Passenger Trains > New paint leader on another late #3

We happened to be coming back from a weekend trip and noticed the Southwest Chief was running 7 hours late today with new paint engine 196 leading. The timing was right so we intercepted and followed #3 from Barstow to Cajon Pass, seen here at Sullivan's Curve just after noon. Whatever the reason for todays delay, it made for a nice photo op.

Thanks for looking,

OYW

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Fantastic!  What great luck they didn't run it down the south main, and great lighting there at the curve. The paint scheme on the lead loco is fantastic as well.  I'm guessing they put #3 on that track to get around some westbound freight? 

What a great shot!  

Very nice!

Nice colorful view...

JG

That would be a perfect photo to grace the cover of a timetable.......if Amtrak ever printed a timetable.

Tom

A wonderful calendar-quality image at an iconic location. That paint on the lead unit really is quite striking, particularly silhouetted against the Mormon Rocks at this location. Such a contrast to the rather insipid paint scheme on the trailing GE.

An IOTD nominee for sure, and one worthy of use by Amtrak for promotional purposes. Congrats on a superb image, and thanks for sharing it with us.

MC



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/25 09:44 by ironmtn.

Great photo

hotrail Wrote:
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> Fantastic!  What great luck they didn't run it
> down the south main, and great lighting there at
> the curve. The paint scheme on the lead loco is
> fantastic as well.  I'm guessing they put #3 on
> that track to get around some westbound freight? 

Thanks, actually there was a hi-rail truck running down Main 3 ahead of #3. When we saw that, we relocated to our photo spot. Also, thanks to everyone else for the nice comments.

Awesome shot of no. 3! BTW I noticed since they DT Cajon M 1 and 2 are the primary tracks as M 3 is like the backup!

ProAmtrak Wrote:
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> Awesome shot of no. 3! BTW I noticed since they DT
> Cajon M 1 and 2 are the primary tracks as M 3 is
> like the backup!

That would really improve the opportunities for mid-day or afternoon shots like this.  Before the 3MT, there just weren't so many westbounds going through Sullivan's curve and on top of that, a lot of Amtraks would run UP the old steeper "South Main" to get around some freight trains.
I think I need to get out to Cajon and start railfanning again.  I especially enjoy running around the area on my motorcycle. Combines two favorite hobbies.
 

hotrail Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ProAmtrak Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Awesome shot of no. 3! BTW I noticed since they
> DT
> > Cajon M 1 and 2 are the primary tracks as M 3
> is
> > like the backup!
>
> That would really improve the opportunities for
> mid-day or afternoon shots like this.  Before the
> 3MT, there just weren't so many westbounds going
> through Sullivan's curve and on top of that, a lot
> of Amtraks would run UP the old steeper "South
> Main" to get around some freight trains.
> I think I need to get out to Cajon and start
> railfanning again.  I especially enjoy running
> around the area on my motorcycle. Combines two
> favorite hobbies.
>
I
'm way overdue for that, gonna try to get my Dad and my freind Mark to meet up at the 138 JCT. and do that, plus from the 90s on back that used to be the best place to see ATVs and dirt bikes over there, not so much these days!