The Transit Oyster

The Nightcrawler by Greg Brown Via Flickr: Amtrak 18, the Spirit of California, stops at Martinez in February 1983. The state-supported train began running in October 1981, offering overnight service between Sacramento/Oakland and Los Angeles. It was not particularly fast, which inspired the nickname above. Most travelers opted for 737s and DC-9s instead of Amcoaches. When California’s gubernatorial administration changed in 1983, the train died a quick death.

Pumpkin Drone por SD80MAC_4103 Por Flickr: Its a snowin’ and a blowin’ at Wyoming Yard as the 1st shift east end RCO switcher goes about its duties on the Old Even with RCPHE4 #9119 and MP15DC #1146. A former Seaboard Air Line GP40, the #9119 later became an MOW “Pumpkin” (CSXT #9727) and then was converted into an RC Drone. After CSX retired all of the EMD Drones, it was converted yet again into an RDMT road slug, becoming CSXT #2374.

My First Kodachrome por Greg Brown Por Flickr: A westbound Southern Pacific train departing Klamath Falls, Oregon is parked in Texum siding, awaiting opposing traffic. Once the main is clear, this lumber drag will highball for Dunsmuir and Roseville. The SP 7430 was the first locomotive I ever saw painted for the SPSF merger.

John Dominis Southern Pacific engine. Donner Pass. California (1949)

Hi app I see in tiktok text to speech videos, it’s weird to think I’m on here now, huh. Anyway i’m a tiktok refugee (after escaping the hell which is IG Reels) so I’m gonna try to not gentrify this app and mostly scroll because I don’t know if this site can take both a flood of twitter refugees and now tiktok refugees. I want to make one post so this is my contribution, a 35mm film photo I took of the CTA! I hope every one of you all has an amazing day and I hope you all enjoy :)

Brooklyn: Franklin Avenue and Empire Boulevard With A View Of Ebbets Field (1947) -photographer unknown

That's all the content I'll show for now, because I'll probably make another post soon anyway. I am DEEP down this rabbit hole in a book about this stuff right now, and have memorized not just the classic Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot (RIP) but even digging into other lake freighter shanties like Red Iron Ore by Bob Gibson. Whatever god is up there, just let me on ONE freighter during a violent storm, just ONE, please PLEASE.

Amtrak train #317 the Hoosier State used the former GO Transit GP40TC's in the mid-90's. One of these distinctive units is seen southbound at 144th Street in Dolton, IL on 5/21/94. Dolton Tower is the white building in the background. Photo by John Eagan

In a view from the Taylor Street bridge, Amtrak train No. 322, the Calumet, is equipped with former C&NW long distance bi-level coaches and is seen backing down to CUS from the 12th Street coach yard, in October 1984. The cab car will lead on the eastbound trip to Valparaiso.

Amtrak train No. 322, the Calumet for Valparaiso, is pushed eastbound at CP 509 on the Conrail Chicago Line, in July 1984. The train is equipped with former C&NW long distance bi-level coaches.

Amtrak train No. 322, the eastbound Calumet, to Valparaiso is pushed by F40 No. 295 on Conrail's former PRR Chicago Line at 40th Street, in June 1984.

Amtrak train No. 322, the Calumet, pulls out of the 12th Street coach yard heading for CUS, in October 1984.

Amtrak train No. 322, the eastbound Calumet, to Valparaiso, on Conrail's former PRR Chicago Line at 40th Street, in June 1984.

Two images by Richard Koenig; taken March 23rd 1976.

Photo: Jack Delano