My wife and i will be visiting the San Fransisco Bay area early in July, and she has agreed to let me slip the leash and do some railfanning. Since it has been at least a dozen years since we visited the San Francisco Bay area I have some questions about the railfan scene there. I have a Delorme Atlas for Northern California, and I have the Altamont Press California Timetable, both of which will be helpful. I will also have a rental car to allow me to get around.
First I need to know about the Union Pacific’s (ex SP) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s traffic patterns. I will probably be doing my railfanning on a Monday or a Tuesday.
- How heavy is the traffic on each railroad during the daytime hours between 8 AM and 6 PM?
- What is the predominant direction of traffic on each railroad during the morning or the afternoon?
- Which part of the day is the traffic heavier, morning or afternoon?
- On which end is the power on Amtrak’s Capitols and San Joaquins?
I understand there is a public park in Pinole between the Union Pacific’s and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s tracks which overlooks the San Pablo Bay.
1.Is it possible to photograph eastbound and westbound trains with the San Pablo Bay in the background from this location?
2. Which exit off I 80 will get me to this location in Pinole or to another location where I can photograph eastbound or westbound trains running along the shore of the San Pablo Bay?
I also want to photograph Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains crossing the Alhambra Avenue Viaduct near John Muir’s home in Martinez I believe.
1.Are there places where I could photograph trains crossing the Alhmabra Avenue Viaduct from public property especially to get John Muir’s home in the background ?
2. What is the best time of the day to photograph trains crossing the Alhambra Avenue Viaduct in terms of lighting or traffic drection?
3. If all else fails could I just photogra