Some photos of my railfanning around the East Bay 2015

Itsed65 · Sep 27, 2011

Some more BNSF Franklin Canyon action...

I was totally expecting a westbound train when I heard the horn from behind me, and had to spin around and quickly change my exposure settings to get this eastbound stack train coming at me.

Big and lound, you can really feel it from this close as 5 locos rumble on by in the ever so slightly unsharp picture. I quickly grabbed my other camera with my wide angle and just "prayed and sprayed"

Then back to my other camera and lens combo

Silence then returned to the canyon.

Bill Anderson · Sep 28, 2011

Itsed65 said:
Caught the newest "Lifesaver" scheme for CADOTX (Otherwise known as Amtrak California)

Amtrak California? Was "Caltrak" already taken?

I can sympathize with you having to switch back and forth between cameras.

When I set up on Sunset Ave. for Mile Post 18 shots, I mount my 5D/24-105L on my tripod and keep the 7D/100-400L hung around my neck or sitting on a nearby bench or picnic table. That way the 5D is pretty much lined up for shots of an oncoming train if I have to switch cameras, such as when an eagle or osprey passes by.

Is there anywhere in Franklin Canyon where you can set up above the train and shoot down on it or are you limited to trackside shots?

NM_RailNut · Sep 28, 2011

Bill Anderson said:
Amtrak California? Was "Caltrak" already taken?

Caltrans has actually used the "Amtrak California" branding for state-funded Amtrak routes since 1976 (on official documents, at least); it wasn't until the mid-1990s that Caltrans began using it openly on locomotives and rolling stock that it had purchased for those routes.

Itsed65 · Sep 28, 2011

Bill Anderson said:
.

Is there anywhere in Franklin Canyon where you can set up above the train and shoot down on it or are you limited to trackside shots?

Not that I have found. I'm pretty limited in getting around as I am minus one leg thanks to an accident a few years back, so I have to pretty much be on or dang near a road or a paved pathway to get my shots. Otherwise I know of several spots in my area I could get great top down shots if I could hike a bit into the brush.

I'm not sure about Franklin Canyon though. As close as it is to civilization, the tracks go through some pretty remote areas, and a lot of private property. The only shots I have seen from above are ruined by power lines, etc.

Bill Anderson · Sep 29, 2011

Itsed65 said:
I'm not sure about Franklin Canyon though. As close as it is to civilization, the tracks go through some pretty remote areas, and a lot of private property. The only shots I have seen from above are ruined by power lines, etc.

Which is probably why there are so few photos of Franklin Canyon in Santa Fe photo books.

NM_RailNut · Sep 29, 2011

It is, and the photographers who took the really good shots probably had to get permission from the property owners.

Itsed65 · Oct 1, 2011

Tank train rolling eastbound through Crockett California at the Eckley crossing. First shot with a 40D using 100-400mm

These shots with 5D2 and 16-35mm

And the end...

Back to the dentist at Mare Island (Vallejo CA) I found the TCRY SD9 out in front of the Alstom facility that will be doing the re furb on California's Bi Levels

jkinzel · Oct 1, 2011

Wow, another set of great shots. No. 1 and No. 4 are amazing. Thank you.

Itsed65 · Oct 5, 2011

jkinzel said:
Wow, another set of great shots. No. 1 and No. 4 are amazing. Thank you.

Thanks! I'm just glad I have a hobby that gets me out of the house now and again

BNSF coming from the other way...

It's getting too dark too early for my usual spot to sit after work. The shadows are getting to intrusive.

So I parked down the road a bit the next time

And another quick switch to the 5D with the ultra wide

And while waiting for trains by the bay last weekend I was buzzed by a flock of geese

But my patience paid off

Itsed65 · Oct 10, 2011

Caught some more action on the Richmond Pacific a while back. This time they were using a leased GMTX SW-1500 to switch the Cemex cement terminal

Hope you enjoy and thanks for looking!

SamReeves · Oct 12, 2011

The old SP cruds just keep going and going.

NM_RailNut · Oct 12, 2011

No surprise there, given how many older SWs are still in use; they'll probably keep going for many more years to come (unless environmental regulations require their rebuilding or replacement).

Itsed65 · Oct 22, 2011

Some more from around the Port of Richmond.

SW1500

GP15

I know, I know, it has strings coming out of it

BNSF genset backing a string of autoracks into place for loading some brand new Hondas

Itsed65 · Oct 25, 2011

The westbound Zephyr the other week had a nice surprise at the end

A Zephyr dome observation car!

Then some east coast guest help on a baretable train

And that was about it for that weekend

pmpete · Oct 25, 2011

Nice Bay area round up. One place I have not lived near on the west coast. Great photographic quality. Like your cloudy day shots, its easy to be a fair weather railfan.
Pete

Itsed65 · Oct 29, 2011

pmpete said:
Nice Bay area round up. One place I have not lived near on the west coast. Great photographic quality. Like your cloudy day shots, its easy to be a fair weather railfan.
Pete

Thanks Pete. It's pretty easy for me to get out in bad weather, considering what passes for bad weather in these parts

Some more BNSF action...

Genset at work pushing a string of auto racks into place for loading another boatload of Hondas in Point Richmond.

Westbound automobile train passing a string of parked empties near the west end of Franklin canyon.

Warbonnet unit for #2 in the consist.

Slightly over exposed

New cars headed somewhere

Rare for a weekend, a second train came by less than thirty minutes later. UPS train this time.

Lots of packages on the move

Thanks for looking

Itsed65 · Nov 5, 2011

A little of this and a little of that this time. I've been in withdrawl becuase I have had my cameras in the shop getting some stubborn sensor dust taken care of.

Its getting darker earlier these days and the shadows are getting long, making it tougher to find a good spot. 4 GE's heading the fast UPS train west.

OK, it't not a train, but when I was at the old Santa Fe Ferry Point in Richmond last week, I looked up and was amzed to see the USS Iowa being towed into port there for some hull scraping before it heads to its final home down in LA where it will be converted to a museum. It had been up in Suisun Bay for the last few years rusting away. There must be some old Navy types on this board, so this is for you!

The weekend UPS train is much shorter, so less motive power

Here I am experimenting with long exposures using a new variable ND filter. The Captial Corridor speeding toward its next stop in Richmond

I like this exposure better, but hate the stupid tree shadow right on the train!

Old EMD workhorse still on the job

Anotehr load of Utah iron ore bound for the Port of Richmond

A local coming back to the Ozal yard in Martinez from Davis

And to close with, a close up of an SD70M. Have a good week everyone!

jkinzel · Nov 5, 2011

Wow, What a great batch of photos. I like the Capital Corridor exposures, even the tree shadow creates a bit of interest.

Thanks for the photo of the USS Iowa, it is a great part of our history. I was in the Navy from 1968 to 1972, Quartermaster, (navigation), LSD 2 - USS Belle Grove, TAD on LPA 248 - USS Paul Revere and 2.5 year on CVA 41 - USS Midway. I can't say it was the most enjoyable part of my life, but I would not trade the experience for the world.

Itsed65 · Nov 10, 2011

jkinzel said:
Wow, What a great batch of photos. I like the Capital Corridor exposures, even the tree shadow creates a bit of interest.

Thanks for the photo of the USS Iowa, it is a great part of our history. I was in the Navy from 1968 to 1972, Quartermaster, (navigation), LSD 2 - USS Belle Grove, TAD on LPA 248 - USS Paul Revere and 2.5 year on CVA 41 - USS Midway. I can't say it was the most enjoyable part of my life, but I would not trade the experience for the world.

Thanks! Yeah it was pretty cool seeing that big battlewagon up close. I hear they are going to have it open to the public for a bit up here, that would be neat. I loved my whole 21 years in the Air Force, but I was air crew and had a really great job which I realize does not happen to everyone who joins the service

Autumn has finally arrived in the bay area, and we had a couple of rainy days last week. That combined with it getting darker earlier and earlier is going to curtail my afterwork train spotting for a few months

Here though, are some good ones I have taken lately.

Another Saturday short UPS train

Still working on long exposures. Even though I forgot my tripod mount and hand held this one, I think it came out OK

Spent an hour or so dring a rainy afternoon at the end of the Ozal yard and got some good ones.They had all 5 of their Geeps lashed together for some switching with the red leased GP-38-2 in the lead.