Nice to see you made it to the California State Railroad Museum, a big shame it was spoiled by less that desirable conditions, though I hope you still enjoyed it.
I really want to get down there some day. I’ve heard they have Nevada Copper Belt motorcar number 21 in storage there (it used to be on display but, from what I’ve heard it must have been less popular, because it got moved to the back). NCR’s motor cars are a favorite of mine and I wish I could see one someday.
Keep having fun Kevin!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Day 14:
.
This day started off badly, then did not swing back to the good side. The truck next to my car was broken into at the hotel last night. They did not break into my car, but they threw things from the truck onto my car. There is a good sized ding in the passenger door, and a few small scuffs on the roof and trunk lid. I don't think anything is bad enough for National to consider damage, but it was still annoying.
We hit bad traffic back ups while we were leaving Bakersfield due to construction. We did not make it to the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento until after 1:00, which was far behind schedule.
Then, there were about 500 poorly supervised eight year olds running around the museum. The noise was terrible, and my nerves were pressed to the limit with the screaming and yelling.
We did not even try to get inside the Pullman and Dining Car on display. I also could not get in the cab of the Cab-Forward locomotive. If anyone ever asks, yes, 10 eight year olds can fit in the cab of a SOUTHERN PACIFIC 4-8-8-2 if they need to.
I was quite excited to see this display. It is an F7 with the side panels all removed so you can see under the hood. I was unaware the air compressor was driven from the main generator. I have always wanted to see something exactly like this.
Plus... The kids were not intersted in this at all!
We walked once around Old Sacramento, and I made a new friend.
We drove to Roseville, but we were there too late to try the restaurant that Donn suggested. We ended up just grabbing some drive through, but they told us to park the car, then they forgot about us. After ten minutes I went inside to get our food which was sitting on the counter.
I had to get gas, but I pulled into a gas station that does not take credit cards, WHAT? When I cancelled the sale after inserting my card, the credit card company shut down the card for suspected fraud. I had to clear that up, which was another test of my patience, then I went to a different gas station.
By the time I finally made it to Railroad Hobbies, my wife and I were on our nervous ends. It is a great store, but my mood for the day was killed and I could not properly enjoy it.
They actually have an historical identification plaque for their store. That is pretty cool. I bought a couple items that were on my "should purchase" list.
The farmland in California is simply amazing. The immense diversity of the crops that are grown is staggering. The trees, orchards, fields, and groves are all in perfect shape and I was so impressed. I saw grapes, walnuts, almonds, oranges, rice, and so on, and so on. There was work going on everywhere.
The farmland scenery is so picturesque. I was thrilled.
I stopped at a roadside stand and bought strawberries, mangoes, and oranges. This is what I had for dinner.
My favorite picture of the day is this out of service building in farm country.
I need to sleep this day off, and get ready for a new day tomorrow.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
gmpullman If you don't mind me sayin, those fries look a little anemic for my tastes. I like 'em a little longer in the hot fat!
The fries were certainly not the kind I like either. I like them about twice as thick, crispy brown, and piping hot.
rrebellYou should have kept to the coast, at least two steam trains and spectacular veiws.
We are trying to see as many different areas as possible. Agriculture fascinates me, and California is obviously the king of all things farm related.
You should have kept to the coast, at least two steam trains and spectacular veiws. Also near San Francisco you are only 4 hr from Yosemite National Forest.
Oh, I see some live poultry cars in that display case!
Not for sale!
Nice find on the caboose, though.
I've always wanted to try an In-N-Out Burger ever since I heard about them mentioned in "The Big Lebowski" but I suppose I'll never get the chance. If you don't mind me sayin, those fries look a little anemic for my tastes. I like 'em a little longer in the hot fat!
Cheers, Ed
Day 13:
This day had a bad start. The oil needed to be changed on the rental car, so I spent the first part of the day at a Buick dealer in Pasadena. The dealership was great, but just not what I wanted to do on the first part of a vacation day.
Then I finally made it to The Original Whistle Stop in Pasadena, California. Several days ago I started at Ready To Roll in Miami, so it is official, this is a real coast-to-coast hobby shop adventure.
I had a good find at The Original Whistle Stop. They had a GM&O brass caboose in their case for sale. This is the model I use as the standard STRATTON AND GILLETTE caboose, and this is the tenth one I have. Great score and lucky find.
Then we kept going Westward. What do you know? If you go far enough West, there is another ocean on the other side of the United States, and you cannot go any further. I have finally seen the Pacific!
After we left Santa Monica Beach we drove the Pacific Coast Higway way up past Malibu. The we went off of the expressways all the way to Bakersfield, California. This took about 5 hours, but it was so worth it. We saw scenery in the Los Padres National Forest that were incredible.
The butterlfies were out in force, in swarms! I must have killed hundreds of them with the Impala.
Outside of Bakersfield I saw this line of covered hoppers. Nothing special, but the only real trains I saw all day.
I think I chose the wrong hotel in Bakersfield. This Hampton Inn is on the wrong side of the tracks near a 24 hour seedy truckstop. I have no idea why a new hotel was built here.
We ate at In-N-Out burgers for dinner. When I was young, 40 years ago, there was an In-N-Out in Gainesville. I used to ride my bike there and get a burger sometimes in the mid 1970s.
I thought finding an In-N-Out would help me relive youthful memories, but no, it just was not the same.
This was the best picture of the day. I have to say that California is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I see why so many people are drawn to the Los Angeles area. There is so much fantastic beauty everywhere. I love all the colors in this one, it looks so much like a fantasy world that it does not even look real.
SPSOT fanJust out of curiosity how active are you in the live steam hobby?
Not very active at all. The Mikado is really just a frame, drivers, and side rods. Still a very long way to go. It was started as a project when all three girls were at home and I have no room for a train layout. It was something I could work on in the garage.
As soon as daughter #1 left home, I started on the "spare bedroom" STRATTON AND GILLETTE, and no progress has been made on the Mikado since. I have collected more parts for it. I have the lead and trailing trucks, but they are not machined yet.
I also have a balance problem with the frame.
I have considered scrapping the Mikado idea and going with a full-kit ten wheeler instead.
I have been a member of the Florida Live Steamers off-and-on for 35 years.
MapGuy42Excellent photography! I must add my voice to those that suggest you stop at the California State Railroad Museum (if not this trip, then someday).
Thank you for the compliment. I have taken over 2,000 pictures so far. Only a select few are good. I will be at the Sacramento Railroad Museum tomorrow.
TonymmAmazing trip and very enjoyable to follow along. The photography, food, birds, and most of all the attitude to explore and enjoy are combining nicely for a memorable time.
Thank you! I am truly having the time of my life. Today I could hear hundreds of birds in the Malibu Creek State Park, but I could not see a single one of them.
ROCK MILW I am really enjoying your travelogue. Truly a trip of a lifetime.
Yes it is. Half way through right now. Stay tuned.
RioGrande5761: I also attended Indiana University Geologic Field Station, summer of 1994. Did the same route as you. I still have all my geologic maps that I made. Loved it. I imagined what it was like to see those Milwaukee Road freights rolling along the Jefferson River. Some of the catenary poles were still standing. When were you there?
Kevin: I am really enjoying your travelogue. Truly a trip of a lifetime.
Kevin,
Amazing trip and very enjoyable to follow along. The photography, food, birds, and most of all the attitude to explore and enjoy are combining nicely for a memorable time.
Tony
I am thoroughly enjoying this travelogue. Excellent photography! Someday I will make a similar road trip, but right now I'm still a youngun' with kids in school and 20 years of work ahead of me.
I must add my voice to those that suggest you stop at the California State Railroad Museum (if not this trip, then someday). Lots of great equipment inside and out, and a great running toy train exhibit. Particularly right now they have a focus on the anniversary of the Golden Spike (including one of the actual spikes). The excursion train they offer is not too exciting, though, you wouldn't miss anything by skipping it.
Also, in nearby Roseville is my LHS, Railroad Hobbies. Not much in the used front, but it's a well-stocked train store, with decent regular hours (M-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4). Across the street is the north end of the UP yard, and Southern Pacific 2252 and a rotary snowplow on display.
Local eats suggestion: Pacific Street Cafe (breakfast or lunch) in Roseville (other side of the yard).
I look forward to your journey up the west coast!
-Donn
You can always convert to propane, it has been done.
SeeYou190 SPSOT fan Make sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area. It will be coal fired. My mentor in Live Steam, Bruce, would kill me if it was anything else. The smell of coal is part of live steam railroading for me.
SPSOT fan Make sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area.
It will be coal fired. My mentor in Live Steam, Bruce, would kill me if it was anything else. The smell of coal is part of live steam railroading for me.
Well that pretty much makes running at train mountain an impossibility, unless the local forests magically become less prone to fires. Coal is banned at train mountain
No reason not to visit though, I hope you make it, with or without an engine.
Just out of curiosity how active are you in the live steam hobby?
Day 12:
I wanted to go to West Side Hobbies in Las Vegas this morning, but it turns out they are closed on Tuesdays. I guess that will be a destination for another time.
We made it to California!
We went to the Joshua Tree National Park on the way to Los Angeles. It is beautiful, and worth the short side trip out of the way.
Near Joshua Tree there is this neat Old West town in miniature. I am not sure what it is all about, but the train is cute.
I would have liked a better look around, but there were "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dog" signs all over the place.
For dinner we opted to spend the money we budgeted to lose in Las Vegas on a Steak Dinner at The Derby in Pasadena. This was awesome!
Now I am spending time with my daughter, and my wife is happy.
This is my favorite picture I took today. It is the rotting stump of a Joshua Tree that fell over. I think it looks adequately spooky.
rrebellGlad you made a tour of some of the more spectacular casinos,
The casinos really were impressive. The Mandalay Bay was spectacular, but the Tropicana seemed to be the best environment.
SPSOT fanMake sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area.
PennCentral99See, Las Vegas has more to offer than gambling.
Thank goodness. Gambling really is not for me.
See, Las Vegas has more to offer than gambling. By the way, I live near Railroad Pass (which that whole area was just completely re-done), so you drove by my house at least twice.
Glad to see you're having a good time in my backyard.
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
SeeYou190 SPSOT fan ) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track. . Believe it or not, that is one of the places I intend to take my 1 1/2" scale Mikado to if I ever get it completed. Hopefully I will.
SPSOT fan ) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track.
Believe it or not, that is one of the places I intend to take my 1 1/2" scale Mikado to if I ever get it completed. Hopefully I will.
Great, I hope that becomes a reality. Make sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area. How you make it their some time soon, if not on this trip!
Glad you made it to the museum, got a private tour a few years ago, right time right place type of thing. Glad you made a tour of some of the more spectacular casinos, we may go back this summer ourselves, tried to go for spring break but brother in law couldn't get the week off (our two familys usually travel together).
Day 11:
I think this has been the best day so far. We started out and headed for Hoover Dam. This is something else that really needs to be seen in person. It is not as far from side to side as I imagined, but it is a lot taller from top to bottom than I thought.
Of course, we drove across the top.
We also stopped and looked over across Lake Mead.
We made a side trip to Boulder City, Nevada where I got to fly a captured flying saucer! That was quite a thrill.
Then we stopped at the Nevada Railroad Museum. This is a small collection but they have some really great pieces on display. The GP-30 is in perfect looking shape. They have an F40-PH in SOUTHERN PACIFIC daylight colors. There is a very unusual looking mikado, and a SOUTHERN PACIFIC consolidation.
They also have this really neat 36 inch gauge critter, and an excursion car to go along with it.
The General Electric 80 ton locomotive was on display. I did not even know this locomotive existed. Now I want one for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE roster! I hope there was one made in brass.
These neat little pedal powered railroad cars were there also. They were being packed up for use at a different location. They sure look like they would have been a lot of fun to take for a ride.
There is a Live Steam layout adjacent to the museum. It was not running today, but it was still a great installation to look at.
This is a great view of a former railroad line that has become a hiking trail near the Hoover Dam. If the weather had been better I probably would have walked through that tunnel just for the thrill.
Then we went back to Las Vegas, where today it was cold, windy, and rainy. We went through the Casinos at Excalibur, New York New York, MGM Grand, Tropicana, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Caesers Palace, and the Venetian.
After walking around casinos for 4 hours we are $35.00 on the up side! How amazing is that? We budgeted to lose $200.00 in Las Vegas. This is great.
This was the best picture of the day. It is an island in Lake Mead. The weather and conditions were terrible, but I love the colors in this photograph.
AttuvianAs a reward you are granted an extra ration of chocolate on Monday. And so is your sweetie.
Thanks John, we both love chocolate!
drgwcsKevin are you going to make it to San Diego too? The San Diego model railroad museum is a must see. Incredible layouts.
San Diego cannot happen this trip. Tomorrow we are driving to Los Angeles to visit our youngest daughter that just moved there from Orlando. I cannot delay seeing her again long enough to make a side triop down to San Diego.
gmpullmanIt would be sacrilegious to miss Sacramento
Stopping in Sacramento is a maybe. It will depend on travel times that day.
rrebell As far as the Excalabur it is old and worn.
The Excalibur is showing age in some areas, but in others, it looks spectacular. My floor has all new carpet and wallpaper. My room has new furnishings and carpet. The food court is undergoing some renovations right now. The outside looks great.
SPSOT fan) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track.
xboxtravis7992The St. George area is known as Dixie because of early pioneers who grew cotton in the area.
That makes sense. Thank you.
PennCentral99What did you think of the thunderstorms we had today?
The lightning in the sky was amazing. The lightning bolts sure seem longer out here, and like everything else, you can see them from further away. I was driving back from Hoover Dam when all this was going on.
SeeYou190 I am checking out the Nevada Train Museum tomorrow. -Kevin
I am checking out the Nevada Train Museum tomorrow.
Let me know if you need anything
What did you think of the thunderstorms we had today?
The St. George area is known as Dixie because of early pioneers who grew cotton in the area. Just as the original Dixie was known for its cotton production, Utah's own 'little' Dixie is named such via that association. Cotton production only lasted a few years in Utah until it was deemed uneconomical, but the name stuck hence the Dixie National Forest, Dixie State University, Dixie written out on a rock face on a mesa overlooking St. George, etc.
The two locomotives in the Ogden museum everyone keeps asking about are DRGW 5371 a SD40T-2 and SP 7457 a SD45.
Kevin, I didn’t mention this earlier but when you pass through Oregon (you seem to be getting close) you must (if possible) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track. They also have a lot of cabeese, freight cars and other equipment in 1:1 scale. I don’t know how open they are to the public (I always go as a member) but I think you can get in. Even if you just spend a few minutes there it will be worth it!
They have a train museum just outside of henderson where you are. As far as the Excalabur it is old and worn. There are still real penny slots inside New York New York as well as a real New York delli. You can gamble for $1.00 for hours on a real penny slot which use to be everywhere but I have only found a few in a special area where I said. Fremont Street is great at night. Walk around Ceasurs Pallace and the Venetian, costs nothing and great sites, especialt the later.
drgwcsSo Kevin are you going to make it to San Diego too?
It would be sacrilegious to miss Sacramento —
Old Sacramento, State Railroad Museum and the Amtrak station all in walking distance.
https://www.visitsacramento.com/visit/old-sacramento/
Thanks for the great travelogue, Kevin!
Have fun, Ed
So Kevin are you going to make it to San Diego too? The San Diego model railroad museum is a must see. Incredible layouts. There is also Reed's hobby shop just outside of town that is excellent. There is also Frank the trainman although I think they may be more Lionel. Perhaps someone in the area could fill us in- been a long time since I lived in the area. If your wife enjoys shopping (and what wife doesn't?) there is Old Town and Harbor Village (Think I got the name right) when we lived there they had great local shops and were worth a stop in their own right.
SeeYou190 I have the best job on earth, and I am a very lucky (and thankful) man. -Kevin
I have the best job on earth, and I am a very lucky (and thankful) man.
It's late at night but that's good to hear at any time of day. Gratitude doesn't seem to get much play these days but I know there's a lot of it out there.
Sorry for your travails in Vegas. Be glad you can leave them behind in a few hours. It's sobering that some can't - or won't.
Thanks for sharing your travels so well with all of us. As a reward you are granted an extra ration of chocolate on Monday. And so is your sweetie.
John
Track fiddlerHow does that conflict with traveling for business and or travelling for pleasure? How often do you stop and see the sights when your on business opposed to pleasure?
I have offices in Tampa, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte. My territory is Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, Belize, and Suriname.
I travel about 30 weeks a year. I also get six weeks vacation per year.
I always stop and see sights when travelling for work. I don't post many of them in here because so few are train related.
Day 10:
Another Sunday with no model train shops. I think finding one open on a Sunday will be very hard.
I did not see any real trains until I was just outside of Las Vegas. I drove three days without seeing any trains in the real world. I had no idea that was even possible.
I did take a picture of a part of a "Wagon Train" in a small town park today, does that help? This was the best I could do.
We had to do laundry today, so we started off in a Laundromat in Arizona. We ate leftover pizza in the car while the laundry was in process.
We drove out of Arizona and went into Nevada. The mountains in Nevada look different. Kind of gray and ominous compared to the fancy mountains in Utah and Arizona.
I got out of the car and di a lot of hiking through the hills today. I had a really good time with my wife just wandering around and climbing up on top of things.
Then we went into the Fire Valley State Park in Nevada, and we were once again blown away by the beauty of nature.
I took a few pictures of birds while I was there.
You can see Las Vegas from the Interstate when you are still 15 miles away. That is amazing to me. When you are 15 miles away from Atlanta, you do not see any of it.
I also saw some palm trees near Las Vegas today. These were the first Palm Trees I have seen in a week.
We made it to the Excalibur hotel in Las Vegas about 7:00 PM. I got a room in the "tower" corner of the building with a huge round bathtub in the round tower room.
This is the view from the bathtub window.
We ate at the hotel restaurant. They have just about anything you would want, including crepes for dessert.
I am not happy in this hotel. The TV only has 13 channels, and it does not have HBO. I did not get to see the new Game Of Thrones tonight.
The Casino is not for me. I don't drink and then do stupid things, so I am not having much of a good time. I like to drink ang have fun. Getting drunk while mindlessly pressing buttons on a money burning machine looks terrible to me, but there are a lot of people here doing it.
The noise outside is unbelievable. There are helicopters flying by my window every few minutes. Sirens are constant. The whole hotel smells like smoke. The couple across the hall is fighting. This is not my kind of scene at all.
This was the best shot of the day:
Kevin
As I have seen you in the Forum for the last few years, you have a traveling job.
How does that conflict with traveling for business and or travelling for pleasure? How often do you stop and see the sights when your on business opposed to pleasure?
TF
groundeffectsWhat a fun trip so far! I'm enjoying the photos taken along the way as well as the food. From what it looks like you're probably getting close to Nevada and Southern California really soon.
Thank you for the comment.
We just arrived in Las Vegas this evening. Los Angeles on Tuesday.