After a half-hour stop in Ontario, we stop again 500 yards east of the station. The engineer reports an all red at the east switch. We begin again after seven minutes with no explanation on the radio. False alarm on the beer. An announcement is made that the beer also will have to be disposed of. Ouch. Delays are bearable. No beer on a Friday night is criminal. We move through Union Pacific’s Colton Yard and on the radio, our train is instructed to not exceed 10 MPH.

The Ontario, California stop is now 25 minutes and counting. There is a red light east of the station, causing the delay. According to the chatter on the radio, the refrigeration went out in the lounge car. According to our car attendant Rick, all frozen items not sold in the next hour to be disposed of. Luckily, the beer will survive. Unfortunately, for lunch the next couple of days, I’ll have to trade my customary two hot dogs and beer in my sleeper car for a sit down lunch in the dining car.

We stop in Pomona, California at 4:43 p.m. PT, and we are now running 1:32 late. A freight train passes us as we are stopped in the station. Heading into Ontario, California, the Union Pacific dispatcher advises our train not to exceed 30 MPH.