The vast majority of BNSF Railway trains in southern California have recent GE diesels (ES44DCs, ES44ACs, ES44C4s and ET44C4s), and lately EMD SD70ACes are becoming more common as well. So when the three of us out railfanning heard that a train was heading our way with a rebuilt SD70MAC on the point, we knew where to head for good light. Unfortunately, BNSF SD70MACE 9725 turned out to be the third unit in the consist – not all the intel one gets is ironclad. Still, these days, when so many trains on most of the Class 1 railroads have such similar power, some of us get stoked about even little things these days. And thus we see train Z-LACALT7-27 with ES44C4 6984, ET44C4 3953, SD70MAC 9725 (!) and ES44C4 6579 climbs the 2.2% grade as it passes through Verdemont, in western San Bernardino, as it begins its assault on Cajon Pass on its way from Los Angeles to Alliance, Texas. (San Bernardino, California – June 27, 2020)
