After a couple months of work in Northern California, I received a brief work relocation back to Southern California for the next few months; so in light of my drive back to SoCal, I decided to make a quick trip and finally get to do some railfanning along Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line (otherwise referred to as the SCRRA Valley Subdivision). My trip primarily comprised of railfanning at the Lancaster, Palmdale, and Vincent Grade / Acton Metrolink stations in that order, respectively, after arriving into Lancaster the night before. The Lancaster Metrolink Station serves as the northern terminus for the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line, where trainsets are either stored overnight or turned for runs back south to Los Angeles Union Station. Likewise, Lancaster additionally also serves as a crew base for Metrolink train crews with their own dedicated office located in the depot. The station consists of a relatively newer depot with typical amenities, although the station itself has rather minimal architectural features. However, the particularly interesting thing to note though is the equipment layover facility that is situated here. The storage track that is across from the platform adjacent track are capable of storing 4 - four car trainsets, however, due in part to the design and boarding from only one track, only two trainsets can be stored on the track adjacent to the platform (6 - four car trainsets total can be stored here at Lancaster). Thus, as a result, once all trainsets adjacent to the platform have departed for Los Angeles, any originating Metrolink trains from Lancaster without a prior train turn are required to proceed south out of the storage track to switch over and back into the station for boarding. Ultimately, the same also applies for trains terminating at Lancaster at the end of the day. Additionally, the station also happens to have a fair amount of security here due to the poorer demographics this station sees, however the security was rather welcoming of my presence during my stay. Overall, whether it is the plentiful Metrolink action or the easy accessibility to watch the trains, or simply taking the morning commute into the Los Angeles area, the Lancaster Metrolink Station is certainly worth checking out.
Train 1 : Metrolink #202 with CabCar #670 & MP36PH-3C #898. With a departure time of 4:46am, it sure was an early morning out railfanning ! Nice conductor on #202.
Train 2 : Metrolink #204 with CabCar #663 & F59PHI #882. With #202 cleared out of Lancaster, #204 moves south to begin boarding passengers for the run to Los Angeles.
Train 3 : Metrolink #282 with CabCar #639 & F59PHI #879. This train is one of only two Express trains Metrolink operates in its entire system. The other one is #285, the northbound counterpart to #282, both of which are solely operated on the Antelope Valley Line.
Train 4 : Union Pacific MWCRVB-14 with C45AH #8251, SD70ACe #8578, C44ACCTE #5819, #5813, #5973, & C45AH #2721(DPU). Shortly after Metrolink #282 departs for Palmdale, UP MWCRVB-14 appears in the distance and passes by with a good amount of speed and wind !
Train 5 : Metrolink #206 with CabCar #680 & F59PH #865. Always welcoming to see an old but very reliable F59PH operating !
Train 6 : Metrolink #208 with CabCar #672 & F59PHI #885.
Thanks for Watching !
20 дек 2018
