My blog for all real trains, not just crossings anymore, folks!

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Saturday, March 31, 2012

New California trip!

You read it right, plans for a new California trip in June is now underway! Here is how it goes:

Thursday: There are many possibilities, and you will decide which one in the next long poll!

  • Burbank International Airport Metrolink/Amtrak station.- I only added this because my mom will be there.
  • Pomona, CA-A giant trash can, but great for trains.
  • Cajon Pass-The busiest freight mainline in all of Southern California.
  • Corona, CA-Closest to home, busy line, what else do you need to know?
Friday: Back to Fullerton again! I shot this video back in December:


Saturday: Back to Carlsbad again!


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Videos from Rosenberg!

On the first clip on the first video, it is Richmond, TX. The rest are in Rosenberg.

On this video, in the last clip, the car is the FRA inspection car. I am not 100% sure what it does, but I think it inspects the track. There is only one of this kind, and I caught it COMPLETELY by surprise! 

Friday, March 16, 2012

Wayside horns for dummies

Boo!

First of all, seriously, wayside horns ARE for dummies. They are basically fake horns that are put in "quiet" zones, which are also for dummies. But, if they are going to put these up in a "quiet" zone, then they might as well not make it a quiet zone. They are no-good boxes of ear-pain. Little or no railfans come to crossings with wayside horns, here is why:

1. The sound quality is horrible. My cat could make a fake horn better than wayside can.

2. They are supposed to warn drivers, just like train horns would. And cause ear pain, even with all windows shut tightly? Yeah, right.

3. They don't even use the correct sequence. Regular trains do a crossing sequence of long, long, short, long. Simple. These just go HOOOOOONNNNNKKK, HOOOOONNNKKKK, from the time the signals start up until the train comes. I have even been to a few places where the horn even honked ten times before the train came, and twice after. What does it do when the crossing malfunctions? I don't even want to know.

4. They take away the joys of railfanning. This does not just pertain to quiet zones, either. Railfans want to hear real horns, not a tape recorder inside a megaphone. The K5HLL is my least favorite type of horn. I find it better then these artificial horns.

Stay tuned for our next episode: Quiet zones for dummies!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Rosenberg, TX

Tomorrow, I will be railfanning Rosenberg, TX. None of these videos are mine, they were filmed by YouTube user jrahrig:

A UP train in Rosenberg:

A BNSF train in Rosenberg:


The BNSF Rosenberg local in Rosenberg:


For those of you who know about the Sunset Route that goes through San Timoteo Canyon in California, this UP line is the same line. These videos were shot at the platform at the Rosenberg railroad museum. That is where I will be taping the trains, also. Wish me luck, and I will post my Rosenberg, Spring, and another Fullerton video tomorrow or Friday.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Poll

Well, after a disappointing poll with only four votes, Beaumont won. I might give Rosenberg a second chance, though...