Daddy's Train

The Grand Canyon Limited

The locomotive Jim helps maintain, Santa Fe 3751, is making a special excursion to the Grand Canyon.  Jim will be gone for six days as part of the crew.  If you want to know more specifics about the trip itself, check out Golden State Rails.

Jim is so happy because Josh is finally at the age they can share the train experience and excitement.  Josh understands enough to get excited and that just tickles Jim to no end.

Saturday the engine was on display at Los Angeles Union Station, so Josh, Emily and I drove up there to meet Jim and see it.  This morning the consist left L.A. at 9am.  It was coming within just a few miles of our house so the kids and I found our spot to see it pass by at about 9:30am.

As you will see, Josh was pretty excited...

Jim was on the back platform of the first passenger car.  So if you watch, there is the engine and its tender, then two Amtrak engines, then the first car.

It's been fun to me to watch all the chatter on Facebook and Twitter.  There are people all along the line watching for it and giving updates of where it is.  Videos were posted on YouTube pretty quickly as well.

San Bernardino Railroad Days 2011

Jim is heading into a busy season for the train. Today was the first event with 3751 heading to San Bernardino for Railroad Days. He left the house early this morning to prep for a 10 a.m. departure from L.A. Union Station. Josh and I also departed at 10am from our house to make the drive to the San Bernardino station. We got there just after 11am and after wandering around a bit to check things out, we came across a marching-type band that was sardined into a corner of the station playing some fun music. Josh was into it right away.

Then we scouted out a spot along the tracks to watch 3751 roll in. We had lunch while we waited and chatted with some people around us. A Twitter feed was going out giving updates of the engine's location, and while it was great that the updates were provided, I quickly realized that the landmarks meant nothing to me in relation to San Bernardino. So I had no idea how close the train was. When "Rialto" was tweeted, I finally asked somebody if they knew how far away that was. "Five miles" sounded good to me and it wasn't long before we could see the steam billowing. Jim was riding in the cab of the Metrolink engine and we were able to spot him and give a big wave. After the train settled in, Jim had some responsibilities, so Josh and I made our way to the food and live country band. Josh was a total hit as he bounced to the music and I saw lots of people smiling at him.

When Jim joined us, we ventured over to the cab of the steam engine and Josh got his official tour. As we waited to climb into the cab, Josh was riveted by the rivets.

(Hahahaha!!)

A fireman in the making...

Proud Papa!

After a turn through the museum, Josh and I packed up and headed home. It was a pretty neat event and not as chaotic as I have felt at Fullerton. What I don't understand is why it is always BLAZING hot whenever I venture out to Railroad Days, regardless of where it is!! But Josh had so much fun and was a total trooper!! I thought he would sleep on the hour long ride home, but he was wired and excited and not interested in sleep.

Joshua Meets 3751

Jim has been working really hard the last couple months with 3751 and the crew to get ready for a couple of events in May. The first was an overnight excursion to San Diego and back. On its way down it would make a stop at the Fullerton station to take on some passengers. This created a great opportunity for Joshua to meet 3751 for the first time.

Grandma and Grandpa B and Grandma C joined us for the adventure. Joshua, of course, had to be dressed in his overalls...


Jim has really been looking forward to this moment. His attachment to trains at such a young age is very special to him and he hopes for Joshua to share those types of experiences. Jim was riding in the car known as the Pony which is typically where the crew hangs out en route. It makes it really easy to find him as he hangs out the door. Jim's dad was also on the train selling merchandise.

Such a proud Papa.

My mom helped me push through the crowd to get as far up to the front as possible. I didn't want to be too pushy and I knew the train wasn't going to be staying too long, so I didn't try to go too far. But my mom kept creeping forward and figured we might as well keep going till we couldn't go any further. We kept snapping pictures along the way just in case any point was as far as we would get.


To my surprise we made it all the way up to the front. We jumped in front of the engine for a quick shot and I think it turned out GREAT!


Josh did so well. Shortly after we arrived a Metrolink went through the station and we watched for his reaction to the loud noise. He wasn't even phased by it. As 3751 pulled in, he still didn't seem bothered by any noise. After the shot above was taken, we stood against the fence to watch it depart. We were probably 30 feet from the front of the engine? (I'm so horrible with spacial stuff.) But my point is we were close when the bell started ringing - and that bell is loud!! Still no fret. Then the whistle blew - which again is loud. I kind of covered his ears just to be safe, but Josh wasn't worried about it. Grandma C kept watching his face and he was unphased.

A friend later asked "He can hear, right?" Yes, he hears just fine.

When I told Jim how well Josh handled the train, he beamed and said "That's my boy!"

This last picture is here just for fun. It makes me laugh every time I look at it. As I said, I was just trying to grab shots at every moment I could just hoping to get as much to turn out as possible. The placement of Josh's head in the shot and the way he's looking right in the camera is just hilarious to me.

"HELLO there! Whatcha doin' ?!"

3751 to San Diego - take 2

The steam engine Jim works on, 3751, took another trip to San Diego today. This was a special collection of private rail car owners - 24 in all. I went with Melanie's family to the Irvine station to watch it roll by at 8:30 this morning.

Here are Jake and Tyler looking down the tracks trying to catch the first glimpse of the headlight.


Here she blows!!

It was an amazingly long train with the cars being of various vintages. It's always fun to see the people hanging out and wave at them. I've been lucky enough to be on the train the last couple times and it was fun to experience whipping by this time.

I think the kids enjoyed it. Tyler had lots of questions and said it was an "exciting" day. He was counting how many exciting things had happened that morning and we had come up with six so far: three trains (3751 plus two Amtraks), a bunny, a squirrel and chickens. And it was only 10:00 a.m!

3751 San Diego Steam Excursion

Ever since the San Diego steam trip on June 1st, Jim has been sharing with me tons of photos and video from all the various sources. This one I had to share as it is an excellent news piece that really captures the spirit of that day. I really feel it comes the closest to being able to share with you what the trip was like. Makes me so proud of all of hubby's hard work.

Just click on the link below (it may be a little sticky, but I did get it to work). Keep your eyes peeled when the reporter is in the cab, you may see a familiar face…
Rare American Steam Locomotive Back in the Southland