Rail-fanning on The OGR Forum 🚂 Welcome: Pictures YOU have taken! • Hope to see you out rail-fanning.

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

A photo taken today of an E9 Southern Pacific Daylight #6051 on static display at the California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento, CA. It may be on static display today, but this is a running E9. They roll it out once in a while for Cal State Railroad Museum Polar Express excursions.

Also photographed today, the only remaining Southern Pacific Cab Forward AC-12 4294. It does not run! To bad. At least it's not outside rotting.

Scott ( @WesternPacific2217),

Thanks for posting an interesting and welcomed update.

You may not have noticed but 6051 was captured higher up in this thread, on 1/29/22, and much longer ago in her lifetime (nearly 28 years back), at Golden Spike 125 in Ogden, Utah on 5/9/1994:

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Mike

It's good to see that's she's well taken care of, and is still ready to roll after all this time.

She's looking very good in your pix.  I wonder if she's received a little cosmetic updating in the interim?

Mike

Here's another photo from the Cal State Railroad Museum. Southern Pacific MW205 rotary snow plow. Pretty impressive how much steal is in the rotor, it's a lot of mass spinning around!!

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Scott ( @WesternPacific2217),

Thanks for posting an interesting and welcomed update.

You may not have noticed but 6051 was captured higher up in this thread, on 1/29/22, and much longer ago in her lifetime (nearly 28 years back), at Golden Spike 125 in Ogden, Utah on 5/9/1994:

It's good to see that's she's well taken care of, and is still ready to roll after all this time.

She's looking very good in your pix.  I wonder if she's received a little cosmetic updating in the interim?

Mike

Hi Mike, glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for pointing out the previous photos of #6051 in Ogden in OGR.

It does look all pretty under the lights in the museum roundhouse! Plus, there is no smell of diesel fuel or oil. I asked one of the docents about that, and apparently they wash them down just outside before bringing it into the roundhouse. Locomotives and rail cars that are not currently on display at the museum are stored in a garage at the old Southern Pacific Railway Workshops just a few hundred yards away. The SP Railways Workshop is still an active shop.

Currently the Pacific Locomotive Association and Niles Canyon Railway are restoring Southern Pacific #1744 2-6-0 and the 3 axle/wheel assemblies are currently at the SP Railway Works being turned to receive new tires. Huge lathe!!!

If any railfans are interested, here's a couple of links to the restoration at the Brightside Rail Yard in Niles Canyon where a team of volunteers are restoring 1744.

http://plasteam.ncry.org/SP1744/1744menu.html

Here's some history before the move to Niles Canyon.

http://plasteam.ncry.org/SP1744/before.html

Fisheye Lens • Amtrak Siemens Charger #4643 - Pontiac, Michigan

March 11th, 2022

We are at a siding at the Amtrak Yard. This loco is idling as it awaits it’s return trip to Chicago. It is 28ºF after a two inch snowfall. I am wearing the Detroit Tigers ball cap. Using a fisheye lens along with Adobe Photoshop. Makes for a fun way to go rail-fanning.

Every model railroader started out rail-fanning!

Hope to see you out rail-fanning and posting your images on “Rail-fanning on The OGR Forum”. Any day and time.

Gary 🚂

@trainroomgary posted:

Fisheye Lens • Amtrak Siemens Charger #4643 - Pontiac, Michigan

March 11th, 2022

Every model railroader started out rail-fanning!

Hope to see you out rail-fanning and posting your images on “Rail-fanning on The OGR Forum”. Any day and time.

Gary 🚂

Looks like you are on your own little railfaning planet there Gary.

Neat photo.

Taken this past weekend:

I was over in York today near the fairgrounds to look at a non rail project. I got caught coming home in some some rail crossing traffic of a York Railway (YRC) set pulling some military equipment. I had no idea what this short line was hauling when I returned around and parked my vehicle. The last time I saw something like this was just north of Houston back in late ‘90 or early ‘91 headed to the ship channel before we went to Kuwait. Of course those sets of trains were hauling hundreds upon hundreds of tan colored tanks and humvees. I’m pretty certain this wasn’t current defense equipment.

The first two are from another crossing. The last is from the video location today.

As I have posted elsewhere, my winter break this year involved an unusually large number of SD38s...a few friends and I joined the caravan of western PA and out-of-state rail fans chasing the irregular "MISC" freight that the B&LE ran south out of Greenville on December 28th. 862 is a "straight" or pre-Dash-2 SD38, still in its ex-DMIR paint, with former Bessemer 868 in Halloween livery trailing.  

Caught this just east of Geneva, NY backroaing it to the Thruway.

@WRW posted:

I was over in York today near the fairgrounds to look at a non rail project. I got caught coming home in some some rail crossing traffic of a York Railway (YRC) set pulling some military equipment. I had no idea what this short line was hauling when I returned around and parked my vehicle. The last time I saw something like this was just north of Houston back in late ‘90 or early ‘91 headed to the ship channel before we went to Kuwait. Of course those sets of trains were hauling hundreds upon hundreds of tan colored tanks and humvees. I’m pretty certain this wasn’t current defense equipment.

Hi WRW, those are M2 Bradley Infantry Vehicles. Notice I didn’t say tank! These are light armored treaded vehicles designed to move troops, but not to engage with an enemy tank. The Bradley’s in your video have the optional turret with 25mm automatic chain gun. They have a crew of 3 and carry 6 infantry. They are still active duty.

Taken this afternoon at Tenino, WA

@trainroomgary posted:

Fisheye Lens • Amtrak Siemens Charger #4643 - Pontiac, Michigan

March 11th, 2022

We are at a siding at the Amtrak Yard. This loco is idling as it awaits it’s return trip to Chicago. It is 28ºF after a two inch snowfall. I am wearing the Detroit Tigers ball cap. Using a fisheye lens along with Adobe Photoshop. Makes for a fun way to go rail-fanning.

Every model railroader started out rail-fanning!

Hope to see you out rail-fanning and posting your images on “Rail-fanning on The OGR Forum”. Any day and time.

Gary 🚂

Love the look! ! Thanks for sharing.

Fisheye Lens - How it works.

Thanks guys for the compliments and checking out my fisheye photos. I carry two fisheye lenes in my camera bag, GoPro Max and an Altura 8mm Fisheye on a Canon DSLR.

These were shot with a GoPro Max in 360º Mode which is a fisheye. This camera has two fisheyes, one looking forward and one looking to the rear. This combination allows for a 360 degree view.

Using the GoPro post production software called “GoPro Player”, these photos are enhanced by bending the horizon line. This goes from zero to 360º and everything in between. Zero would be how the human eye sees the horizon to a full 360º how a fish would see the horizon.

The Altura 8mm lens on a Canon DSSR is a fixed horizon. What you see is what you get.

Both cameras produce quality images using a fisheye lens. I use “Adobe Photoshop” to finish these images. Below are three photos. Photo #1: shows the digital view finder on the GoPro Max. Standing next to the Amtrak Charger. Photo #2: shows both of the fisheye. Photo #3: Canon DSLR with a Altura Fisheye.

Gary

Some recent fun trackside in Colorado

AMTK 1105 Winter Park Express at Plainview.

MNYGJ at Crescent

Hudson turn at Hudson

AMTK 1105 Winter Park Express at Leyden

MNYGJ at Sulpher

AMTK 5 at Barr Lake

A little mishap at Denver. Derailment on a frozen turnout held up AMTK 5 for 3 hours on this cold morning a few weeks ago.

Beautiful photographs, Erik!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Beautiful photographs, Erik!

Thanks Mark 👍😊

We spent the past weekend in Amarillo Texas,  just for fun.  Decided to go to the railroad museum there today,  but it's closed except for Thursdays and Saturdays. Couldn't go inside but on the grounds (rails) was something very interesting,  a 10 car atomic train from the 50's. 7 cars carried first nuclear weapons then in their later life carried spent fuel to Yucca Flats. They looked like a hopper car was inverted on a flat car and the gates removed.  Loading was through the roof. Personnel cars looked like they were made from old REA Express refrigerator cars trucks changed to roller bearing , had bunks and kitchen facilities inside,  cupola added to one end with bulletproof glass, and portals for guns.

Got in and out before the rough weather hit.

Would make a great bashing project.

Also there was a helium car,  just like the Lionel ones.

From sea-level Skagway Alaska to 2100-foot elevation Carcross, Yukon Territory, on board the White Pass & Yukon Railway in September of 1989.

The oldest railroad viaduct in the US.

This week on Point No Point NB.

This is the location where a few minutes later I saw the PRR fallen flag bombardier ALB. Sadly I had just put my phone in my pocket and was engaged in other things when we all took notice of the PRR adorned ALB zipped by. Before that the engineer of this particular engine, while waiting for the NB Acela to pass, leaned out the window and asked if we were fishing. Lol. (All of us were in the middle of lot of wetlands and ponds) Good guy! I like these modern train employees.

Budd built observation car ”Babbling Brook“ brings up the markers on todays 5 near East Portal, CO under the Great Divide. 2 ex-Northern Pacific “North Coast Limited” Budd sleeper domes join in the fun. And also a Veterans converted Cabbage from F40PH was present. A fun morning on the hill, is it worth mentioning both kids my son of 7 joined me and the wife for a rather rambunctious morning. Also less than 5 minutes after my capture the clouds in characteristic continental divide fashion cloud socked the whole shot. 3/24

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

Some recent fun trackside in Colorado

A little mishap at Denver. Derailment on a frozen turnout held up AMTK 5 for 3 hours on this cold morning a few weeks ago.

Dedicated railworkers in that weather. Nice images Erik.

Conrail SD80MAC 4104 leads a westbound past two relics of the New York Central; a four track signal bridge and tombstone milepost. Today both the signal bridge and milepost are gone. Photo taken on April 6, 1998 at Little Falls, NY.

@BobbyD posted:

Dedicated railworkers in that weather. Nice images Erik.

Bobby, You are so correct!!  I worked outside a lot with the power company and then the phone company, until I moved to engineering at age 51.  My dad worked outdoors in all weather his entire career.  Once I was indoors and now retired, I appreciate those men and women who work out in the frigid cold and blazing heat so much!  Adverse weather makes every job harder and the day seem longer, believe me.  Railroad workers are no exception!!

Some shots, not taken on RC, P & E railroad property, of the old CN&W roundhouse/turntable at Huron, SD.   As ,I believe, @Hotwater said, "you'd be surprised how many turntables still exist in N.America".  Point taken !   The old plow marked for Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern did not see any service this winter as our Upper Plains drought lingers.  I only used my snowblower once this winter, of course April may take offense at my statement & bring snow, but the ice is mostly off the lakes.               Rich in SD

@pittsburghrailfan posted:

As I have posted elsewhere, my winter break this year involved an unusually large number of SD38s...a few friends and I joined the caravan of western PA and out-of-state rail fans chasing the irregular "MISC" freight that the B&LE ran south out of Greenville on December 28th. 862 is a "straight" or pre-Dash-2 SD38, still in its ex-DMIR paint, with former Bessemer 868 in Halloween livery trailing.  

That DMIR paint scheme is very attractive I think, it just looks "right".

@trestleking posted:

Some shots, not taken on RC, P & E railroad property, of the old CN&W roundhouse/turntable at Huron, SD.   As ,I believe, @Hotwater said, "you'd be surprised how many turntables still exist in N.America".  Point taken !   The old plow marked for Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern did not see any service this winter as our Upper Plains drought lingers.  I only used my snowblower once this winter, of course April may take offense at my statement & bring snow, but the ice is mostly off the lakes.               Rich in SD

Rich, Very nice shots!  I see those two tone orange units here in Butler, Pennsylvania with B&P letters; Buffalo & Pittsburgh.  There were 3 on the head end yesterday. but I couldn't get the phone out fast enough to get a shot.

Found this while cleaning out some old files on a hard drive.  BNSF pulling upgrade just west of Flagstaff, AZ in April of 2010.

A shot of Santa Fe 5000 2-10-4 Baldwin.  It's called "Madame Queen ". Looks a little forlorn in its present condition.  Amarillo railroad club is trying to raise money for a cosmetic restoration.

More BNSF action on the transon.  This time just near the New Mexico border on the Arizona side during a hazy day circa 2015.

After the auto show. Good seats and ready to go home. 2015.

Michigan Central Station • March 6th., 2022

It was a windy day at the Michigan Central Station as I walked the grounds to capture these photos. The red F150 in photo #3 is my everyday driver.

Photo #6 & #7 is a Canadian Pacific mix freight train on a downgrade to the CP Railroad Tunnel to Canada. Negotiations are underway between Amtrak & VIA Rail to run passenger train to Toronto Canada. Google Earth shows the location.

Hope to see you out rail-fanning: Gary 🚂

Trackside Lunch • Today • March 28th., 2022

It was a nice day to go rail-fanning and have a White Castle lunch at the CN Yard, Pontiac Michigan. I was the only person at the yard. There was no crew talk on the railroad scanner. This yard is about a ten minute drive from my train room and I was hoping to see the yard crew building trains, So I went for a long walk & got some interesting photos. Graffiti on boxcars, Illinois Central Yard Loco, Operation Lifesaver Trailer from the Grand Trunk Police, CN Yard Truck & Wisconsin Central Hopper. Just one block from the yard, Marathon Gas Station has gas for $3.89 - {Cash}

Hope to see you out rail-fanning: Gary 🚂

@trainroomgary In regards to your White Castle lunch, you're a man after my own heart. Sounds like you had a fun time!

@trainroomgary posted:

Trackside Lunch • Today • March 28th., 2022

It was a nice day to go rail-fanning and have a White Castle lunch at the CN Yard, Pontiac Michigan. I was the only person at the yard. There was no crew talk on the railroad scanner. This yard is about a ten minute drive from my train room and I was hoping to see the yard crew building trains, So I went for a long walk & got some interesting photos. Graffiti on boxcars, Illinois Central Yard Loco, Operation Lifesaver Trailer from the Grand Trunk Police, CN Yard Truck & Wisconsin Central Hopper. Just one block from the yard, Marathon Gas Station has gas for $3.89 - {Cash}

Hope to see you out rail-fanning: Gary 🚂

I thought White Castle was strictly in Chicago.

@DennyM posted:

I thought White Castle was strictly in Chicago.

White Castle is in about a dozen states and has been here in Indianapolis since the late 1920s.

@Up & Down the Monon posted:

White Castle is in about a dozen states and has been here in Indianapolis since the late 1920s.

100 years.  It's apparently the first fast food chain to be celebrating this milestone, although I think A&W may actually be older.  Here in the Detroit area the celebration started in all locations in September of last year and is still going on.

This month's contribution is a special 100th anniversary hamburger on the menu, representing what their burgers were like when they started.  It's actually fairly good and quite different from their normal sliders.

Mike

Frisco 1501

Rolla Mo    St Patrick’s Day 2022             Only a static display but beautiful !!!!