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It Doesn’t Get Any Better…
By: Bob Avery
November 16, 2006
 | | Bob Avery |
The scanner crackled. “Extra 949 West, we’re leaving Roseville…”
It doesn’t get any better for two Brits, tired of gray skies and two-car passenger units on tracksides hemmed in by unchecked vegetation. It’s May ’99. We’d flown to San Francisco, rented a 4WD and driven to Cheyenne, checking out photo locations on the former SP/WP route on the way, as well as the UP’s main line across Wyoming. We’d videoed and photographed countless freights in wide open scenery. We’d picked up Northern #844 and Challenger #3985 on their 22-car Ferry move to Sacramento and followed the pair west (see photo 148446), exposing miles of videotape, Sensia and XP2. The scenery was incredible, the trains magnificent (both the steam and the many more freights we saw and filmed) and the people, including residents, trackside railfans and railroad employees, were friendly, welcoming and helpful. We’d used the layover day in Ogden to film diesels in Echo Canyon. We’d rented a helicopter for a couple of hours to record the steam excursion cross the Great Salt Lake – at great expense, but it was worth it! (see photos 147817 and 818). We’d visited the museum at Promontory, Utah which drove home the historic significance of the route we were following. We’d seen Palisade Canyon, we’d gambled (and lost!) in Reno, we’d filmed the westbound California Zephyr on Donner Pass, not to mention the steam and a freight headed by a CSX unit! And the sun shone. It just does not get any better. Jeremy was to tell me later it was “the best two weeks of his life”.
“Extra 949 West, This is Elvas Tower. You’re lined up through to Union Station”. A stack train, probably.
Jeremy’s wife had flown out to meet us for a few days of general sightseeing and Jeremy, considering discretion to be the better part of valor, had gone with her to check out the local shopping malls. I had taken up position near Sacramento’s Elvas Tower (since demolished) to simply wait and watch. We’d heard rumors of a special run with #844 from Roseville to Sacramento this day, but the absence of local railfans at trackside, and the lack of knowledge of some UP staff we spoke to, suggested that this was not to be.
“Elvas, this is Extra 949 West, we’ll be passing you in a couple of minutes.” I could hear horns blowing for distant grade crossings. Still the penny did not drop.
Our trip was nearly over, and I was happy just to wait and see what came by. I’d seen a couple of locals and a BNSF transfer run. I reflected on the last few days – cable cars, PCC cars, street running in Oakland, the Napa Valley Wine train. It didn’t get any better.
And then I saw them, in one heart stopping, thrilling, totally unexpected moment. Three Armor Yellow E-units. I didn’t have time for a color shot and the light wasn’t ideal anyway. But I’d seen and recorded the UP’s prestige “E”s – I thought moments like this were made of fantasy. I’d succeeded in being at the right place at the right time – without any intention or effort!
Jeremy and Gilly returned to collect me. I don’t think Jeremy altogether understood what he’d missed. I was by this time on another planet and didn’t re-enter for some hours!
It just doesn’t get any better. But for one British railfan with a love of the US scene, it just did.
Postscript: This was the #844 trip we’d heard about. The Northern was coupled on the rear, and later worked the train back to Roseville. I’d like to dedicate this article to the memory of the late David Goodheart – a good friend, who joined us for part of our trip, and – in an incredible gesture of generosity, helped with the cost of the helicopter.
Copyright © Bob Avery. All Rights Reserved.
This article has been viewed 5105 times.
User Comments on this Article:
Posted by Nick Hart on November 16, 2006:
Very nice article, and a great photo, Bob.
I saw 949 back in April. It was a very fun experience for me.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Craig Walker on November 17, 2006:
Great story (and photo)! It makes me realize that it has been way too long since my last road trip...
Posted by Railfan Alex on November 19, 2006:
Great story & wonderful picture!
Posted by John Puda on November 22, 2006:
This is a great shot. I like it black and white. It looks very good. Nice reading to.
Posted by Cheesie 2101 on November 24, 2006:
Man,that looks like something out of the 1950's!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Nicholas Benson on November 27, 2006:
Great story! It'd be even better if those picture ID's could get replaced by links though :-)
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