Western Railroad Discussion > UP 1943 and PCBOA3-16 on "Cal-P"

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4419354

SD45X's succinct post got me thinking "intercept" even if the train was 4 states away. Many thanks to other heads ups, reports, and posts, especially from Arizona and Southern California.

While I ended up chasing the train with jmf1910 and SCUfoamer, we woke up at different times and drove separate cars. I woke up the earliest and headed out the door before more current information was available, relying on calculations made Saturday night. PCBOA3-16 ran about 2 hours later than I estimated.

In the end, I got timely updates from jmf1910, and also got what I expected from Dispatcher 57, when she was discussing landing instructions (and crew change) with UP 1943 on the radio as the train was approaching Elvas on the Fresno Sub.

I got the train at the Yolo Causeway (between Sacramento and Davis), Benicia Track 2 (last minute change from the trestle shot at Track 1), and at Hercules. We parted ways after Hercules, mainly due to congestion on I-80, but I made a visit to West Oakland Yard, just in case.

UP 1943 doesn't look too good when viewed from the "wedge shot" angle, but I am liking the paint scheme after viewing it in person. Certainly looks better when long hood is the predominant view, making the diagonal stripes more balanced and symmetrical. The camouflage at the rear doesn't bother me, when the purpose of the scheme is clear - recognition of military service.

- PCBOA3-16 at West Oakland Yard.
- ILTLT (led by solo UP 8382) departing West Oakland rather late.
- Video of the chase.

---

---

You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today!

We got some train bonuses while waiting for the UP 1943. DS 57 decided to send the MRVOA ahead of the PCBOA3-16 before the Yolo Causeway. We had planned the Benicia Track 1 intercept in advance, but MRVOA might have forced it to take Track 2 for the pass approaching the Benicia-Martinez Bridge. Oh well.

FYI, MRVOA usually has a set out Ozol, which is on the other side of the bridge and just past Martinez.

At first sight, I thought the MRVOA was MRVWS, based on the old MRVSJ running time on Sundays, following Amtrak #729 - I was wrong on several counts! Entire train is shown in this video at the Yolo Causeway to prove me wrong (plenty of tank cars, 64' reefers, coil cars, and the dead giveaway, empty spine cars). 534 axles, I think.

While trying to figure out which way PCBOA3-16 was going to go at Benicia, a local showed up below the trestle on Track 1, and the crew gave us some friendly toots on the horn. I know there are TO members who love the sound of non-turbo Geeps, especially the lead GP15.

That's it for the report.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/17 21:37 by cchan006.

---

You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today!

Excellent job Charles! The 1943 at Hercules was the perfect location for video.

Nice work! Your steady hand and pan skills still blow my mind. Best part was my ST's supporting role in the Benecia Local

Not the best K5LL I've ever heard on 1943, but nice video coverage!

Regards, Jim Evans

Great work, Charles!
GK

Good shots, Charles.

Jim B

Excellent work, Charles. Glad you were able to make it out there to catch it.

George Cataulin
San Diego, CA
Left Coast Rail Videos

Very nice Mr Chan . Moving much faster than on the Yuma sub!

Posted from Android

Well done, Charles! Your shot at Hercules is a winner, great, steady handheld panning.

Edit: Congrats on the video of the day!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/17 00:07 by jmf1910.

Very nice! What is the purpose of this train? Looks like an all coach train and the shade are all drawn!

Seth-

Charles simply does not pay for TO :)

"Benicia Flyer", turning the coke. Loads from Valero on top of the hill to the coke silos by the water. Back in the day, it was a 7-8 car cut, twice and sometimes three times a day. On Holidays, the Flyers were the only jobs that worked - because the refinery works 24x7.

Possibly the shortest haul on UP, and a steep descending grade [steepest I believe on the "Western Division"] that warranted a Special Instruction about air tests.