The passenger first locomotive in Southern California Regional Rail Authority's (better known as Metrolink) roster was SCAX F59PH 851, built by EMD in May 1992.
Out of service for a few years, and now wearing Metrolink's least-attractive paint scheme, this locomotive was donated to the Fullerton Train Museum (adjacent to the Fullerton Transportation Center), to be added to their collection.
On a weekend without any Amtrak Pacific Surfliners or Metrolink commuter trains, thanks to a work window on the line in southern Orange County and northern San Diego County, the only Metrolink train all weekend was a deadhead move to get the 851 to Fullerton. This train is seen backing down a spur into the museum to drop the 851 off. It was not a surprise that forty or fifty railfans showed up! (And, moments after this shot, an eastbound BNSF freight blocked the view for longer than we wanted…)
