

MWCPW at Citrus, CA
  • UP 5461
  • UP 4446
  • UP 5381
MNPFR at Brighton, CA
  • UP 5064
  • UP 4299
  • UP 3271
  • UP 4957
IG2OA at Brighton, CA
  • UP 8505
  • UP 4296
  • UP 5157
Unknown Auto Rack at Haggin, CA
  • UP 3158
  • UP 2940

September 29th and 30th, 2007

September 29th and 30th

Some observations around Roseville, Ca and the lower Valley sub between Roseville and Marysville, CA

Saturday Sept 29th
Saturday started out wet and cloudy but turned out to be fine later in the afternoon. Time constants limited the amount of time spent railfanning, but the time taken did present some jewels.


On the way to Sacramento two east bounds where encountered along Roseville road with the second being the catch of the month.

MNWRV

  • UP 9723
  • UP 8331
An unknown empty grain train
  • UP 6619
  • KCS 4682 Southern Belle
  • KCS 4685 Southern Belle
  • KCS 4680 Primer

We followed this train up to Newcastle, CA but had to return home for a late afternoon appointment.


Sunday Sept 30th
Sunday started out cool, crisp and slow around the Roseville yard complex. We spotted a stack train head up the Valley sub and after a look to see if any west bounds where lined up to leave, we headed up the Valley.

This was the first time in over a month since I've been up to Marysville and the UP has been busy. Lots of track and bridge work being done. A new bridge is going in at Pleasant Grove creek just south of Sunset-Whitney. The siding at Sunset-Whitney has been rebuilt (it was pretty rickety last time I looked at it) and the bridge over the Bear River is having the wooden deck replaced with a concrete deck.

Trains where more frequent than the day before, but not as many as I’d hoped.

QPDRV north of Lincoln, CA
  • UP 4348
  • UP 5456
  • UP 4501
KOAMN in the siding at Ostrom, CA
  • UP 4134
  • UP 5053
IG2OA at Ostrom, CA
  • UP 9783
  • UP 4993
  • UP 8569
MRVPD at Sunset-Whitney, CA
  • UP 5438
  • UP 4812
  • UP 5371
EB empty grain train at W. Roseville, CA
  • UP 5366
  • UP 6174

December 31, 2007 and January 1, 2008

December 31, 2007
The year ended on a quite note with very little movement occurring. A couple of trains where observed out and about, though.

Unknown freight parked at Swanson, CA.

  • UP 5560
  • UP 5561
  • UP 3860
  • UP 3699
  • UP 3885

Amtrak #6

  • AMTK 95
  • AMTK 155

MRVNW at Antelope

  • UP 5406
  • UP 5026
  • UP 9625
  • UP 5454
  • UP 5419
wb Grain Train at West Roseville, CA

  • UP 5968
  • UP 6737 cnwp*
  • UP 6190 spp*
Lt. Power movement at Roseville, CA
  • UP 5361
  • UP 54513
  • UP 5435
  • UP 9758
  • UP 5293
  • UP 7730
  • UP 5338
MRVML at Elk Grove, CA
  • UP 5484
  • UP 9806
  • UP 9713
January 1, 2008

The first day of the new year was sunny and busy for a holiday.

Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA

  • AMTK 174
  • AMTK 4

MRVNW at N. Highlands, CA

  • UP 4901
  • UP 4944
  • FURX 8093 bnp*
  • UP 2580
QSTDVJ at N. Highlands, CA

  • BNSF 4990
  • BNSF 4311
  • BNSF 4553

ZCSLT at Brighton, CA

  • UP 4261
  • UP 4567
  • UP 4155

Lt. Power at Roseville, CA

  • UP 5381
  • UP 5403
  • UP 5182

Stack Train at Roseville, CA

  • UP 4370
  • UP 4772
  • UP 8516
  • UP 4490

*
cnwp = CNW Patch
spp = Southern Pacific Patch
bnp = BN Patch