Rolling out of San Luis Obispo just a few minutes down, Amtrak 790, lead by the AMTK 510 with the private car "Silver Splendor" directly behind it, passes the site of the Southern Pacific (SP) rou... (more)

The Coast Starlight rolls downgrade into San Luis Obispo around the mini horseshoe curve.

Station stop while riding the Coast Starlight.

Passengers onboard today's southbound Coast Starlight were likely a bit worried as the passed through the small town of Santa Margarita looking up to a wall of smoke from the raging Cuesta Fire. L... (more)

On a calm evening along the Central Coast, Union Pacific 8266 leads the Board of Director's Special around the horseshoe curve near San Luis Obispo, California. Soon this train will make a station... (more)

For my 600th upload, we're going to back to SLO to watch empty autos snake around the Cuesta Grade. UP 1989 was 2nd out for this run.

On somewhat rare, rainy day on the central coast, Amtrak 1790 waits patiently at the ex-Southern Pacific, San Luis Obispo station as mist continues to roll over the hills in the background. Specia... (more)

Bringing up the rear of today's northbound Coast Starlight as it crosses the 1894-bult, 930-foot long Stenner Creek Trestle is the ex-Canadian National rear-observation car "Burrard."

UP 7373 leads the detouring QRVWCB-16 across the 930-foot long, 122-year-old Stenner Creek Trestle and out of the morning marine layer as it drops off Cuesta Pass toward San Luis Obispo. Also of s... (more)

With its northbound journey now complete, Amtrak 1761 turns as Amtrak 1790 as crew members prepare the train for its southbound journey. Running today with the AMTK 42, Amtrak's first "Salute Our ... (more)

Even After 45 Years, I Still Have a Lot of Great Memories of This Day

Almost immediately after it took over passenger train operations from the private railroads In 1971, Amtrak sent... (more)

Carefully dropping down into the San Luis Valley an eastbound Union Pacific auto train highlights the serpentine curves on the approach to Stenner Creek, trading distance for elevation in the Coas... (more)

As the coastal marine layer begins to retreat back towards the Pacific Ocean the morning sun warms the rolling golden hills along California's scenic central coast. Within this picturesque setting... (more)

The engine crew changes, handing the reigns over for the continuation of the journey of the Coast Starlight.

Turning the Tables

Southern Pacific SD40E 7342 is turned on the turntable in San Luis Obispo, California, in preparation for the next day's service as a helper on the steam-powered <... (more)