One of the smallest chapter in IRFCA, Northern
California, with just four members had a meet at California State RR Museum,
Sacramento on December 28, 2005. We had 75% attendance as Gopal Srinivasan is
visiting India, leaving only 3 (out of 4) members to attend this meet.
We decided for CSRRM because of weather.
Chances of rain were good so indoor activity was our best option. It was a wise
decision.
We visited Museum first, then had lunch
(Thanks to Subbu), then visited Amtrak Sacramento Depot.
Air Horn Triplets on display stand.
10 miles or 16 kilometers of track in one day. Wow! Seems like unconfirmed world
record.
Gopal Ayyar in front of a steam loco.
These are real life locos. The display is not static. CSRRM changes locos every
few months. Considering the volume of restored locos they have, they can change
all displayed locos every month and still run show for 3 years without
displaying same loco again.
Tech center model layout. Left bottom corner shows CSRRM site with white
letters. At center bottom is Amtrak Sacramento Depot. In the center is 300+
acres of land leased by UPRR to State of California for 99 years at $1.00 per
year with all buildings and restored locos.
This one puzzles me. The top skin of rail has been peeled off. This is a loop
line so speed is not a factor. Could impurities in iron be a contributing
factor? Billai Steel will be happy to hear the answer.
Amtrak CA rake is being shunted by (Engineer qualified) conductor to main line.
He was wearing suit which confirmed that he does not work as an Engineer.
Another view of Amtrak CA trains. The system is operated by Amtrak with Amtrak
equipment and is funded by State of California to compensate for fare
collection.
Loop line switches are manually operated by conductor.
Mezzanine floor of Double Decker coach is used for embarking/disembarking
passengers. Need help, M'am?
Double stacked containers. If you look closely, you will notice that bottom o
lower container is on same height as of the axel. It rests in well.
Another view of double stacked containers.
RoRo in American style.
These trailers are mounted on spine cars.
60 feet containers on spine cars designed to handle them with 6 supports.
BNSF train approaching station.
UPRR train at station.
Push-pull train approaching station. The lower headlamps are blinking
alternatively.
Watering rake is similar to what we see at IR.
Emergency fuel shut off, fuel gauge, fuel filler and air pressure gauge can be
seen at a single glance.
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