Railcars and Graffiti

Some graffiti is offensive and vulgar.  Some of it doesn't seem to make any sense.  Then there are times when it actually resembles art.  

Rust will never rest.  Wasco, Ca.

TCK. Buttonwillow, Ca.

The Eye.  Wasco, Ca.

Bird. Wasco, Ca.

Coast Starlight

During the month of February Amtrak's Coast Starlight detoured over the Tehachapi Mountains.  

Monolith, Ca.

Joshua at the Tehachapi Loop.

Coast Starlight at the Tehachapi Loop.

Joey and Emma watching the Coast Starlight exit Tunnel 2.

Coast Starlight at Tunnel 2.

Coast Starlight east of Bakersfield, Ca.

Amtrak's 40th Anniversary - Part 2

Amtrak's 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train departed Washington, D.C. on May 7, 2011. Since then it has traveling west with many stops along the way.  On November 19 it arrived in Bakersfield and I had the opportunity to view the wonderful displays about the history of Amtrak.  Below are a few pictures of the train and displays.

Amtrak's 40th Anniversary - Part 1

In honor of Amtrak's 40th birthday I am posting some of my favorite photographs of Amtrak trains.

Rerouted Coast Starlight crossing the Tehachapi Mountains.

Northbound Coast Starlight in the siding at Grover Beach, Ca.

Northbound Coast Starlight in Pismo Beach, Ca.

Southbound Coast Starlight at Callender, Ca.

Northbound Coast Starlight crossing a bridge at Surf, Ca.

Southbound Coast Starlight at Grover Beach, Ca.

Southbound Pacific Surfliner at the station in Grover Beach, Ca.

Southbound Pacific Surfliner south of Guadalupe, Ca.

Northbound Pacific Surfliner in Grover Beach, Ca.  Photo was 1 second exposure with flash.

Northbound San Joaquin in Wasco, Ca.

Southbound San Joaquin at Central Ave in Shafter, Ca.

Northbound San Joaquin approaching the station in Wasco, Ca.

Southbound San Joaquin at Sandrini, Ca.

Amtrak F40PH bringing a northbound San Joaquin into the station at Wasco, Ca.

Ceremony celebrating the arrival of the 6th Amtrak California San Joaquin.  The San Joaquin's make 2 round trips from Bakersfield to Sacramento and 4 round trips Bakersfield to Oakland on a daily basis.  Photo taken in Wasco, Ca.

Amtrak California 2007, an F59PHI, wearing a special Operation Lifesaver paint scheme.  Photo taken in Wasco, Ca.

The Train Hill

I really like trains.  I always have and always will.  My children also like trains and we try to spend as much time as possible watching trains.  We have found an old loading dock in town from which we can view trains.  The kids call this loading dock the train hill.  Below are a few photos of them enjoying their time at the train hill.

Joey waving to the crew of an eastbound BNSF baretable train.

Playing at the train hill.

Waiting for the train.

Anticipating the arrival of another train.

Sometimes the trains are loud.