Late last month on February 20th, I went up to Fullerton for the day. Took the train up in the morning, and was pleasantly surprised to some great action courtesy of BNSF, Metrolink, and Amtrak! Got some foreign power as well, which isn't too common here in Southern California on the BNSF! With the recent semi-end of the "BAR Block" more foreign power has come in, the most that we've seen in nearly 7 years since AQMD regulations took effect. Also caught the catch of the day, a brand new Metrolink F125 Tier 4 locomotive, on a special BNSF train heading to Metrolink's Keller Yard in Downtown Los Angeles!
Starting off the morning, saw a few westbound BNSF freight trains, including the M-BARWAT with BNSF EMD SD70ACe #9102 as a rear DPU. I'll tell you, these ACe's are really invading Southern California!! Great change to see coal power on trains of our own! Caught the La Mirada local next, with 2 Ex-Santa Fe GP60 locomotives, and a sweet Burlington Northern caboose! Shortly after, NS ES40DC #7719 cruised through Fullerton, on a Hobart Yard bound stack train. Amtrak #572 and #583 also showed up, with a rather unique consist on the north end of the train - a Viewliner baggage car and P42DC #169 were substituting for the regular NPCU.
Rounding up the foreign power for the rest of the day, caught a Union Pacific SD70M on a ethanol train, something you don't see everyday at Fullerton! And of course, later on in the day, the main attraction! Brand new Metrolink F125 #911 came through Fullerton for the first time ever, en route for delivery to Metrolink at Keller Yard in Downtown Los Angeles near Union Station. This special train pulled by BNSF #6358 originated all the way in Indiana at the EMD plant there. Originally, there was an NS leader on the train, but it was pulled off back east. Still, a great sight to see, no question about that! It's crazy to think these locomotives will be ruling the Metrolink system next year, and the old F59's will be gone. Get them while you can, that's for sure! And last, but certainly not least, more Norfolk Southern power went past, just moments before my train arrived to head home. Sorry about the phone shot, didn't expect to see them!
Next week, I'll have Part 2 of this Fullerton Railfanning series. Even more foreign power, endless action, and old Santa Fe power featured! You won't want to miss it, please stay tuned!
Thanks for watching!!
© 2017 MichaelLovesTrains Video