Sunday, December 31, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, December 31, 2006

Today I was heading back to Ontario and I decided to take the scenic route. I checked out of the Super 8 in Altoona, Pennsylvania and meandered my way to Lewistown Junction. The Juniata Valley Railroad is based there but everything was tucked into the shops when I arrived. I stuck around the station for a while though to see if Norfolk Southern would run any trains by. It took a while, but some patience paid off.

  • 1155 Lewistown Junction, PA - NS 21G west - NS 9424-BNSF 5229-NS 9773
  • 1205 Lewistown Junction, PA - NS westbound - NS 9882-NS 9138-NS 9433-NS 9957

Two days previous I visited the Nittany and Bald Eagle in Lock Haven. It was on my way back home so I decided to head back there to see if anything had changed. The North Shore switcher was still there and NBER 1601 was parked in the yard, but the CF7 was nowhere to be seen. I'd already photographed everything there so I moved on. I followed the Norfolk Southern Buffalo Line north out of town with a destination of Mount Jewett in mind. The scenery along the river valley was spectacular. I'll definitely have to drive this route again!

After a while I arrived at Renovo. At one time this town was host to a huge yard and shop facility. Sadly much of it is now gone. However, sitting outside the Renovo Rail Industries facility was an old Pennsylvania Railroad caboose and boxcar.

  • 1409 Renovo, PA - stored cars - PRR 411846-PRR 498313

Just after arriving in town I heard a Norfolk Southern crew talking to the dispatcher about parking their train. Just outside of town I found the locomotive consist.

  • 1418 Renovo, PA - NS power - NS 8675-NS 3445-NS 3051

I then continued along the river valley first encountering Keating where R.J. Corman meets the Buffalo Line. There was nothing noteworthy so I moved on. Next up was Driftwood where the former Pittsburg and Shawmut (now Buffalo & Pittsburgh) interchange is located. I'm unable to express my surprise for what I found there.

  • 1507 Driftwood, PA - parked power - NBER 2427

The missing CF7 was found. I certainly didn't expect to see it on the Buffalo and Pittsburgh tracks!

I continued my journey following the Buffalo Line until arriving at Emporium. Here I turned west and left the Norfolk Southern tracks behind and briefly followed an abandoned right of way on my way to Mount Jewett. It was getting pretty dark when I got to Mount Jewett. I considered visiting the remains of the Kinzua Viaduct but elected to pass by since it would be difficult to see in the waning light. I could find nothing else notworthy in town at first glance so I turned north for the border. I didn't photograph very much this day but I had a fabulous day. My mini trip to close off 2006 was excellent.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, December 30, 2006

I awoke to a beautiful sunny morning in Altoona, Pennsylvania. I drove immediately to Lilly to take advantage of the good light. It was early enough that I had to search for a location with direct sunlight.

  • 0924 Lilly, PA - NS westbound - NS 9513-NS 8346
  • 0935 Lilly, PA - NS westbound - NS 9248-NS 9752
  • 0943 Lilly, PA - Amtrak eastbound - AMTK 160
  • 1013 Lilly, PA - NS westbound - NS 3349-NS 3346-NS 9631-NS 8845
  • 1032 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound - NS 2622-NS 9910-NS 3431-MNCW 203 w/ helper NS 3335-NS 3423
  • 1043 Lilly, PA - NS helper westbound - NS 3425-NS 3343
  • 1057 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound - NS 2767-NS 2746

I figured the light would be nice at the steel bridge in Cassandra so I pulled up and gave it a try. The westbound angle was beautiful. Dave and Laura also dropped by for a bit.

  • 1120 Cassandra, PA - NS helper westbound - NS 3373-NS 3339
  • 1137 Cassandra, PA - NS 20B east - NS 9773-NS 2542
  • 1155 Cassandra, PA - NS 20W east - NS 8427-NS 2570
  • 1216 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 2628-NS 9562
  • 1219 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 7536-NS 2632
  • 1231 Cassandra, PA - NS westbound - NS 9287-NS 9436
  • 1241 Cassandra, PA - NS westbound - NS 6705-NS 6708
  • 1243 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 3354-NS 3379-NS 3366 w/ helper NS 3349-NS 3346-NS 3425-NS 3343
  • 1253 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9278-NS 8675 w/ helper NS 3339-NS 3373
  • 1315 Cassandra, PA - NS helper westbound - NS 3380-NS 3351
  • 1316 Cassandra, PA - NS eastbound - NS 2759-NS 9512

I decided it was time for a change so I drove over to Cresson where I found the coal train with seven SD40-2's again.

  • 1339 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound - NS 3354-NS 3379-NS 3366 w/ helper NS 3349-NS 3346-NS 3425-NS 3343
  • 1413 Gallitzin, PA - NS westbound - NS 9624-NS 9896
  • 1438 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9642-NS 8909 w/ helper NS 3357-NS 3374
  • 1453 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9559-NS 2722-NS 8378
  • 1504 Cresson, PA - NS westbound - NS 7574-BNSF 7610-NS 9796 w/ helper NS 3423-NS 3335
  • 1508 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound - NS 2624-NS 9651
  • 1510 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9497-NS 9109 w/ helper NS 3338-NS 3344-NS 3351-NS 3380
  • 1516 Cresson, PA - NS westbound - NS 2641-NS 9790-NS 8929

By this point the clouds were beginning to roll in and the sun was getting low so I meandered my way back to the Super 8 in Altoona. It has been a productive day indeed.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Trackside Log for Friday, December 29, 2006

Today I met up with Dave and Laura in Altoona, Pennsylvania. We headed out to find the Nittany and Bald Eagle starting in Tyrone and heading north. The first item of interest was the Bellefonte Historical Railroad.

  • 1018 Bellefonte, PA - Bellefonte Historical Railroad power - BHRX 9153-BHRX 9167
  • 1020 Bellefonte, PA - Bellefonte Museum - snow plow

The we continued on along the Nittany and Bald Eagle.

  • 1109 Lock Haven, PA - NBER power - NBER 2427
  • 1110 Lock Haven, PA - North Shore power - NSHR 430

While poking around Lock Haven NBER 1601 pulled into town.

  • 1123 Lock Haven, PA - NBER westbound - NBER 1601

We finished with Lock Haven and reversed direction to head back to Altoona. On the way we encountered the NBER 1602 heading east.

  • 1309 Unionville, PA - NBER eastbound - NBER 1602

Next we went hunting for the Everett Railroad. We found them switching the Appleton plant in Roaring Spring.

  • 1448 Roaring Spring, PA - Everett Railroad northbound - EV 1712-EV 1828

Next we were off to the Cresson area to see what Norfolk Southern would offer on the former Pennsylvania Railroad in the waning light.

  • 1545 Gallitzin, PA - NS 23W west - NS 2742-NS 2567 w/ helper NS 3425-NS 3343
  • 1641 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound - NS 6702-NS 6707-NS 3365 w/ helper NS 3351-NS 3380-NS 3337-NS 3359

It was quite dark when the coal train pulled through Lilly so I called it quits on the photography for the day.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Trackside Log for Thursday, December 28, 2006

Today I met up with Marcus in Hamilton to see what we could find roaming the rails. The weather was somewhat unpredictable, but we made the best of what we had. We decided to start in Hamilton and venture westward.

  • 0931 Bayview Jct. - Via 70 east - VIA 911

On our way west we dropped by Canadian Pacific's Aberdeen Yard to see what power was parked there.

  • 0944 Hamilton - CP power - CP 5750-CP 5687-CP 9020
  • 1119 Brantford - CN 392 east - GTW 5944-IC 6072-CN 5611
  • 1220 Woodstock - Via 72 east - VIA 908
  • 1256 Ingersoll - OSR southbound - OSRX 183
  • 1334 east of Thamesford - CP 159 west - CP 8780-CP 9833
  • 1355 Thamesford - CP westbound - CP 8713-CEFX 1044
  • 1437 Ingersoll - CN westbound - CN 2656-CN 5366
  • 1522 Woodstock - CN 331 west - CN 5668-CN 5371

By that time it was getting pretty dark so we headed to Kelsey's for food and then I drove to Altoona, Pennsylvania for a couple days railfanning in Pennsylvania.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Trackside Log for Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Once again today I planned to photograph Norfolk Southern train 328 before work. This time the Jordan trestle seemed like a good spot. Before 328 arrived CN train 422 west blew through.
  • 0902 Jordan Station - CN 422 west - CN 5430-CN 5726-CN 7076
  • 0928 Jordan Station - NS 328 east - NS 9236-NS 8913
Train 328 looked nice crossing the trestle in bright sunshine. Then I was back to work.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, December 19, 2006

I checked the #railfan channel on IRC (Internet Relay Chat) when I woke this morning and learned that Norfolk Southern train 328 was on its way again this morning. I would be able to catch it before I got to work. I decided to photograph it at Cooks Mills which meant it would be closer to 1000 so I got some work done at home before heading out to catch the train.

  • 0959 Cooks Mills - NS 328 east - NS 9159-HLCX 5951
After the train I drove into Welland and back to work.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, December 18, 2006

Today while en route to work I heard Norfolk Southern train 328 approaching Merritton. I took the opportunity to photograph it.

  • 0914 Merritton - NS 328 east - BNSF 5697-NS 6768
My timing was excellent. I waited for about two minutes. After the photograph I was off to work.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, December 16, 2006

Today I was hoping to see Norfolk Southern train 328 since the word is that it will be discontinued by the year. First I drove to St. Catharines station for Via train 97. While waiting Steve called to let me know 328 was en route.

  • 1002 St. Catharines - Via 97 east - AMTK 38
After 97 passed I went to Merritton for 328.
  • 1029 Merritton - NS 328 east - NS 9762-NREX 783

This afternoon I was meeting Bruce in Brantford so I headed that way next.

  • 1150 Brantford - CN 580 - CN 7080
  • 1234 Brantford - Via 72 east - VIA 914
  • 1243 Brantford - CN 385 west - CN 5549-KCS 4019-WC 7525
  • 1258 Brantford - CN 392 east - CN 2570-CN 2583
  • 1317 Brantford - CN 271 west - CN 2524-CN 5367
  • 1323 Brantford - Via 73 west - VIA 6428
After 73 I left to meet Bruce and then to to visit my family in Binbrook.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, December 10, 2006

Weather forecasts really are useless. According to last night's report today was to be mostly cloudy. When I awoke the sky was remarkably clear. For a change of pace I crossed the border to check out CSX and Norfolk Southern.

  • 1112 Angola, NY - NS 310 east - UP 4518-NS 2531
  • 1135 Angola, NY - CSX Q117 west - CSXT 647-CSXT 495-CSXT 8768
  • 1152 Angola, NY - CSX Q164 east - CSXT 7922-CSXT 9031
  • 1200 Angola, NY - CSX Q140 east - CSXT 7341-CSXT 4722-CSXT 315
  • 1210 Angola, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 604-CSXT 685
  • 1216 Angola, NY - CSX Q161 west - CSXT 7721-CSXT 7352
  • 1241 Angola, NY - CSX V836 east - CSXT 645-CSXT 376
  • 1254 Angola, NY - CSX Q362 east - CSXT 9052-CSXT 4404
  • 1317 Angola, NY - CSX Q381 west - CSXT 7773-GCFX 3077
  • 1321 Angola, NY - CSX V740 east - CSXT 8020-UP 8254-SP 332
  • 1329 Angola, NY - NS 205 west - NS 9284-NS 9414

The light angle was starting to worsen so I moved to Lake Avenue in Blasdel. Train Q362 was parked south of the crossing when I arrived. I heard on the scanner that CSX had a derailment at Union Road. I wasn't stopping traffic though. Later I read that four cars of vegetables derailed off the bridge onto Union Road. Doh!

  • 1415 Blasdell, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 7338-NS 9674
  • 1427 Blasdell, NY - CSX westbound - BNSF 7761-HLCX 9001-HATX 416-HATX 176
  • 1431 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q362 east - CSXT 9052-CSXT 4404
  • 1538 Blasdell, NY - CSX L157 west - CSXT 7920-CSXT 467
  • 1551 Blasdell, NY - NS 28A east - NS 2764 with an SD70M and a C40-9W
  • 1557 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q268 east - CSXT 7314

Well, the sun dipped below the South Buffalo tracks behind me and ended my light. I called it a productive day and returned to Canada.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Last night I was at work until 0444 so I didn't wake up until around 1330 today. I was going to be heading back into work again tonight so I took the opportunity to catch the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train between Hamilton and Cambridge. The train held its official visit to Hamilton the previous night but stayed overnight.

I estimated it would depart Hamilton at approximately 1500. When I arrived at Hamilton shortly before that time I could hear the crew testing the brakes. Good estimate. I decided to photograph the train at Kay Drage park in Hamilton. If I was lucky and the sun peeked out from the clouds it would look quite nice.

  • 1526 Kay Drage park, Hamilton - CP Holiday Train north - CP 9714
Luck was on my side. The sun was out. I then headed up to Puslinch to see it again before driving into Cambridge to photograph it on the Grand River Bridge.
  • 1832 Cambridge - CP Holiday Train west - CP 9714

This was the eighth year for Canadian Pacific's Holiday Train and I've photographed each of them. I always enjoy seeing the train.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, November 27, 2006

Today was the last day of Marcus' and my trip around New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We started off by leaving the Best Western in Henrietta and driving straight to Lakeville, New York to catch the Livonia, Avon and Lakeville running. To date I'd never been able to photograph them operating. We arrived just in time to see them getting ready to take off for the day.
  • 0815 Lakeville, NY - LAL northbound - LAL 420-LAL 425

We chased it ahead to Avon where it lifted a hopper from the siding…

  • 0845 Avon, NY - LAL northbound - LAL 420-LAL 425

...reversed back onto its train…

  • 0859 Avon, NY - LAL northbound - LAL 420-LAL 425
...and headed north again.
  • 0905 Avon, NY - LAL northbound - LAL 420-LAL 425

We chased it ahead again where it was switching a grain elevator.

  • 0926 North Avon, NY - LAL northbound - LAL 420-LAL 425

Next we chased it one more time. We arrived in North Rush where we discovered a small railroad museum we didn't know was there. It made a nice scene for the LAL train.

  • 0941 North Rush, NY - LAL northbound - LAL 420-LAL 425

We then photographed some of the locomotives at the Rochester & Genessee Valley Railroad Museum.

  • 0948 North Rush, NY - Rochester & Genessee Valley Railroad Museum power - LV 211, USAX 1843, Rochester & Genessee Valley 1654, Eastman Kodak 6

There were a variety of other engines there as well but they were unfortunately impossible to photograph. We called it quits for the Livonia, Avon and Lakeville and drove to the Finger Lakes Railway in the hopes of finding them running. No sooner had we arrived in Geneva, New York when we were stopped by crossing gates. Nice timing, eh! We waited for the train to pass and drove ahead of it.

  • 1112 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway westbound - FGLK 2201-FGLK 1751
As luck would have it we were able to photograph the 2201 in its fresh Lehigh Valley paint. We proceeded to the Finger Lakes Railway shops to see what else we might find.
  • 1127 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway power - FGLK 1801
  • 1135 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway power - FGLK 2304
  • 1151 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway power - FGLK 2301
  • 1152 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway plow - FGLK 10

We were just about to leave Geneva for the CSX mainline when we noticed that engine 1751 was returning to the yard. We found an interesting place to photograph it.

  • 1205 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway eastbound - FGLK 1751/FGLK 2201
  • 1215 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway eastbound - FGLK 1751/FGLK 2201

The train was now operating in push/pull mode and stopped just short of the yard. Marcus asked the Finger Lakes engineer if they were waiting for a train. It turned out they were.

  • 1236 Geneva, NY - NS southbound - NS 8452-NS 9438

Following the Norfolk Southern train the Finger Lakes train entered the yard.

  • 1239 Geneva, NY - Finger Lakes Railway eastbound - FGLK 1751/FGLK 2201

We then concluded that we were done in Geneva and turned north toward the CSX's former New York Central mainline. After driving along the track we found an interesting location and waited for a while to see what might show up.

  • 1341 Palmyra, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 4753-CSXT 4801-CSXT 4841
  • 1349 Palmyra, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 5333-CSXT 5277-CSXT 621
  • 1400 Palmyra, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5348-CSXT 4721
We decided to start driving west toward home. We followed the tracks but didn't see much else. I'd photographed a location in Fairport, New York in May 1999 during the final days of Conrail. The location was an abandoned road bridge over both the mainline and the Erie Canal. I had previously learned that the bridge was replaced and the road reopened. I was curious to see what it looked like so we searched out the location. Our first train turned out to be the eastbound Maple Leaf.
  • 1514 Fairport, NY - Amtrak 64 east - AMTK 187

The eastbound Maple Leaf met its westbound counterpart just west of town. We waited for the westbound to arrive but it had a red signal and stopped. Before long an eastbound autorack train arrived after which Amtrak departed.

  • 1525 Fairport, NY - CSX Q268 east - GCFX 3078-CSXT 8532
  • 1528 Fairport, NY - Amtrak 63 west - AMTK 90

It was starting to get pretty dark so Marcus and I put away the cameras and moved westward toward home. It had been a rather productive three days.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, November 26, 2006

Today Marcus and I started out from Clarks Summit and headed for the Delaware-Lackawanna in Scranton. We headed into town and very quickly discovered two Centuries parked behind a CP grain train.
  • 0813 Scranton, PA - DL power - DL 3642-DL 3000
  • 0831 Scranton, PA - DL southbound - CP 6043-CP 6045-CP 5697-CP 5930

After shooting the grain train we headed to the Delaware-Lackawanna shops to see what was lying around.

  • 0846 Scranton, PA - DL power - MHWA 2045
  • 0848 Scranton, PA - DL power - DL 2461
  • 0850 Scranton, PA - DL power - MHWA 2453
  • 0856 Scranton, PA - DL power - DL 324-DRMX 6763-VLIX 41-DL 2457-DL 2452-DL 4118-DL 327-DL 3643
While shooting around the shops another railfan arrived and alerted me that the grain train was getting ready to depart for Pocono Summit. Off we went to photograph it en route.
  • 0930 Elmhurst, PA - DL southbound - CP 6043-CP 6045-CP 5697-CP 5930
  • 0938 Moscow, PA - DL southbound - CP 6043-CP 6045-CP 5697-CP 5930

We continued along the line to Cresco where we photographed the station.

  • 1036 Cresco, PA - DL&W station
We didn't have any real plans for the remainder of the day so we decided to head to the Norfolk Southern main line around Easton, Pennsylvania. Easton is on the Hudson River across from Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The area is quite fascinating with former Central of New Jersey, Erie-Lackawanna and Lehigh Valley tracks. The Lehigh Valley was quite abandoned. We hunted around and wound up spending the afternoon in Phillipsburg. Chalk up New Jersey as the 38th state I've visited.
  • 1348 Phillipsburg, NJ - NS 32A east - NS 9435-NS 9193-NS 5637
  • 1617 Phillipsburg, NJ - NS westbound - NS 3413-NS 5295
  • 1627 Phillipsburg, NJ - NS 65R west - NS 9613-NS 9501

It was getting truly dark when train 65R surprised us. We decided to call it quits and headed back north. We stopped off at Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania for supper and then found a room at the Best Western in Henrietta, New York. The next morning we were heading down to the Livonia, Avon and Lakeville.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, November 25, 2006

Today Marcus and I were headed to New York and Pennsylvania for a little short line railfan trip. Before Marcus arrived in St. Catharines I decided to head to Merritton to see what the Maple Leaf had for a train.

  • 1009 Merritton, ON - Via 97 eaast - AMTK 187
I returned home to meet Marcus at 1100. We headed off to New York. Unfortunately it's the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend so the border was a bit nuts. It took about 90 minutes to get through customs at the Whirlpool Bridge. We headed through Lockport where we ran across a snow plow.
  • 1347 Lockport, NY - Delaware-Lackawanna snow plow - DLWR 400783

We followed the Falls Road east and found a few stations.

  • 1428 Medina, NY - station
  • 1446 Albion, NY - station
  • 1500 Fancher, NY - station

The line ends at Brookport so we headed down to Shortsville to see the Finger Lakes Christmas Train. Unfortunately it was getting quite dark, but we managed to photograph it anyway.

  • 1647 Shortsville, NY - Finger Lakes Christmas Train west - FGLK 1751/FGLK 2201

I used my tripod and long exposures to get some reasonable shots of the train when it stopped to offload passengers.

  • 1658 Shortsville, NY - Finger Lakes Christman Train west - FGLK 1751/FGLK 2201
It was getting very dark so Marcus and I got some food and headed to the Comfort Inn in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania for the night.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Trackside Log for Friday, November 24, 2006

Today I spent the first part of the morning working from home dealing with scheduling issues. By the time I was ready to leave for work it was nearly time for the Amtrak through town. I timed it so I could photograph the train on my way to work.
  • 1007 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 70

That worked out well. I only waited about five minutes and then I was off to work.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, November 18, 2006

Well, it was a pretty cloudy morning, but I felt like getting outside anyway. I headed down to Merritton to catch the Maple Leaf and whatever else Canadian National decided to run around that time. While approaching the tracks I heard the NI dispatcher inform Norfolk Southern train 327 that it would be waiting for about fifteen minutes at Bridge 6. Excellent.
  • 0954 Merritton - NS 327 west - NS 8333-NS 9297
  • 1004 Merritton - CN 332 west - CN 2639
  • 1009 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 70

Train 332 hosed me on the Maple Leaf. The Amtrak emerged from behind 332 right in front of me so I was unable to get a photo. I was planning on visiting Fort Erie so I decided to make my way there via Niagara Falls so I could photograph the Maple Leaf.

  • 1027 Niagara Falls - Via 97 east - AMTK 70

Then it was on to Fort Erie where I heard that Canadian National train 339 was working.

  • 1109 Fort Erie - CN 339 east - CN 5750-CN 2554-CSXT 8548-CSXT 8530-CSXT 8626
  • 1306 Fort Erie - NS 369 west - NS 2588-NS 8311
  • 1313 Fort Erie - CP 256 east - CP 9809-CP 9740-CP 8562
I wasn't expecting much else of interest so I got back on the Queen Elizabeth Way headed for home.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, November 13, 2006

Last night was painful. I developed a headache at around 2100 that persisted until this morning. I stayed home from work but someone was hammering on something. With a sense of irony I drove to the tracks in Merritton for some quiet.
  • 0927 Merritton - CN 331 west - CN 2658-CN 5695
  • 0941 Merritton - NS 328 east - NS 9358-BNSF 7714
Train 328 was held by bridge 6 while Via train 97 was held at Glenridge.
  • 1049 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 187
  • 1112 Merritton - CN 567 west - CN 9615
My headache was showing no signs of abating so I returned home with hopes that the hammering would be over.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, November 11, 2006

It was a dark, dreary, miserable day but I figured it would be a good chance to try out the D80 in low light conditions. I headed to my usual hunting ground, Merritton. It wasn't long before I heard Norfolk Southern train 327 on the scanner.
  • 0933 Merritton - NS 327 west - NS 9358-BNSF 7714
  • 1011 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 716
  • 1024 Merritton - CN 331 west - CN 2658-CN 5695-BNSF 9351-BNSF 9362

It had been a very long time since I'd been to the Paris and Princeton area. I decided to head that way and catch train 331 again.

  • 1218 Princeton - CN 385 west - CN 5669-CN 5705
  • 1222 Princeton - Via 72 east - VIA 908
  • 1254 Princeton - CN 271 west - CN 5322-CEFX 6015

Wow. It hurt to see ex-Soo 6015 like that.

  • 1309 Princeton - CN 331 west - CN 2658-CN 5695-BNSF 9351-BNSF 9362
  • 1326 Paris - Via 73 west - VIA 6417

I started to meander my way back home by following the Canadian National Dundas Subdivision but didn't hear much of anything else. I did stop off at Great Western Model Trains in Brantford and Modeller's Choice in Hamilton however to purchase a nice DTSL auto parts car and two TH&B slad side covered hoppers. Although the weather was terrible, I managed to photograph some interesting trains. It wasn't all bad.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Trackside Log for Friday, November 10, 2006

Once again this morning I elected to drop by Canadian National in Merritton to see if anything was due. Upon arrival I discovered that train 339 east was to stop at Glenridge to wait for train 421 east. Train 421 had split its train at Clifton to double into Port Robinson yard. Train 332 west was ahead of 421's power returning to the second half of its train.
  • 0903 Merritton - CN 332 west - CN 5672
  • 0916 Merritton - CN 339 east - CN 5659-CN 5384
Train 333 west was also on the way but I didn't have time to stick around and departed Merritton for work.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Trackside Log for Thursday, November 9, 2006

Today on my way to work I stopped by Merritton to see if anything was lined through. Sure enough, train 339 had a signal.

  • 0807 Merritton - CN 339 east - CN 5766-CN 5660
I took my photo and resumed my drive to work.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, November 6, 2006

Before work today I wanted to follow the rails to see what I could find.
  • 0755 Welland - parked power - EMDX 2004

It was about time for Trillium to start their day so I made my way to Dain City.

  • 0820 Dain City - Trillium northbound - TR 110

Then I was off to work.

After work I heard on the scanner that Canadian Pacific job 1 would be entering the Hamilton subdivision at Brookfield ahead of train 255. I drove over to the tracks to catch them both.

  • 1528 Welland - CP job 1 north - CP 3096
  • 1544 Welland - CP 255 north - CP 8795-CP 9544

I turned north to head back to St. Catharines when I heard Canadian National train 531 leaving Port Robinson. I figured Cooks Mills would be a good place to catch it.

  • 1622 Cooks Mills - CN 531 east - CN 5717
It was getting dark so I called it quits. Considering I didn't try very hard that turned out nicely. I managed to photograph all three local railroads.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, November 5, 2006

This morning I decided to see what was roaming the rails of Niagara. Shortly after leaving home I heard two Canadian Pacific trains converging on Welland. That sounded like as good a place to start as any.
  • 0915 Welland - CP 256 south - CP 9514-CP 9628-CP 8701
  • 0945 Welland - CP 255 north - CP 9662-CP 9616
Train 255 was big. It crossed the detector at mile 18.3 with 658 axles. The dispatcher mentioned that the length was 14,000 feet.
  • 1006 Welland - parked power - EMDX 2004
  • 1028 Welland - CN 331 west - CN 5516-CN 5454
Canadian National train 332 was waiting at Harbour Draw to cross the border so I headed for Fort Erie.
  • 1143 Fort Erie - CN 332 west - CN 2605
  • 1248 Fort Erie - CP 256 east - CP 9514-CP 9628-CP 8701
  • 1338 Fort Erie - NS 369 west - NS 9106-NS 8395-UP 5136

It turned out to be a relatively decent day but I was tired and decided home was where I wanted to be.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, November 4, 2006

Wow! It had certainly been a while since I'd been trackside. The previous night I attended the Hamilton Bulldogs game with my father. They defeated Syracuse 5-3. I stayed in Binbrook overnight and decided on Copetown and Lynden to spend some time by the tracks. I pulled into Copetown just as Canadian National train 399 was passing under the Highway 52 bridge. Nice timing.
  • 0919 Copetown - CN 399 west - CN 2646-CN 5554
  • 0928 Copetown - Via 70 east - VIA 6412
  • 1046 Lynden - CN 385 west - CN 5756-CN 2563
  • 1152 Lynden - CN 144 east - CN 5371
  • 1154 Lynden - CN 271 west - CN 5352-HLCX 8158
Someone began to burn leaves and the smoke swept over the tracks. I determined it to be time for a move back to Copetown.
  • 1255 Copetown - Via 72 east - VIA 901
  • 1258 Copetown - Via 73 west - VIA 6418
  • 1333 Copetown - CN 331 west - CN 5797-WC 6949

Train 392 was experiencing difficulties with an Illinois Central engine. The following train 148 was to donate an engine at Hardy. I didn't fancy the hour wait so I packed up for home.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 29, 2006

The forecast called for rain but when I woke up the sun was shining. I decided to venture out for the Maple Leaf. Unfortunately the sun was gone when it arrived.

  • 1013 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 41
There was no indication of any more traffic and the clouds looked persistent so I returned home to catalogue slides.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 15, 2006

When I woke this morning I thought I'd check out the day's Maple Leaf. I made my way to Merritton to wait. Just before it arrived bridge 6 was raised. Well, at least it would be easy to photograph.
  • 1028 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 41

I could see nice sunny skies to the south so I migrated to Port Robinson. As I approched I heard train 331 departing.

  • 1045 Port Robinson - CN 331 west - CN 5638-CN 5789
  • 1116 Welland - ITS switcher - Shaw no#-BNSF 9349-BNSF 9353

It was clearing nicely so I made my way back to Merritton to see train 327 again. It took quite a while because it stopped to close some doors on its train.

  • 1312 Merritton - NS 327 west - UP 3911-UP 4670
  • 1325 Merritton - CN 338 west - CN 5794-CN 2598-CN 2539

I was getting tired and felt like returning home so I obeyed my little voice and drove home.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Trackside Log for Thursday, October 12, 2006

Today I went to Merritton to see the Maple Leaf. It turned out to be a busy time. Trains 421 and 332 were both waiting for it with 422 not far off.
  • 1018 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 90
  • 1023 Merritton - CN 332 west - CN 5380-CN 5377
Trains 332 and 421 met in front of me. Consequently I was unable to see train 421 well. I had to peer between train 332's autoracks.
  • 1026 Merritton - CN 421 east - CN 5664-CN 24xx-CN 41xx
  • 1036 Merritton - CN 422 west - CN 2400-GCFX 6075
After the rush I drove up to Welland Pipe to see if any of the BNSF SD70ACe's were around. No. I called it quits thereafter.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Today I took a quick break from work to head over to the Welland Pipe plant. ITS Rail is finishing BNSF SD70ACe's there and I hoped to be able to see something. As luck would have it, they were just bringing two shiny new engines into the plant.

  • 1033 Welland - ITS Rail switcher - Shaw Pipe no#-BNSF 9362-BNSF 9351
Well, there wasn't much else I could do so I returned to work. My timing was perfect, I was only gone for 15 minutes.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, October 9, 2006

Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving! It was another nice day so I headed to Niagara Falls to photograph the Maple Leaf at the station. While waiting I also took a shot of Via train 92 parked at the station.
  • 1021 Niagara Falls - Via 92 west - VIA 915
  • 1035 Niagara Falls - Via 97 east - AMTK 133
I had a chat with a bloke from England who was also photographing the Maple Leaf. Once it departed I drove to Fort Erie to see what was running. Before long train 564 arrived at Duff to lift track EE01.
  • 1156 Duff (Fort Erie) - CN 564 east - CN 4143-CN 4116
  • 1325 Fort Erie - NS 369 west - NS 8808-NS 2701
  • 1401 Fort Erie - CP 257 west - CP 9804
  • 1408 Fort Erie - NS 369 east - NS 2701-NS 8808
I was getting a bit restless so I left Fort Erie. En route to Welland I found Canadian Pacific job 1 returning to the yard.
  • 1457 Welland - CP job 1 north - CP 3038-CP 3096

Oddly, I also discovered a shiny new parked BNSF SD70ACe.

  • 1509 Cooks Mills - parked power - BNSF 9351

I heard Canadian National train 531 getting ready to leave Port Robinson so I moved to a new location.

  • 1624 Cooks Mills - CN 531 east - CN 2652-CN 5377

The sky was starting to cloud up so I elected to call it a day.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 8, 2006

Today was my family's thanksgiving get-together. Unfortunately the occassion was somewhat sombre this year because my grandfather passed away a few days earlier. Dinner was at my cousin's house near Flamborough so I decided to meander my way there via Copetown and Guelph Junction.
  • 1230 Copetown - CN 390 east - WC 6497-GTW 5949
  • 1252 Copetown - CN 393 west - CN 2621-CN 2541
  • 1300 Copetown - Via 72 east - VIA 911
  • 1303 Copetown - Via 73 west - VIA 6428

I didn't feel like hanging around at Copetown any longer so I left for Guelph Junction hoping Canadian Pacific would run at least one train.

  • 1611 Guelph Junction - CP 198 east - CP 8536-SOO 6038

As soon as train 198 passed a signal went up for a westbound. I thought a nice photograph could be had at the Mountsburg Conservation Area. I waited for quite a while, but eventually it arrived.

  • 1730 Mountsburg - CP 153 west - CP 9575-CP 9648

After the westbound it was time for dinner.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Trackside Log for Thursday, October 5, 2006

This was the last day of my Saskatchewan elevator trip with Sam. We left Wadena and followed several rail lines. It wasn't long before we found a Canadian Pacific train on the Tisdale Subdivision.
  • 0950 CST south of Nora, SK - CP southbound - CP 3070-CP 3085-CP 3123-CP 3061

A few hours and a couple subdivisions later we were photographing the elevators at Lake Lenore on Canadian National's Saint Brieux Subdivision when we heard a northbound on the way. A grain tramp was stopping to drop cars at the Pioneer elevator.

  • 1231 CST Lake Lenore, SK - CN northbound grain tramp - CN 5536-CN 5624

After running the Saint Brieux Subdivision we concluded our elevator hunt. We had some time to kill before meeting Matt for dinner in Saskatoon so I decided to see if we could find some trains. While driving south toward the mainlines the Canadian Pacific dispatcher mentioned that several trains were converging on Lanigan. Well, I was sold.

  • 1435 CST Lanigan, SK - CP eastbound - CP 5922-CP 5953
  • 1555 CST Lanigan, SK - CP 541 west - CP 3103-CP 5602
  • 1623 CST Lanigan, SK - CP 670 west - CP 9751-CP 5392
  • 1651 CST Plunkett, SK - CP westbound - CP 6037-CP 3124

I was happy to see train 670 since it is an interesting unit train. It was getting on so we drove back to Saskatoon where we got a room at the Best Western and met Matt for dinner. It was a great trip and I was sad it was over.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Trackside Log for Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Today Sam and I continued our trek across Saskatchewan searching for grain elevators. We followed rails the entire day but didn't find any trains until the afternoon in Canora. The power from yesterday's train 885 was parked there with some other locomotives.
  • 1535 CST Canora, SK - CN power - CN 8023-CN 5673
  • 1535 CST Canora, SK - CN power - CN 2427
  • 1535 CST Canora, SK - CN power - CN 4795

Grain train 853 left Canora while I was photographing the parked power so we decided to give chase.

  • 1613 CST Buchanan, SK - CN 853 west - CN 9581-CN 5786-CN 5557
  • 1634 CST Rama, SK - CN 853 west - CN 9581-CN 5786-CN 5557
  • 1649 CST Invermay, SK - CN 853 west - CN 9581-CN 5786-CN 5557
  • 1717 CST Kuroki, SK - CN 853 west - CN 9581-CN 5786-CN 5557

The sun was getting low and it was getting late so we called it quits. We decided to stay the night in Wadena.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, October 3, 2006

This morning Sam and I departed north from Tisdale, Saskatchewan searching for elevators. While following the Canadian Pacific Tisdale Subdivision we discovered a southbound. We chased back to photograph it.
  • 0805 CST north of Tisdale, SK - CP southbound - CP 3070-CP 3085-CP 3123-CP 3061

We continued our quest for elevators that eventually led us to Arborfield on Thunder Rail.

  • 1231 CST Arborfield, SK - Thunder Rail power - Thunder Rail 2004

We continued our eastward trek toward Hudson Bay where we found a Canadian National southbound switching. We also heard talk of a northbound grain train on the way.

  • 1508 CST Hudson Bay, SK - CN 420 south - CN 2427-CN 5557
  • 1547 CST Hudson Bay, SK - CN 885 north - CN 5673-CN 8023

Further travels took us to Preeceville but no more trains were to be found.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, October 2, 2006

Sam and I were back on the road hunting for grain elevators around Saskatchewan. We spent the entire day following rail lines but didn't see a train until the very end. While photographing the elevator in Eldersley we noticed a train switching the Pioneer inland terminal east of town. We waited for it to finish switching so we could photograph it at Eldersley elevator.
  • 1743 CST Eldersley, SK - CN westbound - CN 5536-CN 5624

We decided to stay the night in Tisdale so we chased the train back.

  • 1801 CST east of Tisdale, SK - CN westbound - CN 5536-CN 5624

The light was waning so we checked into a motel for the evening.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, October 1, 2006

This was day two of my elevator trip in Saskatchewan. I started in Shellbrook where I discovered a Carlton Trail northbound parked just out of town on the Blaine Lake Subdivision.
  • 0949 CST Shellbrook, SK - Carlton Trail northbound - HBR 2508-HLCX 9522-HLCX 9647

A crew had just arrived to take the train north to Meadow Lake. I drove ahead to photograph it again on the Big River Subdivision.

  • 1025 CST Shellbrook, SK - Carlton Trail northbound - HBR 2508-HLCX 9522-HLCX 9647

The rest of the day was spent driving across the prairies photographing elevators and stations.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, September 30, 2006

This was the first day of my Saskatchewan grain elevator trip with Sam. Although I was primarily hunting for elevators I did photograph the Carlton Trail.
  • 0954 CST North Battleford, SK - Carlton Trail power - HBR 2508-HLCX 9522-HLCX 9647

That was the only train we saw.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Trackside Log for Friday, September 29, 2006

Today was my flight to Saskatoon for a week of photographing grain elevators. I was picking Sam up at the Aldershot GO station at 1455 and had some time to kill so I bought an orange juice and waited to see if Canadian National would run any freight.

  • 1401 Aldershot - CN 333 west - CN 5519-CN 5302
Train 148 also passed by in the rain. Sam arrived on time and then it was off to Mount Hope for the flight to Saskatoon.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Today I had more documentation to read for work. To avoid interuption I took work to the tracks again. I arrived in Merritton just after 0800. The first train didn't appear for over an hour so I was able to get much of my reading done.
  • 0930 Merritton - CN 338 west - CN 2613-CN 5518
  • 0945 Merritton - NS 328 east - NS 9750-NS 9469
That power looked familiar. It was the same power 328 used two days earlier.
  • 0949 Merritton - CN 331 west - CN 5758-CN 5368
  • 1014 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 717
  • 1031 Merritton - CN 421 east - CN 5678-WC 6924-CN 4132

My reading was complete by the time train 421 had passed so I drove to Welland for work.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, September 24, 2006

Well, I awoke to a pleasant surprise this morning. The forecast had been for rain but the sky was blue. I headed to Merritton for 0830 to take advantage of the nice weather. Unfortunately it took quite a long time for the first train to arrive.
  • 1016 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 110
  • 1024 Merritton - CN 338 west - CN 2656-IC 6253-CN 9586
  • 1041 Merritton - NS 328 west - NS 9750-NS 9469

I waited in Merritton until 1230 but with no further activity and increasing clouds I returned home.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Trackside Log for Wednesday, September 20, 2006

This morning I had some reading to do for work. Since I am usualy interrupted frequently at work I took the material to the tracks where I was able to read without interference. I drove to Merritton where I could read in peace and photograph any trains that approached.
  • 0918 Merritton - CN 331 west - CN 2535-CN 2604
  • 1017 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 124
  • 1054 Merritton - CN 422 west - CN 5649-CN 2599
  • 1112 Merritton - NS 328 east - NS 8823-NS 6770

I'd nearly completed my reading and needed to meet people at work in the afternoon so I left for Welland after train 328.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, September 18, 2006

The word lately is that the Amtrak equipment on Via trains 97 and 98 is to be discontinued. Evidently Canadian National requires $3 million for maintenance of the bridge over the Niagara River Gorge. Canadian National wants Amtrak and Via to pay the costs since only trains 97 and 98 use the bridge. They declined. Apparently Amtrak wants to bus passengers between New York and Ontario. Consequently I want to photograph the Amtrak equipment as much as possible before it's gone. Today I decided to catch 97 before work.
  • 1031 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 124

After a quick photograph I resumed my drive to work.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, September 16, 2006

It was Binbrook fair weekend. Before attending I wanted to visit the tracks. I offered to take care of Pam and Andy's son Sean for the morning so we headed off to Copetown to see what Canadian National would present. We met Marcus at the elevator.
  • 0924 Copetown - Via 70 east - VIA 6429

Sean needed to use the washroom so we left to take care of him. During our absence trains CN 399 and NS 328 passed through town. After a while we were awarded with two trains.

  • 1119 Copetown - CN 392 east - CN 5513-UP 9142-IC 6135
  • 1145 Copetown - CN 385 west - CN 2603-CN 2538-CN 2696

Sean had a great time watching the trains but it was time to go to the fair.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, September 10, 2006

I had been visiting friends and family the previous evening and spent the night at my sister's home. This morning was quite sunny so I made my way to Lynden on the Canadian National Dundas Subdivision.
  • 0912 Lynden - Via 70 east - VIA 6411
  • 1023 Lynden - CN 399 west - CN 5742-CN 2625-CN 6018
  • 1055 Lynden - CN 148 east - CN 2409-WC 6913-CN 9541
  • 1104 Lynden - CN 385 west - CN 5751-CN 5694-IC 6202
  • 1149 Lynden - CN 392 east - CN 2544-NS 9350
After 392 I called it a day and returned to Binbrook.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, August 26, 2006

This morning I drove to Bayview Junction to meet up with Marcus. On my way through Hamilton I heard the Maple Leaf so I stopped at the RaiLink yard to photograph it.
  • 0925 Hamilton - Via 97 east - AMTK 702

After 97 I met Marcus at Plains Road.

  • 0951 Bayview Junction - CN 339 west - CN 2512-CN 5616-CN 5431
  • 1026 Bayview Junction - CN 338 east - CN 2425-CN 2452-GTW 5955
  • 1046 Bayview Junction - Via 93 west - VIA 6421
  • 1055 Bayview Junction - CN 421 west - CN 2524-CN 5634
  • 1117 Bayview Junction - CN 385 west - CN 5672-CN 5738-CN 5635
  • 1143 Bayview Junction - CN 550 west - CN 4102-CN 7026
  • 1149 Bayview Junction - CN 271 west - WC 6911-IC 6107
  • 1220 Bayview Junction - CN 148 east - CN 5643-CN 2676

With the passing of 148 Marcus and I drove over to Hutch's for lunch. After fish and chips we returned to the junction and CP train 249 passed as I arrived but I missed it. Train 393 was at Aldershot but I decided to head to Binbrook to visit my family.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, August 13, 2006

It was another beautiful day in the neighbourhood. I decided to visit Bayview Junction. I hadn't been there since the construction of the third track began.
  • 0851 Hamilton - CN 421 east - CN 2587-CN 5774
  • 0938 Bayview Junction - Via 70 east - VIA 6419-VIA 6425
  • 1059 Bayview Junction - Via 93 west - VIA 6429
  • 1147 Bayview Junction - CN 385 west - CN 2634-GTW 5944-CN 9626
  • 1201 Bayview Junction - CN 398 east - CN 2653-CN 5338
I broke for lunch then drove to Snake Road to see the new signals.
  • 1253 Snake - Via 73 west - VIA 6416/VIA 6403
  • 1300 Snake - CN 422 east - CN 5643-CN 2528
  • 1315 Snake - Via 72 east - VIA 912
  • 1318 Snake - CN 393 west - CN 2551-BNSF 6791

Train 393 was pulling through Snake for headroom to back onto their train. I took the opportunity to photograph the reverse move on digital.

  • 1334 Snake - CN 393 west - CN 2551-BNSF 6791

After 393 put its train back together I took another shot with a longer lens when it departed Aldershot.

  • 1359 Snake - CN 393 west - CN 2551-BNSF 6791

CN trains 148 and 435 were in the vicinity but the light was degrading quickly. I wanted to photograph the three RaiLink geeps in Hamiton yard so I took the opportunity since the light would be reasonable.

  • 1514 Hamilton - Southern Ontario Railway power - RLK 1756-RLK 1808-RLK 1755
Both 1755 and 1756 were involved in an accident on the Hagersville subdivision. Bent frames resulted.
  • 1520 Hamilton - Southern Ontario Railway power - SOR 1285-SOR 1752

Then I returned home. I posted the day's photos to my website then took some food trackside in Merritton to see the Maple Leaf.

  • 1752 Merritton - CN 330 east - CN 2572-CN 2428

The Maple Leaf was an hour late getting to the border but eventually it arrived.

  • 1855 Merritton - Via 98 west - AMTK 708

Well the Maple Leaf was still about an hour late. Time to call it a day.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, August 12, 2006

It was a beautiful day but I wasn't particularly inspired to go trackside because I'd spent ten days photographing trains throughout the southern United States. Rumour has it that the old steel bridges over the Grimsby subdivision in Jordan Station are soon to be replaced. So I headed to Eleventh Street Louth to photograph the Maple Leaf under the bridge. It was approximately thirty minutes late. I suspect it got held up by bridge 6 since I could see the tail end of an eastbound apparently waiting for the bridge.
  • 1845 Jordan Station - Via 98 west - AMTK 63

There you have it. The extent of my railfanning since returning from vacation was a single photo of the Maple Leaf. That's about as exciting as it gets!

Monday, August 07, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, August 7, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Ten

Well, this was the last day of my trip. I started out by bidding a farewell to Kevin and headed out of Myrtle Beach with a destination of home some 1,400 km north. I had a long drive ahead of me. However, I did plan a few stops along the way. Since I was headed back through Hamlet, North Carolina again I stopped by the station to see what was happening there. There were three trains stopped at the junction so I waited for one of them to move. While waiting I photographed the Seaboard SDP35 that was on display.

  • 0942 EDT Hamlet, NC - museum display - SBD 1114
  • 0957 EDT Hamlet, NC - CSX northbound - CSXT 7550-CSXT 7718

There was a soutbound waiting as well, but I didn't know how long it would be sitting there and I had a long drive ahead of me so I moved on. My next stop was the Yadkin Valley.

  • 1232 EDT Rural Hall, NC - Yadkin Valley power - GORX 3614
  • 1234 EDT Rural Hall, NC - Yadkin Valley power - GORX 9613

The only other stop I wanted to make on my trip home was the Appalachian & Ohio since it was along my route. I found plenty of power in Burnsville, West Virginia.

  • 1652 EDT Burnsville, WV - Appalachian & Ohio power - CEFX 125-CEFX 130-CEFX 134
  • 1654 EDT Burnsville, WV - Appalachian & Ohio power - AO 2121-AO 2100
  • 1701 EDT Burnsville, WV - Appalachian & Ohio eastbound - CSXT 552-CSXT 526

Now that my trip had come full circle I headed for home. Overall I had a fun and productive journey through the southeast United States. I really can't complain.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, August 6, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Nine

This morning I was meeting up with Kevin Foy in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I've been trading slides with him for several years but we've never met. I left the hotel and at Kevin's advice stopped by Mullins to see if any Carolina Southern power was there. Sure enough a train was parked at the east end of town.

  • 0856 EDT Mullins, SC - Carolina Southern eastbound - CALA 9163-CALA 6622-CALA 2613
After a few photographs I continued on to Myrtle Beach. Kevin then led me through South and North Carolina's shortlines. First we stopped off at Red Hill to see an old derelict Southern B-unit.
  • 1032 EDT Red Hill, SC - SOU 960602 heater car

We then began hunting around Conway for more Carolina Southern power. First we examined some passenger equipment in the area though.

  • 1043 EDT Conway, SC - stored passenger equipment
  • 1056 EDT Conway, SC - Waccamaw Coast passenger car
  • 1102 EDT Conway, SC - Carolina Southern westbound - MRR 958-CALA 950

Next stop on the Carolina Southern hunt was Chadbourn where quite a few units are stored.

  • 1210 EDT Chadbourn, SC - Carolina Southern power - BLA 87
  • 1212 EDT Chadbourn, SC - Carolina Southern power - CALA 100-CALA 951-WCLR 943
  • 1221 EDT Chadbourn, SC - Carolina Southern power - WCLR 88-CALA 48-CALA 9158

Our next destination was Parkton on the CSX where an old Fairbanks-Morse sits.

  • 1343 EDT Parkton, NC - NCPR 1801-B&O 6929
  • 1352 EDT Parkton, NC - CSX northbound - CSXT 4809-CN 5430-HLCX 6129

Next we went hunting for the Aberdeen and Rockfish. Unfortunately we didn't find any power that was photographable, but I did photograph two cabooses in Aberdeen.

  • 1447 EDT Aberdeen, NC - Aberdeen and Rockfish caboose - AR 309
  • 1449 EDT Aberdeen, NC - Aberdeen and Rockfish caboose - AR 303

From Aberdeen we started following the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western looking for anything we could find. We struck gold in Candor.

  • 1528 EDT Candor, NC - Aberdeen, Carolina and Western power - ACWR 9538-ACWR 703-ACWR 9582
  • 1543 EDT Candor, NC - Aberdeen, Carolina and Western power - ACWR 9556
  • 1554 EDT Candor, NC - Aberdeen, Carolina and Western power - ACWR 1721

We continued along the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western to home base in Star.

  • 1616 EDT Star, NC - Aberdeen, Carolina and Western power - CEMR 4081-NREX 1601-NREX 6064
  • 1620 EDT Star, NC - Aberdeen, Carolina and Western power - TBRX 4444
  • 1629 EDT Star, NC - Aberdeen, Carolina and Western power - ACWR 3802

It was getting late in the day so we turned back south toward Myrtle Beach and stopped off in Hamlet for a look at what CSX had parked in the yard.

  • 1731 EDT Hamlet, NC - CSX power - CSXT 5209-CSXT 7311
  • 1802 EDT Hamlet, NC - former Seaboard station

Continuing on we got to Laurinburg where a northbound CSX was waiting for a meet and the Laurinburg & Southern stored its power.

  • 1844 EDT Laurinburg, NC - CSX northbound - CSXT 7867-CSXT 7615
  • 1853 EDT Laurinburg, NC - Laurinburg & Southern power - GORX 9528
  • 1854 EDT Laurinburg, NC - Laurinburg & Southern power - RSNR 104-LRS 118-LRS 150-LRS 11?
  • 1855 EDT Laurinburg, NC - Laurinburg & Southern power - GORX 9525-GORX 9573
  • 1906 EDT Laurinburg, NC - Laurinburg & Southern power - LRS 109

The light was fading by now and we had a productive day so we returned to Myrtle Beach for the evening. It was great to finally meet Kevin and share a day of railfanning.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, August 5, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Eight

It rained the night before and the morning was humid and hazy. I drove down to the Carolina Piedmont yard to see what was there. Unfortunately the 3899 was unshootable but everything else was reasonably open.

  • 0808 EDT Laurens, SC - Carolina Piedmont power - CF&E 3881
  • 0810 EDT Laurens, SC - Carolina Piedmont power - TNMR 2053
  • 0811 EDT Laurens, SC - Carolina Piedmont power - CPDR 8379

My next goal was the Lancaster & Chester in Chester, South Carolina. Shortly after I arrived I found a loaded grain train just about to leave.

  • 0947 EDT Chester, SC - Lancaster & Chester eastbound - GMTX 2661-LLPX 2029-GMTX 2664-LC 3819-LC 3821-LLPX 2036
  • 0959 EDT Chester, SC - Lancaster & Chester eastbound - GMTX 2661-LLPX 2029-GMTX 2664-LC 3819-LC 3821-LLPX 2036

I headed out ahead of the grain train in Richburg.

  • 1020 EDT Richburg, SC - Lancaster & Chester eastbound - GMTX 2661-LLPX 2029-GMTX 2664-LC 3819-LC 3821-LLPX 2036
Once again I drove ahead and found a feed mill that turned out to be the customer so I took the opportunity to photograph the location.
  • 1057 EDT Fort Lawn, SC - Lancaster & Chester switcher - LC 91
  • 1115 EDT Fort Lawn, SC - Lancaster & Chester eastbound - GMTX 2661-LLPX 2029-GMTX 2664-LC 3819-LC 3821-LLPX 2036

While setting up for the photo of the grain train I was attacked by fire ants. Let me tell ya, those things hurt! Since the Lancaster & Chester would be switching for a while I left it behind and searched for the South Carolina Central. Before I found them I discovered a steel mill remote control switcher working.

  • 1406 EDT Floyd, SC - Nucor Steel remote control switcher - Nucor 05
Then it was over to the South Corolina Central.
  • 1415 EDT Floyd, SC - South Carolina Central power - SCRF 2027
  • 1421 EDT Floyd, SC - South Carolina Central power - CPDR 3890

When I'd finished photographing in Floyd I turned toward Marlboro, South Carolina and the Pee Dee River.

  • 1543 EDT Marlboro, SC - Pee Dee River power - PDRR 1764-PDRR 1797
  • 1544 EDT Marlboro, SC - Pee Dee River power - PDRR 1842

The weather was turning ugly so I packed up and left for the Fairfield Inn in Florence, South Carolina. I had just checked in when the skies opened up and the lightning began. Good timing!

Friday, August 04, 2006

Trackside Log for Friday, August 4, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Seven

I truly chose an excellent week for this trip. The morning was another bright, sunny and hot one. My first goal was to find the Georgia Woodlands in Washington, GA. When I arrived I found that the day's run to the CSX was under way. I didn't need to chase long before I could smell diesel exhaust.

  • 0910 EDT Ficklin, GA - Georgia Woodlands southbound - OMLX 4433
  • 0932 EDT Sharon, GA - Georgia Woodlands southbound - OMLX 4433

After waiting for 4433 to lift its train from the interchange in Barnett I photographed the northbound.

  • 1016 EDT Barnett, GA - Georgia Woodlands northbound - OMLX 4433
  • 1116 EDT Little River trestle, GA - Georgia Woodlands northbound - OMLX 4433

After sweating profusely while waiting for the northbound at the Little River I was happy to be in my air conditioned truck headed for the Hartwell Railroad.

  • 1330 EDT Airline, GA - Hartwell Railroad power - HRT 4556
  • 1331 EDT Airline, GA - Hartwell Railroad power - HRT 3021

With the Hartwell Railroad behind me so too was the state of Georgia. I was headed for South Carolina and the Pickens Railroad.

  • 1505 EDT Gluck (Anderson), SC - Pickens Railroad power - PICK 9504-PICK 9500

Next up was the Pickens shops in Pickens, South Carolina.

  • 1616 EDT Pickens, SC - Pickens Railroad shops - RMGX 5046
  • 1617 EDT Pickens, SC - Pickens Railroad shops - CLCX 5118 parts
  • 1619 EDT Pickens, SC - Pickens Railroad shops - YDC 3
  • 1626 EDT Pickens, SC - Pickens Railroad shops - stripped frame #5321-B-59 (ex-GORX 8314; ex-ICG GP10 8314; nee UP GP9B 188B)
  • 1627 EDT Pickens, SC - Pickens Railroad shops - CLCX 5119 parts
  • 1628 EDT Pickens, SC - Pickens Railroad shops - PICK 2

I had fun with the variety of derelict equipment and looked forward to the Pickens' facility in Honea Path.

  • 1813 EDT Dosheno (Honea Path), SC - Pickens Railroad power - CSXT 9501
  • 1813 EDT Dosheno (Honea Path), SC - Pickens Railroad power - PICK 9503
  • 1815 EDT Dosheno (Honea Path), SC - Pickens Railroad power - PICK 9507
  • 1817 EDT Dosheno (Honea Path), SC - Pickens Railroad power - PICK 6

The day turned out very nicely. The next day would begin with the Carolina Piedmont so I drove to Laurens, South Carolina for the night.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Trackside Log for Thursday, August 3, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Six

I awoke to another sunny morning and began by following the Florida East Coast between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida. The hope was to find a train and a place to photograph it. Considering the railway runs next to U.S. 1 I managed to find a place to photograph the one train I found. The local police stopped to question me within moments but upon learning my purpose happily left me alone.

  • 0846 EDT Villano Beach, FL - FEC southbound - FEC 438

I kept following the FEC but didn't find anything else. Next I was back in Georgia for the third time this trip. In Waycross I was very happy to find four ex-B.C. Rail GE locomotives along with a variety of other power.

  • 1225 EDT Waycross, GA - storage - BDLX 8011-PRSX 3622-PRSX 3625-PRSX 3623-PRSX 3626-NREX 9424-RMPX 1411-NREX 7880
  • 1237 EDT Waycross, GA - storage - NREX 8090 + more

Just west of Waycross is the St. Mary's West Railway.

  • 1312 EDT Waresboro, GA - St. Mary's West switcher - SMW 1402
I was on my way north when I found myself at a CSX crossing. When I looked down the track I could see a southbound waiting in the siding. Upon chatting with the conductor I discovered that they were meeting a nothbound empty tank train with an intermodal behind them.
  • 1350 EDT Dixie Union (Crawley), GA - CSX northbound - CSXT 4817-CSXT 4844
  • 1352 EDT Dixie Union (Crawley), GA - CSX southbound - CSXT 7818-CSXT 4704
  • 1412 EDT Dixie Union (Crawley), GA - CSX southbound - CSXT 5007-CSXT 686

When I arrived at the Georgia Central shops it was a stifling 40 degrees Celcius. Ouch! I obtained permission to photograph around the shops and took my photos. The RLIX and Valdosta engines were in for repairs.

  • 1602 EDT Lyons, GA - Georgia Central shops - RLIX 278-VR 184
  • 1603 EDT Lyons, GA - Georgia Central shops - GC 3938-GC 1004-GC 3946

My day was nearing an end so I found myself checking into the Best Western in Thomson, Georgia for the night.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Trackside Log for Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Five

It was looking like another beautiful but hot day. I headed out looking for railway action in Georgia and Florida. First up were two Norfolk Southern switch jobs in Albany, Georgia. I just happened to find their yard while driving through.

  • 0855 EDT Albany, GA - NS switcher - NS 5007-NS 1622-NS 7014
  • 0859 EDT Albany, GA - NS switcher - NS 5330-NS 2863

Next I drove north to Cordele to see if the Heart of Georgia was working in town. As luck would have it I heard them blowing their horn as I got to the tracks.

  • 1028 EDT Cordele, GA - HOG eastbound - HOG 1540-RMPX 6409
  • 1035 EDT Cordele, GA - HOG power - LLPX 3109
  • 1042 EDT Cordele, GA - HOG eastbound - HOG 1540-RMPX 6409

I started my journey south toward Florida. On my way I found CSX switching an industry in Valdosta, Georgia.

  • 1246 EDT Valdosta, GA - CSX switcher - CSXT 5841-CSXT 6116

I continued on to Trenton, Florida to find abandoned tracks as expected. Then I followed the line to Newberry where I found a Florida Central CF7.

  • 1520 EDT Newberry, FL - Florida Cental power - FCEN 47

My next destination was Wildwood, Florida where I was very pleased to find a GP30M and S2m.

  • 1700 EDT Wildwood, FL - Conrad Yelvington power - CYDZ 239-CYXX 2108

The day was getting on so I turned north. I stopped at the Days Inn in St. Augustine, Florida for the night.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, August 1, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Four

It was shaping up to be another bright but hot day. First objective was to find the Alabama Railroad in Monroeville. After finding the tracks in town abandoned I searched east of town and found the Pioneer locomotives beginning their day.

  • 0857 CDT Monroeville, AL - Alabama Railroad power - PREX 3001
  • 0858 CDT Monroeville, AL - Alabama Railroad power - PREX 805-PREX 2026

I then reversed direction and headed for Georgiana. On my way into town I noticed a CSX train waiting for a signal. Additionally I found a caboose celebrating hometown boy Hank Williams.

  • 1025 CDT Georgiana, AL - Hank Williams caboose
  • 1036 CDT Georgiana, AL - CSX southbound - CSXT 7634-HLCX 6207-GCFX 3068
I followed the Three Notch tracks east toward Andalusia. When I got there the power was out. Evidently I missed it somewhere along the way. However, one engine was parked on a siding.
  • 1139 CDT Andalusia, AL - Three Notch power - GORX 2886

Next I wanted to find the Wiregrass Central. I knew their junction with CSX was in Newton so I started there. Luck was with me. The train pulled into town as I did. I waited for them to switch the junction and head west.

  • 1500 CDT Newton, AL - Wiregrass Central westbound - GORX 9707-GORX 6528-GORX 9702-GORX 2866

My luck ran out when a cloud moved in front of the sun. I decided to chase the train west. I picked two interesting locations and was rewarded with nice sun each time. Now before I got into position for the photograph at Daleville I accidentally found myself on Fort Rucker at The United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence. This isn't where I intended to be. However, the guard very cordially invited me for a tour of the base. Sadly I didn't have enough time that day or I would have. The Apache helicopters flying around were fascinating. But I got myself turned around and in position for a photograph of the Wiregrass Central.

  • 1540 CDT Daleville, AL - Wiregrass Central westbound - GORX 9707-GORX 6528-GORX 9702-GORX 2866
  • 1615 CDT Coppinville, AL - Wiregrass Central westbound - GORX 9707-GORX 6528-GORX 9702-GORX 2866

After some nice photographs I turned east for Dothan and another G&O railroad, the Chattahoochie & Gulf.

  • 1704 CDT Dothan, AL - Chattahoochie & Gulf power - GORX 2882-GORX 2883-GORX 2829

Next I drove to Dawson, Georgia to spend the night.

Monday, July 31, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, July 31, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Three

I headed out into the fog for the morning with the promise of sun. A variety of shortlines were on my route for the day and the first opportunity for photographs was the Tennessee Southern. I got lucky and arrived just as the crew was lifting their train and after the fog lifted.

  • 0802 CDT Mount Pleasant, TN - Tennessee Southern northbound - CSXT 3163-CSXT 3170-CSXT 3148

I continued eastward in search of the Walking Horse & Eastern. On my way through Shelbyville I noticed that the track was packed with TTX piggyback flats.

  • 1009 CDT Shelbyville, TN - Walking Horse & Eastern power - WHOE 1585
I followed the line to the junction with CSX in Wartrace.
  • 1030 CDT Wartrace, TN - L&N caboose 6162

The Louisville & Nashville caboose was the only item of interest so my journey continued.

  • 1136 CDT McMinnville, TN - Caney Fork & Western power - CFW 2345
  • 1258 CDT South Pittsburg, TN - Sequatchie Valley power - SQVR 9833
  • 1259 CDT South Pittsburg, TN - Sequatchie Valley caboose
While photographing the slug I heard a locomotive horn. The Sequatchie Valley was returning. The timing was perfect.
  • 1305 CDT South Pittsburg, TN - Sequatchie Valley northbound - SQVR 1210
  • 1544 EDT La Fayette, GA - Chattooga & Chicamauga power - CAGY 102
While looking for the Eastern Alabama in Sylacauga I noticed freight moving in front of me. Presto! I was shocked to see two New England Central GP40's though.
  • 1857 CDT Sylacauga, AL - Eastern Alabama power - AGR 4005
  • 1859 CDT Sylacauga, AL - Eastern Alabama westbound - NECR 4048-NECR 4049
It was getting dark so I drove to the Best Western in Hope Hill, Alabama for the night.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, July 30, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day Two

The plan for the day was to drive west across Kentucky and then start back east through Tennessee. Unfortunately the day started off poorly. It was foggy and the first several railroads offered me no photo opportunities. Bardstown, Kentucky however yielded R.J. Corman's "My Old Kentucky Dinner Train" and its F's.

  • 1004 CDT Bardstown, KY - My Old Kentucky Dinner Train - RJCX 1941-RJCX 1940
After an abandoned line in Clay, Kentucky (the Western Kentucky Railway) and an inaccessible Paducah & Louisville in Princeton I turned my attention to Tennessee. On my way through Fulton, Kentucky I stumbled on an Illinois Central yard. Alas, the WC SD45, ex-LMS C40-8W and all the other power were inaccessible.
  • 1600 CDT Union City,TN - GM&O 2618 caboose

I was looking for the Tennken Railway in Dyersburg, Tennessee but also found an Illinois Central engine.

  • 1656 CDT Dyersburg, TN - IC power - IC 9567
  • 1700 CDT Dyersburg, TN - Tennken power - TKEN 9434
  • 1701 CDT Dyersburg, TN - Tennken power - TKEN 9435
Continuing east I found myself in Bucksnort, Tennessee at dusk. I checked into a motel. The next day would begin with a short drive to Centerville, Tennesse.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, July 29, 2006

Vacation 2006 Day One

This was the first day of my vacation. Well, actually I did drive to West Virginia yesterday, but that was a six hour non-stop drive with no trackside time. Because Watco pulled out of the Appalachian & Ohio since my last visit in March I decided to start in Buckhannon. The new opperator, Paducah & Louisville, had a slug set on the property.

  • 0721 EDT Buckhannon, WV - A&O power - AO 2102-AO 2105
Since there wasn't much to see in Buckhannon I left for Gassaway. On the way I noticed something I was hoping to find, two CEFX SD90MAC's parked in the Burnsville wye.
  • 0817 EDT Burnsville, WV - A&O power - CEFX 130-CEFX 125

With that goal accomplished I continued to Gassaway.

  • 0853 EDT Gassaway, WV - Elk River Railroad power - ELKR 1-ELKR 3-ELKR 2-ELKR 5
  • 0906 EDT Gassaway, WV - Elk River Railroad power - ELKR 4

My primary goal in Gassaway was to get a decent photo of Elk River 5 that was hidden in March. Having met that goal as well I was off to Thurmond. First I was shocked to find a work train running the line.

  • 1040 EDT Thurmond, WV - R.J. Corman northbound - RJCX 1804
  • 1050 EDT Thurmond, WV - R.J. Corman northbound - RJCX 1804

Next I was surprised by word of a coal train coming shortly. I was unaware that R.J. Corman was hauling coal on this line. In fact this was just the fourth such train.

  • 1140 EDT Thurmond, WV - R.J. Corman Z259-112 west - CSXT 245-CSXT 7585
  • 1156 EDT Thurmond, WV - CSX eastbound - CSXT 665-CSXT 414
  • 1219 EDT Thurmond, WV - R.J. Corman Z259-112 east - CSXT 7585-CSXT 245
  • 1339 EDT Thurmond, WV - CSX westbound - CSXT 8637-CSXT 8645-CSXT 4609

I should mention that the old Chesapeake & Ohio depot is beautifully restored by the National Park Service. Inside are some nice exhibits. I encourage people to visit.

Well, it was starting to rain and I had accomplished my goals for Thurmond. My vacation was supposed to start in Kentucky so I set out for the Courtyard hotel in Lexington where I had reserved a room using my Marriott rewards points. Two years living in a hotel does have some benefits.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, July 23, 2006

Today Thomas the Tank Engine was in St. Thomas. I tagged along with Pam, Andy and their son Sean. First we stopped by the yard to see what power Norfolk Southern had parked in town.
  • 1107 St. Thomas - NS 327 power - NS 8691-NS 8780

We then headed over to the former Michigan Central shops for our day out with Thomas. Our 1200 departure was significantly delayed because one of Thomas' coaches was derailed. At approximately 1330 our train pulled in.

  • 1331 St. Thomas - Day Out with Thomas - Sodor 1
  • 1351 St. Thomas - Day Out with Thomas - OSRX 183

After our ride we drove over to see Thomas' next trip.

  • 1448 St. Thomas - Day Out with Thomas - OSRX 183

We all had a good time. Sean's day was fun but busy and he zonked out on the way home.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, July 15, 2006

I was at bridge 5 of the Welland Canal this morning photographing the Pochard but still keeping an ear on the railways. While waiting for the Pochard the CN NI dispatcher informed Via train 97 it would be operating on the north track in Grimsby. Based on this information train 97 would be approximately an hour late thanks to the derailment of CN train 435 at Mimico the day before. After the Pochard finally arrived I moved to bridge 6 and waited for 97 to arrive. Eventually I heard the derail close and noticed that both tracks were aligned indicating two trains.
  • 1055 Thorold - CN 421 east - CN 5641-CN 9590-CN 4125
  • 1101 Thorold - Via 97 east - AMTK 701
It was nice to see a P32AC-DM return to the Maple Leaf. It was turning into a hot, muggy, oppressive day so I headed back home to get out of the sun.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, July 8, 2006

It was to be a sunny but hot day so I planned to go trackside in North East, Pennsylvania. I got up and drove straight there. While grabbing a quick breakfast an eastbound blew by but I didn't need to wait long for another train.

  • 0939 North East, PA - CSX Q167 west - CSXT 5327-CSXT 4781
  • 1005 North East, PA - CSX Q393 west - CSXT 773-IC 6135-HLCX 6248
  • 1011 North East, PA - CSX Q114 east - CSXT 5302-CSXT 5398
  • 1037 North East, PA - NS 310 east - NS 9522-NS 9072
  • 1130 North East, PA - CSX Q363 west - CSXT 413-CSXT 7301
  • 1132 North East, PA - CSX Q140 east - CSXT 5301-CSXT 5317
  • 1142 North East, PA - CSX Q156 east - CSXT 5319-CSXT 8476
  • 1152 North East, PA - CSX 112? east - CSXT 8782-CSXT 8762
  • 1216 North East, PA - CSX Q378 east - UP 9590-CEFX 7084
  • 1326 North East, PA - NS eastbound - NS 8201-GMTX 2621
  • 1331 North East, PA - CSX Q377 west - CSXT 7653-CSXT 8875-CSXT 7567-HLCX 6521
  • 1346 North East, PA - NS 206 east - NS 9514-NS 7502
  • 1415 North East, PA - CSX Q364 east - CSXT 8859-CSXT 8079-HLCX 9028
  • 1430 North East, PA - CSX Q116 east - CSXT 584-CSXT 5311
  • 1432 North East, PA - CSX westbound - CSXT 615-CSXT 5227
  • 1459 North East, PA - CSX Q159 west - CSXT 4775-CSXT 677
  • 1508 North East, PA - CSX Q117 west - CSXT 675-CSXT 672
  • 1510 North East, PA - CSX Q164 east - CSXT 4735-CSXT 4760
  • 1517 North East, PA - CSX westbound - CSXT 5243-CSXT 5260-CSXT 7901

The sun was pretty much down the tracks so I decided to make a move. By the time I was able to get to Lake Avenue the sun would be good for trains in both directions. As luck would have it NS train 309 arrived just as I was leaving. Oh well.

  • 1648 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q164 east - CSXT 4735-CSXT 4760
  • 1657 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q264 east - CSXT 7356-UP 5464

While sitting on CSX, NS train 15M passed by. I elected to just watch it from afar. The leader was NS 2726 with two other black engines.

  • 1815 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q161 west - HLCX 7168-CSXT 8766-CSXT 7719
  • 1837 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q119 west - CSXT 8872-CSXT 4770
  • 1850 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q118 east - UP 4988-UP 3942
  • 1905 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q169 west - CSXT 5308-CSXT 5005
  • 1920 Blasdell, NY - CSX Q110 east - CSXT 588-CSXT 7714-CSXT 321

Well, I was getting rather tired so I decided to pack up for home. It had been a very good day so I'm not about to complain.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, July 4, 2006

As I left work today I heard CN train 329, a Norfolk Southern detour, talking to the NI dispatcher about leaving Robbins. I immediately changed course for Cook's Mills.
  • 1714 Cook's Mills - CN F329 west (NS detour) - NS 8646-NS 9364

The CN crew were going to wye the power in Port Robinson so I drove home, got my gear, and made for the old swing bridge in Thorold.

  • 1806 Thorold - Via 98 west - AMTK 68
  • 1845 Thorold - CN F329 west (NS detour) - NS 9364-NS 8646

It's quite difficult to photograph a freight crossing the swing bridge in good light so I'm happy to have accomplished it.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, July 3, 2006

It was a hot, muggy day but I decided I needed to get out. I ventured to Merritton for Via train 92 and to see what the shipping traffic in the canal was like.
  • 1435 Merritton - Via 92 west - VIA 918
  • 1612 Thorold - CN 330 east - CN 2582-CN 2593
After 330 I photographed two more ships and returned home.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, July 2, 2006

After yesterday's disappointment I wasn't in a hurry. I left home at approximately 1130 and shortly thereafter heard from the CN NI dispatcher that CP train 256 would be meeting a westbound at Robbins. I drove directly there without realizing that the westbound was a Norfolk Southern detour train.

  • 1200 Robbins - CN F329 west (NS detour) - NS 9748-NS 2552

Crazy! I spent all day Saturday hoping for a detour and managed to fluke onto one the next day. Train 329 was pulling into the yard at Port Robinson so I figured I could catch it pulling in.

  • 1225 Port Robinson - CN F329 west (NS detour) - NS 9748-NS 2552
I waited around for a while for train 329 to leave the yard but it took too long. I made my way to Binbrook.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, July 1, 2006

Happy birthday, Canada! This morning was rather nice with plentiful sun and reasonable temperatures. I decided on Fort Erie for some photography and possible detours from either CSX or NS. Flooding of the CSX former NYC, the NS former Erie, and the D&H in upstate New York was creating havoc. Several detours through Canada had already run.
  • 0836 Fort Erie - CN 339 east - CN 2633-CN 2444-CN 5378

After an hour and a half switching tracks 99 and EE01 339 returned to its train, backed clear of the signal, and parked.

  • 1000 Fort Erie - CN 339 east - CN 2633-CN 2444-CN 5378
  • 1137 Fort Erie - CP 256 east - CP 8503-CP 9555-CP 9611
  • 1317 Fort Erie - NS 369 west - NS 9699-NS 9101-NS 2775
After dropping its train at Duff NS 369 returned to the east end of Fort Erie to lift its outbound freight from track 99, most of which was left by the still parked CN 339.
  • 1405 Fort Erie - NS 369 east - NS 2775-NS 9101-NS 9699

Clouds were rolling in and I was getting tired. CN train 333 was coming but I decided to leave anyway. Train 333 was to combine its train with the still parked train 339 and leave the entire train parked on the main. The day turned out to be rather lousy with few trains and no detours.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, June 25, 2006

It was a rather pleasant afternoon so I headed trackside at lunch time. I hadn't been to the Canadian National Grimsby subdivision west of St. Catharines for a while so I decided to visit 9th Street Louth.
  • 1401 St. Catharines - CN 332 west - CN 2452
  • 1444 St. Catharines - Via 92 west - VIA 905
Considering the weather getting more overcast and the lack of trains on the Grimsby subdivision in the afternoon I returned home.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, June 24, 2006

Today I hitched a ride to New York with Dave, Laura, Steve and Kevin. This was a brand new experience for Kevin and Steve. Neither had railfanned in the U.S. before. The first destination was Sturgeon Point Road in Angola.

  • 0913 Angola, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5333-CSXT 611
  • 0934 Angola, NY - NS 309 west - NS 9534
  • 0947 Angola, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 7916-FURX 7262
  • 1001 Angola, NY - CSX Q156 east - CSXT 392-CSXT 5233
  • 1008 Angola, NY - Amtrak 48 east - AMTK 68-AMTK 49
  • 1049 Angola, NY - CSX Q232 east - CSXT 5232-CSXT 7612
  • 1121 Angola, NY - CSX Q159 west - CSXT 5203-CSXT 5216
  • 1175 Angola, NY - NS 310 east - BNSF 9647-NS 8854
  • 1159 Angola, NY - CSX Q351 west - UP 5356-UP 5111-UP 6877

We were getting hungry so we drove into Angola proper. Just after our arrival a westbound appeared.

  • 1226 Angola, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 5014-CSXT 5237
During lunch several trains snuck through town. Afterward we continued on our way west.
  • 1351 Dunkirk, NY - CSX westbound - CSXT 7868-CSXT 7710
  • 1358 Dunkirk, NY - CSX eastbound - CSXT 4790-CSXT 4782

We found a few trains around Dunkirk and continued toward North East. Everybody was stopped at Westfield so we managed to get ahead of a couple.

  • 1510 North East, PA - CSX Q363 west - CSXT 118-HLCX 6213
We then continued into North East to the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society museum where we photographed the equipment on display, toured the museum, and waited for trains.
  • 1543 North East, PA - CSX westbound - CSXT 7868-CSXT 7710
  • 1605 North East, PA - CSX westbound - CSXT 5342-CSXT 5201
  • 1721 North East, PA - CSX eastbound - UP 4495-UP 9727
  • 1733 North East, PA - CSX eastbound - CSXT 8801-CSXT 8522
  • 1733 North East, PA - CSX westbound - CSXT 430-CSXT 5230
  • 1742 North East, PA - CSX eastbound - CSXT 713-CSXT 7887
  • 1800 North East, PA - CSX eastbound - CSXT 8745-CSXT 8517-FURX 3018
  • 1844 North East, PA - NS 206 east - NS 2726-NS 2716
  • 1858 North East, PA - CSX westbound - HLCX 8145-CSXT 8506
  • 1911 North East, PA - NS eastbound - NS 6724-NREX 5475
  • 1932 North East, PA - CSX westbound - BNSF 4722-BNSF 7840-BNSF 7818
  • 2003 North East, PA - CSX westbound - CSXT 5353-CSXT 7709
  • 2008 North East, PA - CSX eastbound - CSXT 5000-CSXT 5275

The shadows were getting very long. We gathered our gear and started east with a short stop at the overpass just east of town.

  • 2036 North East, PA - CSX westbound - CSXT 5354-CSXT 4752

Well, it was getting rather dark so we called it a day. Back to Canada we went.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, June 18, 2006

This was Father's Day and I dropped by the canal and Canadian National railway tracks on my way to visit my family. I timed it so that I could see Via 97.
  • 1008 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 77

After train 97 and two ships in the canal I left to see my dad.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, June 11, 2006

It was another nice day and I thought I'd take a book out to the tracks and the canal - "Therapy" by Jonathan Kellerman. It was very slow on Canadian National but at least there were some ships in the canal.

  • 1436 Merritton - Via 92 west - VIA 906

Just before train 98 CN train 330 blew through but I didn't get a good look at it.

  • 1803 Merritton - Via 98 west - AMTK 77
After a few ships I threw in the towel.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, June 10, 2006

The morning was cool, clear and perfect for some photography so I headed to the tracks at Merritton. I took along a book and set out for a nice relaxed day.
  • 0936 Merritton - CN 331 west - CN 2558-CN 2644
  • 1007 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 43
Bridge 6 was raised and train 97 waited at Seaway for the Algosoo to clear.
  • 1054 Merritton - CN 422 west - CN 5435-CN 5536
  • 1124 Merritton - Via 93 east - VIA 6426
Once again bridge 6 was up so train 93 waited for approximately a half hour for the Thalassa Desgagnes to enter lock 4 west. Isn't it nice how only the passenger trains are delayed today?
  • 1150 Merritton - Via 93 east - VIA 6426
  • 1532 Merritton - CN 333 east - CN 2695
Little else was happening on the rails so I photographed two ships in the canal and called it a day.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, June 4, 2006

By the early afternoon the clearing skies gave me the encouragement I required to make my way trackside and canalside. First I drove to lock 7 to see the Algowood and the tug Michigan. Canal traffic was very light so I headed to the Canadian National tracks in Merritton. The goal was to see the Maple Leaf and any freight CN decided to grace me with.
  • 1746 Merritton - CN 330 east - CN 5244-CN 5706
  • 1833 Merritton - Via 98 west - AMTK 111
Via 98 was approximately 30 minutes late. I wasn't too surprised. I wasn't likely to see much more so I called it quits.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, May 30, 2006

It was a very hot night and I don't have the air conditioning installed yet. Consequently I didn't sleep well and decided to bide some time beside the tracks in Merritton.
  • 0700 Merritton - Via 90 west - VIA 913
  • 0737 Merritton - CN 331 west - CN 2558-CN 2644
  • 0842 Merritton - NS 328 east - NS 9069-NS 8928

After 328 it was time to leave for work.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, May 21, 2006

The prior day's NS train 327 was pulled by a BN and a BNSF SD60 both in the green and cream scheme. Although the weather was dark and grey I went to Merritton to photograph it.

  • 0921 Merritton - NS 328 east - BN 9563-BNSF 9422
  • 0955 Merritton - CN 331 west - CN 2625-CN 2447
  • 1007 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 101
I saw what I came out to see so I returned home.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 20, 2006

This morning I drove to Grimsby station to meet Steve who had informed me the night before that he would be there. I arrived just as CN trains 338 and 339 were meeting just west of the station which meant I had missed 338 but at least 339 would show in a couple minutes.
  • 0926 Grimsby - CN 339 east - CN 5501-CN 2442
  • 0954 Grimsby - Via 97 east - AMTK 104
  • 1005 Grimsby - NS 328 east - NS 9783-NS 8773
  • 1108 Grimsby - Via 93 east - VIA 6411

After train 93 Steve had to head out so I decided to return to St. Catharines.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 14, 2006

Today would be a mixture of ships and trains for photography. I headed out into the overcast skies before heading to Binbrook to visit my family for Mother's Day While photographing the Isadora in Port Robinson I heard NS 328 in St. Catharines.
  • 1142 Port Robinson - NS 328 east - NS 2765-NS 8822

While waiting for NS 328 I heard a CP southbound get a clearance from Kinnear to Welland. I figured I would be able to beat it to Pelham.

  • 1216 Pelham - CP southbound - CP 9554-CP 9011-CP 9017
After the salty and two relatively interesting trains I called it a day and headed to Binbrook to visit with my mom.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, May 6, 2006

This morning I met Marcus in Aldershot. The goal was to find some trains in the Brantford area.

  • 0938 Aldershot - CN 271 west - CN 5428-CN 5292
  • 1018 Copetown - CN 396 east - CN 2504-CN 2506
  • 1021 Copetown - CN 271 west - CN 5428-CN 5292
  • 1051 Bethel - CN 382 east - CN 2664-CN 5720
  • 1206 Brantford - CN 394 east - BN 9225-EMDX 9015
  • 1219 Brantford - CN 148 east - CN 6007-CSXT 5961-CN 9590

While train 148 was coming we heard train 580 head down to the old TH&B tracks. We don't get the chance to see 580 work the Brantford industries often so we headed after it.

  • 1327 Mohawk St., Brantford - CN 580 - CN 4117
  • 1330 Market St., Brantford - CN 580 - CN 4117
  • 1423 Grand River Ave., Brantford - CN 580 - CN 4117
  • 1428 Colborne St., Brantford - CN 580 - CN 4117

Train 580 was on its way back to the yard so we returned to the station.

  • 1451 Brantford - CN 393 west - CN 2523-CN 5652
  • 1457 Brantford - CN 580 - CN 4117
  • 1506 Brantford - CN westbound - GCFX 6075-CN 5347

Not long after the westbound Marcus had to head home so we returned to Hamilton. On my way back home I stopped off at RaiLink.

  • 1633 Hamilton - RaiLink power - RLK 1808

There were some boats I wanted to photograph in the canal so I called it a day for the railway.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 29, 2006

It had been a while since I was trackside and it was a beautiful day. I decided to make Fort Erie my destination. While making my way east I heard CP train 256 get a clearance out of Welland. I arrived at Brookfield just in time to photograph it.

  • 0937 Brookfield - CP 256 south - CP 8615-CP 9618

I continued to Fort Erie knowing I would get there first. Train 256 would be meeting CN 331 train there with an SD50F, C40-8M and SD60F consist.

  • 1008 Fort Erie - CP 256 east - CP 8615-CP 9618
  • 1130 Fort Erie - CN 332 west - CN 2651
  • 1256 Fort Erie - NS 369 west - NS 8831-NS 9909
  • 1402 Niagara Falls - CN 421 east - CN 5328-CN 2523

There wasn't much more activity in the picture so I returned home.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, April 16, 2006

I drove to Thorold to photograph the ship Greenwing. On the way I heard CN train call out the signal at Cambridge so I went to Allanburg to see it.
  • 1020 Allanburg - CN 331 west - CN 2570-CN 5728

Then it was off to see the Greenwing.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 15, 2006

It was a nice morning so I went trackside and canalside to see some freight movement. On my way out I heard the detector at mile 18. I went to meet it at Merritton.

  • 0923 Merritton - CN 339 east - CN 5755-CN 5422-CN 5402
  • 1008 Thorold - Via 97 east - AMTK 706

This was the only rail traffic I saw. I spent the remainder of my time with ships in the canal.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, April 9, 2006

I was out photographing ships in the canal and found myself at lock 4 with the Halifax at Maple Leaf time.

  • 1006 Thorold - Via 97 east - AMTK 706
It must be getting closer to summer. The sunlight is almost straight down the tracks for train 97 again.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, April 4, 2006

I followed the Welland Canal on my way home from work to see if there were any ships to photograph. While at Lock 4 I heard train 330 east call out the signal at Glenridge. I photographed a Coast Guard ship and then Via 98 and 330 showed up.

  • 1801 Thorold - Via 98 west - AMTK 706
  • 1802 Thorold - CN 330 east - CN 2687-CN 2595
Now that was good timing. I then continued home.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, April 2, 2006

It was a beautiful sunny day. The priority was to photograph some ships in the Welland Canal. I did however try to catch some trains between ships.

  • 1007 Thorold - Via 97 east - AMTK 707
  • 1042 Thorold South - Abitibi switcher - Abitibi Consolidated 1324

Overall it was a nice relaxing day.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, April 1, 2006

My first goal for the day was to photograph the ship Cuyahoga in the Welland Canal. Well that didn't work out. It made Lake Erie far earlier than was light enough to photograph. There was little traffic scheduled for the canal so I headed to Fort Erie to see what train traffic might present itself.

  • 0932 Fort Erie - CN 339 east - CN 2535-CSXT 4821
After photographing 339 under dark skies from the Centre Street bridge I went back to the International Bridge to photograph it again switching. Somehow I got insanely lucky and the sun came out long enough for a few photos.
  • 0957 Fort Erie - CN 339 east - CN 2535-CSXT 4821
  • 1051 Fort Erie - CP 248 east - CP 9710
  • 1226 Fort Erie - NS 328 east - BNSF 4770-NS 5101
  • 1319 Fort Erie - CP 889 west - CP 9773

I wanted to start home so I decided to photograph 889 again.

  • 1349 Brookfield - CP 889 north - CP 9773

I'd had enough fun for the day so I returned home.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, March 28, 2006

OK, after work is getting lucky. Tonight as I got into my truck I heard CP job 3 give CP train 257 north a work clearance through its limits. I headed over to Brookfield to catch it.
  • 1645 Brookfield - CP 257 north - CP 9616

As job 3 was heading back to CP on the CN Stamford subdivision CP train 257 passed under its tail end on the CP Hamilton subdivision. I headeded to the wye in Brookfield to photograph it leaving CN.

  • 1656 Broofield - CP job 3 - CP 3096-CP 3038

Job 3 dropped it's cars in the Montrose sub and then lifted cars to take to Stevensville. It was getting darker so I decided to head home.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, March 27, 2006

When I got into my truck after work today I heard the CP Hamilton subdivision dispatcher issue a clearance for train 257 north from Brookfield to Welland. It was nice and sunny and I wanted to play with my new Nikon F75 so I headed to Robbins to photograph it.
  • 1703 Robbins - CP 257 west - CP 9626

I started back to St. Catharines and heard CN train 330 east call out the signals for Yager while I was just driving by so I swung over to the tracks to photograph it, again with the new F75.

  • 1716 Welland - CN 330 east - CN 5636-CN 5733

On my way through Port Robinson I heard CN train 564 mention it was about to head out the east end of the yard. When I got to the tracks the gates were down and it was on its way. There wasn't any light among the trees so I just watched it.

  • 1729 Port Robinson - CN 564 east - CN 7027-CN 4122

I continued on to St. Catharines and home. Not bad for a half hour after work.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, March 26, 2006

The morning was very nice, a few clouds and lots of sun. I decided I wanted to catch the Maple Leaf so I headed to Merritton for 1000 and wound up seeing a bonus CN train too.
  • 0946 Merritton - CN 332 west - CN 2544
  • 1005 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 706
The goal was to visit friends in Binbrook for the afternoon so I wandered about for the morning seeing whatever showed up. Now that the Welland Canal is open for the 2006 season I drove along it through Thorold and dropped by the Abitibi paper plant. As luck would have it, the switcher was just leaving for Allanburg with a cut of boxcars.
  • 1021 Thorold South - Abitibi switcher south - Donohue 2

In Port Robinson I espied the CSL ship Spruceglen and photographed it. Earlier I'd heard CP train 256 get a clearance from Kinnear to Welland so I dropped by the yard.

  • 1100 Welland - CP 256 south - CP 9759-CP 9605

CP was having problems with their communication towers and the crew had to get a clearance by phone. I headed to Fort Erie where I heard that CN 339 had parked its train for a recrew. My timing was on fire since NS train 369 was just pulling through the yard as I arrived in town.

  • 1139 Duff (Fort Erie) - NS 369 west - NS 2749-NS 9825-NS 9637

Sure enough, CN 339 was parked by the International Bridge so I took a couple shots.

  • 1148 Fort Erie - CN 339 east - CN 2675-CN 2452

If I wanted to get to Binbrook in the early afternoon I'd have to head out so off I went. All in all not a bad morning. I saw a little of everything.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Trackside Log for Saturday, March 25, 2006

A day earlier I'd been informed that NS train 327 had a TFM locomotive so I headed out to catch its return on NS 328.

  • 1008 Merritton - Via 97 east - AMTK 707
  • 1028 Merritton - NS 328 east - UP 9328-TFM 1401

Since I'd never seen a TFM engine in Canada before I drove out to Brookfield to see it again.

  • 1133 Brookfield - NS 328 east - UP 9328-TFM 1401
  • 1135 Brookfield - CP job 3 south - CP 3096-CP 3038

Apparently I missed an over/under photo opportunity when CP job 3 was approaching Brookfield. Doh! At any rate I drove home along the canal and photographed a couple ships.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Trackside Log for Friday, March 17, 2006

Today Sam and I were headed to Montreal for the St. Patrick's Day Parade held on Sunday. We had just visited her parents in Carrying Place when I heard that three CP trains were to meet in nearby Brighton. I took a slight detour to catch them. I didn't figure it would take long.
  • 1124 Brighton - CP eastbound - CP 3057
  • 1129 Brighton - CN westbound - CN 4138-CN 4112
  • 1143 Brighton - CN eastbound - CN xxxx-CN xxxx
  • 1143 Brighton - CP eastbound - CP xxxx-SOO 6061-SOO 6004
  • 1151 Brighton - CP 241 west - CP 8647-SOO 6001-CP 9504
I was right. In less than 30 minutes we had three CP and three CN trains (one I couldn't see behind a CP train). Not bad. We then continued on to Montreal.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Trackside Log for Wednesday, March 15, 2006

When I opened my eyes this morning I was greeted by a near blizzard. The plan was to see what NS would present on the former PRR. It was snowing so hard for the first few trains I just watched them go by.

  • 0924 Cresson,PA - Amtrak eastbound - AMTK 94
  • 0928 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound - NS 9943-UP 6408 w/ helper NS 3339-NS 3341
  • 1003 Lilly, PA - NS westbound helper - NS 3362-NS 3373
  • 1022 Lilly, PA - NS 36A east - NS 9795-NS 8370
  • 1032 Lilly, PA - NS westbound - NS 8337-NS 9246 w/ helper NS 3380-NS 3370
  • 1044 Lilly, PA - NS westbound helper - NS 3352-NS 3428
  • 1046 Lilly, PA - NS eastbound helper - NS 3373-NS 3362
  • 1050 Lilly, PA - NS 65A east - NS 9397-BNSF 847
  • 1114 Cresson, PA - NS 36A east - NS 9795-NS 8370
  • 1126 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound helper - NS 3373-NS 3362
  • 1132 Cresson, PA - NS eastbound helper - NS 3348-NS 3364
  • 1230 Gallitzin, PA - NS 11A west - helper NS 3363-NS 3335 w/ NS 8313-NS xxxx w/ helper NS 3337-NS 3359
  • 1251 Gallitzin, PA - NS eastbound helper - NS 3363-NS 3335

Now that was so much better. Norfolk Southern actually ran some trains. I didn't want to be too late back home so I headed out at about 1300.

  • 1419 Du Bois, PA - B&P power - BPRR xxxx-BPRR xxxx
  • 1420 Du Bois, PA - B&P switcher - BPRR 7822
  • 1619 Salamanca, NY - B&P switcher - BPRR 203

The Buffalo and Pittsburgh was rewarding on the way home too. Catching them switching Du Bois was a bonus. There was a northbound out there somewhere too, but I never actually heard it. Oh well. The trip was rewarding so I have no complaints. I think I'll have to go back and photograph R.J. Corman between Thurmond and Mount Hope, West Virginia though. The scenery was excellent. I could easily spend a day on CSX in Thurmond too. These are things to add to my to-do list I suppose.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Trackside Log for Tuesday, March 14, 2006

I wanted to photograph MARC and the Capitol Limited so I got to the station at Harpers Ferry for 0645. Quite a few commuters were waiting.
  • 0656 arr/0658 dep Harpers Ferry, WV - MARC P878 east - MARC 70/MARC 69
  • 0738 Harpers Ferry, WV - CSX Q217-14 west - CSXT 7366-CSXT 8500
I was hoping the sun would stay away for the morning because Harpers Ferry is really an afternoon shot. The sun came out so I moved on.
  • 0900 Martinsburg, WV - CSX V819-13 west - CSXT 590-CSXT 556-CSXT 429-CSXT 244

After a couple hours and only one train I couldn't take it anymore.

  • 1158 Sleepy Creek, WV - Amtrak "Capitol Limited" east - AMTK 39-AMTK 176

Unbelievable. The Capitol Limited was several hours late. Worse, it surprised me and I couldn't photograph it. Shortly after I ran across HO tower and photographed it.

  • 1211 Bath, WV - B&O HO tower
I worked my way over to Cumberland, Maryland and had a look at the CSX locomotive maintenance facility. There were locomotives all over the place but only one was interesting enough to commit to film, a B23-7.
  • 1305 Cumberland, MD - CSX power - CSXT 5898

I found a nice location west of town on the main to Pittsburgh and waited… and waited. Nothing came. After a while I'd had enough and left for Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Maybe Norfolk Southern can outperform CSX.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Trackside Log for Monday, March 13, 2006

The weather this morning was looking remarkably good. The forecast was for sun and clouds until some severe storms were to blow through in the evening. Since my photographs of the Sago mine CF7 from the previous day were brutally dark I decided to reshoot it this morning.
  • 0734 Sago, WV - Sago mine switcher - SRPP 2500

According to the local news the mine was due to reopen that week after being shut down due to an explosion. After shooting the CF7 I returned to Buckhannon to the Appalachian & Ohio. My timing was off because I missed a southbound while stuck in traffic.

  • 0813 Buckhannon, WV - A&O power - WAMX 5006-WAMX 5103-WAMX 50xx-WAMX 51xx
  • 0813 Buckhannon, WV - A&O power - BAR 355
  • 0813 Buckhannon, WV - A&O power - WAMX 5120
Next I headed for the West Virginia Central in Belington. Wow. Some of the roads I was on to get there were little more than tracks through the forest. On the way I encountered an old Baldwin switcher left for dead at the end of a coal siding.
  • 0838 Teter, WV - Rawhide Mine switcher - Cheyenne Sales Company RT-10
  • 0924 Belington, WV - WVC power - WM 67
  • 0924 Belington, WV - WVC power - WM 303
  • 0924 Belington, WV - WVC power - Bentley Coal Company 207
  • 0924 Belington, WV - WVC power - WM 415

Sadly the Western Maryland BL2 was locked indoors and it didn't appear to be any work this day, so off to CSX in Grafton. There was an assortment of CSX AC4400's, an SD80MAC, and two NS SD70M-2's.

  • 1030 Grafton, WV - CSX westbound power - CSXT 583-CSXT 517
  • 1045 Grafton, WV - CSX eastbound power - CSXT 209-CSXT 3xx

It wasn't overly exciting so I continued my journey to Moorefield and the South Branch Valley Railroad.

  • 1327 Moorefield, WV - SBVR power - SBVR 182
  • 1331 Moorefield, WV - SBVR power - SBVR 80
When I signed my release to photograph at the SBVR shops the nice folks there told me that a southbound was on its way to Petersburg. I went after it but it beat me.
  • 1412 Petersburg, WV - SBVR southbound - SBVR 181-SBVR 91 (it's front coupled)
  • 1420 Petersburg, WV - SBVR yard - SBVR caboose 1892
  • 1428 Petersburg, WV - SBVR power - SBVR 90

Next I took off for the Winchester & Western in Gore, VA with a quick stop at the Potomac Eagle.

  • 1531 Romney, WV - Potomac Eagle power - VIA FP9 nose
  • 1531 Romney, WV - Potomac Eagle power - CO 8016
  • 1531 Romney, WV - Potomac Eagle power - PE 722
  • 1620 Gore, VA - WW power - WW 498
  • 1620 Gore, VA - WW power - ESHR 8066
  • 1620 Gore, VA - WW power - WW 1007

It was getting late so I would be staying over night in Harpers Ferry, WV. I checked into the Comfort Inn and then headed down to the station to write up the day's log and see what trains would pass in the night.

  • 1917 arr/1918 dep Harpers Ferry, WV - MARC P879 west - MARC 69/MARC 70
  • 1948 Harpers Ferry, WV - CSX V102-11 east - CSXT 4835-CSXT 785
  • 2039 arr/2040 dep Harpers Ferry, WV - MARC P883 west - MARC 62
  • 2109 Harpers Ferry, WV - CSX Q400 west - CSXT 591-UP 4489-CSXT 8148
  • 2139 Harpers Ferry, WV - MARC eastbound deadhead - MARC 7846 (cab car; MARC 62 power)
  • 2142 Harpers Ferry, WV - CSX Q139 west - CSXT 5221-CSXT 5232
Also of note is that the Harpers Ferry B&O station is well into its restoration to approximately 1931 specifications.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Trackside Log for Sunday, March 12, 2006

I arose to a wet cloudy morning in West Virginia. Well at least it wasn't actively raining. It didn't take long for it to arrive though.
  • 0742 Parkersburg - Little Kanawha River power - LKRR 1205

Apparently driving south was the answer. By the time I got to Charleston the weather was much improved.

  • 0914 Chesapeake, WV - Winifrede Railroad - JTPX 2012-JTPX 2011
  • 0926 Chesapeake, WV - Winifrede Railroad - DPS 2000 "Nellie"
  • 0944 Chesapeake, WV - CSX westbound - CSXT 257-CSXT 210

Next I hunted down an R.J. Corman line. I started in Mount Hope, the end of their line, but no red engines. I followed the track north to their junction with CSX in Thurmond.

  • 1158 Thurmond, WV - R.J. Corman - RJCX 1607-RJCX 1804

I noticed a green signal on the CSX tracks so I waited for the westbound in the rain.

  • 1302 Thurmond, WV - CSX westbound - CSXT 729-CSXT 765

After the coal train passed I headed for the Gauley River Railroad in Muddlety. Unfortunately when I got there I discovered that the tracks had been removed. Well, nothing I can do about that so I continued on to the next shortline, the Elk River Railroad.

  • 1456 Gassaway, WV - Elk River Railroad power - ELKR 4
  • 1500 Gassaway, WV - Elk River Railroad power - ELKR 2-ELKR 5
  • 1503 Gassaway, WV - Elk River Railroad power - ELKR 1-ELKR 3
  • 1610 Heaters, WV - CSX derailment
  • 1731 Sago, WV - coal mine switcher - SRPP 2500
It was getting pretty dark while photographing the mine's CF7. I ended my day in Buckhannon where the A&O had some power parked. I checked into the Colonial Motel which was a block from the A&O.