I purchased a Polar Express RTR set for Christmas this year now that I have a grandson. Set up a loop on a 4 x 8. 4 months later I am building a big layout with multiple trains. Didn't know how I was hooked so easily, but I am having fun. Which brings us to today...I had to stop at a local grade crossing for a train that services an ex-refinery(now distribution only.) The first thing that struck me was that I wasn't annoyed. A close-up view for a prototype train show. This is CSX land in South Jersey. Passing by was an MU of two black CSX GP38-2. Made sense as it was a long line of large tankers. Then the surprise at the rear. A black CSX SD80Ace and then a BNSF SD80Ace and finally and BNSF Dash-9. I was over the steering wheel looking through the windshield.
Knowing that they would proceed through the turnout, stop and then continue, I took off and headed for a view for videos southbound. I arrive and jump out of the car and peer down the track. Hmmn, it was stopped. They're going to head northbound to the yard. Back in the car and down the road adjacent to the track on the other side to the next grade crossing. Find a place to park and waited. They had set the DASH-9 to lead northbound. Took some videos and was really excited. The engineer gave me the full show, from start up, to bell, a second bell sound and of course the nice horns for the crossing warnings with an extra one or two for fun and at the end. The quiet, smooth power of the Dash-9 was impressive. Nice horns, too.
I never considered doing this before, had never done this before, but it just happened like it was instinctive. I am still chuckling at myself (and my bride is too) and musing "How did this happen?".
Thanks OGR forum for a new chapter of my hobby story. Reading the posts here for both model and prototype trains has fueled the fire.
By the way, my cell phone took crappy videos in a format that's causing me fits to convert. When they are converted, I'll post them. The camera will now stay in the car.
Any speculation as to why there would be five engines with maybe 25 of the large tank cars?
