Welcome railfanners and friends to my fourth blog post! Today I will mention some fun Christmas train events to attend, and other fun train rides in California.

Christmas time is coming! We're all very excited. The Metrolink trains are excited too. So there is an annual Christmas train that runs through cities such as Simi Valley, Oxnard, Oceanside, Riverside, Irvine and many other stations in Southern California. It’s a train that performs shows, plays music and it’s even decorated with Christmas lights. Furthermore, the show is free although they ask that you bring a small gift for charity. I think this is a fun event and I certainly recommend it.  Sadly it is not running this year but maybe it will be here again next year.

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/news/news_item/news_id/870.html 

Another fun Christmas train ride in Woodland, CA features a two hour show and train ride with a special story “Morgan and the Magical Christmas train”. More information can be found here http://www.sacramentorivertrain.com/whistletix.php?Page%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.whistletix.com%2fSacramentoRiverTrain%2fEventPage.aspx%3fEID%3d171676

Welcome back to my RailNut blog, week three! This week I will post some information about how to railfan (the equipment you’ll need), and as usual I will post the rail word of the day, my new quiz, and the answers to my previous quiz.

If you are a beginner railfanner, you might wonder what equipment you need, and what kind I recommend. Most camera companies sell cameras that are quite reasonable for railfanning. I personally suggest buying a rather small camera, instead of than a heavy-duty camera. When you’re trackside, you might have a dolly, a camera, and a camera bag (with extra batteries and SD-cards), so having a large camera can make it a lot harder to go over a bridge or under a tunnel to access another track. Back in the day, if you wanted even reasonable quality film for video, you had to use a very large and expensive camera. These days you can purchase a small camera with full high definition recording (which is what I have) for only $150 or so. Tripods can also be found used on eBay or Amazon for very low prices.

Some railfaners tend to go railfanning with just their cameras, with no tripod, dolly, extra batteries or even extra SD-cards. My book mentions when and when not to bring a tripod and other equipment. A dolly is also useful to wheel your camera and tripod around when there’s an overload of trains.

Another fun railfanning tool is called a scanner, basically a ham radio. This little device can pick up radio signals from the train crew, workers in the yards, and also dispatchers. I currently own a GRE PSR-700 which I find very useful in knowing the cause of delays (this information is from dispatchers and the engineer), when and where the trains are arriving, when they are departing and at what station, and just listing for fun. The only unfortunate thing is that railroad radios are only 5watts, which doesn’t give you much signal when you’re very far from the tracks. Some people use scanners to listen to emergency services, public safety and air-traffic-control. Also people like to get extra antennas to stick on top of their car or house to get much better reception. Railroad frequencies include 97 channels between 160 and 162 megahertz. I would recommend GRE scanners. They have stopped making them, but you can still buy used GRE scanners are great! A few suggestions are to make sure the scanner you purchase is analog, make sure it can access channels between 160 and 162m, and purchase a more powerful antenna.

Now that we’ve discussed the equipment you’ll need, lets go into the details on how to railfan. Preparation: Download my free eBook (see link in right-hand column) and choose which location you would like. Since only a few of my locations have directions, I recommend you go on Google maps and print out some directions (and, if you have a GPS, the address). Next I recommend checking the schedule for trains in your area, and read the description of the station in my book. Then, choose a time to go, when there’s a major overload, which is usually in the morning and evening rush hours. Or, if you can only go other times, choose commuter trains. These trains stop at most stations, which will double the film you get if it’s an Amtrak/Metrolink shared station.

Once you finished planning, you should consider getting to your destination by some means other than car. If your railfanning destination is San Diego (for example) and you live in Los Angeles, you can take Metrolink and Coaster or Amtrak to avoid the stress of driving.

However you go, when you arrive don’t waste time chilling out or eating at nearby restaurants without checking the schedule, because there could be an overload you might miss.  That happens to me all the time. I come, wait 30 minutes and no trains come so I leave. Then, right when we get in the car a train comes. Then, we go past a railroad crossing, and I see train headlights in both directions. Get the picture?

Anyway once you set up, check the schedule and set up your camera at least 10 minutes before any scheduled trains (tip, you can set up your camera and zoom in to see trains a lot farther than your eye can). You have to choose your trains. When railfanning, there might be four Metrolink trains coming in on one track and two Amtrak trains on the other. You have to choose which is more important, seeing those two special Amtrak trains, or the four Metrolink trains that will come all the time. Personally I prefer the Amtrak trains, but it’s always up to you.

Setting up your camera. When you set up your camera, the most important thing is that you tighten the knob to hold the camera very steady. As I always say, trains come in at high speed and they can wobble your camera, which usually ruins your viedo. Do not tighten the knob until your camera is in position. I suggest practicing following the train with your camera before its arrival, that way you know you’ll record it properly.

1.  Here are the answers to my previous train quiz: What trains does Fullerton station link together: Amtrak, Metrolink, BNSF and Southwest Chief

1.  How many tracks are located in Fullerton: 3

1.  What’s the final destination of Amtrak 572: San Diego

1.  What time is the departure of Coast Starlight train number 14? 10:10 AM

5. How many stops does the standard Amtrak Surfliner make from San Diego to Los Angeles? 9

6. How many platforms are located in Irvine? 2

7. What company owns the tracks from Camarillo to Seattle? Union Pacific

8. How many gallons does a standard train fuel tank carry? 2,200 gallons

9. What is Amtrak’s official name? National Railroad Passenger Cooperation

10. Name the stops the standard Amtrak Surfliner train makes from San Diego to Los Angeles: San Diego, Solana Beach, Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton and Los Angeles.

Here is this week’s quiz:

When did the first Amtrak train run?

What type of locomotive does Amtrak trains long-distance trains use?

List the order of the Superliner consist including locomotives and baggage car.

Name the two prime companies that own the majority of railroad property in the United States.

Name the four sleeping accommodations Amtrak offers.

Are café/lounge cars offered on non-long-distance trains?

Are full sit-down meals available on short-distance trains?

What type of locomotive is used on APS trains?

What freight company owns the tracks form Los Angeles to Chicago?

What is a side track?

How would a yardmaster or engineer know which P42DC locomotive was his since they all look alike?

True or false. Amtrak serves all states in the lower 48:

Answers to this quiz will be posted on Monday December 15

Suggested links:

http://store.sony.com/?XID=O:sony:dg_retail_gglsrch:e&adparam=sem73p1118581g-c&k_id=1a598511-e1f4-a608-9b8f-0000675b9baf&searchdef=2447599&k_clickid=1a598511-e1f4-a608-9b8f-0000675b9baf&affcode=1118581&002=2447599&006=33439303564&007=Search&008=&009=e&012=sony&021=18077287200&025=c&026= (Sony website)

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras?gclid=CJ6v9d6RibsCFUho7Aodd2wAdg&cm_mmc=GA-_-CameraGroup-_-130913Brand%20Paid%20Search-_-canon%20cameras (Canon website)

http://www.greamerica.com (GRE scanners)

http://www.uniden.com (Uniden scanners)

Railroad word of the day: Middle ordinate. The distance measured from gage line of rail on a curve to the middle of a string drawn taut, and held to contact with gage line of rail at its ends. The middle ordinate is a convenient means to describe curvature, and is used in the adjustment of curves and the investigation of accidents. It is also a factor in bending rails to a desired curvature.

Thanks for reading railfaners more next Monday,

Skyler

Onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada

  

Welcome to my fourth RailNut blog post! Today I will be posting some information about Amtrak’s long-distance trains and the services they provide. I will also include the answers to my quiz as I promised, and post my railroad word of the day.  

Amtrak operates 9 Superliner long-distance routes in the United States with thousands of route miles shared with freight companies. These routes have a lot in common, but there are still some differences. Amtrak Superliner long distance trains have two main options for passengers, coach seating or private sleeping accommodations. Coach seats are large and very comfortable with foot and leg rests.

As for sleeping accommodations, Amtrak offers four choices. You can choose from a Roomette (which is a small room with no toilet or shower for two people), a Superliner bedroom (a bedroom which has its own private toilet, sink, vanity and shower), a family bedroom which is made to accommodate four people instead of two like the roomette and bedroom), and a Handicapped accessible bedroom which is fully equipped for passengers with disabilities.

The Superliner bedroom is designed for 2 people (it can accommodate 3 in a pinch, since the lower berth is very wide) but it can be combined with another Superliner bedroom to make a suite for four people and is always located on the upper level. The roomettes are mostly on the upper level, but there are 4 downstairs that are made to accommodate 2 passengers each. The handicapped and family bedrooms are always located downstairs.

I always recommend that you get rooms upstairs no matter what! I would highly suggest that you never purchase the family or handicapped bedrooms because these rooms are directly on top of the wheels and you’ll never sleep! Even if you have four people traveling, you can call the Amtrak phone (800-USA- RAIL), and specify that you want two roomettes on the upper level. That way, you don’t take the chance of being booked on the lower level by accident. Even though the roomettes on the lower level are not directly on top of the wheels, the scenery is much better on the upper level. I would also suggest that you get rooms towards the front of the train, so you have few people walking past your room to get back and forth from the dining car.

Amtrak also offers full dinning service (try their Signature steak) on the Superliner long-distance service trains, as well as a lounge car with snacks and beverages. These cars are personally my favorite (especially the lounge cars). The lounge cars have a fun configuration with tables on the upper level to play games, and the other half of the upper level has swivel seats. The lower level has the snack bar and the whole car has oversized windows for great viewing of the scenery.

As I have promised, here are the answers to the last quiz:

1: Difference between Viewliner and Superliner:

Viewliner trains are used mostly east of the Mississippi River and only have one level. They consist of a baggage car (the same type as Superliner), a sleeping car with normal windows, along with the ones for the upper berths of roomettes. There is no family sleeper on Viewliner trains.

The lounge car on Viewliner trains is the same used on most Amtrak short haul trains.  The lounge car is mostly made up of tables and has a cafe in the center of the car. The lounge car is used on the Empire service, Northeast Regional, and many other routes.

Coach cars are slightly different from Amtrak short-haul trains mentioned before. On single level long distance trains, Amtrak uses Amfleet 2 coaches, which are slightly different from Amfleet 1 which is used on many Amtrak short haul trains such as Keystone Service, Empire Service, Northeast Regional and other routes. The difference is comfort: Amfleet 1 stuffs more people in with less legroom. Amtrak’s Amfleet 2 coaches are designed for sleeping and have less seats.

The dining car is very different from the rest of the train.  There are also windows at the top and the door is near the center of the car.

Superliner:

The Superliner lounge car features extra windows on the top, swivel seats, a cafe located downstairs, and is only used on Superliner trains.

Superliner dining cars have doors in the center of the car on both sides and there are no windows in the center of the car.  Other than that, it is similar to the rest of the consist.

2: What is the only train that uses Deluxe sleepers?

The Auto Train, which goes from Lorton (near Washington D.C.) to Sanford (near Orlando, Florida)

3: What is a transition sleeper, which trains is it used on and where is it located on the train:

A transition sleeper is generally used for the crew.  It is used on all Superliner long distance trains. Sometimes if there is room they will sell some rooms to passengers (the entire upper level is roomettes, the lower level has one Handicapped bedroom and a crew lounge). A Superliner transition sleeper is located just behind the baggage car with a special lower level connection to the singe-level baggage car (one reason why a special car is needed as the baggage car is a different height than the locomotives and bi-level cars).

On Viewliner trains, the crew must use the normal passenger sleeper cars.

4: What is the origin and final destination of the Southwest Chief:  Los Angeles-Chicago (40+ hours)

5: List as many Superliner (double-decker, or more professionally called, Bi-level) routes as you can.  Hint, most Superliner routes are west of the Mississippi River:

Auto Train, California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle.

6: What is the name of the locomotive that Amtrak operates on most of its short-haul and long distance trains?  Hint: it is 4,000 horsepower.   P42DC (Direct Current)

7:  Exclusively on all Amtrak California short distance trains they use a special locomotive, name it:

F59PHI

8: Where are the origin and destination for most Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains (hint, the answer is not San Luis Obispo): San Diego (SAN) and Los Angeles Union Station (LAX)

9: List the standard Amtrak Superliner consist including Sleepers, Coaches, Diners, Lounges, Baggage car, and Locomotive(s) in order:  Two P42DC locomotives, one baggage car, one transition sleeper, two Sleepers, one dinning car, one lounge car, and 2 or 3 coaches.

10: List the California Zephyr origin and destination from west to Midwest: Chicago-Emeryville (San Francisco)

This week’s Quiz. *For questions 1, 3 and 7 just tell me which numbers are the answer (there can be more than one answer)

1. What trains does Fullerton station link together?

1.  Amtrak

2.  Metrolink

3.  Union pacific

4.  BNSF

5.  Coaster

6.  Coast Starlight

7.  Southwest Chief

2. How many platforms are located in Fullerton station?

3. What’s the final destination of Amtrak 572?

Los Angeles

San Diego

4. How many stops does the standard Amtrak Surfliner make from San Diego to Los Angeles?

5. What time is the departure of Coast Starlight train number 14?

6. How many platforms are located in Irvine?

7. What company owns the railroad tracks from Camarillo to Seattle?

Union Pacific

Amtrak

BNSF

8. How many gallons does a standard train fuel tank carry?

9. What is Amtrak's official name?

10. Name the stops the standard Amtrak Surfliner makes from San Diego to Los Angeles:   

Suggested links:

Amtrak.com, Amtraktrains.com.

Explanation of Terms:

Superliner: Visit this Wikipedia link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superliner_(railcar)

Viewliner: Visit this Wikipedia link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viewliner

Consist - the set of vehicles forming a complete train.

Railroad word of the day:

Gage tool - A tool by which the gage of track is determined. It is made of wood and steel, or all steel and sometimes has a guardrail gage attached.  It may be combined with a track level.

Thanks for reading, please make comments,

Sky

Tracks in West Corona facing East