Dusk At Pinole On The UP Martinez Sub

I walked over to the spot where the BNSF runs along the bluff above the UP tracks. The BNSF calls this location Gately but I think the UP would still regard this location on their rails as a mile west of Pinole. Here’s the google maps view of the location.

It’s a very pleasant ride along here. We have occasionally taken the kids for a train ride from Emeryville to Martinez, a nice 45 min ride along the shore. After a short run north through Berkeley and Richmond, the UP tracks make a relaxing series of reverse curves along the shoreline of San Pablo Bay. Here’s the view looking west:

And the view looking east…

The UP has been busy with maintenance on this line over the past few months replacing ties and bridges and maintaining ballast. You can see the nicely finished ballast profile that has an elevated shoulder above the level of the top of the ties.

Eastbound Capitol

Before I headed back another Amtrak slid by.

This train is in actually push mode, the engine is at the rear of the train. It is an Amtrak California train even though it is using an Amtrak unit. I assume they are on lease/loan to Amtrak California.

This is a very pleasant location enjoyed by railfans and non-railfans alike. If you particlularly like passenger trains, check it out. There’s plenty of freights though many of them run at night. Even if there are no trains, its pretty nice to just sit and relax or go for a walk by the bay on a pleasant summer day.

Cheers,

Coxy