Private Varnish
Jul. 13th, 2015 11:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kevin_standleeI have queued up photos that I've not had a chance to edit and release, including the one below of a passing private railroad car.
Amtrak has been running desperately late much of the last two months. Because a very late arrival in Emeryville means a late departure the next morning (same equipment, same crew; you have to allow enough time to clean/restock the train and to let the crew get their rest), they're stuck in a rut. I'd suggest slowing the schedule down even further, but that probably wouldn't work because they'd just fall behind that one as well, and furthermore when they run as they can run they'd have to "wait on time" a lot, which is almost as annoying.
A few days ago, I heard on the scanner, "Amtrak 5, diverging approach, East Fernley." Now #5, the westbound California Zephyr should come through at about 7:45 AM when on schedule, but this was more than three hours later, which unfortunately is not too bad these days. (There have in fact been days when the westbound has come through after the eastbound, and the latter should pass at 4:45 PM. I've never yet seen the two trains meet each other at Fernley, but it seems to be only a matter of time before it happens.) "Diverging approach" means "slow down, prepared to enter siding." The dispatcher was sending #5 into the siding to meet an opposing train. By necessity, Fernley Siding's speed limit is much slower than the 60 MPH allowed on the main line. This is bad for a train falling progressively farther behind (late trains get later), but good for a photo opportunity.
I alerted Lisa that Amtrak was coming through and we went out to have a look. As we saw the train slowly rolling along, I could see that there was a private car on the rear, and snapped this shot of dome car Sierra Hotel "carrying the markers." There was at least one person aboard. I don't know if this was a deadhead movement (in which case this was one of the car's attendants and possibly the owner) or part of a tour. (I'd love to have a seat in the dome for the trip through Feather River Canyon and the Colorado River Canyon someday; the former no longer has scheduled train service aside from an occasional diverted Zephyr.)
Yes, one of our dreams is to own a private railroad car. They're less expensive than you might think, especially compared to Bay Area housing prices. But having a place to store and maintain it, that takes some doing. But if we had the money for the car, we probably would also have the money to pay UP to put in a small spur off the existing Fernley House Tracks and to buy the plot of land where the derelict building (and unlicensed bordello) used to be across the street and to put up a building into which we could store the car. Such a siding would doubtless be much easier than a mainline switch. We'd have to pay BNSF or UP to switch the car down to Sparks to be attached to the Zephyr, but it seems plausible, at least.
Amtrak has been running desperately late much of the last two months. Because a very late arrival in Emeryville means a late departure the next morning (same equipment, same crew; you have to allow enough time to clean/restock the train and to let the crew get their rest), they're stuck in a rut. I'd suggest slowing the schedule down even further, but that probably wouldn't work because they'd just fall behind that one as well, and furthermore when they run as they can run they'd have to "wait on time" a lot, which is almost as annoying.
A few days ago, I heard on the scanner, "Amtrak 5, diverging approach, East Fernley." Now #5, the westbound California Zephyr should come through at about 7:45 AM when on schedule, but this was more than three hours later, which unfortunately is not too bad these days. (There have in fact been days when the westbound has come through after the eastbound, and the latter should pass at 4:45 PM. I've never yet seen the two trains meet each other at Fernley, but it seems to be only a matter of time before it happens.) "Diverging approach" means "slow down, prepared to enter siding." The dispatcher was sending #5 into the siding to meet an opposing train. By necessity, Fernley Siding's speed limit is much slower than the 60 MPH allowed on the main line. This is bad for a train falling progressively farther behind (late trains get later), but good for a photo opportunity.
I alerted Lisa that Amtrak was coming through and we went out to have a look. As we saw the train slowly rolling along, I could see that there was a private car on the rear, and snapped this shot of dome car Sierra Hotel "carrying the markers." There was at least one person aboard. I don't know if this was a deadhead movement (in which case this was one of the car's attendants and possibly the owner) or part of a tour. (I'd love to have a seat in the dome for the trip through Feather River Canyon and the Colorado River Canyon someday; the former no longer has scheduled train service aside from an occasional diverted Zephyr.)
Yes, one of our dreams is to own a private railroad car. They're less expensive than you might think, especially compared to Bay Area housing prices. But having a place to store and maintain it, that takes some doing. But if we had the money for the car, we probably would also have the money to pay UP to put in a small spur off the existing Fernley House Tracks and to buy the plot of land where the derelict building (and unlicensed bordello) used to be across the street and to put up a building into which we could store the car. Such a siding would doubtless be much easier than a mainline switch. We'd have to pay BNSF or UP to switch the car down to Sparks to be attached to the Zephyr, but it seems plausible, at least.
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no subject
Date: 2015-07-13 07:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-13 07:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 12:02 am (UTC)Anyway -- dreaming is nice, and if you *do* get to try it, hope you have a blast!
A friend not much involved in fandom any more has recently bought one of the little powered work-cars that run along the rails, and joined the fan organization for them. They apparently can get the railroads to lead them on expeditions fairly easily, so he's traveled hundreds of miles in his already (accompanied with a modern car run by the railroad, presumably to make sure they're never in the wrong place at the wrong time).
no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 06:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 12:22 am (UTC)There are three cars there. Two look like that they are in their original livery, and the third is the Patron Taquila Express. One is a dome car, but I cannot recall exactly the other cars are for sure.
I'd like to spend a bit more time looking at these if/when I get time downtown without other things to do.
no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 06:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 05:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 06:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 01:21 pm (UTC)1. We experienced some sort of convention of "speeders" a few years ago while visiting the Grand Canyon. There were many (dozens?) of them. Unfortunately I didn't get to see the procession or recession but there were many colors and styles about.
2. We've talked (mostly joked) about private varnish ownership. It doesn't help when one's partner is heavily involved in hot air ballooning already -- not exactly an inexpensive hobby itself. But we can dream!
3. I don't know if you saw my blog (rant?) about our aborted Amtrak trip last month. I understand the need to delay and even annul trains -- what I didn't get was Amtrak's negligence in following up with their customers (us). Left a bad taste in my mouth for rail travel -- and from me, that's quite a statement.
no subject
Date: 2015-07-14 04:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-20 04:43 am (UTC)