Back from San Diego to Rotterdam

[PeeweeTM]

During the two of days of sampling the local trains and trolleys in San Diego I took only a few foto's:

Two Sprinters


Heading to the Coaster back to San Diego.


And another member who didn't gaive this rust buckett any attention.


Next day we visited among other destinations almost the Mexican border, the furthest I've ever been from home.


On Sunday my trip back to Rotterdam started with a bus trip to Irvine. Originally I was booked in the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego, but a part of that run was cancelled because of unstable land next to the tracks. I had to call to buy me a bus ticket from San Diego to Irvine, because teleporting between San Diego and Irvine is not a thing at the moment.
The bus trip was uneventful and fast.

In Irvine I saw another Coaster:


After an hour and some more waiting the Pacific Surfliner arrived. I had booked a Business Class ticket, a bit of a waste for this short trip as there were not many people traveling. I got a snack box and a drink. Luckely the tray table had instruction how to fold it out. But to fold it back in I had to crawl on the floor to read the instruction for that procedure.


We arrived a few minutes late in Fullerton, where I stayed on the platform.






And there is train 4, Southwest Chief!


Next ...

 

[PeeweeTM]

We left on time, had diner and I took another picture of the train in Barstow before going to sleep.


Some old and good looking cars were attached to our train, heading for Kansas City and Chicago.


Not too far before Albuquerque.


Albuquerque


After Albuquerque


Raton, 2x




La Junta


Missouri River Runner in Kansas City


And our train in Kansas City


Next...

 

[PeeweeTM]

Ft. Madison was a bit rainy, but Virtual Railfan was paying attention.




And with about ninety minutes or so the train arrived in Chicago.


I had dinner with a lot of people in the train. Some first time travelers, some veterans. Nobody really complained.
The food was nice, good attendants.

My hotel was near the airport station of Metra O'Hare Transfer, so I took the train.




And next morning back to downtown, because my plane would leave in the evening.


Another picture inside Chicago Union Station. In the Netherlands I participate in a project to reduce the signal distances from now 400 metres to somewhere in the 200 - 300 metre range. The lowest speed the older Dutch train safety system can enforce is 40 km/h (25 mph), so running a train at that speed with these signal distances below...?


I had breakfast at a Yolk restaurant and walked a few blocks.


After that I bought a CTA day ticket. I first thought of taking Metra Electric to Burr Oak or Blue Island, but I opted for the CTA train to Midway. After that I headed back to the other airport with the Blue Line.

On time the airplane landed in Paris.


I had to wait about an hour after clearing border control. My airline ticket included the train ride in first class to Bruxelles. A TGV Duplex type coupled with an older single level trainset travelling with a top speed of 185 mph on parts of the trip. In Lille Europe the single level set continued with me and not too many other passengers to Bruxelles.


And in Bruxelles I changed into my train to Rotterdam. That one travelled only with about 100 mph and arrived with about 10 minutes delay.

Well, I very much enjoyed this trip.
And am in the process of booking our next trip in Spring 2023.

 

[jiml]

On time the airplane landed in Paris.
View attachment 29934

Nice shot. A350?

 

[PeeweeTM]

Yes.
In my opinion in economy the seat width is better compared to the 787, both with 3-3-3 seating.

In the ditch behind the wheels lays the railroad tracks, on which a train ran, which I just missed on my phone...

 

[jis]

And another member who didn't gave this rust buckett any attention.
View attachment 29909

Whadya mean not paying attention? Just before you took that shot of me I took a shot of this loco, and just after this I talked to you as you mentioned the rust on the locomotive

 

[PeeweeTM]

Ow, I edited the text.

When we used the EMD Class66 locomotives, an EMD guy told me in the USA after around twenty years everything above the frame gets scrapped and replaced when I commented on the thin plating of the body work. Some locomotives seem to at least could do with some attention.

Some countries take a bit more pride in the appearance of their rolling stock.

 

[Asher]

Ow, I edited the text.

When we used the EMD Class66 locomotives, an EMD guy told me in the USA after around twenty years everything above the frame gets scrapped and replaced when I commented on the thin plating of the body work. Some locomotives seem to at least could do with some attention.

Some countries take a bit more pride in the appearance of their rolling stock.

Rust never sleeps and I think they have hard enough time keeping them rolling.

Rust and all, you treated us with great photos and description’s.

 

[jis]

Rust never sleeps and I think they have hard enough time keeping them rolling.

If the body is made of Corten then rust is a good thing. That is what protects the Corten Steel from further deterioration. However, that is not the case with this locomotive as was apparent looking at the way things were pealing off and at a few place it had eaten through all the way. But fortunately the body panels are not stress bearing in this locomotive so as long as the frame is not affected, all is good, even if a bit ugly.

 

[Asher]

If the body is made of Corten then rust is a good thing. That is what protects the Corten Steel from further deterioration. However, that is not the case with this locomotive as was apparent looking at the way things were pealing off and at a few place it had eaten through all the way. But fortunately the body panels are not stress bearing in this locomotive so as long as the frame is not affected, all is good, even if a bit ugly.

I think those trains are always in direct contact with the salt air and I doubt the panels are fully coated before assembly. Therefore rust occurs. Not the best look up close.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Whadya mean not paying attention? Just before you took that shot of me I took a shot of this loco, and just after this I talked to you as you mentioned the rust on the locomotive
View attachment 29941

Nice pics, and I still wonder if our walk from the Coaster to the Sprinter is the longest we've taken during Gatherings to change Trains???

 

[Bob Dylan]

Yes.
In my opinion in economy the seat width is better compared to the 787, both with 3-3-3 seating.

In the ditch behind the wheels lays the railroad tracks, on which a train ran, which I just missed on my phone...
View attachment 29939

View attachment 29940

It was nice to meet and talk with you in San Diego, hope to see you on the East Coast next year @ the next Gathering!

 

[PeeweeTM]

It was nice to meet and talk with you in San Diego, hope to see you on the East Coast next year @ the next Gathering!

Thanks, it was nice to talk to you folks, too!

 

[Railroad Bill]

Enjoyed meeting you and riding trains in SD. Glad you had a good trip back to Netherlands. Best wishes

 

[GDRRiley]

Ow, I edited the text.

When we used the EMD Class66 locomotives, an EMD guy told me in the USA after around twenty years everything above the frame gets scrapped and replaced when I commented on the thin plating of the body work. Some locomotives seem to at least could do with some attention.

Everything above the trucks including frame gets scrapped with the exception of some parts that can be rebuilt
Frame replacements are common
These locos are due to be replaced shortly with chargers they got stored out of service for a while

hope so cal was nice