So often Amtrak train 3, the Chicago to Los Angeles Southwest Chief, arrives in southern California hours late. Naturally, on a day in which it has an interesting set of power (P42DC 203, their Operation Lifesaver unit, and P42DC 79, wearing the new Phase VII scheme), the train was right on time, due into Fullerton just as the sun appears in the sky. So, naturally, I headed east of there and, not only was the sun still not visible, but clouds from a storm due to arrive the next day blocked the light from the brightening eastern horizon. So, I sucked it up, and did the best I could.
Thus, at 6:40 am, fifteen minutes before the official sunrise, Amtrak 3 rounds the curve at Esperanza, with nine cars in tow. (Yorba Linda, California – October 13, 2025)
