Railfanning at the 2003 TCA Convention
By M. Stella
I know when I attend a TCA National Convention in a far off local
I like to visit the local railroad facilities, a railroad museum
if available, displays in city parks, and maybe a tourist railroad
if lucky.
Visitors to the Western Division 49er Convention in Ontario,
California will have ample opportunity to do the same.
On sponsored tours you might see a 4-6-4 Royal Hudson, visit
the narrow gauge Grizzley Flats, or ride a variety of old trolleys.
On your own you can hop aboard MetroLink and visit the Los Angeles
Union Station. If you transfer there to Amtrak you can ride to
San Diego aboard a Surfliner. A great ride!
Die-hard railfans can visit Cajon Pass where an Eastbound UP
freight going up the hill might pass another Eastbound UP freight
going down the hill!
Much closer to the Ontario Convention Center and only 15 minutes
away is a fantastic display of BIG STEAM representative of the
three major Southern California railroads.
There is the Santa Fe 4-6-4 (a full size #2055), a Southern Pacific
4-10-2 (just made by 3rd Rail), and my very best favorite of all…a
Union Pacific 4-12-2. This #9000 was the first 4-12-2 and is the
sole survivor of her class. Of course many will pay more attention
to the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4014 and a few weird railfans might even
prefer the DD40X Centennial diesel on display.
If you plan on attending the 2003 convention and desire more
information on how to visit this terrific Pomona Exhibit please
contact your convention hosts. For now, please enjoy the pictures
I took just last month.
See you all in Ontario.
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