UP 6901 West "Field Of Dreams" - From 1978-1980, I was blessed to play Baseball for Liberty Christian High School in Huntington Beach, CA. Our school played in the small schools division throughout southern California. Two schools we played away games were Hesperia and Victorville. These games were played at my "Field of Dreams", Lime St. Baseball Park. Located in Hesperia, right next to the Santa Fe/Union Pacific mainline through Cajon Pass to Los Angeles. "If you play, the trains will come." My senior year, (I was the only one out of a class of 25), I circled April 11, 1980 on the calendar. This would be my final away game against Victorville at the Hesperia ballpark. I brought my trusty Pentax K-1000 camera filled with B&W Kodak Plus-X film. I was also the yearbook photographer in 1980. I gave my camera to one of our "Team Moms" Mrs. Hildom to take photos of the game and especially any trains going by. From home plate looking to straightaway centerfield and right field, you had a clear view of trains going by. It was very difficult at the plate trying to concentrate on the pitcher and the ball with a train going by! Eastbound trains would zip by with little warning going downhill toward Victorville. However, westbound trains could be heard for a long time struggling up the steep grade. So on this beautiful spring April afternoon, Coach Riddell put the ball in my hand to pitch this final game. With a comfortable lead in the top of the 7th inning, two outs and nobody on, I knew a westbound train was approaching quickly. I called time, stepped off the mound, to watch UP DD40X 6901 West with three 8000 class SD40-2H units lead the SuperVan toward Los Angeles. Mrs. Hildom captured the moment as I started walking back toward the mound. I pitched a complete game, we came away with a victory and celebrated afterward at the local McDonalds. The bus ride back to school was a happy one.
Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
Class
EMD DD40X
Road Number
UP 6901
Line/Subdivision
Cajon/SF
Location
Hesperia, California, USA
Date Taken
April 11, 1980
Date Uploaded
July 29, 2024
Views
490
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UP 6901 West "Field Of Dreams" - From 1978-1980, I was blessed to play Baseball for Liberty Christian High School in Huntington Beach, CA. Our school played in the small schools division throughout southern California. Two schools we played away games were Hesperia and Victorville. These games were played at my "Field of Dreams", Lime St. Baseball Park. Located in Hesperia, right next to the Santa Fe/Union Pacific mainline through Cajon Pass to Los Angeles. "If you play, the trains will come." My senior year, (I was the only one out of a class of 25), I circled April 11, 1980 on the calendar. This would be my final away game against Victorville at the Hesperia ballpark. I brought my trusty Pentax K-1000 camera filled with B&W Kodak Plus-X film. I was also the yearbook photographer in 1980. I gave my camera to one of our "Team Moms" Mrs. Hildom to take photos of the game and especially any trains going by. From home plate looking to straightaway centerfield and right field, you had a clear view of trains going by. It was very difficult at the plate trying to concentrate on the pitcher and the ball with a train going by! Eastbound trains would zip by with little warning going downhill toward Victorville. However, westbound trains could be heard for a long time struggling up the steep grade. So on this beautiful spring April afternoon, Coach Riddell put the ball in my hand to pitch this final game. With a comfortable lead in the top of the 7th inning, two outs and nobody on, I knew a westbound train was approaching quickly. I called time, stepped off the mound, to watch UP DD40X 6901 West with three 8000 class SD40-2H units lead the SuperVan toward Los Angeles. Mrs. Hildom captured the moment as I started walking back toward the mound. I pitched a complete game, we came away with a victory and celebrated afterward at the local McDonalds. The bus ride back to school was a happy one.
Rick Doughty (62) I have been photographing trains since 1975. My favorite railroad is the Denver & Rio Grande Western. My photos have been featured in CTC Board, Railfan & Railroad, Railroads Illustrated, many railroad book and motive power annuals. I also enjoy severe weather photography and storm chasing. I play drums for my local church. I live in southern Idaho with my wonderful wife Stacey, who enjoys going with me on train watching adventures.
UP 6901 is a class EMD DD40X and is pictured in Hesperia, California, USA. This was taken along the Cajon/SF on the Union Pacific Railroad. Photo Copyright: Rick Doughty uploaded to Railroad Gallery on 07/29/2024. This photograph of UP 6901 was taken on Friday, April 11, 1980. All Rights Reserved.
