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Thursday's (5-2-18) Chicago bound Empire Builder (Amtrak #8) was powered by two diesels, the second of which was a Cascades unit. The extra diesel may have been necessary due to a private California Zephyr type oval ended dome observation car on the end. No photos as three of my four cameras were in the shop and I was in the wrong position for the camera/lens combo that was in hand.
After the Cascades left town, I could hear the approach of a southbound (tt/west) freight that had probably been waiting at MP 18. There is always a little suspense as to what may pass the viewing platform, but this came as a total surprise.
It has been a long, long time since I can remember seeing a B-B GE unit up here.
Nice A-B-A catch Bill!
There is really only one "local" train out of Richmond yard here, so we don't have a variety like that. I have never seen a B unit of any kind in Northern California.
Having grown up in the 50's, I like B units. GP60B's are assigned to both ends of Washington, operating locals out of Seattle and Spokane. The usual A unit is an EMD Geep. The GE unit is unusual and I hope it stays in the area for awhile.
There is really only one "local" train out of Richmond yard here, so we don't have a variety like that. I have never seen a B unit of any kind in Northern California.
Sunday's (5-6-18) Chicago bound Empire Builder (Amtrak #8) was once again powered by Genesis unit #4.
Why can't I hold the camera level?
Sound Transit runs specials for Sunday afternoon Mariner home games. It was probably a quiet ride back from Seattle as the Mariners were defeated by the Angels.
A southbound (tt/west) freight had seven engines on the point.
Monday (5-7-18) a southbound (tt/west) local powered by a pair of Geeps passed the marsh.
Later I went to Brackett's Landing North to set up for the afternoon passenger parade. The 4:30 Sounder had one of the new power units in the rear. The new units have four windshields vs three on the older units.
Heat waves made for lousy bird photography but artsy train photos.
Approaching Mukilteo. The boat is the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry.
Great Pics Bill! Good to see that bright thing in sky appeared for bit. There are two reasons for un level. Either one of your legs is shorter or the magnetic field of the earth is changing enough that your natural vertical is affected. Oh wait! It could be Global Warming.
The sun is both a blessing and a curse. While the sunshine makes for a beautiful day, the heat waves radiating off the water and the mudflats at the marsh make for lousy photography.
Tuesday morning (5-8-18) at the marsh while my son was bowling. Morning is the best time to photograph trains at the marsh because the sun is at your back.
The morning Vancouver, BC-Seattle Cascades had power units on both ends, which is unusual.
The rear power was one of the new Siemens Charger units.
Next up was a northbound (tt/east) transfer(?) freight with a Back to the 90's lashup: 1469 (SD60M and one of the few Cascade green units remaining around here), 1664 (SD40-2), and 1406 (SD60M) .
It was followed by the Chicago-Seattle Empire Builder (Amtrak #7). Edmonds is the last station stop before #7 terminates at King Street Station.
After the Builder was a southbound (tt/west) freight that featured a cool-numbered BNSF 1111 in H1 and a worn-out looking CN 4702 in zebra stripes.
According to The Diesel Shop, 4702 is a GMD GP38-2, one of a series that was built between 11/72-1/73, my final year in college. It has interesting features such as the extended roof over the rear door and the CN style classification lights above the rear number boards. It is so old and beat up that I wonder if it is being transported somewhere to be scrapped or rebuilt.
I was not in position to get good shots of the head end power of this Canada bound coal train, but I am posting this shot of the rear DPU as I like the Olympic Mts. in the background.
Trains with interesting motive power passed the marsh Thursday (5-10-18).
A Canada bound coal train had an SD70 MAC in the lead. I seldom see one of these units leading a train anymore.
A southbound (tt/west) freight had a UP unit in the rear DPU set. I seldm see any UP units on this line , but this is the third one I have seen pass through town in a month.
Friday afternoon (5-11-18) I was photographing one of our local eagles in action from the fishing pier when I saw a sailboat, the 5:00pm Sounder, and a southbound (tt/west) freight in the distance. It was a warm day by PNW standards and I had on a short-sleeved shirt even though a a brisk wind was blowing. Predictions are for a high of 80*F on Mothers Day, which I consider Nebraska weather.
You can't see it from this angle, but the freight had a CSX unit in the consist. It got red-boarded at MP 18 for the Chicago bound Empire Builder
(Amtrak #8) and the 5:30pm Sounder.
Saturday afternoon (5-12-18) was another warm, sunny day. I was looking into the afternoon sunshine, so the lighting was not great for the three northbound (tt/east) trains that passed by the marsh while I was photographing birds.
First up was the Chicago bound Empire Builder (Amtrak #8) with its rear marker lights on, which I assume was operator error.
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