LA Wanderings

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Hey guys… It’s been a few months since I’ve posted anything… been crazed with work.

Thought I’d share some nitty-gritty LA shots of late (although no graffiti, as I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t want to share that garbage).
First is of one of the PHL MP20s framed by the PHL sign at Pier A Yard as it shoves a string of gons off the wye. I am curious if this is a regular move? Never figured out any symbols for PHL anyway.

http://freericks.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1627073

Next we have the really cool Amtrak end-cab EMD that began life as a Milwaukee Road SW1200 and is now an Amtrak SW10, working by LA’s version of the Sears Tower (yes, if you go into the records, that really is that building’s name).

http://freericks.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1627074

And finally, a full dozen toasters pulling at what used to be Vail. The Home Depot parking lot there is one of my favorite places to watch trains because you can get hotdogs at the cart and you have a restroom at the store. (And, if you need any tools or household repair items, you have an excuse to go there.)

http://freericks.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1627075

Thanks for looking, and please let me know if you see any mistakes.

Charles Freericks

2

Like the PHL locomotive, it colors are rather neat.

And the Sears building…wish there was more of that design left.

last, I doubt all 12 GEs were on line, but towing that much dead weight means they most likely had a few more running than normal…if all 12 were running and on line, that is a lot of HP, way more than they could or should use…still, it would be cool to hear all 12 notch it up!

3

There’s a delightful irony in seeing the Los Angeles Sears Tower, the building has a resemblance to the former corporate headquarters of Montgomery Ward in Chicago.

As I’ve mentioned before, PHL is using a former ATSF color scheme.

4

I would have to say that would have been really impressive to have seen all 12 engines notch up to power, oh what a wonderful cloud of smoke it would have been.

5

It’s embarrassing to admit, but I realize now that I didn’t notice how many of them were actually running. I do know it got up to speed much faster than I was used to, but on the other hand, if I had to testify to it in court, I would say that there was smoke coming out of about four of them (if).

6

Nice shots. A long line of locomotives always looks impressive, but often its a power move and only so many are working.