4K - Extreme Railfanning in San Diego: Amtrak, Coaster, Metrolink, & BNSF Trains in Early 2018

Presented in 4K! With the end of April approaching, I thought it would be fitting to take a look back at the train action that we have seen in San Diego over the past 4 months this year. Surprisingly, I have been out quite a lot catching the various typical action seen here, but also seeing some more unique aspects of railroading and trains here in San Diego! From North County to even South Bay, as well as Amtrak, Metrolink, Coaster, and BNSF trains, everything's featured here in this video!

Starting off in Del Mar, various Coaster trains are seen passing by the beautiful Pacific Ocean landscape. Amtrak #774 also makes an apperience, with an extra locomotive and 3 private cars, down here for a 3 day chartered excursion. Since this video was taken, Amtrak has set up new and widely discouraged policy, targeted against the use of private cars on their trains. While revisions to the controversial policy have been issued, trains 562 and 565 are now the only 2 trains on the Surfline where private cars are permitted to run on. Let's hope Amtrak changes this policy once and for all!

Heading up the coast to the Oceanside area, various typical Amtrak, Coaster, and Metrolink trains are seen at the Surfrider Way crossing (CP Shell), Oceanside Transit Center, and the Cassidy Street crossing in Southern Oceanside.

Making my way south now, Carlsbad is the next location featured. Various Amtrak and Coaster trains are seen passing by the Cannon Road crossing as well as the Poinsettia Coaster Station. POI station is undergoing some major improvements over the next few years, with construction being started 3 weeks ago. Coaster F59PHI #3002 also made a surprise appearance from the dead a few weeks ago, double heading the weekend consist with F40PH #2102. 3002 sure sounds amazing still, gotta love it!!

Thew in a couple various clips from the Cardiff and Encinitas area as well, including a shot of the Northbound Daygo manifest with BNSF Dash 9 #5301 sporting an awesome Leslie RS3L horn!

Also paid a few visits to Sorrento Valley, where BNSF Dash 9 #4001 is seen on an unusual Southbound mid-morning daygo. Rather short train as well! We've been getting a lot of BNSF Dash 9's down here recently on point, it makes you wonder if someone is doing that on purpose... who's hacking the BNSF system!? And speaking of Dash 9's, another one (BNSF #4965) is seen leading a daytime 5 engine power move heading to Barstow. A Coaster Padres deadhead train is also seen with 2309's rocking new "3rd Gen" raised letter K5LA horn. Not bad sounding!

Found a new more scenic location, located on Miramar Hill. Amtrak #774 is seen passing by, chugging up the hill with it's P42DC leader. Coaster 3002 also made an apperience, in full dynamic mode going down the grade. Rather remote spot here, requires some walk in, but worth it! Just down the line as well, I visited the Rose Canyon area by CP Rose for a few Amtrak trains.

Downtown San Diego is our next stop, where Amtrak NPCU #90278 is seen leading train 583 past Palm Street with the Ocean View dome car! Since this video was taken, 90278 was sent off to Beech Grove for alternative assignment. Coaster 2309 is also seen passing by Palm with the new K5LA.

Last stop on the line is the National City area in the South Bay, where the BNSF National City local is seen switching around at the cement plant near Bay Marina Drive. BNSF GP60 #179 was also on this train, with a vintage Leslie RS3L! Been getting really lucky with the horns these past few weeks!

Thanks for watching!
Video and Content © 2018 MichaelLovesTrains