SoCalRailFan Forums

SoCalRailFan Forums http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums SoCalRailFan - Exploring Southern California Railroads. SoCalRail Fan is a free informational resource for Southern California Railfan including forums, maps, photos, timetables, news, discussion, Railfan, SoCalRailFan, Trains, Railroads, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, BNSF, Trains, Southern California Trains, Southern California Train Fans, Tehachapi Pass, Cajon Pass, Barstow, photos, news, discussion, UP Subdivisions, BNSF Subdivisions, Fallen Flag Railroads en Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:05:18 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg SoCalRailFan Forums http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums PHL 81, almost home http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3430&goto=newpost Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:06:29 GMT Caught sight of it just out of Bloomington, as it stopped on the Alhambra in Fontana.
I've been lucky with the PHL deliveries. Last year caught 60 at Montclair before it moved to it's home, and seen several others come by on their way to the Harbor.

Steve

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]]> Woody709acy http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3430 Hdr http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3429&goto=newpost Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:25:49 GMT So some have asked what this HDR is, simply put it's High Dynamic Range.

HDR, or HDRI stands for High Dynamic Range Imaging. It consists of taking several pictures of the exact same frame, each frame moving from a dark exposure to a light exposure, then combining the pictures. This allows for a photo in which the darkest and lightest parts of the picture have detail, where a single photo of normal exposure won't have detail in these areas.

CS2 and newer can do this, and I never noticed this feature, well along with CS2's ability to do panos! The most common program to do HDR's seems to be PhotoMatrix.

I always wondered how some photos just looked unreal or too good to be true, well now I have the answer. I've only just started doing HDR'[s and haven't done a bunch of them yet. Some of the work out there is awesome compared to my meager examples. Here's a few examples and useful links.
http://tutorialblog.org:80/hdr-tutorials-roundup/

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]]> Misc. Photography Discussion EngineCo16 http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3429 Irvine Station Parking Structure Opens - Amtrak / Metrolink http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3428&goto=newpost Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:10:09 GMT The city of Irvine opted for a "soft opening" with little fanfare... 1,500 parking spaces on four levels.

OC Register LINK

]]> (Amtrak) martyc http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3428 Subdivision Action http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3427&goto=newpost Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:04:13 GMT Does anybody know what the freight action has been like on the coast lately? Does anybody know what the freight action has been like on the coast lately? ]]> (UP) Santa Barbara TheS.P.Caboose http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3427 Weathering my roster http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3426&goto=newpost Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:46:13 GMT I like to show you some pictures of my engines weathered with water-colours without paint brush: what do you think? CIAO CIAO Sergio, Italy I like to show you some pictures of my engines weathered with water-colours without paint brush: what do you think?

CIAO CIAO
Sergio, Italy

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]]> Model Railroad Round Table sergio vadora http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3426 BNSF Local Derails in Fontana http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3425&goto=newpost Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:06:10 GMT Freight Train Derails Near FontanaKTLA News August 25, 2008, 11:36 AM PDT FONTANA -- Metrolink is reporting a five-car freight train derailment on its San Bernardino line. Denise Tyrrell of Metrolink said there were no injuries and no hazardous-materials situation, but it will take several... Freight Train Derails Near FontanaKTLA News

August 25, 2008, 11:36 AM PDT

FONTANA -- Metrolink is reporting a five-car freight train derailment on its San Bernardino line. Denise Tyrrell of Metrolink said there were no injuries and no hazardous-materials situation, but it will take several hours to re-rail the cars.

The accident involving a BNSF train happened near Beach Avenue and Metrolink's Fontana station. The agency is "attempting to get buses to serve our passengers," Tyrrell said.

Copyright © 2008, KTLA

http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-fontan...0,680752.story ]]> jeffe77 http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3425 What kind of locos along Surfliner? http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3424&goto=newpost Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:48:56 GMT Ciao belli,
as you may have already red on other thread I'll be in California next september, ok, what's the new this time? Just to know what kind of loco I'll see along the Surfliner (I'll stay around San Clemente and San Diego). Sure some Metrolink, sure some Amtrak....but what locos? Only the ugly F59 or also Dash P32? May be some Genesis? No more Regional Commuter F40P?
Let me know.......I'll be ready to shot!

CIAO CIAO
Sergio ]]> (Amtrak) sergio vadora http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3424 Being a Conductor for Metrolink http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3423&goto=newpost Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:32:15 GMT I'm doing research on Metrolink I'm curious about a few things regarding employment with them. If there's any conductors out there or just anyone who knows ... I'd appreciate it! :)

As a conductor for CalTrain for 6 years, how easy would it be to get a conductor job with Metrolink? I know I could get letters of rec from any manager and there are zero discipline problems and never been put on the ground in all 6 years.

I don't know much about the crewbases, ie. where they are? But I'm looking to live closest to the Antelope Valley Line.

I've found some info regarding pay, and it looks like it's up around $29-30/hour. Is that accurate?

Any other information out there would be helpful also! Thanks! ]]> (Metrolink) cp_foley http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3423 Los Angeles Junction Railway http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3422&goto=newpost Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:51:53 GMT Is the Los Angeles Junction Railway owned by BNSF? Is the Los Angeles Junction Railway owned by BNSF? ]]> Kourptid http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3422 Freericks in 1972 http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3421&goto=newpost Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:23:15 GMT I know this is pretty far from SoCal, but hopefully an occasional post off topic is okay. I wish I could go back in time to this day, both because at ten I was obsessed with steam locomotives and had the time of my life, and to give my dad a better camera to have captured the moment. ... I know this is pretty far from SoCal, but hopefully an occasional post off topic is okay.

I wish I could go back in time to this day, both because at ten I was obsessed with steam locomotives and had the time of my life, and to give my dad a better camera to have captured the moment. Unfortunately, this image is blurry and grainy, as all of my dad's shots had become before he upgraded to a Konica a couple years later. But, it's an image I still hold dear to my heart.

That is me on the steps and my brother in the cab of Nickel Plate Berkshire #759 at Steamtown in Vermont.

http://knox.rrpicturearchives.net/sh...spx?id=1291093

Back in the summer of 1972, the anticipation I felt for this trip was palpable... and I recall telling neighborhood friends that I was going to the locomotive Mecca of Steamtown months ahead of time. We checked into a motel nearby, and all got up quite early that morning as my dad and brother were just as excited as I was (my mom was even into it, as I recall) It was a hot, hot day, but in the early 1970s, you still dressed up to go sight-seeing, and you'll notice I'm wearing nice long pants and a nice shirt. I remember how dusty the place was and how desperate I was for water (and the comfort of watching the film on F. Nelson Blount in a small theater away from the sun). But most of all, I remember those huge locomotives and how in awe I was of each of them (The Big Boy, the Reading Northern, and most of all this Nickel Plate Berkshire, were my favorites).

Really hard to believe that was 36 years ago... let alone that by the time I got back to Steamtown, it was in another state.

Thanks so much for looking and corrections are welcome.

Charles Freericks ]]> General Railroad Discussion Freericks http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3421 Greetings from CP Morengo http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3420&goto=newpost Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:40:31 GMT Hi there folks! Finally got my account validated :) I think I'll just enter the siding and introduce myself.

My name is Steve. I live in city of Alhambra. As you probably figured out already, CP Morengo is pretty close to where I live. I am a Systems Administrator (15+ years exp)/Accountant/Secretary, working in downtown LA.

I've been a railfan since I was 12. My biggest interest is signaling. Of course everything else about the railroad interests me. I am more into passenger services then freight. Also I like to listen to railroad radio chatter. However all I got is an analog scanner so I am somewhat limited to my selections.

Anyway, I am pretty close to the railroad tracks and CPs pretty close. However I have never get to railfan-ing. Someday I would love to but since I am a newbie to this I would love to go out with some railfans someday around the area.

So it's nice to join the forum and get to know everybody here :) ]]> New Member Siding stevedusa http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3420 BNSF Manifest trains http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3419&goto=newpost Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:48:46 GMT I went to Cajon on July 22-23 on my way to Wisconsin driving across country, and back again August 21-22 and I noticed the BNSF manifests are shorter than usual. I have been there in past years and quite often manifest trains were about 80-110 cars with 4 GE's on the lead and 2 DPU on the rear.
Now I would say BNSF has about 4 GE's in front but the trains are usually 50-65 range, and abscent the DPU's. I was just wondering if car-load traffic is really declining in Socal going to/from LA to Barstow. Has anyone else noticed this within the few months? ]]> (BNSF) Cajon jkurt http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3419 <![CDATA[Pentrex DVD's]]> http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3418&goto=newpost Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:08:05 GMT I was looking at http://www.pentrex.com earlier today and noticed they have four pages of railroad DVD's.

Thought all would like a heads-up if you haven't seen it yet. ]]> TheS.P.Caboose http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3418 A fun Rails to Trail visit http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3417&goto=newpost Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:57:47 GMT Located just above Lake Mead outside of Boulder City, NV is the former rail line that was used to help build Boulder Dam during the depression of the 1930's. The company building it was called the "Six Companies"...because it was formed by 6 large US construction companies at the time.

According to Wikipedia, which references David Myricks book on RR's in Nevada and Eastern California...

"...The Six Companies also had a 19.1 mile railroad of the same name. It connected to the U.S. Government Railroad (Hoover Dam) along the Hemeway Wash at Lawler, Nevada at a location also known as "U.S. Government Junction". From Lawler the railroad went north for 7 miles to Saddle Island and then east to a gravel plant (Three-Way Junction) that is now submerged under Lake Mead. From the gravel plant the line split into two branches. One branch ran south for 4.8 miles to Hoover Dam via Cape Horn, Lomix (Low Level Concrete Mixing Plant) and Himix (High Level Concrete Mixing Plant) and the dam face. The other branch is now also submerged under Lake Mead and ran north for 7.3 miles across the Las Vegas Wash, crossed the Colorado River across a bridge into Arizona to the Arizona gravel pit (Arizona Gravel Deposits) at a location 2 miles from Callville.

The line was constructed by railroad contractor John Phillips of San Francisco, California. The dam was dedicated in September 1935 and the Six Companies, Inc. railroad line is now submerged beneath hundreds of feet of water.

The Western Pacific Railroad purchased several of the Six Companies dump cars for company service after the dam was completed and the equipment declared surplus. One of these cars is now preserved at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, California.

The U.S. Government Railroad had a 10-mile branch that brought supplies by rail from a connection with the Union Pacific Railroad's Boulder City Branch at Boulder City, Nevada...."

The one part of the trail my sons and I were walking along extends 3.5 miles. But it was late in the day to walk that segment, and get back to the car before dark. I think my kids play too many video games, and don't get enough exercise, because they were complaining having to walk so much, and how hot and tired they were near the end of it.

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]]> Railfan Trip Reports Nscalemike http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3417 My little layout http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3416&goto=newpost Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:19:41 GMT Ciao, I just wanna show you something of my little layout in HO scale, inspired by the Moffat pass, owned by UP: it's small but funny!
Some details must be finished but the most is done, what do you think? Any suggestions?
CIAO CIAO
Sergio, Italy

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]]> Model Railroad Round Table sergio vadora http://www.socalrailfan.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3416