Seeing My First Missouri Pacific Engine in Sacramento, California.

When I was growing up, my hometown of Davis, California was home rails to Southern Pacific.  Although I credit seeing Southern Pacific's daily trains to much of my appreciation for railroading, I often liked to venture to Sacramento to see the trains of rival Union Pacific.
The early 1980's were a sea of Union Pacific SD40-2s with the occasional C30-7.  SD60's and Dash-8's were just beginning to arrive.
One day, as a double-stack train raced through Del Paso Heights, to my excitement I saw a recently acquired Missouri Pacific SD40-2.  I watched as the blue locomotive headed east under the I-80 overpass and out of sight.  That was the first I saw of Missouri Pacific as a California railroad enthusiast. 

Western Pacific and Developing My Sense of History

Western Pacific was one of the first railroads that I developed a sense of history about.  When Western Pacific was merged into Union Pacific, I was just old enough to have appreciated seeing Western Pacific trains prior to the merger.
As Union Pacific started to run through Sacramento, I noticed that Western Pacific engines would still be on the trains.  At my local hobby shop, hobbyists wore Western Pacific shirts and hats.  As they discussed the days of Western Pacific, I began to grasp this history.
I have always enjoyed the Feather River Route and have enjoy visiting communities along the old Western Pacific.  When I eat dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory in the Sacramento Western Pacific depot, I still cherish my Western Pacific memories.

Riding the California Zephyr

Some of my first train rides were aboard the California Zephyr at William Land Park in Sacramento.  Here I am with my brother, sister and dad on a Saturday morning in 1979.

Below, I am in the lounge car of the Amtrak California Zephyr as I head to Amtrak Train Days.  Thirty-five years later, I am the same person, always eager to hear the whistle blow and to see the scenery pass by as I ride a train.

Western Pacific Holds Fond Memories For Me

As I grew up in the Sacramento Valley, I had a love for the Western Pacific.  The beauty of the Feather River Canyon truly inspired me.

By the time I was old enough to take trips to the Feather River Canyon with my father, Western Pacific had become part of Union Pacific.  I, however, was still fond of seeing traces of Western Pacific's heritage throughout the West.

One of my favorite restaurants since childhood, The Old Spaghetti Factory, is located in the former Western Pacific Depot in Sacramento.  I have spent many spaghetti dinners sitting by the window watching trains heading to and from the Feather River Canyon.

Whenever I see the Feather River Route logo today, I think of my childhood and trips to both the Spaghetti Factory restaurant and the Feather River Canyon.  Western Pacific truly holds fond memories for me.