DSC_0499-Calrailfans-Modesto
Calrailfans at Empire (Modesto), California, 17 April 2021
The Calrailfans April meet was at Empire, California, which is east of Modesto, proper and where the Modesto and Empire Traction RR connects with the BNSF. I saw 2 UP trains on the drive down, one at Ripon, the other as I was coming into Modesto and got photos from the car. I took a "scenic route" to Empire that got me to the BNSF track at the Modesto Amtrak station about a mile north of Empire. I noticed a train with a dim headlight stopped at Empire in the distance and when I got out to let the dogs get a drink at the irrigation canal, a northbound train appeared with its lights bright and the other train put its lights to bright. So, 2 BNSF trains came by in short order. I drove south to Empire and found the group, hung out for a while, then got into position on the sunny side of the track for southbound San Joaquin 716. The intermediate signal it passed was yellow and I followed it to the south end of the double track where it held for northbound San Joaquin 715. On the way home, I swung by the M&ET shops for a photo of parked Gensets.
DSC_0499-Calrailfans-Modesto
Calrailfans at Empire (Modesto), California, 17 April 2021
The Calrailfans April meet was at Empire, California, which is east of Modesto, proper and where the Modesto and Empire Traction RR connects with the BNSF. I saw 2 UP trains on the drive down, one at Ripon, the other as I was coming into Modesto and got photos from the car. I took a "scenic route" to Empire that got me to the BNSF track at the Modesto Amtrak station about a mile north of Empire. I noticed a train with a dim headlight stopped at Empire in the distance and when I got out to let the dogs get a drink at the irrigation canal, a northbound train appeared with its lights bright and the other train put its lights to bright. So, 2 BNSF trains came by in short order. I drove south to Empire and found the group, hung out for a while, then got into position on the sunny side of the track for southbound San Joaquin 716. The intermediate signal it passed was yellow and I followed it to the south end of the double track where it held for northbound San Joaquin 715. On the way home, I swung by the M&ET shops for a photo of parked Gensets.