After a couple of years residing in the capitol of the golden state, I decided to finally head out and do a comprehensive railfanning video of the Sacramento (i.e. Sacramento Valley) Amtrak Station and nearby trackside spots, including the Sacramento River waterfront. It’s been a good couple years since I was here in 2012, and a lot has changed from my previous video. Since 2012, this station has seen the completion of the track and platform relocation, as well as a new (and relatively long) walkway to the platforms. The original Southern Pacific Depot built in 1925 is still in operation and was recently renovated and completed in 2017. Removal of the old mainline alignment has been completed as well as the addition of fencing around the entire area surrounding the station to deter trespassing. The original SP Shops still exist in the background, where they await a redevelopment project known as the “Railyards”; though little construction has occurred to date besides the completion of a few streets. The old station had storage tracks where the trainsets had to be switched, but with the new platforms being longer, new fueling stations, and having their own dedicated sidings, the trains are now divided to either the west or east end of the platforms until its next assignment, where the Capitol Corridor trainsets will then be moved to the west end and the San Joaquin trainsets to the east end to begin boarding. Through this setup, the storage capacity has increased to eight trainsets. It is also neat being able to see the Amtrak engineers wash off the front of their engines and show off their train for the journey ahead. Overall, whether it is the neat catches, plentiful vantage points, nearby railroad museum, or train action, Sacramento continues to be a great place to railfan !
Train 1 : Amtrak 11 (Coast Starlight) with P42DC #195 & #18. With just seconds after walking up onto the platform, a very early southbound Coast Starlight from Seattle arrives into Sacramento at the break of dawn. This train will remain in the station for a little over an hour until its scheduled departure of 6:35am.
Train 2 : Amtrak 523 with F59PHI #2007 & CabCar #8309. Not long after 11’s arrival, 523 departs for San Jose.
Train 3 : Amtrak 525 with F59PHI #2010 & CabCar #8311.
Train 4 : Amtrak 702 with CabCar #8310 & SC-44 #2105. Shortly after 525’s departure, the first of only two daily southbound Amtrak trains from Sacramento to Bakersfield departs into the morning light.
Train 5 : Amtrak 527 with SC-44 #2102 & CabCar #8303. After moving from the east end of the station, 527 boards passengers before departing for San Jose.
Train 6 : Amtrak 520 with CabCar #6964 & SC-44 #2104.
Train 7 : Amtrak 529 with SC-44 #2101 & CabCar #6961. Not long after 520’s arrival, 529 (the only round trip train to Auburn) appears for a stop before continuing to Oakland. Nice horn action !
Train 8 : Amtrak 522 with F59PHI #2013, #2008, CabCar #8302, & #8306. After spending the early morning on the platform, I relocated west near the old track alignment I remember back in 2012. Interesting vantage point of the I Street Bridge in my opinion !
Train 9 : Amtrak 531 with SC-44 #2104 & CabCar #6964. An interesting contrast in my opinion with the Sacramento Locomotive Works in the background and the modern Siemens Charger, also made here in Sacramento; representing the changing times and the return of locomotive manufacturing back to the city.
Train 10 : Amtrak 524 with CabCar #6965 & F59PHI #2003. Decided to try another spot, now up on the I Street Bridge. A nice vantage point in my opinion !
Train 11 : Amtrak 535 with F59PHI #2008, #2013, CabCar #8302, & #8306. Another interesting shot on the bridge I’d say ! Awesome engineer on 535 !
Train 12 : Union Pacific MRVWS-15 with C45ACCTE #5278, #5291, C44AC #7091, & C44ACCTE #5928. This train sure did sneak up on me and is also one of the longest trains I’ve seen to date !
Train 13 : Amtrak 6 (California Zephyr) with P42DC #144 & #38. Arriving only four minutes early, the engineers hurry to get the front of their locomotive washed for the journey east. Nice horn action upon departure !
Train 14 : Union Pacific YSR61R-15 (Port Job) with GP40-2 #1376 & GP22T4 #1005. This train also snuck up on me as it was just behind Amtrak 6. The crew will wait until Amtrak 6 departs before continuing east. Very interesting to see the new GP22T4 for the first time !
Train 15 : Amtrak 701 with SC-44 #2103 & CabCar #8304. Coming up from Bakersfield, the one of only two northbound Amtrak San Joaquins to Sacramento arrives on time.
Train 16 : Amtrak 537 with F59PHI #2003 & CabCar #6965. With the action slowing down, I headed over to the banks of the Sacramento River to cool off and to catch a few more trains, now watching them go over the I Street Bridge.
Train 17 : Amtrak 528 with CabCar #6962 & F59PHI #2002. After this train, I called it a successful morning of railfanning and headed home.
Thanks for Watching !
29 июл 2019
