Western Railroad Discussion > Yesterday in Modesto & Oakdale, California

Yesterday I made a trip out to the San Joaquin Valley to photograph Modesto & Empire Traction and The Sierra Railroad Beer Train. MET is a bit challenging to shoot because it's mostly in a large industrial park with limited acces to the tracks. Also, the McClure Road crossing is in the process of being rebuilt and was closed to car traffic. But I'm not complaoining. :)

1. MET 2002 was the only RP20BD working yesterday and I was able to catch it in a few places.
2. Yielding to an ambulance on B Street
3. Picking up a box car from the UP interchange yard on the west side of town. Unfortunately the air brakes wouldn't load so 2002 headed back east light.

More to come...

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4. Light engine threading past a few wineries.
5. One of METs unique signals. In the background you can see the red signal and derail protecting the yard lead.
6. Unfortunately, Snack Store & More is no more. :(

More...

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7. Switching the joint BNSF yard in Modesto. The BNSF Sockton Sub is in the background.
8. More switching.
9. Running light back to the MET yard.

More...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/16 21:25 by urbaurba.

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10. Past the derail and into the yard, beyond the fence.
11. Saw a couple of these billboards.
12. Off to Oakdale and luckily the UP Oakdale Local was still switching the Con Agra Foods plant (Thanks to Lynn Powell for the tip!).

Still more to come...

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13. Oakdale Local looking to leave town before the Beer Train departs.
14. The local heading to the Sierra yard so the power can switch ends before heading back to Stockton.
15. No gates, no lights, just the crossbucks.

Almost done...

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Last photos!

16. The Beer Train was heading due east so it was backlit most of the way, also there aren't a lot of grade crossings where you can get a clear shot. Again, not complaining. :)
17. The light was just about perfect 10 minutes before it showed up. OK, maybe I'm complaining just a little bit...
18. A quick handheld shot of the Sierra yard before heading home.

That's it, thanks for looking!

Marc

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Thanks for sharing a really nice series of shots.  Hard to pick a favorite.

Kent in CArmel Valley

Great series, I never did spend enough time chasing trains in the Central Valley.  Much more variety than you would think.  

Those "unique signals" on the ME&T are turnout indicators for the radio controlled remote control switches.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/16 07:26 by PHall.

Years ago while having dinner on a San Joaquin in he above region, I had a conversation with a deadheading ATSF conductor.
He told me that in the good old days many of the wineries would have some jugs of cold wine ready for the train crews to put in their onboard ice coolers.
A reward for a good switch job.

Thanks for posting.

Thanks for the series. Looks like Modesto has changed a lot since I lived there in the 80's.  Nice to see the ME&T is still rolling.

Jeff N
Olathe,Ks

Good job with that night shot.