In a scene that could have been 50 years ago, but was actually Oct 8, 2024, lite engine #6530 performs switching duties on the industrial trackage in Elkins, WV.
Rich in WV
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Rich, that does take us back in Elkins! Thank you for posting
@J.Dooley posted:Well. That is quite a sight. What a great way to start a Thursday morning.
#4014 posing for runway shots in Fort Worth, TX. 10/10/2024
OK, just what are "runway shots"?
@Hot Water posted:OK, just what are "runway shots"?
You know, like the fashion models do! Always making sure the camera gets their good side. 😂
@J.Dooley posted:You know, like the fashion models do! Always making sure the camera gets their good side. 😂
Sorry. I never heard of THAT in railroad photography.
Here are mine for the week -
Ronks, PA -
Hamler, OH -
Queens, NY - Broad Channel -
Metuchen, NJ -
Interesting Amtrak consist……Union Station, DC…….I’m on the H Street bridge looking north (been in DC, helping out with Child Care)……the train is heading south. I guess it is pulling units in need of repair……but, in truth, I have no idea where they are going…..
Have a great and safe week, folks
Peter
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@Putnam Division posted:Interesting Amtrak consist……Union Station, DC…….I’m on the H Street bridge looking north (been in DC, helping out with Child Care)……the train is heading south. I guess it is pulling units in need of repair……but, in truth, I have no idea where they are going…..
Have a great and safe week, folks
Peter
I've seen similar moves a few times...based on past moves Amtrak is hostling the power, moving them from the Ivy City repair facilities to Union Station so the engines can be put on trains. It seems to be a common practice for these moves to include both MARC and Amtrak units. The right three tracks are usually used as layover tracks for a smattering of Amtrak and private railcars and temporary storage for locomotives waiting to head out on trains.
I've shared this video before, but it starts with an all-electric version of one of those hostling moves heading into the station. At 4:25, the MARC HHP-8 that was on the rear of that move runs out solo and holds on one of the throat tracks for a few other trains before it crossed over and headed to the MARC portion of Union Station.
This week, in "new" content, I do another compilation video highlighting some of the best action I've seen on Pittsburgh-area shortlines between 2021 and 2024. Featured trains include AVR's now-abolished coal trains, the Buffalo & Pittsburgh's now -relocated SD60s and soon-to-fall CPLs, and a smattering of action from lesser-known properties in the area. Hopefully next week I'll have some photos to share, I'm digging out from a backlog of stuff from September and trying to clear up some storage space.
0:00) Intro (0:16) AVR-6 (BPRR coal train consist), 17 July 2022 Bakerstown Grade | SD60Ms 6002, 6003, 6004, 6006 (1:31) AVR-3, 16 February 2024 Streets Run | AVR GP-11 2007, SWP GP-11 2003 (2:21) Cumberland mine dock run, 29 February 2023 Mapletown Road | SD38-2s 22, 1 (2:48) Aliquippa & Ohio Sunday job, 24 July 2022 Ohio River Trail | OHCR SW1500 1545 (4:29) POHC Arden Turn, 13 August 2021 Vanadium Road | OHCR GP38-2 2161 (5:40) WE 618, 10 July 2022 Castle Shannon | SD40-3s 4000, 3034, SD40-2 6989 (10:15) Southwestern Penn. RR SWP-2, 31 May 2024 Fayette St. | SWP SD40-2 3501, SD40-2Rs 3005, 3002 (11:43) Buffalo & Pittsburgh RISI, 12 July 2022 Dubois St. | SD60I 3883, SD60Ms 3887, 3890 (17:33) Buffalo & Pittsburgh RISI, 28 December 2022 Control Point Mt. Jewett | SD40-2s 3343, 3394, 301, 6059 (19:18) Canadian National U702, 17 July 2023 Standard Jct. | SD70M-2s 8876, 8800, 8907
Nice job, Dan!
Pere Marquette • 1225 Backshop • October 11, 2024 at The Steam Railroading Institute, Owosso Michigan.
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Gary, Was this the engine that was on static display in Grand Isle, Mi?
@Bill Park posted:Gary, Was this the engine that was on static display in Grand Isle, Mi?
Hi Bill: The 1225 is a working locomotive. They run this loco all over Michigan. When I was there they where decorating for Christmas & The Polar Express Runs. I am not sure if they have been to Grand Isle, Michigan. The next day was Saturday and they where preparing the passenger cars for a charter run, using one of their diesel locos.
Thanks for checking out the photos & I hope to see you out rail-fanning. Gary 🚂
Gary is this the boiler from a steam engine?
@Bill Park posted:Gary, Was this the engine that was on static display in Grand Isle, Mi?
Bill,
No. It's not. The engine you're thinking of is sister PM 1223, and it's actually in Grand Haven, Michigan (and on static display there for many, many years).
For pictures see this post, up much higher in this thread, from 6/11/2022:
Mellow Hudson Mike
Gentlemen, Thanks for clearing that up. I represented the Johnston Boiler Company of Ferrisburgh, just a couple of miles from Grand Haven. Of course being a railfan, I visited the locomotive quite a few times when out there on business. Thanks for clearing that up. Bill
@coach joe posted:
Hi Coach Joe: This is a boiler for the 1225 but it is my understanding it is a backup. Could be wrong.
Thanks for checking out the photos; Hope to see you out rail-fanning. 🚂
Rode the 25 mile long narrow gauge (approx 2') Ffestinog and Welsh Highlands Railway from Caenarfon to Beddgelert, Wales behind a Beyer Garret type locomotive (2-6-2-2-6-2). They operate several of these locos and are currently restoring one built in Belgium in 1952 that operated in South West Africa until the early 1990s hauling coal and minerals.
Some photos of the locomotive:
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I would be shocked if SRI had a spare boiler for 1225 and that boiler doesn't look big enough for it anyways. I do know that they are also working on restoring a ten wheeler, CNW 175, and that looks more like it.
@Mark Boyce posted:Nice job, Dan!
Thanks Mark!
I'm back early with two photos from two Saturdays ago, out on the Maryland & Delaware. As became public recently and is probably well-known, sometime at the end of this year, pending regulatory approval, the owners of the independent shortline, which started in 1977, plan on selling the company to Carload Express. This is the parent company of the AVR and SWP in southwestern PA, and the Delmarva Central on its namesake peninsula. The MDDE is selling the one line it owns outright on October 18th, and DCR will operate the two other lines under contract for Maryland sometime after that.
For a number of years now, the company has, in partnership with the small town of Hurlock, run excursion trains to Federalsburg and back for the former town's fall festival. The trains use a pair of ex-N&W coaches owned by the town, and whatever locomotive MDDE has on hand in Federalsburg. For the past several years, this has been 1203, which as of last Thursday is the railroad's only serviceable RS-3m. Given the pending changes, and the fact that this is the only time of year the train runs on weekends (and at publicly known times), there were at least 20 other railfans out, some locals, but mostly folks from a few hours away (like me).
On the 2:00 run, I shot the train passing the former Federalsburg depot, which for now is the Maryland & Delaware's headquarters.
A few miles south of the previous photo, the last return trip has just passed the GSI elevator in Williamsburg and is cruising at a solid 30 miles-per-hour past the fields of soon-to-be harvested soybeans. The lengthening shadows and golden hour light provided a fitting (if somewhat rosy) metaphor for the end of the railroad's independent existence.
The Caboose - Owosso Michigan - October 11, 2024
Hope to see you out rail-fanning: Gary 🚂
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Dan @pittsburghrailfan thank you for the scoop on the MDDE and Carload Express takeover. I noticed the RS3, one of my favorite engines. I’m glad you were able to make the trip.
Not that I don't enjoy intermodal trains, but it is nice to see something unique every now and again. Loram rail grinder equipment passing through Palmer, MA. Tongue in cheek comment about "almost missing" when panning to the audience of one along for the ride, my wife. Chilly day and the sleeve on her jacket got turned inside out putting on her coat just as the train was nearing my peripheral vision. Had to make a quick decision - wife or the train? I was tempted, but I made the right choice and still had time to switch on the iPhone camera. All things good work together.
Here are mine for this week -
New York, NY - Dyckman Street - Anyone who knows NYC subways will know why this is an odd photo!
Gap, PA -
Balcony Falls, VA -
Red Bank, NJ -
Berwyn, IL - Harlem Ave -
Altoona, PA -
@wbg pete posted:Rode the 25 mile long narrow gauge (approx 2') Ffestinog and Welsh Highlands Railway from Caenarfon to Beddgelert, Wales behind a Beyer Garret type locomotive (2-6-2-2-6-2). They operate several of these locos and are currently restoring one built in Belgium in 1952 that operated in South West Africa until the early 1990s hauling coal and minerals.
Some photos of the locomotive:
Looks like a fun trip Pete.
If you are a fan of certain malted beverages....my kids found me a pair of rocks glasses with a Garratt printed on the side.
Bob
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@Christopher2035 posted:Here are mine for this week -
New York, NY - Dyckman Street - Anyone who knows NYC subways will know why this is an odd photo!
Fantastic pictures as usual, Christopher, but as an NYC ex-pat, I love your subway shot. I always thought that the numbered lines only went up to the 7 Line (aka the Flushing Line which runs past Shea Stadium), so the 12 train peeked my interest. Couldn’t find a lot of info, but I did find a reference to the numbers above 7 being available “just in case”. Did you find any additional info on the higher numbers???
@Apples55 posted:Fantastic pictures as usual, Christopher, but as an NYC ex-pat, I love your subway shot. I always thought that the numbered lines only went up to the 7 Line (aka the Flushing Line which runs past Shea Stadium), so the 12 train peeked my interest. Couldn’t find a lot of info, but I did find a reference to the numbers above 7 being available “just in case”. Did you find any additional info on the higher numbers???
So the R62/62A roll signs have numbers up to 13. The 8,10 & 12 are green like the Lexington Ave line, 9 and 13 are red like the 7th Ave line and the 11 is purple for the flushing line. According to what I’ve been able to find, the numbers are on there if the MTA wanted to do away with the rush hour “diamond” express services on the IRT and use separate number designations. Being a New Yorker, I’m sure you’re aware that there was actually a 9 train which skip stopped with the 1. 8 was also used on the 3rd Avenue EL at one time as well.
@Christopher2035 posted:So the R62/62A roll signs have numbers up to 13. The 8,10 & 12 are green like the Lexington Ave line, 9 and 13 are red like the 7th Ave line and the 11 is purple for the flushing line. According to what I’ve been able to find, the numbers are on there if the MTA wanted to do away with the rush hour “diamond” express services on the IRT and use separate number designations. Being a New Yorker, I’m sure you’re aware that there was actually a 9 train which skip stopped with the 1. 8 was also used on the 3rd Avenue EL at one time as well.
Oh, yes, I remember the 9 train… I wish I didn’t!!! Back when it was still running around the turn of the century (wow… feels really weird saying that!!!), I worked on 28th street on the east side and regularly would travel up to Lincoln Center to go to the opera. I used to catch the R or N at 28th, change for the shuttle at 42nd street, then catch the uptown 7th Ave. local. Both the 9 and the 1 stopped at 42nd, but you had to guess which one stopped at 66th street, and then hope that’s the one that came in (and that you could shove your way in during rush hour). To quote Charlie Brown, “AAUGH”!!!
August 4, 2024 • Rail-fanning with The Grandkids • Amtrak Station
On this rail-fanning trip we are going to travel to the Amtrak Station , Pontiac Michigan. The grandkids will be our tour guides.
The grandkids on the platform at the Pontiac Amtrak Station.
Amtrak yard man walking out to a switch stand. Smoking a cigarette setting a switch.
Siemens truck.
Business class coach.
Amtrak’s Midwest coach.
Leaving station.
Thanks for taking a look. Hope to see you out rail-fanning. 🚂
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Gary, that was a great trip for you to take your grandchildren!!!
@Mark Boyce posted:Gary, that was a great trip for you to take your grandchildren!!!
Hi Mark: Thanks - Yes they like going rail-fanning. This was a short trip to our local Amtrak Station. Gary 🚂
On the Susquehanna line going through Paterson, NJ
Alco C424/ EMD SD40-2
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At Delanson NY yesterday 10-22-24 a Norfolk Southern freight rumbles through the intersection of the Schenectady and Albany mainlines of the old Delaware and Hudson Railroad. The freight is headed toward Binghamton and points south with mostly a load of Canadian lumber.
@trainroomgary posted:August 4, 2024 • Rail-fanning with The Grandkids • Amtrak Station
On this rail-fanning trip we are going to travel to the Amtrak Station , Pontiac Michigan. The grandkids will be our tour guides.
The grandkids on the platform at the Pontiac Amtrak Station.
Amtrak yard man walking out to a switch stand. Smoking a cigarette setting a switch.
Siemens truck.
Business class coach.
Amtrak’s Midwest coach.
Leaving station.
Thanks for taking a look. Hope to see you out rail-fanning. 🚂
A rail-fannin' trip with Trainroom Gary and the grandkids must have included a cool lunch stop along the way.
@coach joe posted:A rail-fannin' trip with Trainroom Gary and the grandkids must have included a cool lunch stop along the way.
Hi Coach Joe: Yes: We went to Mickey D's - Before going to the Amtrak Station. One of them always orders a hamburger with no meat. This is an option on the order board in the lobby. That is weird! lol
Thanks for checking out our trip to the Amtrak Station. Gary from Michigan 🚂
I continue to be impressed with the European rail system. Recently celebrated our 60th anniversary on a Viking Cruise that began in Oslo, Norway and involved a 7+hr ride on the scenic train from Oslo to Bergen, Norway. Train was on time, clean, comfortable, smooth, enjoyable, quite scenic and filled with passengers. I get the impression that in Europe passenger travel has a high priority over freight where in our country, freight pretty much governs the rails!
Onetime arrival of our train at Oslo station:
Many adventuresome enthusiasts use the train to reach the summit (Finse Station) for a hiking or biking/camping experience . No thanks, been-there-done-that!
The system is weather equipped and ready!
Great scenery along the way:
On time arrival in Bergen:
Also enjoyed the Bergen Funicular up Mount Floyen for a spectacular birds-eye view of the city.
Enjoy a cab ride from Bergen to Oslo: https://www.bing.com/videos/ri...94E9AD&FORM=VIRE
Cheers, Dave
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Dave, thank you for the photographs and comments about your trip to Norway.
East Broad Top, October 20, 2024.
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Two more videos this week: The first is a compilation of humorous or schadenfreude-inducing moments captured on the scanner while out railfanning, as well as a couple catches of some of the coolest railroaders I've seen working.
The second video is a compilation of Dash 9s leading trains, which are still common, but much less than 10 years ago, before BNSF and Norfolk Southern started their DC-to-AC conversion programs. The resulting AC44C6Ms still sound the same, they just lose their older (only somewhat distinctive, in the case of the -9W rebuilds) cabs.
My final contribution this week is another shot of CSX's NYC heritage unit from my Monongah-Con trip. As with my post a couple weeks ago, it's another side shot occasioned by the unit's design, but this time the train is seen passing under the closed roadway bridge at the crest of the grade out of Grafton at Terra Alta, WV.
A freight station remains at Bath, NY - Oct 2024. Pretty sure this is of Lackawanna heritage. Building’s plaque said 1852. Tracks looked seldom-used, but the stories they could tell !
Rich
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