Western Railroad Discussion > Today on the Santa Cruz Branch

Hot out of the film dyer are these B&W's from today. I started my day the Del Monte Cafe in Watsonville for some breakfast. The RCL job passed by at about 9:00am with a boxcar and centerbeam in tow going back to the "junkyard." About ten minutes later the Santa Cruz Local rumbles up the street. Somehow it's just not the same without the wig wags. Having the Del Monte Cafe open again is something I'll take in return for the absence of the wig-wags. I ate the rest of breakfast, paid my bill, and still had time to spare to get out to Ellicott.

Sam Reeves
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http://www.samreevesphoto.com

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[img::]https://cdn.trainorders.com/attachments/thumbs/71000/BW35051130_4.jpg[/img]

Out in the late autumn sunshine, the Santa Cruz Local passes near Ellicott. Usually you can hear the train working up the 1.6% grade of Ellicott Hill before it arrives near the schoolhouse and the campground.

Sam Reeves
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http://www.samreevesphoto.com

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[img::]https://cdn.trainorders.com/attachments/thumbs/71000/BW35051130_9.jpg[/img]

Over one of the questionable trestles at Seascape. Santa Cruz County will have a very large reinforcement bill should they ever want to run passenger trains the whole length of the line.

Sam Reeves
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http://www.samreevesphoto.com

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[img::]https://cdn.trainorders.com/attachments/thumbs/71000/BW35051130_13.jpg[/img]

I also took my last roll of Agfachrome with me today, and did a photo at Capitola. That roll is still in the camera awaiting to be shot up. After my stop at Capitola, I decided to do the old Casino photo in Santa Cruz. Granite Construction was out painting lines, and Mr. Grumpy here didn't like me taking photos of the train. However the engineer of the Santa Cruz got his goat after stopping and telling him not to put the cones on the rails on Beach Street. Gee, why would a train run down Beach Street in Santa Cruz?

Sam Reeves
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http://www.samreevesphoto.com

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[img::]https://cdn.trainorders.com/attachments/thumbs/71000/BW35051130_20.jpg[/img]

After Casino, I did another Agfachrome at Wilder where my Canon A-1's battery decided it was time to go to heaven. The last stop of the day was here about a couple miles north of Majors. Or known as Bonny Doon beach. It seemed like the perfect end to a nice morning of photography. However one loony bin on the beach, was whistling and waving to me. He seemed to think something was wrong. I didn't understand what this weirdo was all worked up about until I left. He pulled his shorts down so his weenie could get a roast in the sun. I've forgotten Bonny Doon is a favorite of the nudies, but is also a public access beach. He thought I was there to take a photo of him. I wouldn't waste an ounce of film on those sad suckers in the sun, but you know this is Santa Cruz. Any regard for the law is out the window!

Sam Reeves
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http://www.samreevesphoto.com

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[img::]https://cdn.trainorders.com/attachments/thumbs/71000/BW35051130_23.jpg[/img]

samreeves Wrote:
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> After Casino, I did another Agfachrome at Wilder
> where my Canon A-1's battery decided it was time
> to go to heaven.

Gotta go all-mechanical one of these days, Sam. That's what I like best about the S2, it can be -40F but when I press that little button the shutter WILL trip.

samreeves Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After Casino, I did another Agfachrome at Wilder
> where my Canon A-1's battery decided it was time
> to go to heaven. The last stop of the day was
> here about a couple miles north of Majors. Or
> known as Bonny Doon beach. It seemed like the
> perfect end to a nice morning of photography.
> However one loony bin on the beach, was whistling
> and waving to me. He seemed to think something
> was wrong. I didn't understand what this weirdo
> was all worked up about until I left. He pulled
> his shorts down so his weenie could get a roast in
> the sun. I've forgotten Bonny Doon is a favorite
> of the nudies, but is also a public access beach.
> He thought I was there to take a photo of him. I
> wouldn't waste an ounce of film on those sad
> suckers in the sun, but you know this is Santa
> Cruz. Any regard for the law is out the window!
>
> Sam Reeves
> —
> http://www.samreevesphoto.com

That's one of my favorite pictures yet...too bad about the weener. Why do all the old fat ugly guys with tiny gear want to show off? Yuck!

PaulF Wrote:
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> Gotta go all-mechanical one of these days, Sam.
> That's what I like best about the S2, it can be
> -40F but when I press that little button the
> shutter WILL trip.
I got a F-1 body in mint condition sam...Bought it 10 years ago and used it only a bit.
Intrested?

PS> Nice photos.

Nice work Sam. I noticed 2 yellow T-2s along with a patched one on the Junkyard house track today. Maybe we'll get a couple of them out here soon.

Nice shots, Sam. Especially the last two—some of your best, in my opinion.

Sam, maybe the guy thought your unipod was too small and was offering his for a little extra elevation.

Thanks everyone. Paul and Dave, I do have an F-1 and the B&W's you see here come courtesy of that camera. However I do appreciate the offer Dave! And Bob and NH, if you think winter is bad at Bonny Doon beach, try summer. Most of the hairy hippie chicks are out there doing God knows what. It's twice as nasty.

Sam Reeves
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http://www.samreevesphoto.com

Sam:

Your last photo is excellent. I've been to Santa Cruz twice, but had no idea that there was a railroad line in such a scenic location.

Thanks for posting.

Dave