Union Pacific's El Segundo Local LOW20 chasing from Downtown LA to El Segundo 10/18/2024

LOW20 is the Union Pacific El Segundo Local, one of two local jobs originating from 4th Street Yard in Downtown LA. Today I was able to chase it the full length of its run before it tied down in Hawthrone on the return trip from Chevron Refinery. Normally going on duty at 3AM, this job was running extremely late and ended up leaving the yard in the afternoon, while normally it leaves before sunrise. This rare opportunity to see the local in good lighting was too good to pass up, and I set up a chase. I started along the banks of the LA River, where I caught them building their train at Union Pacific's 4th Street Yard. Here, power was a singular GP40, while usually the power is two six axle motors. They started by taking their unit from the north end of the yard, ran it down the Metrolink River Subdivision, before coming back up the yard lead to the south end a few hours later after a communications issue between the locomotive and River Sub systems. Now running even later, the sun was in prime lighting for running on the Wilmington Sub. My next shot was on the UP Wilmington Subdivision where the tracks join alignment with the Metro A Line. I then followed it to their first industry, Grain Craft, where they switched two loaded hoppers for two empty ones. I then shot then at Slauson Junction as they continued south. From here chasing was difficult, but I got it again passing Hawthorne on the Union Pacific El Segundo Industrial Lead, before getting a second shot at the diamond at Wise in El Segundo, following them dropping their empty hoppers in a siding. From here, I caught them again switching the yard in El Segundo with tanks for Chevron. I then caught them heading back out in El Segundo on the lead before they tied down not far away from me due to the crew being on duty for 12 hours. Thanks for watching! Train ID: UP LOW20 18 Head End: UP 1469~GP40-2