Attacking the Cuesta Grade.
Two ACes in the hole.
Amtrak 169 leads 11 south through the Edna Valley at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Super Starlight. ATMK 11 make an on time appearance with a dirty, yet relatively good coat of red & silver.
A trio of classic power is passing Orcutt Road and about to take some empty well cars down to LA. These cars have been stored on the recently rehabbed track 3.
A pair of early widecab EMD helpers wait at San Luis Obispo, CA, for the few freights that will call on them for help over Cuesta Pass.
The northbound starlight makes good speed
Autoracks leave SLO behind San Luis Mountain and Bishops Peak
Budd Hi-Level Pacific Parlour "Sonoma Valley" was originally an El Capitan Lounge car for the Santa Fe.
Heritage unit 156, sporting Amtraks "phase I" paint approches San Luis Obispo to meet the northbound starlight before continuing it's trip to LAUPT. The bloody nose almost gives this train an Espe... (more)
Killing bugs since 1971
The northbound coast starlight with some heritage on point
Northbound Detour
Union Pacific power former the SLO helper spur assist the evening surfliner.
The oil cans make a daylight climb around the horseshoe curve, up the cuesta grade. Twice this year, i've been treated to former SP power bookending this classic coastline train.