Railfanning the Salinas Valley in late summer 2025! Featuring BNSF, heritage units, and more!

8/17/25-9/22/25

Hey railfanners, sorry for not uploading again. My time for train spotting has been rather limited with my insufficient time availability with daily life and school. Most Amtrak and UP trains during this time have also been rather uninteresting due to having the same power with no variability whatsoever. However, I was able to get a few rare catches over the course of a month, so here they are!

1) Amtrak 11 with BNSF 8270 leading at Foletta Road outside of Gonzales, running an hour late on a windy day.

2) Amtrak 14 with ALC-42 unit 363 at Spence Road in Spence, running about 25 minutes late.

3) Amtrak 14 with 350 leading and phase IV P42 unit 164 trailing at San Jon Road, going at 10 mph again with the stupid speed restriction, running over half an hour late.

4) Amtrak 14 with 363 leading again, at Somavia Road between Spence and Chualar. This was my first time here and is also likely the first time a train was filmed here too. Also notice how the GS type 2 E-bell is dying. Hope it doesn’t become type 3.

5) Amtrak 14 with 309 leading at John Street in Salinas.

6) Amtrak 14 with 349 leading at Spence Road.

7) (SHORTENED VIDEO) Amtrak 203 operation lifesaver leading train 11 out of SNS station. Had to unfortunately cut the video short due to a young boy running in front of the camera.

8) Union Pacific Santa Margarita Local led by GP60 unit 1005, in the Cotton Belt scheme, passes through SNS station.

9) Triple-header Amtrak 11 led by phase VII P42 unit 167 departs SNS station.

10) Amtrak 11 with 363 leading yet again but with P42 unit 40 trailing at Spence Road.

11) Amtrak 11 led by unit 321 passes a Hitchcock Farms private crossing in Cooper, running over 45 minutes late as the sun sets below the horizon.