Western Railroad Discussion > Recent ZLCTM and INPOA (Northern California)

Recent as in today (Sunday, 8/23/2026).

It was time to burn off some carbon deposits out of my car, so I headed out to the Central Valley to make a ~80 mile intercept of the ZLCTM. LC = LATC in Los Angeles, CA, and TM = TacSIM in Tacoma, WA. They are both UP's intermodal terminals.

Today's 2x2 ZLCTM was led by a pair of C4460ACs, with UP 5222 SD70M nose out on the rear.

My original plan was to get an overhead video (at Covell) then mosey on over to the Stockton Diamonds for some clickety-clack. The crossing I usually go to access the diamonds (Scotts Ave.) is now closed due to construction. I didn't have time to walk to the diamonds from more than a block away as I heard the approaching horn of the Z.

Going to another overhead location (Eight Mile Road) meant I couldn't pan my camcorder for UP 5222, so I drove further north toward F109 on the Sacramento Sub - that's the second location.

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Is the Scotts Ave road crossing by the diamond permanently closed now?

INPOA: North Platte, NE to Oakland, CA.

INPOA I reported on last month had a few "ONE" reefer 40' boxes. This INPOA didn't, but it did have reefer boxcars instead. Besides that, typical INPOA with tank cars, overseas boxes, and autoracks. Lots of power (2x2x1) for only 262 axles (at MP 69.5, Oakland Sub).

After intercepting and chasing the ZLCTM, I detoured to Lathrop intermodal on my way home, and saw the INPOA sitting there, seemingly ready to depart. I saw the tail end of ZLTLC (or ILTLC or ILTLA or...?) leaving Lathrop, which I was in no mood to chase today.

Green season is way over at Altamont so I chose bridges today. First location is at the ACE Tracy Depot, as I was counting on the INPOA going fast enough to shorten my video - entire train is shown there. Train was nearing 50 mph there, to get the momentum to climb Altamont Pass.

While waiting at the second bridge (one nickname, "Greenville Trestle"), a CHP officer turned around near me. He gave me a wave - how nice. There and at various roadside "dirt lots" on Altamont Pass now has electronic sensors/cameras that will announce recorded warnings to discourage dumping. FYI if people get startled. My advice is to keep on railfannin' but avoid loitering for too long.

According to headsupnorcal group, there's a second INPOA today which is running about 3-4 hours behind this one.

That's it for the report.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/26 20:54 by cchan006.

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ble692 Wrote:
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> Is the Scotts Ave road crossing by the diamond
> permanently closed now?

From quick look, just concrete barriers blocked me from getting close, so it looked temporary. Next time I'm in the area, I'll take a closer look and take some photos.

I remember years ago when we lamented the hoards of SD40-2s, now it's the same with GE Toasters...

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer