Aeromoe's Train Journeys Page


As I build this page in October 2010, I'm attempting to document as thoroughly as possible all my journeys on the rails. I'm digging deep into my history to sort out as many details as possible of the various passenger train, tourist railroad, and light rail trips I've made so I can present as complete a picture as I can.

Even though I've had more than just a passing interest in trains nearly all my life, only since the very late 1990s have I become a "hard-core" rail enthusiast, or railfan. This interest spawned during the last months of my service at Travis AFB, where on the way to and from work I would cross the busy Union Pacific (former Southern Pacific) "Cal-P" line twice a day. I started hanging out "trackside" after work and on weekends to photograph passing trains, much the same way I'd spend time at airports watching and photographing airliners. As I learned more about the railroads, the more I began to appreciate the fascinating history of railroading in the United States and abroad.

Interestingly, this was not my first occasion to document trains. While stationed in England from 1985 to 1988, I made many journeys on British Rail and the London Underground. For the most part, these were trips of necessity to travel to/from London's Heathrow Airport where I would spend the day photographing airliners. Thankfully, during those three years I took a modest few train photos so I at least have a small collection of British rolling stock from that period. Unfortunately, I didn't keep very good travel records of all the trips I made on the rails. Once I finally returned to the states in 1989, nearly all interest in railroads fell by the wayside until the late 1990s.

After the tragic events of September 11, 2001 airports no longer became a "fun" place to hang out...at least not for me. I preferred to spend my time "chasing" trains around the midwest since that is where I lived from 2000 to 2004. I even managed to squeak in a few trips on Amtrak and I made quite a few trips on the Metrolink light rail system around the greater St. Louis area. Since moving to Arizona in 2004 I've managed to travel on some trains in other parts of the country as well as a few trips on the "new" Phoenix Light Rail. I've also maintained my passion for freight railroading by photographing the BNSF in my own neighborhood.

So that brings me to this webpage. In late September 2010, a British railfan paid a visit to Phoenix and our discussions prompted me to create a webpage documenting the British trains I'd seen in the mid-80s. While working on that page the idea for this page was born. So what follows is my humble attempt to document the rail journeys of my life. I'm having a great time sorting out the photographs and myriad details as I go...unfortunately I don't have as complete a picture as I'd like.



October 1967


This is a photo of my sister, my brother, and I looking out a window of a Southern Pacific coach at a station somewhere on “the peninsula” in the San Francisco Bay Area in October 1967. The second photo is my mom holding me and is captioned on the back "San Francisco" so the most likely location is the current CalTrain terminus in China Basin.


Sis, Bro, and I
October 1967

Mom and I
October 1967

Caltrain Terminal today
San Francisco, CA



January 18,1976

My mom and I made a trip to the bottom of the Royal Gorge (of the Arkansas River) near Canon City, Colorado. The incline railway is still in operation (as of March 2013) according to the park brochure.
The photo is hand dated on the back by mom so I'm confident of the accuracy. The date falls on a Sunday in 1976 and that fits in well with our typical "sunday drives" of the time.


Descending into the Royal Gorge
Jan 18, 1976



Spring 1980: Basy Area Rapid Transit - Concord to Oakland Airport round trip



June 1980

My dad and I rode the Edaville Railroad during a week-long trip to New England in June 1980. At the time, the Edaville Railroad was a tourist railroad operating on 2-ft narrow gauge tracks at a cranberry plantation in South Carver, MA. A theme park is on the site today and the railroad still operates.


Edaville #3
June 1980

Onboard Edaville Railroad
June 1980



December 1981: Bay Area Rapid Transit: Concord, CA to Fremont, CA


Inside BART
Concord, CA 28 Dec 81



England Jan 1985 – Jan 1988



During my three years in England, I rode the trains many times for various reasons, but mostly in conjunction with aviation photography outings. My first trip was just two days after arriving, when I returned to Heathrow for aircraft photography. I made numerous trips between Huntingdon and London Kings Cross as the first leg of the journey to London Heathrow Airport for aircraft photography. The journey between Kings Cross and Heathrow was on the Piccadilly Line of The London Underground, aka ‘The Tube.’ After discovering the free motor coach service from Alconbury to Heathrow in mid-1985, my rail trips for that purpose became fewer although I would often return back to Alconbury via train after spending the day at Heathrow. As I remember, the motor coach cut the travel time by at least half so it was an efficient way to get to Heathrow. Because the coach departed Heathrow around 11am, I often chose to stay at Heathrow longer and just return via the leisurely Tube/rail trip.

My first rail visit to Gatwick Airport was in April 1985 and was a combination of train/Tube/train as I had to transfer between Kings Cross and London Victoria on the tube (Victoria Line) to catch The Gatwick Express train service. My visits to Gatwick were far fewer than Heathrow simply due to the travel logistics involved.

I think my first rail trip not involving Heathrow was in July 85 when I had to take the train home after the International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. As I now remember I think I caught a ride to the train station in Swindon from some other airshow attendees and rode into London Paddington Station. On this trip, I would've taken the Tube (Circle Line) east to Kings Cross for the train ride north to Huntingdon. Please click here to see my webpage of UK train photos.





November 1985: Huntingdon to Southend round trip



1986: Stansted to London then Huntingdon round trip



May 1986: Huntingdon to East Grinstead round trip



June 1986: Huntingdon to East Grinstead round trip



June 1986: Huntingdon to Shrewsbury round trip



August 1986: Huntingdon to Dudley / Cosford Airshow round trip



August 1986: Huntingdon to Scotland round trip



In October 1986 I was returning to Gatwick from Athens, Greece on a Britannia Airways 737 when, due to poor weather, we diverted to Castle Donington / East Midlands Airport. I didn't mind the diversion so much as I got to visit (albeit briefly) a 'new' airport. My four travelling companions and I were then forced to find our own way back to Alconbury. Thankfully, there was a rail station fairly close to the airport so it was a simple matter of taking a taxi to the station. Unfortunately I can't remember the station name but we were able to catch a train direct to Peterborough and then a connecting train down to Huntingdon. One thing I do recall is that I accidentally left my key ring on the taxi. Imagine my surprise when I finally made it to the dormitory only to be locked out. As luck would have it my dorm roommate showed up shortly afterwards and all was good. For some reason, I made a mental note of the taxi company during the ride to the rail station and they were able to track down my key ring and mail it back to me.



August 1988, Tokyo, Japan

Quite a few trips from Tokyo to Haneda Airport and two round-trips from Tokyo to Yokota Air Base. Below are likely the only photos I have of any trains in Tokyo from that 2-week visit.


Between Tokyo and Haneda Airport

Between Tokyo and Haneda Airport



1993, Disneyland, CA

At least one trip around the famous park on the park railroad



August 1994, Frankfurt, Germany

One round trip on the S-Bahn that I know of from Frankfurt Airport to fellow aviation enthusiast Michael Winter's place a few stops away

In February 2014 I located a DB train ticket I used during this trip. It is dated 12 August 1994 and shows FFM Flugh. (Frankfurt Main Airport). The price of DM 4.20 equates to about U.S. $2.50 at the average 1994 exchange rate of DM 1.62 to the U.S. Dollar.


Frankfurt DB Ticket



September 28, 1997 - Sydney, Australia

During a brief trip to Christchurch, New Zealand I had to spend the night in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia near the town of Richmond. After getting situated at the hotel I sorted out how to get to the Sydney airport for some aircraft viewing. I only have vague recollections of the journey but after some internet research I figured I had to take the Western Line to the Central station (nearly 90 minutes travel time) then quite probably a connecting coach to the airport terminal. I spent a couple of hours watching Qantas planes in the dark, then made the return journey to Richmond.

In July 2012 I located my two tickets from the trip. It appears I rode the train between Windsor and Central, and the bus between Central and Sydney Airport. Below are some scans of the tickets.


Sydney CityRail Ticket

Sydney Bus Ticket Obverse

Sydney Bus Ticket Reverse

AUD_USD Exchange Rates 1997

The ONLY photo I took in Australia
is this photo in Windsor, enroute
from hotel to RAAF Richmond for
the flight to New Zealand.

In 2012 I used Google Earth
to find the exact location
I took the photo to the left.



Davis - Roseville July 5, 1998

My Mom and Daughter rode the California Zephyr from Davis, California to Denver, CO on July 5, 1998. My original plan was to ride with them from Davis over the Sierra Nevada to Sparks Nevada, after which my Dad would drive me back home. There were some delays around Sacramento and for some reason I chose to just disembark after riding only to Roseville. So, my first ever trip on Amtrak was fairly short-lived. I waited around Roseville until an Amtrak "Thruway" bus arrived for the trip back to Davis.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 5, 1998 Amtrak 6 P42DC 81, ??, ?? - Davis, CA Roseville, CA East ____ ____ - - California Zephyr


Amtrak #6 arrives
Davis, CA

Mom and Daughter
Roseville, CA



February 3, 2000

Mom and I made a leisurely round-trip on Amtrak's California Zephyr between Denver and Winter Park, Colorado. We boarded Amtrak #5 with P42s #45,39,55 in the morning and after a couple of hours we got off the train at the first stop: Winter Park. We spent the day at the station as mom was fairly immobilized due to a recent foot injury. I popped in and out of the station whenever a freight train rolled by to grab some photos. Eventually, the Eastbound California Zephyr #6 (P42s #94,99,58) showed up and we boarded for the return to Denver. It was a rewarding trip and I can only hope Mom had as pleasant a time as I did.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Feb 3, 2000 Amtrak 5 P42DC 45, 39, 55 33019 Denver Union Station, CO Fraser / Winter Park, CO West ____ ____ 62 Union Pacific Moffat Sub. California Zephyr
Feb 3, 2000 Amtrak 6 P42DC 94, 99, 58 - Fraser / Winter Park, CO Denver Union Station, CO East ____ ____ 62 Union Pacific Moffat Sub. California Zephyr


Amtrak #5
Clay, CO

Mom and I Enroute
to Winter Park, CO

Sightseer Lounge 33019
Winter Park, CO

Amtrak #5
Winter Park, CO

Mom on Platform
Winter Park, CO

Amtrak #6 arrives
Winter Park, CO



Chicagoland, April 1, 2000

Chicago's Metra Commuter Rail is a very extensive network of trackage radiating outward in nearly all possible directions, except eastward into Lake Michigan. One of my favorite areas in Chicago turned out to be the BNSF "Racetrack" between Chicago and Aurora. I made several Metra trips over the course of a weekend-day, taking advantage of Metra's $5 unlimited ride pass.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 1303 F40PHM-2 188 7406 Route 59 Station, IL Aurora, IL West 09:31 09:37 - BNSF Railway Line -
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 1310 F40PHM-2 188 - Aurora, IL Chicago Union Station, IL East 10:17 11:33 - BNSF Railway Line -
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 2117 F40C 604 7883 Chicago Union Station, IL Golf, IL North Unk 13:05 - Milwaukee District North Line -
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 2136 F40C 609 7278 Golf, IL Chicago Union Station, IL South 13:42 14:15 - Milwaukee District North Line -
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 1311 F40PHM-2 188 752 Chicago Union Station, IL Route 59 Station, IL West 14:29 15:32 - BNSF Railway Line 3rd time behind this unit today
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 1315 F40PH-2 180 728 Route 59 Station, IL Aurora, IL West 17:35 17:43 - BNSF Railway Line -
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 1320 F40PH-2 188 762 Aurora, IL Westmont, IL East 18:18 18:49 - BNSF Railway Line 4th time with this unit today!!
Apr 1, 2000 Metra 1319 F40PHM-2 194 734 Westmont, IL Route 59 Station, IL West 19:12 19:3_ - BNSF Railway Line -



June 27, 2000: Route 59 Station- Chicago Union Station on the BNSF "Racetrack"

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jun 27, 2000 Metra 1276 F40PHM-2 191 Unk Route 59 Station, IL Chicago Union Station, IL East 16:35 Unk - BNSF Line -

My daughter and I made a long-distance Amtrak round-trip between Chicago and Providence, RI. We first had to drive from Belleville, Illinois to "Chicagoland" where we parked my truck at the Metra "Route 59" commuter-rail station. We rode Metra into downtown Chicago and eventually boarded Amtrak's "Lake Shore Limited" to Boston, MA. This was my first long-distance Amtrak trip although my daughter had made a Denver-Sacramento round trip a couple of years earlier. After arriving Boston about 24 hours later, we connected to another Amtrak train bound for Providence, RI. Although we would be vacationing in southern MA, Providence is a more convenient location for my sister to pick us up. After our short vacation, we made the journey in reverse. All-in-all I think we did pretty good on my first long-distance Amtrak trip. The return trip was even more special since it was on my daughter's 10th birthday and I treated her to a nice steak and mushroom dinner in the dining car.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jun 27-28, 2000 Amtrak 48 P42DC, F40PH 62, 408 25074 Chicago Union Station, IL Albany, NY East 19:56 13:40 +1 818 - Lake Shore Limited
Jun 28, 2000 Amtrak 448 P42DC, F40PH 62, 278, 408 25074 Albany, NY Boston (South), MA East 14:46 19:28 200 - Lake Shore Limited
Jun 28, 2000 Amtrak 67 F40PH 291 82031 Boston (South), MA Providence, RI South 20:01 20:57 43 Northeast Corridor Twilight Shoreliner
Jul 3, 2000 Amtrak 12 F40PH 216 82021 Providence, RI Boston (South), MA North 11:13 12:00 43 Northeast Corridor -
Jul 3, 2000 Amtrak 449 P42DC, F40PH 27, 332 Unk Boston (South), MA Albany, NY West 13:05 18:35 200 - Lake Shore Limited
Jul 3-4, 2000 Amtrak 49 P42DC, F40PH 27, 332 Unk Albany, NY Chicago Union Station, IL West 22:07 12:35 +1 818 - Lake Shore Limited


Our Amtrak #216
Providence, RI; 3 July

Our Amtrak #216
Boston, MA

Comfy??
Onboard Amtrak

Departing Boston
Lots of cantenary

Station Stop
Springfield, MA

Motive Power
Springfield, MA



July 4, 2000: Chicago Union Station - Route 59 on the BNSF "Racetrack"

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 4, 2000 Metra 1311 F40PH-2 182 Unk Chicago Union Station, IL Route 59 Station, IL West 14:30 15:45 - BNSF Line -


Onboard Metra Westbound
Chicago - Route 59

Our Metra train
Route 59 station



Illinois Railway Museum July 15, 2000

Museum run pulled by EMD E9A painted in Burlington Northern "Executive" colors.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 15, 2000 BN - E9A 3 567 Union, IL Union, IL East ____ ____ ~10 - Illinois Railway Museum


Burlington Northern
E9A #3

Erie Lackawanna 567
Coach I rode in

Erie Lackawanna 567
Coach I rode in



July 17, 2001: Belleville, IL College Station - St. Louis Lambert Airport

Carissa and I to the airport on Metrolink to catch a flight for a week in Massachusettes.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 17, 2001 Metrolink - Siemens 3012/3001 3012 Belleville (College), IL St. Louis Lambert Airport West Unk Unk - - With Bear



July 24, 2001: St. Louis Airport - Belleville, IL College Station

Carissa and I rode back from the airport on Metrolink after spending a week in Massachusettes.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 24, 2001 Metrolink - Siemens 3015/2010 ? St. Louis Lambert Airport Belleville (College), IL East Unk Unk - - With Bear


Metrolink
3015

Carissa and
Metrolink 3015



August 18, 2001: Roundtrip Des Plaines, IL - Chicago Ogilvie Transportation Center

During our drive back from Milwaukee, Mick and I decided to have some fun and take the train into Chicago. We were planning on watching the airshow on Lake Michigan but the weather was starting to turn dismal. After the train ride in we started out on foot towards the lakefront. It started to rain, then it started to pour. Little did we know just how far the walk was from Ogilvie to the lake. Eventually we caught a ride on a bus and made it to the lakefront and it was still raining. Something resembling an airshow was happening, given the low ceiling. Eventually we reversed course and made it back to Ogilvie (on a bus) for the train ride back to Des Plaines.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Aug 18, 2001 Metra - F40PH-2 179 - Des Plaines, IL Chicago Ogilvie Trans. Center, IL South ____ ____ - Union Pacific Northwest Line -
Aug 18, 2001 Metra - F40PH-2 139 - Chicago Ogilvie Trans. Center, IL Des Plaines, IL North ____ ____ - Union Pacific Northwest Line -



MetroLink ride: December 28, 2001

Most likely a trip to hockey game for "Top 4" fund-raiser"; St. Louis Blues beat Montreal Canadiens 3-0.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Dec 28, 2001 MetroLink - Siemens 1007/1002 1002 Belleville (College), IL Kiel Center, MO West Unk Unk - - -
Dec 28, 2001 MetroLink - Siemens 2001/2002 2002 Kiel Center, MO Belleville (College), IL West Unk Unk - - -



MetroLink ride: January 3, 2002

Most likely a trip to hockey game for "Top 4" fund-raiser"; St. Louis Blues Beat Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jan 3, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 1012/1015 1012 Belleville (College), IL Kiel Center, MO West Unk Unk - - -
Jan 3, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 1031/1013 1013 Kiel Center, MO Belleville (College), IL West Unk Unk - - -



MetroLink rides: January 10 and 11, 2002

Sight-seeing trips with Dad and Bear

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jan 10, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 1020/1018 1020 Belleville (College), IL Union Station, St. Louis, MO West Unk Unk - - With Dad and Bear
Jan 10, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 1018/1020 1018 Union Station, St. Louis, MO Laclede's Landing, MO East 13:14 Unk - - Same consist as above on return trip from airport
Jan 10, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 2003/3007 2003 Laclede's Landing, MO Belleville (College), IL East 13:30 Unk - - With Dad and Bear

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jan 11, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 3014/3022 3022 Belleville (College), IL Laclede's Landing, MO West 09:50 10:25 - - With Dad to tour Arch
Jan 11, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 1030/2008 Unk Savvis Center, MO Belleville (College), IL East Unk 13:23 - - Return trip



MetroLink ride: April 18, 2002

Unsure of reason for this trip.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Apr 18, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 3022/3016 3022 Belleville (College), IL Kiel Center, West Unk Unk - - -
Apr 18, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 2008/1016 2008 Kiel Center, MO Belleville (College), IL East Unk 21:30 - - Return trip



MetroLink ride: August 16, 2002

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Aug 16, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 1016/1025 1016 Belleville (College), IL Union Station, St. Louis, MO West Unk 17:55 - - With Bear
Aug 16, 2002 MetroLink - Siemens 1031/1012 1012 Laclede's Landing, MO Belleville (College), IL East 20:36 21:09 - - With Bear



Roseville - Sparks: November 21, 2002

This was a trip of whimsy. While visiting my Dad in Reno, I got the idea to ride Amtrak. I have a lot of family in Sacramento so we had no shortage of reasons to go visiting. For my return trip, Dad agreed to drive back alone while I took the train the next day. My dear Aunt Louise drove me to Roseville so I could catch the California Zephyr to Sparks.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Nov 21, 2002 Amtrak 6 P42DC 130, 57, 77 33019 Roseville, CA Sparks, NV East 12:22 17:15 137 - 1st time across the Sierra Nevada by train



MetroLink ride: January 16, 2003

Most likely a trip to hockey game for "Top 4" fund-raiser"

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jan 16, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 2010/3012 3012 Belleville (College), IL Savvis Center, MO West Unk Unk - - -
Jan 16, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 3020/3007 3007 Savvis Center, MO Belleville (College), IL East Unk Unk - - -



Illinois Railway Museum: May 24, 2003

Streetcar ride with Mickey

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 24, 2003 CA&E - - 309 N/A Illinois Railway Museum, IL Illinois Railway Museum, IL East / West Unk Unk ~10- - Street car ride



June 23, 2003

This day marked the opening revenue operations on the 3.5 mile extension from Belleville, Illinois (College) to the new Shiloh - Scott AFB station. According to an official news release, the official Grand Opening was on Saturday June 21. Since it was a workday for me, after work I decided to celebrate the occasion and take a ride. First I went home and changed clothes then drove back to Scott for the ride. I didn't go overboard on this day...I rode to the next stop (College), got off the train to do a little photography then boarded a train back to Scott.


Opening Day
June 23, 2003

Opening Day
June 23, 2003

1014/1017 arrives
Shiloh - Scott

Shiloh - Scott
June 23, 2003

Onboard MetroLink
Car # 1017

Crossing the
NS mainline

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jun 23, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 1017/1014 1017 Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL Belleville (College), IL West 18:28 18:33 - - Opening day of Shiloh / Scott station
Jun 23, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 1015/1029 1029 Belleville (College), IL Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL East 19:16 19:21 - - -


1017/1014 departs
College to St. Louis

1015/1029 arrives
College station

1029 after arrival
at Shiloh - Scott

Shiloh - Scott
June 23, 2003




Belleville - Pageant Theater: August 2, 2003
Wierd Al Yankovic concert at the Pageant Theater, St. Louis.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Aug 2, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 2006/2003 2003 Belleville (College), IL Delmar Station, MO West Unk Unk - - To the Wierd Al concert
Aug 2, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 3008/3018 3008 Delmar Station, MO Belleville (College), IL East Unk Unk - - After the show - pouring rain



Belleville - St. Louis: August 15, 2003
Fleetwood Mac concert at Kiel Center, St. Louis.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Aug 15, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 3016/2006 3016 Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL Kiel Center, MO West 18:50 19:31 - - To Fleetwood Mac concert
Aug 15, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 3008/3006 3008 Kiel Center, MO Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL East Unk 23:50 - - From Fleetwood Mac concert



Laclede's Landing to Shiloh - Scott: August 16, 2003

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Aug 16, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 3017/3024 3024 Laclede's Landing, MO Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL East 16:55 17:31 - - Following a cab ride



Shiloh - Scott to St. Louis Airport: September 5, 2003
Meet AirNikon at the airport


Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
September 5, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 2005/2003 2005 Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL St. Louis Lambert, MO West 17:06 18:20 - - To airport
September 5, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 1019/1018 1018 St. Louis Lambert, MO UMSTL South, MO East 19:02 Unk - - Return from airport
September 5, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 2001/3001 2001 UMSTL South, MO Convention Center, MO East 19:28 Unk - - Return from airport
September 5, 2003 MetroLink - Siemens 1018/1019 1019 Laclede's Landing, MO Shiloh - Scott, IL East Unk 23:18 - - Return from airport



St. Louis - Hermann, MO roundtrip February 15, 2004


Moe at St. Louis
with the Ann Rutledge

Moe onboard the
Ann Rutledge

Ann Rutledge departs
Hermann, MO


Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Feb 15, 2004 Amtrak 303 P42DC 161 35010 St. Louis, MO Hermann, MO West 15:25 17:15 81 - Ann Rutledge
Feb 15, 2004 Amtrak 306 P42DC 177 - Hermann, MO St. Louis, MO East 20:14 22:35 81 - State House


The "Amshack" at
Hermann, MO

E/B State House arrives
Hermann, MO

State House at
St. Louis, MO




St. Louis - Joliet roundtrip April 17, 2004

With less than two months remaining at Scott AFB, I decided I wanted to ride some of the Amtrak trains I'd been watching the past few years. A round-trip to Joliet from St. Louis was a great way to spend a good part of a day photographing trains at the busy Joliet interlocker and enjoy a couple of relatively inexpensive train rides. For the trip up, I chose the late-morning "Texas Eagle" and for the return trip, the "State House."


Gateway Arch as
seen from Illinois

Illinois State Capitol
Springfield, IL

The Texas Eagle
at Joliet, IL

Sightseer Lounge 33020
Joliet, IL


Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Apr 17, 2004 Amtrak 22 P42DC 95 33020 St. Louis, MO Joliet, IL North ~09:00 ~13:20 247 - Texas Eagle
Apr 17, 2004 Amtrak 305 P42DC 37 54531 Joliet, IL St. Louis, MO South 18:09 22:51 247 - State House


The State House
arrives Joliet, IL

Interior of
carriage 54531

Interior of
Cafe Car 48219

Sunset Apr 17, 2004
Enroute to St Louis




Centralia - Chicago 2004

Mick and I planned to meet in Chicago for the weekend to photograph planes and trains. Rather than drive several hours to Chicago I took the opportunity to take the late-night Amtrak "City of New Orleans" from Centralia to Chicago Union Station. I often spent hours at Centralia watching trains, even in the middle of the night when Amtrak would roll through amidst the Illinois Central / Canadian National, BNSF, and Norfolk Southern freights. Since this was likely going to be my last Amtrak trip before moving to Phoenix, I decided I'd finally make this trip.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 15, 2004 Amtrak 58 P42DC 102, 49 34066 Centralia, IL Chicago Union Station, IL North ~04:40 ~09:20 253 - City of New Orleans


Amtrak P42DC #102
Chicago Union Station

Amtrak P42DC #49
Chicago Union Station

Coach #34066
Chicago Union Station



May 16, 2004 Franklin Park - Chicago Union Station on the Milwaukee District West Line

Franklin Park is near O'Hare International Airport where Mick was going to be flying out of. The most convenient course of action was to just take Metra to Union Station where I would connect to my Amtrak train to Centralia.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 16, 2004 Metra - MP36PH-3 425 8234 Franklin Park, IL Chicago Union Station, IL East 18:38 19:07 - Milwaukee District West Line 1st ride with a "baby bullet"


Metra "Cab Car"
Franklin Park, IL

Stored F40Cs
Metra Shops

Metra 425
Chicago Union Station




Chicago - Centralia May 16, 2004

This trip was my return journey after spending the weekend roaming around Chicago with Mick.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 16, 2004 Amtrak 59 P42DC 135 31530 Chicago Union Station, IL Centralia, IL South 20:06 ~00:45 253 - City of New Orleans


Amtrak P42DC #135
Chicago Union Station

City of New Orleans
Centralia, IL




Shiloh - Scott to St. Louis Airport: May 18, 2004
Phoenix trip

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 18, 2004 MetroLink - Siemens 1031?/???? 1031? Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL St. Louis Lambert, MO West 06:03 Unk - - To airport
May 22, 2004 MetroLink - Siemens 3018?/???? 3018? St. Louis Lambert, MO Shiloh - Scott AFB, IL East Unk 22:34 Unk - Return from airport



San Jose July 2006



Light Rail and CalTrain with Mick

Check paper logs for Light Rail trips to/from CHAMP Car race





Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 28, 2006 Caltrain - F40PH-2CAT 916 - Santa Clara Tamien South 19:12 Unk - - 1st Caltrain ride
Jul 28, 2006 Caltrain 191 F40PH-2CAT 916 - Tamien Santa Clara North 2003 Unk - - Push mode


916 at Santa Clara

916 at Tamien
(push mode)


Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 30, 2006 San Jose VTA - - - - Gish San Antonio Dir? Unk Unk - - San Jose Light Rail
Jul 30, 2006 San Jose VTA - - 960/911 911 Gish San Antonio Dir? Unk Unk - - San Jose Light Rail



November 1, 2008



My first passenger journey on the BNSF Phoenix Subdivision was as the guest of an engineer friend who invited me on a round trip "employee appreciation" trip between Glendale and Matthie, just north of Wickenburg, Arizona. We boarded the train on the "Deer Valley Lead" at milepost 183. There was a locomotive at each end of the train, so they train would not have to be turned on the "wye" at Matthie. I rode aboard the dome car #31 "Bay View." For the outbound trip we were pulled by BNSF Dash8-40BW #580. After a brief stop just short of the "wye" at Matthie near milepost 135, the return trip was pulled by GP60M #162. We shoved back into the Deer Valley Lead and, well, that was that: my first passenger trip on the all-freight BNSF Phoenix Subdivision.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Nov 1, 2008 BNSF - D8-40BW 580 31 - Bay View Glendale, AZ Matthie, AZ East ~14:15 ~15:50 ~48.5 BNSF Phoenix Sub GP60M 162 on west end
Nov 1, 2008 BNSF - GP60M 162 31 - Bay View Matthie, AZ Glendale, AZ West ~16:00 ~17:25 ~48.5 BNSF Phoenix Sub D8-40BW 580 on east end


Moe onboard
Bay View Car #31

El Mirage
Autorack facility

Eastbound through
Wickenburg Canyon

Stopped at Matthie
Changing directions
Siding is track #2701

Westbound over the
Hassayampa River

Moving onto the
Deer Valley Lead
Track #1757

Engineer Baker
and folks





September 26, 2009





After a two-week "TDY" to Westover Air Reserve Base, MA I spent a further week in Massachusettes with family. In order to get from Springfield, MA to Providence, RI I chose Amtrak. After launching the jets out of Westover, a workmate kindly drove me to the Amtrak station in Springfield. I had about an hour wait before boarding Amtrak #57 (P42 #140 + P42 #20 push mode) bound for New Haven, CT. It was a beautiful fall day and the first leg was uneventful. After leaving the train, I stayed on the platform for rail photography. It would be dark by the time my connecting train arrived so I took advantage of the fading light to get whatever photos I could of the train action. Before long, Amtrak #194 behind Amtrak HHP-8 #662 pulled into the station and we were on our way. I was so caught up in a conversation with a kindly elderly lady that I actually made a rather serious mistake: I got off the train one stop early in the town of Kingston, RI. I realized my mistake only after pausing outside the station and noticed the sign said "Kingston" rather than "Providence." Uh-oh. Well, I went inside the station and looked at the large area map. With the help of some other folks I sorted out where I was and got on the phone with my sister who was going to be meeting my train at Providence. At this late hour there wouldn't be another train along for some time and we needed to be at the airport in Providence to meet my dad and other sister. It all worked out in the end and despite my embarrassment we had a bit of a laugh about the whole thing.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Sep 26, 2009 Amtrak 57 P42DC 140 82741 Springfield, MA New Haven, CT South 14:50 16:23 63 _ P42DC #20 pusher
Sep 26, 2009 Amtrak 194 HHP-8 662 82663 New Haven, CT Kingston, RI East 18:54 20:30 86 Northeast Corridor Got off one stop pre-mature


Amtrak P42DC #140
Springfield, MA
Train #57

Amtrak P42DC #20
New Haven, CT
Train #57 tail end

Carriage 82741
New Haven, CT
My coach

Departure Board
New Haven, CT

Amtrak HHP-8 #662
New Haven, CT
Train #194

Kingston Station
Kingston, RI



August 7, 2010

My first trip on the Phoenix-area Metro Light Rail was with my good friend Martin when we attended the International Plastic Modellers Society 2010 show in Phoenix. We met up at the 19th Avenue / Camelback Park & Ride for the trip into central Phoenix. After attending the show, we travelled back to the Thomas & Central station where we got off for lunch. We re-boarded at the same station and rode back to our origin.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Aug 7, 2010 MLR _ KI-LRV 149/124 ___ Camelback at 19th Ave 3rd & Jefferson East ____ Unk ~ Metro Light Rail To IPMS 2010 Convention w/Martin
Aug 7, 2010 MLR _ KI-LRV 145/117 117 3rd & Washington Central at Thomas West 14:56 Unk ~ Metro Light Rail After convention - no photo available
Aug 7, 2010 MLR _ KI-LRV 124/149 149 Central at Thomas Camelback at 19th Ave West 16:36 Unk ~ Metro Light Rail After lunch w/Martin - no photo available



October 7, 2010

My second trip on Metro Light Rail was a short round-trip from 38th Street & Washington to 3rd Street & Washington before and after the Tom Petty concert. I chose the 38th Street Park & Ride since it was close to Sky Harbor Airport where I watched planes for a couple of hours before catching the light rail to the show.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Oct 7, 2010 MLR _ KI-LRV 121/103 103 38th & Washington 3rd & Washington West 19:03 Unk ~4.05 Metro Light Rail To Tom Petty concert at US Airways Center
Oct 7, 2010 MLR _ KI-LRV 104/123 123 3rd & Jefferson 38th & Washington East ~22:48 Unk ~4.1 Metro Light Rail After Tom Petty concert - no pix of E/B trip


W/B arrives

My car on the W/B



September 23, 2011

As my two-week TDY to New Orleans drew to a close, I decided I'd regret not taking at least one trip on a street car. It was after mid-night on Friday morning when I boarded #2023 at the lower end of Canal Street and rode it for about 10 minutes to the north.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Sep 23, 2011 RTA _ _ 2023 --- Canal Street at Harrah's Casino Canal Street a bit up the line West 00:08 00:20 ~ Canal Street Last-minute, late-night ride


My first street car ride



June 16, 2012

I made a one-way trip from 38th Street to the US Airways Center for the Kool & the Gang / Van Halen concert.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jun 16, 2012 MLR _ KI-LRV 148/130 130 38th & Washington 3rd & Washington West 18:27 Unk ~4.05 Metro Light Rail To Van Halen concert at US Airways Center


Trailing end at
3rd & Washington



April 20, 2013







Following a two-week "TDY" to Savannah, Georgia in April 2013 I rode Amtrak to Providence, Rhode Island for a week visit with family. Departure from Savannah was near dusk and a couple of hours travel time we ran into some trouble. The train was stopped for an hour or more while emergency personnel tended to whatever it was requiring their attention. The next morning (Sunday) we had a stop in Washington D.C. to change locomotives from DC to AC power. I was able to wander the platform for a little while and photograph the swap as well as some other motive power in the immediate area. Upon reaching New York's "Penn Station" I had to change trains completely as the "Silver Meteor" terminated there. At Penn Station I was unable to see what our AC motive power was so I had to wait until reaching Providence to see just what was pulling us along the Northeast Corridor. I was pleased to find an AEM-7, or "toaster" as they are known among railfans.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Apr 20, 2013 Amtrak 98 P42DC, P42DC 181, 7 25029 Savannah, GA Washington, D.C. North 19:53 08:05 604 CSX Silver Meteor
Apr 21, 2013 Amtrak 98 HHP-8 660 25029 Washington, D.C. New York, NY (Penn Station) North 08:25 11:45 225 Northeast Corridor Silver Meteor
Apr 21, 2013 Amtrak 164 AEM-7AC 927 82672 New York, NY (Penn Station) Providence, RI North 13:34 17:04 188 Northeast Corridor Northeast Regional


Amtrak P42DC #___
Savannah, GA
Train #___

Amtrak P42DC #___
Savannah, GA
Train #___

Amtrak P42DC #___
Savannah, GA
Train #___

Amtrak P42DC #___
Savannah, GA
Train #___

Amtrak P42DC #___
Savannah, GA
Train #___



April 22, 2014

My first ever trip on MBTA for a day trip to Boston.





Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Apr 22, 2014 MBTA 812 GP40MC 1116 601 Mansfield, MA Boston South Station North 08:44 09:32 ? MBTA Boston Day Trip
Apr 22, 2014 MBTA 817 F40PH-2C 1060 1702 Back Bay Mansfield, MA South 17:05 17:36 ? MBTA


Control car #1509 arrives Mansfield
with train 812 in tow.

GP40MC 1116 at South Station
after arrival on train 812.

F40PH-2C 1060 arrives Back Bay
pulling train 817.

My inbound ticket to Boston.



July 15, 2014

Unscheduled Amtrak trip on the Northeast Corridor



I was scheduled to fly from Newark, NJ to Providence, RI on a United Express Q400 but the flight cancelled after seveal announced delays. The weather in Newark was REALLY crappy that night and well, that was that. I knew there was an Amtrak station near Newark Airport so I started sussing out my options. I'd have to spend the night in the airport but there was a train rolling through about 6:15am that would get me to Providence hours before United could get me there the next day. I talked to United Airlines and they would allegedly cover the cost of the Amtrak ticket ($66) with a voucher to be presented to the conductor onboard the train. I also arranged to have my checked bag delivered to me the next day in Massachusetts. I made the train reservation with my phone and settled into Newark Airport for a night of not-so-peaceful rest.

Come the next morning, and about an hour before the train, I made my way to the Sky Train connector service and I was whisked the couple of miles from the terminal to the train station. It really is a convenient way to transfer from the airport to the rails. I waited in an upstairs waiting room until it was closer to train time. Unseen by me but heard, a northbound freight train slowly rumbled through the station and came to a dead stop with the head end power just far enough away I could not make it out. Bummer...if only I'd been on the platform! With that, I decided to head down to the platform and wait for my train. According to Amtrak it was running spot on time. During the short wait for my Northeast Regional train to arrive a number of NJ Transit commuter trains made station stops and I was able to get photos of most of them. It was still murky dark out due to the low clouds lingering over Newark so I used flash on the camera to make the photos "pop" to life. Not long before my train arrived, the standing freight train pulled out of the station. Dangit...I wouldn't get to see the power!

Right on schedule, I saw the lights of an approaching Amtrak train down the tracks. I was pleased to see an AEM-7 "toaster" leading the #190 as these classic units will eventually be phased out in favor of the new 600-class ACS-64 'Amtrak City Sprinter' units being delivered from February 2014 onwards. A photo of one of these new units adorns the cover of the summer 2014 Amtrak timetable. I have yet to see one in person.

I settled into my seat in coach #82671, a typical "Amfleet" car with 2+2 seating. Right on the advertised, we pulled out of the station at 6:17am. I'd travelled these tracks just 15 months earlier when I rode from Savannah to Providence so the scenery was somewhat familiar. What was different was all the foliage. In April 2013, the trees were still bare...no leaves. After just over four hours travel we arrived in Providence a few minutes later than scheduled. It was a nice, last-minute trip on Amtrak and despite the cruddy weather, I enjoyed the New England scenery.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 15, 2014 Amtrak 190 AEM-7AC 919 82671 Newark Airport, NJ Providence, RI North 06:17 10:26 201 Northeast Corridor Northeast Regional


Amtrak AEM-7EC #919
Newark Liberty Int'l Airport, NJ
Train #190



July 24, 2014

Cape Cod Central Dinner Train

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 24, 2014 MC . GP28, GP50 2009, 2010 202 'Great Island' Hyannis, MA Hyannis, MA North 18:00 21:00 48 R/T . Pull-Pull operation


Mass Coastal GP28 #2009
Hyannis, MA
Backing onto Dinner Train consist

Mass Coastal GP50 #2010
Hyannis, MA
Arriving Hyannis station

Dinner train after arrival back in
Hyannis, MA



July 27, 2014

MBTA trip from Lakeville, MA to Boston South Station with connection to Silver Line bus service to Logan Int'l Airport

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 27, 2014 MBTA 2004 F40PH-2C 1070 913 Middleborough/Lakeville, MA Boston South Station, MA North 08:22 09:22 . CSX


MBTA F40PH-2C #1070
Middleborough/Lakeville, MA
Arriving



July 28, 2016

Sydney Transport trip from Richmond, NSW to Sydney Central Station, connecting to a train to Circular Quay Station.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 28, 2016 Sydney Trains ____ D6367 D6367 Richmond, NSW Sydney Central South 07:25 08:40 . .
Jul 28, 2016 Sydney Trains ____ ____ ____ Sydney Central Circular Quay . __:__ __:__ . .


Sydney Trains
Richmond, NSW
_____



July 28, 2016

Sydney Transport trip from Circular Quay to Mascot Station for a visit to Sydney Airport then back to Central and onward to Richmond, NSW.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 28, 2016 Sydney Trains ____ _____ _____ Circular Quay Mascot ____ __:__ __:__ . .
Jul 28, 2016 Sydney Trains ____ ____ ____ Mascot Sydney Central . __:__ __:__ . .
Jul 28, 2016 Sydney Trains ____ ____ ____ Sydney Central Richmond . __:__ __:__ . .


Sydney Trains
Richmond, NSW
D6367



July 31, 2016

Sydney Transport trip from Richmond, NSW to Mascot Station via Sydney Central on the night before flying back to the USA.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 31, 2016 Sydney Trains ____ ____ ____ Richmond, NSW Sydney Central ____ __:__ __:__ . .
Jul 31, 2016 Sydney Trains ____ ____ ____ Sydney Central Mascot . __:__ __:__ . .


Sydney Trains
Richmond, NSW
_____



July 05, 2018



For a trip to visit family in MA. I flew into Newark, New Jersey and caught an Amtrak up to Providence. I got the opportunity to ride behind a "new" ACS-64 Sprinter locomotive that has become the workhorse on the Northeast Corridor. It was a nice ride with the train operating exactly on the advertised.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jul 05, 2018 Amtrak 172 ACS-64 628 82689 Newark Airport, NJ Providence, RI North 10:20 14:53 201 Northeast Corridor -


Amtrak ACS-64 #628
Newark (EWR), NJ
Train #172



December 06, 2018



For a trip to visit family in MA. Like the July trip, I flew into Newark, New Jersey and caught an Amtrak up to Providence. Another ACS-64 Sprinter locomotive hauled my train on this trip.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Dec 06, 2018 Amtrak 172 ACS-64 632 82501 Newark Airport, NJ Providence, RI North 10:20 14:53 201 Northeast Corridor -


Amtrak ACS-64 #632
Newark (EWR), NJ
Train #172



December 9, 2018

MBTA roundtrip from Lakeville, MA to Boston South Station with Dad and his friend Dianne

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Dec 9, 2018 MBTA ____ F40PH-2C 1051 775 Middleborough/Lakeville, MA Boston South Station, MA North __:__ __:__ . CSX
Dec 9, 2018 MBTA 2009 HSP46 2013 739 Boston South Station, MA Middleborough/Lakeville, MA South 15:35 16:36 . CSX


MBTA F40PH-2C #1051
Middleborough/Lakeville, MA
__________


Aboard MBTA between Lakeville and Boston
__________

MBTA #2013
Middleborough/Lakeville, MA
__________



December 10, 2018

MBTA trip from Lakeville, MA to Boston South Station with connection to Silver Line bus service to Logan Int'l Airport

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Dec 10, 2018 MBTA 008 HSP46 2023 905 Middleborough/Lakeville, MA Boston South Station, MA North 07:20 08:18 . CSX


MBTA HSP46 #2023
Middleborough/Lakeville, MA
Arriving



January 9, 2019



Time-wasting round trip from Boston South Station to Providence, RI and back.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jan 09, 2019 AMTK 67 ACS-64 620 Boston South Station, MA Providence, RI South 21:30 22:19 43 NEC
Jan 09, 2019 AMTK 178 ACS-64 617 Providence, RI Boston South Station, MA North 23:29 00:20 43 NEC



January 10, 2019



Acela Express trip from Boston, MA to Newark Penn Station, NJ. My trip back to Newark Airport for my United flight back to Los Angeles.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jan 10, 2019 AMTK 2155 2014 3558 Boston South Station, MA Newark Penn Station, NJ South 07:15 11:13 241 NEC 1st Acela Express ride; 1st Class


Amtrak Acela Express #2014
Boston South Station, MA
Ready to depart

Amtrak Acela Express #2019
Boston South Station, MA
Trailing power car

At road speed
Somewhere along the NEC



January 10, 2019



Short NJ Transit trip from Newark Penn Station, NJ to Newark Liberty Int'l Airport Station, NJ

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
Jan 10, 2019 NJTR 3837 ALP-46A 4646 6519 Newark Penn Station, NJ Newark Liberty Int'l Airport Station, NJ South 11:24 11:29 3 NEC New RR for me


NJ Transit ticket for this trip


NJ Transit ALP-46A #4646
Newark Penn Station, NJ
Arriving




IN May 2019 I made a trip to England to visit my sick friend Andy Jacobus. He was terminally ill at the time and wasn't expected to last until the end of 2019. I spent a week in England and actually took quite a few train trips.
Only now in June 2020 am I starting to document these journeys on this page.


May 22, 2019

Trip from London Kings Cross to Newcastle to change trains for another train to Chathill.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 22, 2019 LNER ____ __ 43302 44098 London Kings Cross Newcastle-Upon-Tyne North 22:00 __:__ East Coast Mainline 43316 Trailing Unit


43302 @ Kings Cross, London
Awaiting boarding

Quite Car northbound to Newcastle
Kings Cross
Ready to depart

Quite Car northbound to Newcastle

Enroute



May 23, 2019

Connecting train from Newcastle to Chathill. It was the middle of the night and I spent several hours in a "casino" lobby waiting for the station to reopen for my early morning train.
This was a trip specifically to visit the Farne Islands to go birding for the day. It was a beautiful day!

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 23, 2019 Northern __ 156472 Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Chathill North 05:51 __:__ East Coast Mainline 142079 / 55775 Trailing Set


156472 @ Newcastle
Waiting to board

156472 @ Newcastle
Waiting to board



May 23, 2019

After an absolutely wonderful day at the Farne Islands, I caught a ride back to the Chathill train station to wait for my return train. A short hop down to Alnmouth on another DMU then transfer to a high speed train for London Kings Cross.
Alnmouth is located near the mouth of the Aln River and is likely so named.

Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 23, 2019 Northern __ 156463 Chathill Alnmouth South 19:20 19:30 East Coast Mainline 156463/52463+57463/156463


156463 @ Chathill
Arriving

Southbound crossing the Aln River viaduct




May 23, 2019

My connection at Alnmouth was only a few minutes.


Date RR Train # Unit Road # Car # From To Dir Dep Arr Miles Line Remarks
May 23, 2019 LNER __ 82202 Alnmouth Kings Cross South 19:37 23:40 East Coast Mainline 1st Class; 91128 trailing power car


82202 @ Alnmouth
Arriving



May 27, 2019

London Paddington to London Heathrow Airport.