Northridge, California
When my wife and I first started dating we’d always catch the latest flick at a local movie theater on Sundays. I would always check for a midday showtime because I knew I’d get to shoot UP’s Day Bud Local that worked the LA Times printing plant spur across the street, with a friendly crew that was always good for a chat. These guys were great, they always posed their train in great light for a photo and asked if I got the photos I wanted, just because.
One Sunday, I was asked by engineer Jimmy Escalante (with sunglasses) if I would sell him the photographs I'd taken through the years as a keepsake because he would be retiring soon. I was honored, with all the info these guys were willing to give me, I told him that I would do him one better and just give him the photographs, which made him extremely happy. So the following Sunday, my wife and I showed up with prints in hand as well as a few portraits of the crew on the front end of their locomotive. The guys were delighted as was Jimmy so he invited us into the cab for a photograph of our own.
So here I am with my first ever visit inside of a working locomotive, and a true SP locomotive to boot! My wife had this big smile on her face when I finally climbed off saying that I looked like a little boy with a humongous grin from ear to ear when I posed for the photo. She declined to join me in the cab, but took one with me on the front end. Needless to say this is one of our (mine for sure) favorite memories. 5/18/03
Northridge, California
When my wife and I first started dating we’d always catch the latest flick at a local movie theater on Sundays. I would always check for a midday showtime because I knew I’d get to shoot UP’s Day Bud Local that worked the LA Times printing plant spur across the street, with a friendly crew that was always good for a chat. These guys were great, they always posed their train in great light for a photo and asked if I got the photos I wanted, just because.
One Sunday, I was asked by engineer Jimmy Escalante (with sunglasses) if I would sell him the photographs I'd taken through the years as a keepsake because he would be retiring soon. I was honored, with all the info these guys were willing to give me, I told him that I would do him one better and just give him the photographs, which made him extremely happy. So the following Sunday, my wife and I showed up with prints in hand as well as a few portraits of the crew on the front end of their locomotive. The guys were delighted as was Jimmy so he invited us into the cab for a photograph of our own.
So here I am with my first ever visit inside of a working locomotive, and a true SP locomotive to boot! My wife had this big smile on her face when I finally climbed off saying that I looked like a little boy with a humongous grin from ear to ear when I posed for the photo. She declined to join me in the cab, but took one with me on the front end. Needless to say this is one of our (mine for sure) favorite memories. 5/18/03