Tracking West
Fallen Searchlight
On the California Northern’s West Valley, most of the searchlights have had the heads replaced or torn down altogether. However, a few pairs of these searchlights have survived, even though only a single pair remain in service. This set clearly is not operational, as one signal pole lies on the ground while the other signal sits out of frame standing. With the signal mechanism removed, boxes stripped of electrical components, and covered in rust, these old signals are just a shell of what this line was back in the day. Today, only one regularly scheduled train runs this section of the line, which only a few decades ago would have seen multiple. Even though the line has decreased in traffic, once in awhile the familiar sound of EMD 645 prime movers can be heard with the CFNR’s last two remaining EMD motors hauling the Cortena Job. Unfortunately, this pair has been split up since this trip and these units are on borrowed time. Although I don’t know the fate of the 2269, the trailing motor 1570 has had its fate sealed with a court order demanding its retirement as soon as possible and plans for scrapping the unit.
Fallen Searchlight
On the California Northern’s West Valley, most of the searchlights have had the heads replaced or torn down altogether. However, a few pairs of these searchlights have survived, even though only a single pair remain in service. This set clearly is not operational, as one signal pole lies on the ground while the other signal sits out of frame standing. With the signal mechanism removed, boxes stripped of electrical components, and covered in rust, these old signals are just a shell of what this line was back in the day. Today, only one regularly scheduled train runs this section of the line, which only a few decades ago would have seen multiple. Even though the line has decreased in traffic, once in awhile the familiar sound of EMD 645 prime movers can be heard with the CFNR’s last two remaining EMD motors hauling the Cortena Job. Unfortunately, this pair has been split up since this trip and these units are on borrowed time. Although I don’t know the fate of the 2269, the trailing motor 1570 has had its fate sealed with a court order demanding its retirement as soon as possible and plans for scrapping the unit.