87electric jaunts

[87electric]

I don't do trip reports as such. But here's some pics from my recent travels in California i'd like to share.

The 29 CalTrain locos work between San Francisco & San Jose/Gilroy.
I have 25 in the book for haulage having added 4 more on this trip.

0ver 40 Cable Cars work on 3 lines in San Francisco.

I love the San Francisco Streetcars. 32 in service of which i need 2 more for haulage.

There are 151 Breda LRVs working in San Francisco. Soon to be replaced by a new fleet in the coming years.

A few Union Pacific locos in San Francisco.

This was my Amtrak loco haulage from Anaheim to Solana Beach along the coastal route down to San Diego.

Loco 90230 was the tail (ex) loco at Solana Beach.

BNSF loco 5629 used on a Metrolink service here at Anaheim.

8042 & 8651 head through Pomona Station.

At Pomona, Union Pacific locos 4526 8820 5196 4874 8344 head one of those legendary long freight trains.

Quite a succesful trip on the rails this time round.
I have a 6 week jaunt out all over the USA in Autumn so really looking forward to that.

 

[ac6000cw]

Nice photos - thanks for those

By the way, 'Loco 90230' isn't a loco, it's a 'Cabbage' - an ex EMD F40 loco converted to a cab-control and baggage car (all the power equipment is removed).

Some of those CalTrain F40s are looking decidedly travel-weary - I guess with electrification on the way they won't want to spend much money on them (other than for essential maintenance).

 

[Kristofferson]

More big American trains! Fantastic photos


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[47403]

More big American trains! Fantastic photos


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with Kris, great photo's indeed, as soon as I saw the pics, I knew either ac6000cw or minilad(resident tailroad experts), would take a shine to your thread, they're the lads I'd turn to, if I was gonna do an American railroad sesh, now we seem to have found another. Shamr I'm not going really. What I know of the US Railroads i I could write on a stamp.
Again top photo's, thanks for shating.

 

[Minilad]

Wonderful stuff. I spent a happy week in San Fran back in 2010 and had many cable car and streetcar rides. I didn't do any "big trains" on that trip though unfortunately as it was the holiday in which me and my wife got married in Vegas so it wasn't really the time and place to go off bashing!! But San Fran is one of my favourite American cities and I'm sure I will return. Would have loved getting that BNSF engine for haulage though

 

[fishquinn]

Excellent phots! The American stuff is so much better than over here and I really want to get back over there (it's been about a year and a half).

 

[87electric]

Nice photos - thanks for those

By the way, 'Loco 90230' isn't a loco, it's a 'Cabbage' - an ex EMD F40 loco converted to a cab-control and baggage car (all the power equipment is removed).

Some of those CalTrain F40s are looking decidedly travel-weary - I guess with electrification on the way they won't want to spend much money on them (other than for essential maintenance).

Cabbage indeed. Thanks for that.
I just wonder how long it will take for electrification to happen. 2020 is the target but I remain to be convinced.
Are there any books out with fleet lists of BNSF/Union Pacific?

 

[Minilad]

Cabbage indeed. Thanks for that.
I just wonder how long it will take for electrification to happen. 2020 is the target but I remain to be convinced.
Are there any books out with fleet lists of BNSF/Union Pacific?

Yes there's this


http://www.stpublications.co.uk/showbook.php?bookid=147

 

[AJM580]

Great photos - brings back memories of my own trips to San Francisco. I can recommend the CalTrain trips heartily and also the trip from San Jose to Sacramento via Oakland. There's a good railway museum at Sacramento as well.

 

[ac6000cw]

Wonderful stuff. I spent a happy week in San Fran back in 2010 and had many cable car and streetcar rides. I didn't do any "big trains" on that trip though unfortunately as it was the holiday in which me and my wife got married in Vegas so it wasn't really the time and place to go off bashing!! But San Fran is one of my favourite American cities and I'm sure I will return. Would have loved getting that BNSF engine for haulage though

Yes - opportunities for haulage by a C44-9W on a passenger train must be quite rare...

We 'joined the knot' in Hawaii - my first visit to Tehachapi was (a small) part of our honeymoon (we had to fly home via LA anyway, so it wasn't really out of the way, was it ? )

 

[Minilad]

Yes - opportunities for haulage by a C44-9W on a passenger train must be quite rare...

We 'joined the knot' in Hawaii - my first visit to Tehachapi was (a small) part of our honeymoon (we had to fly home via LA anyway, so it wasn't really out of the way, was it ? )

To be fair my better half does tolerate a lot on American holidays and she has got a few locos in the book for haulage She also humours me when I drag her to yet another baseball or gridiron or ice hockey game

 

[Techniquest]

Sounds like she endures a lot Minilad!

Some stunning pictures, and they look hellfire! I so want to go and have a bash, I really do!

 

[87electric]

Yes there's this


http://www.stpublications.co.uk/showbook.php?bookid=147

Smashing stuff. I'll be purchasing that then. Thanks.

 

[87electric]

15th June
This was all about chasing my last ever Pacer Unit 142024. In May i acquired enough Johnston Press coupons for 2 days of travel on the Northern Rail £10 ticket offer.
I bought an advance ticket up to Newcastle and decided that would be my base for the trip. Hotel was sourced above the Brewdog pub. Canny move as not too far for their superb ales.
Info received regarding the Unit had it working in the West not the East so off to Carlisle it was. Had to ching up for a Pendo to then get to Preston.
I stayed put for a few hours in case it turned up on an unexpected diagram as that has happened to me in the past. It rolled in attached to a 150 and off to Bolton it was. Class cleared and also the whole Northern Unit fleet at last.
I never got 142008 or 142059 in the book because of their mishaps. If what i have read is correct then 142059 was only ever in service for 6 weeks due to its long storage from transmission problems.

142024 at Bolton

68025 with Caroline at Preston

91124/DVT 82217 Peterborough - Newcastle
156490 Newcastle - Carlisle
390043 Carlisle - Preston
150119/142024 Preston - Bolton
150220/150224 Bolton - Preston
390114 Preston - Carlisle
156490 Carlisle - Newcastle


16th June
Next day i used my second Northern ticket to grab 37425 (winner) for a ride out on the Cumbrian. Pretty quiet as well while England played Wales in the Euros.
I don't shack scratch or do mileages and i have no interest in chasing track/rare track. My interests lay solely in haulage and photography and that's enough to satisfy me.

37425 departing Aspatria

60026 on the logs through Carlisle

156479 Newcastle - Carlisle
DBSO 9710/37425 Carlisle - Aspatria
156438 Aspatria - Carlisle
156479 Carlisle - Newcastle
DVT 82229/91120 Newcastle - Peterborough

17th June
Decided on a last minute plan to go up to Blackpool for the Heritage Tram Weekend. The British Trams Online website offered up in advance on what would work on the
Saturday & Sunday. The changeable weather would play a big part as well because of the intended use of the Boats and open top tram.

43307/43316 Peterborough - Grantham
43277/43310 Grantham - Leeds
158784 Leeds - Blackpool North

18th June
7 Heritage Trams worked the diagrams on Saturday. 31 66 227 230 600 648 675/685.
Winners were 31 648 675/685. I won't list the haulage details as it probably isn't that interesting. The whole line was utilised on a superb hot sunny day.
All the Flexity Trams were out except for 004 005 & 016.

Tram 600

Tram 685/675

Trams 40 680 701

Tram 227

19th June
8 Heritage ones worked a wet and gloomy Sunday but at least most were different from Saturday.
40 272/282 631 648 680 700 701 723. All were winners except now dud 648.
This time it was 007 011 & 016 of the Flexitys that weren't diagrammed.

158757 Blackpool North - Leeds
DVT 82210/91106 Leeds - Peterborough

Quite a satisfying and interesting week as most of my required Units can be sourced in the London area.

 

[fishquinn]

Congrats on Northern! A huge accomplishment!

 

[AJM580]

Well done on clearing the 142s, I must be getting old as 142024 was my very first 142 for haulage 30 years ago on the 17th June 1986 from Exeter to Dawlish!!!!

 

[55013]

Good stuff - some excellent shots as well.
Congratulations on clearing Northern.

 

[Kite159]

Agreed, congrats on clearing northern before all the new stock starts arriving and 150s reformed into 3car versions

 

[47403]

Short but sweet, echo the above, top effort clearing the 142s and the Northern fleet. Some cracking photos too.

 

[87electric]

Thanks for the congrats people.
The next plan is to grab my last 158 up in Scotland. I'm sure it will be quite tricky and need some luck.

 

[Techniquest]

Good fortune will indeed be required for that last 158!

Well done on clearing all of the enormous Northern fleet, an incredible accomplishment!

 

[Kristofferson]

Nicely done! Your photos aren't bad either


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[noddy1878]

Some absolutely cracking photos there! Really well composed and have come out well.

 

[87electric]

Thanks for the kind words above people. Here's another jaunt.

July 4th-6th Ostend
I decided to spend 3 days in Ostend, Belgium to experience the Coastal Tramline i was told about a few years back.
At 42 miles long it can take 2 1/2 hours from De Panne in the West to Knokke in the East. I knew there
would be around 50 trams or so to try for haulage especially with the Summer timetable frequency.
A handful of Trams from both Gent & Antwerp are also hired in to help with the dedicated Kusttram fleet.
DVT 82225 & 91114 whisked me to London from Peterborough.
Walked over to St Pancras and non winners 3004/3005 Eurostars were taken to Brussels. Third time i've had these 2 sets now.
Eurostar tix are valid to any Belgian destination so no need to buy an onward ticket to Ostend.
Class 18 winners, 1887 & 1803, in top and tail mode took me to Gent where i alighted and waited for 3 coupled up AM08
units (08192/08108/08200) to Ostend for arrival just before 1pm.
Every train had been on time and the sun was shining!
3 day tram/bus pass cost 12 Euros. Bargain. Not once in my time travelling was my ticket checked.
My plan was to do the West side of the line on day one, East side on day two and mop up any remaining trams on day
three before heading home.
Going West is where the line does actually overlook the sea for a few miles. The rest is not too far inland through streets.
Most enjoyable. 17 winners on the first day.
Second day was quite overcast and the run out East not as scenic. There are 2 bridge loops at Zeebrugge so it's
possible to carry on the journey while ships/boats are moving through any of the swing bridges. So all you track
bashers have to be lucky on your approaches to clear it all. 23 winners on day two.
My final day i managed 4 more winners. It was possible for another winning tram but it wouldn't be out until the peak so
i decided to head off to Brussels in the glorious sunshine and spend a few hours taking photos of the loco hauled stuff in the peak.
So in summary i sighted 48 trams (2 were rooted in the depot all the time) and managed 44 for haulage.
Winning Eurostars 3009/3010 back to St Pancras and HST 43238/300 back to home.
Here's some piccies.

6002

6028

6031

6035

7267

6335

6102 which is a works unit

2701 at Brussels Midi

1922 at Brussels Midi

TGV 4551 at Brussels Midi

 

[Kite159]

What were the seats like on those trams which go the whole 42 miles?

Sounded like a good little trip to Belgium

 

[Techniquest]

I've always wanted to do that line, looks like it's an enjoyable time and now I really want to get over there and do it!

44 of the trams scored for haulage is very good going indeed, and SNCB's 2701 I am jealous of as they're really fun to bash. I like the 18s and 19s as well, and would love to be on a train with one of their 55s as they sound great just on idle!

 

[87electric]

I don't collect stations as many of you do so it is definitely easier for me to bash more trams/units in a day. The way i see it is that stations stay around but rolling stock doesn't. And with the cascades going to be happening soon and possible scrapping of some unit classes i prefer just bashing.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Another jaunt saw me off to have my first bash at Oslo trams and also to bump up my Gothenburg tram haulage.

Thursday 11 August
91128 was my 06:39 loco on Peterborough-KX. Of note GBRF/Belmond locos 66743 & 66746 were at Peterborough reversing into Eastfield yard with
The Royal Scotsman train.
Onto tube winners 21479/21480 KX-Edgware Rd then switched onto duds 21330/21329 to Paddington.
Heathrow Express units 332013 & 010 to Terminal 5. All HX stuff cleared a few years ago.
Not that interested in aircraft so i couldn't tell you what flew me to Norway.
My hotel was located a couple minutes walk from Oslo Central Station and an ideal base for my tram bashing spree. I sourced a 24hr travelcard
with no fuss at a cost of 90 Kroner, roughly £9. It was rush hour so nipped into the main rail station and took some photos. All units, no locos.
The 72 trams are of 2 different types. 40 of the SL79 Class (numbered 101-140) while the SL95 Class has 32 (numbered 141-172).
Great sunny evening made for a pleasant bash and my logs say i had 44. I wanted to take a couple of night shots and i'm sure you are all aware that
darkness is a rarity in summertime in Scandanavia. I had no tripod and had a right game of finding the best location to achieve my shots using long exposures.
I like to keep my ISO settings on 100. I don't like noisy/grainy pics of night stuff. It took me 2 hours to get my one shot for one reason or another so yes
i do have a lot of dedication and patience. Long day but most satisfying.

Friday 12 August
Today was a little more relaxed. Even the turn of weather and constant annoying rain didn't dampen my spirits. Managed another 20 trams to bring my total up
to 64. 7 of the other 8 i never saw in service. I haven't fully researched the fleet but maybe some are out of action/used for spares/scrapped. It can real
difficult to find that information sometimes.

Saturday 13 August
The frequency of trams was greatly reduced or so it seemed in the morning. I did hover about looking for some winners for half hour but to no avail.
Went back into the station to see what was around then moved on to the Metro they call the T Bane. I don't mind bashing Metros but my preference is trams.
Lots of sunny photos taken.
Next up was catching the 13:01 to Gothenburg. Formed of an NSB Class 73 4 car EMU. This one was 73042/73142.
The journey took between 3 and 4 hours. Not a lot to see railwise along the way it must be said. Free wifi/tea/coffee in the upgrade to Komfort class was welcomed.
Hotel Elite had a great English type bar underneath it called The Bishop's Arms. Spent quite a bit of time in there and money. The selection of bottled beers from
around the world was excellent. A couple of local 9% stouts were supped and were superb. 100 Kroner per bottle equates to £10. I abandoned the idea of the £20
bottles because as much as i love my stouts i couldn't stretch the purse that far.
Raining cats and dogs in Sweden as i sourced my 24 hr ticket from the 7/11 store for 85 Kroner. As there are around 270 trams it gets a little frantic writing stuff down
where 6 or 7 lines cross at busy stops like Brunnsparken or Central Station. Saw a couple of the heritage ones working as well. Great stuff.

Sunday 14 August
Super sunny day and shorts attire worn. Maybe my next trip to Gothenburg should be in Winter. Always good fun with the camera in snow and ice climates.
No need to bore you all with the actual moves. I pushed my haulage total to 103 so still some way to go yet.
The moves back home were:
Heathrow Express units 332007 & 011 from T5-Paddington.
S7 stock 21355/21356 Paddington-Edgware Rd (dud) then 21325/21326 winners Edgware Rd-KX.
365527 on the painful 00:35 stagger KX-Peterborough arriving at 02:12.
Fun little trip.

Oslo Tram 140

Oslo Tram 101

Oslo Tram 111

Oslo Tram 116

Oslo T Bane 3138

Oslo T Bane 3151

Class 71 EMU Airport Train 71006

Class 69 EMU 69063

Class 73 EMU 73142 My haulage from Oslo - Gothenburg

Gothenburg Heritage Tram 133

Gothenburg Trams 820 & 732

Gothenburg Trams 447 & 344

Gothenburg Tram 704

Gothenburg Trams 745 & 815

Class Rc6 electric loco 1340 at Gothenburg station

Class Rc7 electric loco 1422 stabled in Gothenburg sidings

Class Rc6 electric locos 1336 & 1326 stabled in Gothenburg sidings

 

[fowler9]

Lovely photos mate, many thanks for sharing.

 

[Techniquest]

Ooh those locos I do recognise from my trip in 2014, I so wanted a go on them!

Very impressive haul you had there, fair game! If you wanted to know the type of plane you went on, if you were to provide details of the airline (SAS I'm assuming) we'd be able to tell you.

 

[Harbornite]

Great shots, I like the look of American motive power and I wouldn't mind going to the USA (particularly California).