Looks like it's up to me get this Wednesday's photos rolling before it's not Wednesday any more. Fortunately for all interested, I do have a couple of photos this week. The weather is changing, and so are the leaves on the trees. The nights are coming sooner in the day, and that has inspired me to head back out and up into Minnesota along the BNSF Marshall sub! I'm starting to think things are slow along this 200+ mile line on the weekends, but it gets busier during the week. The soybeans are starting to be harvested now just a bit, but all grain harvesting is being slowed by the frequent rains. Traffic has been picking up a little though as elevators begin clearing space.
1. A n/b grain train just after sunset cruises past the old elevators in Pipestone, MN. The trains no longer load here since a huge elevator complex was built a couple of miles south of town. That's been the trend on the Northern Plains.
2. Russell, MN. S/B manifest train gains momentum as it crests a long uphill and begins to descend again. These elevators are now abandoned. One of my favorite spots!
3. Garrettson, SD. Something unusual on the line--an empty stack train (no containers) heads south. Another one of my favorite spots, albeit a difficult one to get a night shot. In summer, the air is full of bugs which light up from the flash and screw up the shot. In winter this is all frozen and covered with snow. In spring and fall it's usually very windy, but if you are patient and keep an eye on the weather, there are a few calm nights that are perfect! The water here will begin to freeze over in a few weeks.
Kent in SD
