Western Railroad Discussion > UP CAL-P

How many trains/day (including Amtrak) does UP run between Oakland and Martinez? Does intermodal predominate, or is there a pretty good mix?
Thanks!

Andy

It varies by day; during the week, Amtrak runs a total of 42 trains. Most of these are Capitol Corridor trains, another 8 are San Joaquins, and the remaining 4 are the Coast Starlight and California Zephyr. That being said, the freight trains are more hit-and-miss. But on average counting locals and yard jobs, I'd say there are about 15-20 freight trains.

Posted from Android

The problem is most of the freight trains are at night when Amtrak isn't running. I don't know about that freight train count because some trains from the South Bay go over Altamont a lot if the time.

During the day it may only be a small handful of freight trains. The most regular train is an eastbound stack train usually a little behind #6 and #526, but can run ahead or be much later. The rest are more sporadic.

Gary

Posted from iPhone

Yes, the only daylight freight train that is fairly regular is the KOAMN eastbound stack train, which usually pulls up to a stop by the Emeryville train station in the morning, then awaits clearance around the Amtrak train schedule. Usually departs between 8:30 and 10:30 am. Runs Tuesday-Saturday, doesn't run Sunday or Monday.
Emeryville station is a great place to hang out and watch the action in the morning, with Amtrak #6 and #11 both arriving and the KOAMN plus an occasional BNSF trains and all the regular Capitols and San Joaquins.
Martinez station is also good in the morning (7:30-10 am) because you get the UP local departing Ozol Yard with (typically) a pair of GPs for power.
-- Eric B.

AlcoRSD15 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, the only daylight freight train that is
> fairly regular is the KOAMN eastbound stack train,
> which usually pulls up to a stop by the Emeryville
> train station in the morning, then awaits
> clearance around the Amtrak train schedule.
> Usually departs between 8:30 and 10:30 am. Runs
> Tuesday-Saturday, doesn't run Sunday or Monday...
> -- Eric B.

In May, the KOASC replaced the KOAOG on Wednesday and Friday. The KOAMN runs the other days, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

mapboy