Since I had some chores to do in Napa, I figured I'd make the most of it and seek out the Napa Valley Wine Train. As usual, annotations can be toggled on or off depending on your preference. See the description below for accounts of each day, and enjoy the sights and sounds of California's most elegant passenger train on jointed rail.
Day 1 (6-9-16): With the new Quattro Vino wine-tasting train running, I went out hoping to see the NVRR's ex-California Western Alco RS11. I found them using GE 65-tonner #52 for power instead. Figuring it's still a unique consist, I chased the train north to St. Helena, then followed the regular lunch train south with the famous FPA-4's in charge. NVRR 71 was the leader.
Day 2: After a tip-off from one of the managers, I headed back out to the Napa Valley to attempt seeing RS11 #62 again. This time around, I was successful. With FPA-4 #71 down for a 92-day inspection, #62 was forced into service on the regularly scheduled lunch train. I followed the train north with FPA-4 #70 leading, then south with #62 leading.
Background on the Quattro Vino: The QV is the Napa Valley RR's newest service, having just launched this month (June 2016). It runs as a 1 car supplement to the Lunch Train. What sets it apart is the 4 winery tours it stops to do that the lunch train does not. The QV makes scheduled stops at the Robert Mondavi Winery, the Charles Krug Winery (located at the end of the line), Merryvale Vineyards, and the V Sattui Winery for meals and wine tasting. To book reservations, and find out more about the service, visit www.winetrain.org.
28 июн 2016
