The PE Bascule Bridge – Wilmington, California

Photo from MTA Flickr archive

Not much chance of diving into the drink from this side of the bridge.

Southern California Ports – Redux

Photo from MTA Flickr Archive

The Catalina Terminal in Wilmington, California, 1940’s. The “W” stood for Wrigley, as in the chewing gum, the Cubs, and Catalina Island. This W logo would persist on the San Pedro based Wilmington Transportation tug boats, which was formerly a Wrigley owned company. The company was bought in 1998 by Foss Maritime of Seattle. Thea Foss, the founder, was the inspiration for the old Wallace Beery, Marie Dressler classic “Tugboat Annie.”

Geotagging Cameras and Railfan Photography

Imagine sticking this device in your digital camera, and being able to instantly, and automatically tag your photos with GPS coordinates. Podcasting of such photos could wind up being the new gonzo railfan activity!

Box Car Chalking – Almost a Lost Art

Digital Image by Pdxrailtransit

Often obliterated by gobs of spray paint, a few chalkings can still be seen on modern day freight cars.

No Sympathy for this Transport Mode

Digital Image by Pdxrailtansit

Good old Herb Kelleher’s little airline. You know, the guy that spent lotsa bucks, and lotsa political influence in the State of Texas, to stymie creation of a high speed rail network between DFW, and Houston.

Home for the Holidays – Green Flags Fly on Amtrak?

Digital image by Pdxrailtransit

While personally not a big fan of holiday travel, I wish all the Amtrak patrons out there Godspeed. I am heartened by Amtrak’s announcement of “Second Sections,” of Cascades service on 12/23 and 12/27.

NOAA Weather Discussion December 12, 2009

The transition from arctic air mass to a wet Pacific air mass is proceeding much more calmy in downtown Portland this morning than was predicted. These weather discussions on NOAA’s website make for interesting reading, especially when the weather is changing. Please click on this colored text.

TriMet Dodges Bullet

Digital Image by Pdxrailtransit

A frosty scene from last December’s arctic blast. Busses are still using 3rd and 4th streets as the transit mall in this view on 4th by the Multnomah County Courthouse. Lownsdale Square forms the backdrop of riders and busses braving the icy and snowy conditions. I can remember one westbound trip on the Blue Line vividly. It was about 5pm, and our Type II train was packed, sardine city. The grade out of the Goose Hollow is steep, and the operator fought hard for traction with sharp pulses on the controller, and even sharper pulses on the sanders. We would start, shudder, a blast of sand, start, slip, more sand, shudder, jerk forward, slip, more sand, more controller. This went on for a good 30 seconds as we clawed our way up to the east portal or Robertson Tunnel. Even normally blase Max riders showed alarm in their faces, then relief, as we entered the protected enviorns of the tunnel. Bravo!

Pretty FURXed Up

Digital Image by Pdxrailtransit

This ex BNSF SD40-2’s Heritage paintscheme didn’t last too long in its original form, losing its nose herald,
and BNSF on the long hood.

Quebec North Shore and Labrador

Digital Image by Pdxrailtransit

NREX ex QNSL SD40, complete with Dofasco trucks, and an extra capacity fuel tank. What a monster!