In the Ballast with the Santa Fe 3751 at Los Angeles Union Station

Continuing my coverage of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society’s former Santa Fe 3751 steam locomotive’s departure from Los Angeles Union Station en route to San Bernardino, California with an excursion train as part of the San Bernardino Railroad Days and Bicentennial Celebration, I have moved my vantage point into the ballast area at the end of the platform.

Here are the some photos that I took as she departed on a beautiful May day that happened to be National Train Day as well:

“Yesterday meets today” - The former Santa Fe 3751 waits for the “highball” call from the conductor on Track 8 while an Amtrak Surfliner train occupys Track 9 at Los Angeles Union Station on National Train Day, May 1, 2010.

An eclectic mix of private cars comprise the consist behind the former Santa Fe 3751 for this excursion run from Los Angeles to San Bernardino as part of that city’s Railroad Days and Bicentennial Celebration. 

Prior to the excursion train’s departure the Amtrak Surfliner gets a green light out of Track 9 and begins to navigate the track complex at CP Terminal.

Showering a line of photographers in steam, the 3751 gets the “highball” indication and pulls hard on the train as it begins the run to San Bernardino, California.

Equal pillars of steam and smoke are expelled as the 3751 leaves Los Angeles Union Station’s Track 8.

The 3751 eases back a bit as the train gains momentum.

The glorious 3751 rolls by in a magnificent thunderous kaleidescope of motion and sound.

Here is the video from the 3751’s departure out of Track 8 on it’s way through CP Terminal and on to the Metrolink’s San Gabriel Subdivision for it’s run to San Bernardino: