The early-morning sun has just gotten high enough to bath Amtrak's incoming Southwest Chief in a golden light as it arrives at its final destination â Los Angeles. Leading the train this day is AMTK P42DC 161, painted in the carrier's first paint scheme in honor of Amtrak's 50th Anniversary in 2021. (This engine replaces the other Phase I painted unit, 156, which was wrecked in 2019 or 2020.). Of late, train 3, the westbound Chief, tends to operate 2 or 3 hours â or more â behind schedule more often than not. So on the day they bring one of Amtrakâs newer Anniversary engines west, it is not only on time, but actually arrives 24 minutes early! (It was on time in Fullerton, the stop before LA, but the schedule between the two cities is padded so much that if the train is a half-hour late in Fullerton, it will still arrive in LA on time â One hour to travel about 30 miles.) The train is just about to Union Stationâs platforms and, fortunately, there was a hole between buildings to allow the sun to shine through for a few seconds. The lights of MLB's Dodger Stadium can be seen on the hill in the background, beyond the Los Angeles Metro L Line (formerly the Gold Line) elevated trackage. Go Angels!!! (Los Angeles, California â January 5, 2022)
From all American railroads, you will see all of the American railroad heritage units, Orginal paints, and sticker units displayed in this album by Railfan 225!
