There and Back Again

My most sincere apologies for not having posted in a brutally long time.

I have had an insane time with Google not being kind, and/or myself not being smarter than Google -- likely the second part.

That said, a video up for grabs:


My videos are still being created by the original Cisco Flip HD -- a camera no longer created or supported by Cisco.  In the above video, I learned how to briefly edit internally per scene, which is how I was able to bring out solely audio from the detector at Milepost 154.4 at the end.

The first locomotive is a GE P42DC in Amtrak livery on the Roseville Subdivision's westbound #1 track.  This is the California Zephyr heading towards Auburn, Roseville and then Sacramento.

I missed the lead unit on the freight train, heading uphill on the #2 track.  You can see, however, that UP 5279 -- a GE C45ACCTE -- is working as a mid-train helper, with UP 5148 (an EMD SD-70M) and UP 7476 (a GE C45ACCTE in UP parlance, and ES44AC in GE lingo) pushing at the end.

It's Christmas week, so time to make a hit-and-run post.  Now that I've made peace again with Google and Blogger, more to come.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and God bless us all in the potentially contentious New Year.

Be safe and healthy.

MP154

MP154: three trains in a half hour

And there I was, thinking I could possibly pull off another train meet on video.  As immured here:



I knew that UP 4878 had already passed Alta and was on its way downhill towards my favorite spot under Interstate 80.

Here, UP 4878 West -- a priority Z Train -- heads downhill on the #2 track, an EMD SD70M with 4,000 hp manufactured between 2000 and 2004, one of 1,083 such units.

In number 2 position was UP 7920, a GE C45ACCTE with 4,400 hp, followed by UP 6398 in third position, an original Southern Pacific (and the last of this order) GE C44AC with 4,390 hp manufactured in 1995 and one of 202 such units.  One of a very few units still displaying actual Southern Pacific colors on the UP main.

Because I anticipated a train meet, I kept my camera rolling on the downhill train.  Yes, admittedly, perhaps a bit too long.

That said, UP 6448 East emerged around the same corner and screamed past me in Run 8, as a GE C44AC, one of 120 such units with 4,390 hp manufactured in 2000.

 

UP 6448 East on the nose.

 

EMD SD70ACe.

 

EMD units 620 (UP GP38-2, 2000 hp) and 1567 (UP SD40-2N, 3000 hp).

 

Look closely at the rear of this grain car.  Riders.

Go here for the video on YouTube and, as per normal, click on the link, enlarge, and play with headphones for the best experience.

MP154

Stack train documented by unusual video:

I'm certainly nothing of a techno-geek, by any stretch of the imagination.

That said, I am sufficiently facile as to update various forms of technology in a basic way.

And that would be: I traded in my iPhone 3GS for a new Samsung Galaxy Note II.

Frankly: I couldn't be happier.  The Note II has, thankfully, absolutely exceeded my expectations.

The first video I ever recorded on the Note II was this below, caught extemporaneously and with little forethought for editing or professionalism -- clearly.

In the video, a downhill (westbound) UP double-stack train comes to a stop for the red signal at MP152 approaching Secret Town -- then, releases its brakes for a few number of cars.  I acquired some detail on the trucks of well cars, air lines, air valves, wheels, axles and brakes.  Note that the WABCO proportional air valve, manufactured in January of 2011, is built in Mexico.

As per normal, see the full video here and please wear headphones for the full experience.  Listen to the creaking of the brakes as the air solidifies and then releases.  Below is the actual brake pad to that wheel in full application.

Overall, I am rather pleased with the video capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Note II.  Yes, I see that picture went in and out of focus a few times.  And yes, I realize that it did its best with contrasting situations which resulted in backlighting issues.

That said, packing the Samsung Note II everywhere I go assures I likely won't miss some potentially important video or photo opportunities.

The current photo and video quality of various telephones absolutely amazes me.

And, bottom line?  I am much happier with the Samsung than I was with the iPhone.  And no, I'm not paid by Samsung.

Merry Christmas to all my readers, thank you for visiting, and please return.  I am not going away.

Finally: gird thy loins for 2013.  I suspect it won't be pretty.

MP154

P.S.
As per normal, click on each photo for enlargement.  Further: every photograph above is a "screen capture" of the original HD video taken by the Note II.  That in itself is -- in my opinion -- astounding.  Check out the clarity.  Or am I simply another daft dupe for technology -- ?