4K - Rescue from NorCal: Amtrak California Dash 8 Locomotives on the Pacific Surfliner

Presented in 4K! In January 2018, deadly and devastating mudslides swallowed up the small town of Montecito, in Santa Barbara County. With extensive damage done to the town and the 101 freeway being inundated with mud, the main artery between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles was shut down.
Due to the freeway closure, many resorted to taking the train between Santa Barbara and neighboring Ventura, California. With the train being the only mode of transportation open between these key points, capacity was stretched beyond limits. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner reached out to several fellow agencies for assistance, in the form of extra rail cars. Amtrak California (CalTrans) in Northern California responded, by sending down 8 coach cars, and 2 of their GE B32-8WH locomotives. These 2 veteran former "pepsi can" Dash 8's, CDTX 2051 and CDTX 2052, are extremely rare visitors to Southern California and I was lucky enough to catch them in service north of Los Angeles during the time they were here.
700 series trains only north of Los Angeles had an extra "block" set added to them at Los Angeles Union Station. Upon arrival, the extra 3 cars and Dash 8 locomotive were added, and upon arrival back to Los Angeles, taken off. These sets never went south of Los Angeles due to ATS requirements. AMTK 510 also provided some assistance on train 761, a normal Dash 8 engine based mainly here in Los Angeles. Also caught Amtrak 507 switching around at Amtrak's 8th Street Yard. It's all here, in this special MichaelLovesTrains presentation!
All locations and dates are listed in the video. Kudos to Amtrak as well for working together and adding the extra capacity for stranded travels. My thoughts also go to the residents of Montecito, and to the 21+ victims who tragically died in this act of nature.
Thanks for watching!
Video and Content © 2018 MichaelLovesTrains

[@atms04]

That 3-car train is awesome

[@raphtze]

as a weekly rider of the capitol corridor in norcal--i have probably been on those amtrak california cars :)

[@basictransportenthusiast4386]

The funny thing is I think they kept coaches 6462-6465 on the surfliner and a couple of CC superliners, so theres still the occasional mixed train even in 2022

[@earlknightjr.6161]

HELLO MICHAEL! ITS 5STAR VIDEO! YOU GET 5 STARS FOR THIS ONE! ONE OF THE BEST TRAIN VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE! I'M JUST LATE SEEING YOUR SITE! JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! EARL OF EL BARRIO, NYC,N.Y 4/16/20. 2:15 AM

[@ernestpaniagua1210]

Had the pleasure of working on all the California cars surfliner a.nd superliners 1&2's for 12 years at OMF as a Carmen

[@superbaddy4]

7:03 That poor, lonely, miserable Metrolink Bombardier Cab Car back there, missing out on all the fun here... 21:20 R.I.P. SCAX 684

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

11:35 RIP 507

[@superbaddy4]

At least it's not Tri-Rail 507...

[@ernestpaniagua1210]

Amtrak california Dash -8's still highballing girls glad that they kept them ladies

[@Balerio2357]

Nice catches great shots Michael, excellent video! Greetings from Orange County California; - Larry

[@maegonsmith3166]

i like e-bells athough e-bells on amtrak dash 8 can only be found at florida i've look for amtrak dash 8 from california for weeks

[@theautofreak6020]

Great video

[@GamingRailfanner]

I saw an 8300 series cab car, the cab car was probably like Why am I back here

[@BorisLu]

Nice video!

[@DiamondMaster20]

Great video! I loved the trains you showed in this tough time. Liked and subbed!

[@Michaellovestrains]

Thanks!

[@Wolfgodmak]

So either they combined Cap Core and Caltrain with Surfliner or they were separate trains and provided extra trains throughout the day?

[@rhettrossalbert]

Nice Video!

[@rhettrossalbert]

Liam Whitney + thank you.. 🚓

[@riturajdeepbux3604]

Uggu

[@UnionPacificRailFan]

Great video