On June 10, 2017, California’s Metrolink conducted tests with their first operable F125. SCAX 905 was built by Electro-Motive in May 2016, and delivered to Metrolink on June 16, 2016. It (along with all the other new F125s) had a lot of teething problems. (Actually, it was more like having to fit these engines with dentures!) To test the engine, it was hauled to Metrolink's Pasadena Subdivision, a segment of the old Santa Fe Second District that is owned by Metrolink, but only sees a daily BNSF local to the Miller Brewery in Irwindale. Built for Santa Fe's passenger trains to operate at 100 miles per hour, the line features superelevated curves, even though the speed limit is now just 40 MPH. And with no freight on weekends, it provided a perfect line to test this locomotive without interfering with any passenger movements. The engine operated solo (in order to make sure it would trigger crossing gates and signals with no problems) from Pomona to Glendora. The engine is seen at Milepost 114, the location of one of this line’s iconic Union Switch & Signal Style R-2 Automatic Block Signals (ABS), where it was to be reversed. But, first the many Metrolink employees were eager to get photos of this historic event – the first run of one of their F125s, and (I believe) the first Metrolink equipment to operate on this freight-only line. Posing next to the engine are, from left to right, BNSF pilot Brad White (because the Metrolink crews are unfamiliar with this line), Metrolink conductor Ken Stevenson and Metrolink engineer Chad Skinner. A big “thank you” to all the Metrolink employees who allowed us lowly foamers to get on the property and get our shots!
Taking a look at the same train and scene as captured by different photographers. The best way to view will be to sort by photo date so the photos are grouped together.
