a picture a day....

Here’s on for you today. Caught this guy side tracked at Dupo Illinois the other day.

@lee drennen posted:

Here’s on for you today. Caught this guy side tracked at Dupo Illinois the other day.

Nice catch Lee'.. I wonder if this unit had a Caterpillar motor in it'...😄

FOR TODAY:  Friday morning and the beginning of another day on the railroad.

I went to the Bowden Yard yesterday and took a picture of these. The NF Southern I believe is an SD9? has "Track Inspection & Development" Research NS38.  The Passenger Coach has Research NS36.  I was told that once a year they come down to   X-Ray the tracks.  Anyone here know more info on these? Thanks, Jorge

A picture of some homemade trees that will be planted in my river scene.

The "Chief" pulls out...

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Nice catch Lee'.. I wonder if this unit had a Caterpillar motor in it'...😄

It would be a big one.

Here’s today’s for all you Electric Guitar Fans Yesterday I dropped a Overseas Container that was brought in from the CSX train full of Electric Guitars 400 boxes to be exact this place is a Devil to get into.

Lee, nice maneuvering on that one...tough to get up to that unloading dock just right...!  It's good to hear the "music" will be forthcoming again

Great job of backing up Lee. Kind of like backing up a 4 wheel wagon loaded with hay up an incline to the barn door with it starting to rain.

@Capetrainman posted:

The "Chief" pulls out...

That is a brilliant shot Paul'.. Excellent lighting on that baby'...👍

@Curt Henion posted:

Great job of backing up Lee. Kind of like backing up a 4 wheel wagon loaded with hay up an incline to the barn door with it starting to rain.

Curt I know your feelings I have a old spoke type on rubber wheels  wagon I hate backing up that thing

Hey Lee, that comment I made was about me. I was a “know it all” farm kid who considered himself a expert on backing up a one axle trailer. Then one day Dad says, “back that load of hay in the barn”. Now let me tell you, the four wheel wagon separates the men from the boys. That tight space you backed into requires you to plan the curve the rear trailer wheels have to follow to come out at the door, plus not jack knife the truck. You don’t have to answer this, because we are all super impressed with your ability to back in there, but how many times did you have to pull ahead again to realign the rear of the trailer with the door?

Hey Curt. I farmed all my life and you comments about backing a two axel trailer was interesting.  My challenge was the the tobacco wagons with a sterring front axel . It was a challenge until we put hitches  on the front of our tractors. Much easier to manager when you can see which way that front axel is moving. Driving a semi is easier to back up than a trailer with a steering axel as you surely know wow I love you're comments about the farm .

@Curt Henion posted:

Hey Lee, that comment I made was about me. I was a “know it all” farm kid who considered himself a expert on backing up a one axle trailer. Then one day Dad says, “back that load of hay in the barn”. Now let me tell you, the four wheel wagon separates the men from the boys. That tight space you backed into requires you to plan the curve the rear trailer wheels have to follow to come out at the door, plus not jack knife the truck. You don’t have to answer this, because we are all super impressed with your ability to back in there, but how many times did you have to pull ahead again to realign the rear of the trailer with the door?

Thanks for the complement Curt. I pull up about 4 times I deliver here so often. That was only the half of it I have to back off a busy street into the parking lot between the pole and parked cars down the hill go to the dock it will definitely separate the men from the housewives here’s a pic I took for my brother that has been aggravate me to take some pics of his place because I’ve told him about how hard it is to back in.

Hey Farmer John, that is exactly what our hay wagons were, front axle steering. We did the same thing as you did. We bolted a steel plate to the front of the Farmall M with a hole in it for the clevis hitch on the wagon and used a drawbar pin to hold it. Backing them up after that was a breeze. My Dad had no college education other than some night classes, but he would put any engineer to shame when it came to solving problems on the farm. Curt

Hey Lee, are you driving a Mack? Looks like a Bulldog out on the hood.

@Curt Henion posted:

Hey Lee, are you driving a Mack? Looks like a Bulldog out on the hood.

Yes my boss bought these brand new in 2016.

A quiet place.

FECRailroadog, I don't know much a about the cars, but I had a friend that worked for BNSF and worked on the inspection/ research train. They would go out for 7 days inspecting track, checking computer readouts about track condition. Wherever they would end up at the end of 7 days BNSF would bring in a new crew and fly them home for a week and then fly them back to the new location of the inspection train. I was in the understanding that they did this all year long and the train hardly never stopped.

John, the trees are going to look outstanding on your Amazing river scene! I think you might have out done yourself with it!

Paul, really love the night scene!

Lee, sure looks like a PIA! But it also shows your skills! That's why you have that route!

Nothing new from me guys! Maybe later today!

Here’s Today’s. One of my favorite Lionel Milk Cars

Former NS 5128 at Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown, PA yesterday (Sat 9/11/2021)

@Curt Henion posted:

A quiet place.

Curt, This reminds me of the 'Grotto, in Brookfield, CT.  Very similar'.. That is a very nice addition and complement on a layout'... Very nice indeed'.. and well done'..👍

FOR TODAY:  " Pipe load transfer from rail car to flatbed trailer.  BIG BERTHA has been brought in to do the heavy lifting of this load of pipes.  Zeke Westbrook directs the tractor driver to stop as the tailer is in its' proper place.  Moe Evans on the trailer deck gets ready for the transfer to begin as E. J. Crawford gets ready to pull the chains tight around the load on the flatcar.

BIG BERTHA has yet again earned her keep as the load has been successfully transferred.

It was a team effort in getting this load secured, transferred, and getting the load secured again onto the flatbed trailer.  

Another great story and scenes Patrick. I am getting so I can animate them in my head, now, because your detail and description of the event are so good. Curt

I get a big kick out of what passes for O scale (1/48) sometimes. These Squirrels look more like Beavers, but anyone who has dealt with Squirrels knows how friendly they can be when after a handout. I had a Fox Squirrel who loved getting his morning peanuts. Curt

Well Curt you better keep eyes on that little bugger, My brother-in law had some that started to get under his siding and made a mess, So be careful with your new pets LOL. HAGD

That’s great, Curt!  Or squirrels provide a lot of entertainment.  Our dog loves to chase them and bark at them as they run up the trees,  

Hey Mark, see Squirrels do serve a function. They give your dog exercise.        

Hey Sitka, you notice I said “had a Fox Squirrel”. Unfortunately, our Squirrels don’t last long here, because we have a nesting pair of Swainson’s Hawks. I learned a long time ago not to interfere with Mother Nature. She usually evens the cycle of life out.

A little dip at the local fishing hole before the fall chill sets in...it's not clear if the fisherman had any success today, but the experience was worth the trouble of carrying the skiff across the parking lot..

Nice pictures guys! LOL

Curt, Squirrels are to fend for them self's, around here the way they are going to town it is sending a signal that were going to have alot of snow!

Paul, I know fishing is very important. But if I ever get so old the fishing is more important then looking at the hot ladies on the floating dock you might as well just shoot me! LOL

Hey, Paul, those guys won’t catch anything around that float with all the commotion around it!
Great shots, guys!

@Curt Henion posted:

I get a big kick out of what passes for O scale (1/48) sometimes. These Squirrels look more like Beavers, but anyone who has dealt with Squirrels knows how friendly they can be when after a handout. I had a Fox Squirrel who loved getting his morning peanuts. Curt

That one looks like a Gray Fox near the bushes

Ok no Squirrels here just a Bulldog pulling a Kitten Trailer

FOR TODAY:  "Two critters handle the logging camp."

Some more wildlife for today.

FOR TODAY:  Elroy the brakeman rides the rear step of a Pennsy cabin car as the local freight makes a short backup move this morning in Patsburg.  

A little different.  Last weekend, my wife, son and grandson attended our first (Probably last for my wife and I) NASCAR race at the Richmond International Raceway.  Since it was 9/11 the opening ceremony was special...a nod to the first responders and our Armed Forces. It was fun and LOUD. I had no idea how loud 30 + cars without mufflers could be.   Well, the following day we stopped in Ashland, VA specifically to eat at the Iron Horse Inn. Great little restaurant. Highly recommend.  However, the neatest feature of Ashland is the railroad travels right through the center of town. Two Amtrak trains passed through while we were there.  Also, we discovered "Tiny Tim's Trains and Toys". A shop adjacent to the restaurant.  Not sure who was more excited, me or my grandson. There I scored a rare boxcar to add to my Trump Train:  "Drain the Swamp."  I understand only 100 were produced.   Finally, the side of a building had this magnificent Steamer Mural.  All in all, a great weekend.

The hot dog guy is creating quite a stir on North Main, with the addition of an all "natural organic dog" to the menu...

@Mark Boyce posted:

Ed, great mural on 'The Caboose' building.  Yes Ashland is an interesting railroad town.  I stopped there when we lived in Fredericksburg from '85 to '93.  If Tiny Tim's was there then, I never saw it.  Congratulations on the rare car for your Trump Train.  (Please no political comments.  Any rare car is a great find.)

But what about political photos?