#4-8-4

Solo at Vincent por Doug Lilly Por Flickr: After the World’s Fair Daylight with Southern Pacific 4449 conquered the famed Tehachapi grade with the aid of a pair of diesel helpers, the stage was set for the real show to take place. The helpers were uncoupled at Cameron for the 4449 to handle the train into Los Angeles. Here the big 4-8-4 is really working to get its thirteen car matched consist up the grade to Soledad Pass at Vincent, California.

Horror Show by Leo Blackwelder Via Flickr: To call this a bold move is putting it lightly. New Ringgold was our next target, but the trick was to avoid the crowds - by going somewhere few are crazy enough to try. My guide had pulled this shot previously and I was eager to get a similar one for myself, but the trip there was not what I expected. Thanks to the brief stop at Port Clinton and avoiding the shots between there and New Ringgold, we had a decent amount of time, but there would be no wasting any of it. It's not a terribly far walk, but by god is it a scary one. Me and heights aren't the best of friends, and those planks were definitely not bolted in all the way. I'm kind of surprised I actually made it across. The timing was perfect though, as after our brief wait with a handful of others brave enough to make the short jaunt, the RBMN 2102 came barreling around the curve and across the bridge just as the sun peaked out of the clouds for a few brief moments. That nearly haunting hooter certainly helps make its presence very known, to say the least. The debate in my head as we hurried back across and back to the car was if it was worth it or not. I think yes, personally.