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California Rail-Fanning Question: Stockton-Area

CR California Railfan508OGR Forum Member

I don't post very often on this wonderful site anymore but I am hoping to get some great advice from the great community in regards to rail-fanning on my trip back up from Southern California next week. More info below:

I am departing from Chico, California down to Rancho Cucamonga, California this Thursday and will be spending Friday-Monday morning down in Fontana for the big NASCAR race weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Monday is my travel day back from Rancho Cucamonga to Chico and I am hoping/planning to stop in Stockton for two to three hours (depending on travel schedule) in the hopes of capturing some BNSF/Union Pacific action on some of the old Southern Pacific/Western Pacific/Santa Fe lines that are in Stockton. I have looked on Google Maps and located both yards (one on the East/West line and the one on the North/South line) along with the diamond crossing where the WP used to cross the SP/ATSF line back in the day. The questions I have are:

1. Are there any good spots in Stockton where I can catch some great train action that you recommend?

2. How busy is the traffic through the old SP diamond on a typical weekday (if anybody knows). I would love to get a few shots of either BNSF or UP trains crossing the diamond (from a safe distance using a telephoto lens on my D-SLR, since I respect the railroads and will not trespass) going North/South or East/West?

3. Are there any good areas around either yard in Stockton to catch any yard activities being performed?

Depending on the answers/suggestions I get from the community, I'll decide if I will indeed go through with this short rail-fanning excursion (since I have never been to Stockton before outside of driving past it on Interstate 5). Heck, I might even make the trek up Interstate 15 on Monday from Fontana up to Barstow in order to catch some action at the old ATSF (now BNSF) yard/facilities if I decide not to go to Stockton. 

Thanks in advance for any of your help, tips, suggestions, etc, 

William Anderson (lifelong fan of railroading along with being a fan of the Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, ATSF, Rio Grande, BNSF, and Western Pacific Railroads)

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Number 90Number 90OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I can't say anything about Stockton today, as far as train movements over the diamond.  However, since you live up in the Valley, I am confident that you know about Stockton's crime situation and that you'll make sure you're aware of your surroundings while out with your camera.

However, if you go to Barstow for photos, I suggest that you skip the yard and take the old highway east.  Right at the eastern edge of Barstow (at a location formerly called Nebo), between Barstow and Daggett, is a broad curve with a 3-track overhead signal bridge.  There's a dirt road crossing which can get you close to the tracks.  Also, the main crossing in Daggett will get you close to the tracks with overhead block signals in your photos.  Unless it is Monday, you should see plenty of trains, several of which will use the crossovers and the Union Pacific junction.  Maximum authorized speed through Daggett is 70 MPH, 50 MPH through the crossovers, and 30 or 40 MPH on the UPRR curve and turnout.  And you can get a cold beverage between trains.

Last edited by Number 90

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