Here's To You
A big southbound Union Pacific local is in the siding at Valley to meet a stack train on this clear spring desert morning. Four SD40Ns all rebuilt from SD40-2s bought new by the UP in eight 1978 or 1980 look mighty fine here on the old Los Angeles and Salt Lake Route near MP 342 on what is modern day UP's Caliente Sub. The Sheep Range rises in the distance toward the northwest beyond the outer edges of the vast urban sprawl of the city.
I was here waiting with dozens of other people from all over the world who were chasing the triumphant homecoming of Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 being transported from Los Angeles to Cheyenne to begin its five year restoration in time for the sesquicentennial celebration of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.
While this shot was a nice bonus, what I remember most about this moment was visiting with Jim Wrinn right here. To most of you that is a name that should need no introduction and I can still hear his thick Carolina drawl and see his wide brimmed hat and see that infectious grin. I know he's missed by many as he was taken from this world for too early just this year. But how many thousands of us have photos just like this that we'll always associate with him?
While this moment was the first time I'd ever met Jim face to face it wouldn't be the last as I would be fortunate to have a few more opportunities over the years including a visit five years later up in Echo Canyon watching 4014's magnificent inaugural run. Alas those visits were too few, and I dearly lament that they'll never be another freindly tackside chat with a true legend amongst our fraternity or railroaders and fans. So here's to you Jim my friend....
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday May 1, 2014
Here's To You
A big southbound Union Pacific local is in the siding at Valley to meet a stack train on this clear spring desert morning. Four SD40Ns all rebuilt from SD40-2s bought new by the UP in eight 1978 or 1980 look mighty fine here on the old Los Angeles and Salt Lake Route near MP 342 on what is modern day UP's Caliente Sub. The Sheep Range rises in the distance toward the northwest beyond the outer edges of the vast urban sprawl of the city.
I was here waiting with dozens of other people from all over the world who were chasing the triumphant homecoming of Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 being transported from Los Angeles to Cheyenne to begin its five year restoration in time for the sesquicentennial celebration of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.
While this shot was a nice bonus, what I remember most about this moment was visiting with Jim Wrinn right here. To most of you that is a name that should need no introduction and I can still hear his thick Carolina drawl and see his wide brimmed hat and see that infectious grin. I know he's missed by many as he was taken from this world for too early just this year. But how many thousands of us have photos just like this that we'll always associate with him?
While this moment was the first time I'd ever met Jim face to face it wouldn't be the last as I would be fortunate to have a few more opportunities over the years including a visit five years later up in Echo Canyon watching 4014's magnificent inaugural run. Alas those visits were too few, and I dearly lament that they'll never be another freindly tackside chat with a true legend amongst our fraternity or railroaders and fans. So here's to you Jim my friend....
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday May 1, 2014