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I drove down to the Santa Ana Train Station and parked my Geo Metro in the north parking lot. Inside the station I saw Marti, my excellent night time Amtrak agent, who I turned in my parking permit for my car's stay of over 72 hours. I then met Pat Moran along with her friends Irene and Ruth who had delivered Pat to the station for the trip to La Plata. Pat then exchanged her tickets so she could leave Los Angeles with me before we stopped by the car and I picked up my luggage for the trip. We then walked to the Santa Ana Blvd grade crossing in order to reach the east platform without having to use that new bridge. About fifteen minutes later first a southbound Metrolink train for Irvine came into Santa Ana before we heard the horn of our train to Los Angeles approaching.
Surfliner 583 12/7/06
Surfliner 583 pulled into Santa Ana with Pat and I taking seats on the lower level in car 6400. This train had a consist of Surfliner Cab Car 6905, Coaches 6400 and 6412, Cafe/Coach 6301, Pacific Business Class 6807 with engine 462. It was a quick trip to Los Angeles with our Southwest Chief ready to back into the station just before we arrived. Pat and I walked from Track 10 down, over and up to Track 12 just as our Southwest Chief was backing into LAUPT.
Southwest Chief 4 12/7/06
I walked down to the front of the train for this picture as Pat watched the luggage. This train had engines 165 and 141, Baggage 1709, Sleepers 32041, 32052 and 32090 Michigan, Diner 38008, Lounge 33042, and Coaches 24085 and 34047. George, the ever smiling Sleeping Car Attendant, will be with me in Car 32090 with me having Room 4. Ken Ruben riding coach stopped by for a short visit. I put on Nirvana "Nevermind" for the first music of this trip. George gave Pat and I a 7:30 PM Dinner Reservation and later Pat came back for a visit. She was in Room 4 of the 32052 Sleeper. We departed Los Angeles Union Passenger Station on time and made our way to Fullerton our first fresh air break of this trip. After we left Fullerton we were called into the diner seated with Pat from Fresno and Ken. I enjoyed the Pork Chop and a Chocolate Cake for dessert. After dinner I took a walk of the train before our next fresh air stop of the trip at San Bernardino.
Views of the San Bernardino Station during the fresh air stop. I enjoyed the crossing of Cajon Pass from my darkened sleeping car room. After Summit, I made up my room and called it a night.
12/8/06 I got up after Canyon Diablo and walked forward to get Pat up but she was already getting ready for the day ahead. I met her in the Dining Car for breakfast. We had breakfast with Jon Hill from Topeka, KS. Pat learned last night at dinner after I had left, that the other Pat from Fresno was also named Patricia Jeanne just like her. Small world isn’t it! I enjoyed French Toast and sausage links before I joined the Trainrider group in the lounge car.
It was Dan Dalke's birthday on this date so I bought him an Amtrak Hat and Amtrak Playing Cards for his special day. It turned out that something else would make this day even more special for Dan.
Tom Johnson, Ken Ruben and Pat Moran enjoying the view from the Sightseer Lounge Car this fine early December day as we all entered New Mexico.
It was way too exciting for one member of our group.
He missed the view of the New Mexico Red Mesas.
The landscape is always changing!
Here is Dan Dalkle passing his 275,000 rail mile at MP 72 of the BNSF Gallup Sub on December 8, 2006. Dan is taking a picture of the spot while I photographed him.
Another mesa as we run down Track 2 towards Rio Puerco. We arrived into Albuquerque thirty minutes early with Tom, Dan and I making a trip to Coldstone Creamery for some ice cream. Back at the station we took a look at the new New Mexico Rail Runner Station.
New Mexico Railrunner Train 507 arrived into the Downtown Albuquerque Station.
Engine 102. When the Railrunner Train was ready to run by the standing Southwest Chief, the conductor called "All Aboard!" to clear the platform so the Railrunner could run by our train safely.
The train now dead headed to its storage area until its next call. I reboarded the train and put on the Rolling Stones "Bridges to Babylon" before we left Albuquerque on time.
A picture of one of my favorite rocks along the route almost to Lamy. Next the remaining semaphores that I haven't photographed until now.
These are the four semaphores that are just west of Lamy. I went to the lounge car after Lamy for the climb through Apache Canyon and the meeting of the westbound Southwest Chief at Canyoncito. After that I went back to the room in order to get a Dinner Reservation for 4 at 5:45 PM before returning to the Lounge car for an afternoon of conversations.
Pat Moran and Ross Moore enjoying the lounge car later that afternoon.
Tom also was sitting at our table.
Dan was sitting at the other end of the lounge car reading his Trains Magazine.
Chris was sitting at his coach seat eating a snack. I got dark long before Raton, the next very cool fresh air break of the trip. After Raton we got called into the Dining Car for Dinner. I had the Pork Chop, Tom had the Angus Burger, Dan the Braised Beef and Pat had the Cheese Tortellini for dinner this evening. I had the Sweet Temptation Chocolate Cake for dessert. Dinner ended at Trinidad and I returned to my room to relax and listen to Yes "Drama". We arrived into La Junta thirty minutes early so Tom, Chris and I walked over to Safeway for more 7 UP and batteries.
Looking down the side of the train at La Junta.
The Sothwest Chief at rest at La Junta.
The sleeping cars at La Junta during our servicing stop. I returned to my room to talk with my neighbor who has 250,000 rail miles himself and talked trains as I made up my bed for the night. We departed La Junta on time and headed east on this cold clear December night.
12/9/06 I got up at 6:00 AM, prepared myself for the big day putting on my long under wear and layers before checking to see if Pat was up and about. We went to breakfast and were seated with Lori from Redondo Beach. I enjoyed the French Toast and sausage patties as the train refueled in the BNSF Argentine Yard. We arrived into Kansas City twenty minutes early and I was off to explore Kansas City Union Station once again.
The Christmas Tree inside Kansas City Union Station.
Kansas City PCC which is now displayed at Kansas City Union Station.
Santa Fe 31 Chico at Kansas City Union Station.
Canadian National Metias. I went back inside Union Station.
This wonderful mural greeted me as I came up the escalator into the station.
Two views of the model railroad display inside Kansas City Union Station.
Display of trains in this case near the Amtrak Ticket Window before I went back to train side.
Lincoln Service 302 before its Kansas City to St Louis run this morning.
Our Southwest Chief ready to leave Kansas City for points east. We departed Kansas City on time and we all were ready for the final sprint to La Plata.
Pat, Tom and Ross in the lounge car after we left Kansas City.
Another passenger on this train shot this picture with me in it.
Crossing the Missouri River as the December sun shines bright.
A look back at the Missouri River Bridge. Pat went back to her room to pack up while Tom, Dan and I rode the lounge car until past Carrollton when we returned to our areas of the train to pack up to be ready to detrain in La Plata. We went past West La Plata where we crossed over to the north track. I had moved my luggage downstairs before we got there so all I did was leave my room, go downstairs and wait to detrain. We arrived into La Plata right on time and I stepped off the train here for the first time.
This picture after I had dropped my luggage with the Depot Inn staff.
The sleeping cars pulled away so that the coach passengers could be detrained. After the rest of our group had detrained from the coaches, the Southwest Chief departed La Plata and we loaded up the vans for the short trip to the Depot Inn and Suites. Once there in the lobby, I said hello to everyone before Carl Morrison let me store my luggage in his room. What a room it is. He had the Sportsman Suite complete with sauna, in wall television with a DVD player and a fake fireplace. The bed looked incredible and large bathroom would suit anyone's needs. We returned to the lobby and I took a look around. What a railroad theme this hotel is. We met with everyone before Steve and I took a walk to catch up on a few things. Carl and I then walked down to the bridge over the BNSF mainline to try to catch a few trains. Carl and I sat out there for about half an hour before Carl needed to return to the hotel. I watched people over at the future railfan viewing area. The funny thing about standing on this bridge is that everyone who drives by waves at you in a friendly way. I guess La Plata is one friendly place.
An Amish Buggy crossing the bridge of the BNSF mainline.
A few minutes later another Amish Buggy. Buggies two, BNSF trains 0 at the bridge. Chris Parker walked back to the Depot Inn while Richard and I walked over to the new Trainweb building. I walked inside but after a few minutes I felt like a BNSF freight was about to come so I decided to go take a few pictures of the La Plata Amtrak Station.
The La Plata Amtrak Station from the south side of the BNSF mainline.
BNSF 4603 West came through La Plata, so I finally saw a train here.
The new Trainweb.com and Trainparty.com building with the BNSF mainline to the left.
The two logos on this building. This building once was a fertilizer plant which has been converted into offices and storage space. I went inside and saw a room full of invited guests and local people.
Everyone was waiting for the start of Trainweb.com Grand Opening. On the stand were Linda Mohn executive director of the Macon Chamber of Commerce holding the right side of the ribbon and Ray Ivy, city administrator for the city of La Plata holding the ribbon on the right. Standing up there as well were Alisa Kigar, executive director of the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce, Shivam Surve with his daughter Khushi, Barbara Cepinko, Ray Burns and Steve Grande. Barbara, Steve, Ray and Shivam are all the partners of Trainweb.
First Steve Grande and Barbara Cepinko were shown how to use giant scissor.
Ready, set and cut!
The ribbon was cut and the Grand Opening started.
Harold Marshall, a preacher, gave the opening prayer.
Brock Hamilton song the National Anthem and he works at the front desk at the Depot Inn.
Larry Herron, the Mayor of La Plata, who told about meeting Ray and Shivam and what the city of La Plata had to offer.
The crowd listened to what the mayor was saying.
Kathy Chinn, a Missouri State Representative for the greater La Plata area spoke to our group.
Jeff Kocur, President of the Amtrak Historical Society out from Chicago spoke about the future Antrak museum in La Plata.
Alisa Kigar, Erxecutive Director of the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Linda Mohn, Executive Director of the Macon Chamber of Commerce.
Ray Burns of Trainweb.com then told us the story of how Trainweb and Trainparty moved from Fullerton to La Plata. This was a very interesting story with all the twists and turns it took to get us all here today.
John Rhein of the Friends for the La Plata Preservation.
Thomas Marshall of the Depot Inn and Suites told about the plan for the Rail Resort that is going to be built in La Plata.
The plan for the Rail Resort complete with a standard gauge train for trips around the property and also for trips between the Amtrak Station and the Depot Inn.
The event was over and it gave me a chance to get a picture of Richard Hamilton doing his Lets Talk Trains Internet Radio Show before he had me as a guest for a few minutes. You can hear this show at letstalktrains.us then go to showlist to get to it.
The cake for this Grand Opening and Welcoming Trainweb to the Heartland. I enjoyed a piece of that cake before I went outside thinking that another BNSF train should be by shortly.
BNSF 5432 West then came through La Plata running by where the old Wabash Line used to cross over the Santa Fe Railroad here in La Plata. The new train watchers tower will be built on the north side of the tracks on the old Wabash grade.
The view outside of the Trainweb Building looking towards the station. I went back inside where Chris Parker decided to take us into downtown La Plata for a look around. We were joined by Jonathan Ortiz for this short trip. We decided to see where the old Wabash line went though town and came upon a great find,
Views of the Amish Buggies that had been hitched up at this location.
This all was at the corner of Wabash and Sanders Streets in La Plata. We went back to Trainweb to pick up Carl Morrison and Richard Elgenson as the five of us would visit an Amish Store about three miles west of town. We made our way out there taking a side road through some very unique northeast Missouri countryside.
Out in front of the Amish Store another Amish Buggy pulled in and the owner would visit the store to do his business.
Horse and Buggy hitched up to the post. We heard a train horn and decided to try to get a picture of him.
Driving towards the grade crossing we passed another Amish Buggy on this road.
It must have looked like a Chinese Fire Drill to that train crew as we all piled out of that car when we stopped to photograph this train.
On the way to that train we passed this field of corn stalks which we then returned to photograph. This led to an impromptu snow ball fight. I must say that all of us being from Southern California could use a lot of practice at the art of making and throwing snowballs. We heard another horn from the west and this time we made it back to the crossing.
Another BNSF eastbound came flying through west La Plata. We decided to run up to Kirksville as Richard wanted to go to a pub there. Part of the way there we could see the old Wabash grade and we found the Spazio Brewery and Pub. Carl and Richard went inside while Chris, Jonathan and myself went looking to see if there was anything left of the old Wabash in Kirksville.
On the northside of Kirksville we found an old Wabash bridge over a highway. We returned to Spazio for some soft drinks for the three of us non drinkers. The waitress said that she had gone to school with a Chris Guenzler in Missouri. Small world isn't it!
Spazio Brewery and Pub in Kirksville.
Carl Morrison, Richard Elgenson, Chris Parker and Johnaton Ortiz enjoying Spazio Pub. We returned to the Depot Inn with Carl and I going back to his room where we would relax before walking to the Red Rooster for a group dinner.
We had a group dinner at the Red Rooster Restaurant.
The group waiting for dinner. Those of us leaving on Amtrak were served first.
Shivam Surve and wife Kranti along with Khushi the baby. I enjoyed a KC Steak, baked potato and cottage cheese which was all excellent. All too soon, it was announced that all of us going back to the train had to get back to the Inn to get our stuff to be taken to the train.
On the way back to the Depot Inn at 7:50 PM it was a brisk 42 degree evening.
Here is a view of the Depot Inn and Suites.
The sign of the Depot Inn and Suites.
The front counter of the Depot Inn.
A train between the lobby and the indoor pool. Carl and I went to his room where I called home and picked up my luggage. We went out to the front of the Depot Inn and got inside the van Ray Burns was driving people back to the Amtrak station. On the way there I couldn't believe that I was already leaving La Plata but I really was!
