This is some interesting freight railroading action in San Luis Obispo. Two helpers just uncoupled from the I-OACI (the train on the left) after bringing it up and over Cuesta pass, and they are now coupling onto the I-CIOA (the train on the right), towed today behind ex-SP SD40T-2 8559 and ex-C&NW SD60 8011. The I-OACI then pulls up to the depot (with an ex-SP, SSW, or D&RGW SD40T-2 repainted into UP's armour yellow), stops, changes crews, and pulls out of San Luis Obispo. The I-CIOA then pulls out north toward Cuesta Pass (yes, with the long hood forward), 15 minutes in front of Amtrak's Coast Starlight, which I rode to San Jose that day. You have now witnessed the meeting of the I-CIOA and the I-OACI. (NOTE: I-CIOA = Intermodal: City of Industry to Oakland, and I-OACI, its counterpart, = Intermodal: Oakland to City of Industry... Confused enough now?)

December 11, 1997