The first train of the year for me would be a colorful one. BNSF's Barstow to Galesburg manifest would have a lash up consisting of BNSF, CSX, NS, and UP power. Here, the heavy manifest slowly grinds up the grade towards Crozier Canyon as it follows along the floodplains for the Truxton Creek.
Crazy pool power consists, colorful gatherings of locomotives at a diesel service area, or a mixture of colorful locomotives in storage lines. A minimum of four different paint schemes required.