Teen Railfan Place - Winter 2009

[Anonymous]

I was re-editing some older videos, and while filling in the locomotive numbers and type in the description, I saw what looked like a SD40-2, but then I realized it didn't have any "porches" so I Googled the number, and found out that it was once a C&NW SD45 that was rebuilt to SD40-2 standards! Pretty interesting discovery! And this was on a train that had a GP40-2, C40-8, C40-8W, and an SD60I as well! A pretty rare consist nowadays! Here's a link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L9l1xQWPo4

And I also re-did this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7LWp00Tpig

Enjoy!

[EJE818]

Well, I went after JSW1 again and what do you know, 665 was in the lead again! It also had caboose 177 trailing for the second day in a row. I also got to see some other cool stuff today.

First, lets begin with yesterday. EJ&E 665 leads JSW1 into Minooka. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1481946

Here is the caboose on the end, 177. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1481947 

Here it is at Minooka. Notice the red strobe is in mid-flash. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1481948 

Two more. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1481949

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1481950

Now onto today, here is 665 again on JSW1 coming through Shorewood. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485215

Once again, here is 665 going through Minooka. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485216

One more of 665. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485218

Now for more stuff, here is Amtrak 29 highballing through Lemont as seen from the top of a hill. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485219

In Joliet, patched CNW 6703 with some custom numberboards heads light off the H-Yard connection. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485221

In Rockdale, IAIS GEVO 501 sits, waiting for a new crew. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485222

One more of the Interstate train. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485223

At Rockdale Yard, a rare CSX pre-YN2 GP15T with C&O reporting marks under the cab sits at the yard office. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485224

Back in Joliet again, Amtrak 37 leads a Lincoln Service train south, exiting the CN Joliet Sub and entering the UP Joliet Sub. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485226

On the EJ&E Eastern Sub, EJ&E SW1200 302 leads a local south on the far east side of Joliet. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485246

EJ&E 445 trails. 445 is a SW1001, a rarity for Joliet. This engine has three red strobes on it! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1485248

Overall, I can't complain about the variety here the past two days!

As always, vids of the vast majority of this stuff is available on my Youtube page, and I strongly encourage watching, especially the 665 ones! I'd post them here but I think I've posted enough links for one post. I guess that's what happens when I start increasing the intensity of the railfanning trips again.

Also, no sign of the 322 again so it looks more and more likely that it was the one that drilled the Line Train. I might've gotten the last vid of it ever, not good! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhGvWEIDP8A&feature=channel_page

[EJE818]

Well, I normally don't like posting two in a row but with it being as dead as it is here it leaves me no choice, sorry! I just don't want to fall behind with my photos again.

Anyway, yesterday I caught the EJ&E State Line coal train on the Eastern Sub. The sights and sounds of this train were amazing to say the least. There is nothing like seeing a trio of SD38-2s battle the hill out of Joliet with the State Line, anywhere! It had a good consist too, 660, 650 (straight SD38) and 662 (J-Ball). I caught it at six locations between Joliet and Frankfort due to the slow speed.

Here are three photos of it heading out of Joliet, beginning the battle uphill. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486906

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486909

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1487276

Now crossing a field near New Lenox. The train came close to stalling here, just look at the exhaust coming from the engines and you can tell how hard they were being worked. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486910

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1487278

Now coming into New Lenox. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486911

Coming around the curve into Frankfort. Again, look at all the exhaust, the train was still struggling. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1487275

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486912

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486913

Location number two in Frankfort. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486914

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1487277

Now coming into downtown Frankfort, the train is finally picking up speed. This was our last location for this train. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1486915

Now, this vid is a must see! This is truely what the EJ&E is all about! If you thought my videos of 672 last week were something soundwise then this one blows that one away. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd7dZ0brb4o&feature=channel_page

Again, you must see that video, that was one of the most amazing run-bys I've ever seen in my life, and I've seen a lot of them!

[Anonymous]

Neat photos and videos Robby!

I was at photography class last night, and as I was leaving, I heard a train on the CSX line to Barbers, MA, where Pan Am takes the train to Ayer, MA. I managed to persuade my dad to take a quick side trip and see if we could beat the train to the New Bond Street Crossing. I had my camera and a tripod already, so I thought I'd try for a night photo.

My dad was doubtful that we'd beat the train there, but then as we drove past the Greendale Mall, I spotted a pair of CSX GEs  on the point of a train. We made it to the crossing, and I set up quickly. I had barely finished setting up the tripod and camera when the lights activated. I triggered the shutter, but it was my first night photo, and the first time I'd seen a train at a crossing in over a year, so I triggered it too early. The shutter clicked closed, and the camera started processing the image. The locomotives rolled over the crossing, with the camera still processing... I managed to get one of the rest of the train on the crossing before I had to head home...

It was good experience, and next time I'll try to get the locomotives... Perhaps sometime I'll be able to go out to Worcester Union Station (the local hotspot) for more trains to shoot...

Here are the photos I came away with... Shot at 30 seconds on a tripod at F.22 and ISO 100.

[EJE818]

Tyler, you're off to a good start with the night shots. I like that first one.

Speaking of good photos, I got more of both recent factors that have been important lately.

Factor #1 is the EJ&E, as I caught JSW1 again! Here is somewhat of a pacing shot near Minooka. 668 is the leader. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1488045

Here it is in Minooka, seems like I've gotten this angle a hundred times this month already, but I like the angle and I like the power even better! Three shots of it. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1488046

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1488047

 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1488048

Factor #2: The Amtrak Cascades NPCU! I caught the Cascades NPCU in Wilmington at a new location that I really like! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1488049

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1488050

Amtrak 26 trails the train. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1488051

I shouldn't be too hard to figure out why I like that location, my obcession with bridge shots! Only two trains today (so far) but of course, I care about quality, not quantity, and EJ&E and the Cascades unit are both quality stuff. Today was successful, and the last few days have been excellent with EJ&E 665 twice on JSW1, the chase of the State Line the other day, a CSX SD40-2 on the Rock, two IAIS trains, another JSW1 today and the Cascades unit. Remember how I was complaining a few weeks ago about seeing nothing good? That's all been thrown right out the window with a extremely productive week.

As always, videos of all this stuff is available on Youtube.

[Railfan Alex]

Excellent photos Robby!

Yes, It has been almost two weeks, but I will get some photos up. I have no time!

[BNSF & DMIR 4Ever]

First, a few photos.

 

First, BNSF AC4400CW 5621 leads a train of empty coal hoppers west. I usually don't chase GE units, but ACs don't come around too often.

 

 

BNSF SD70ACE 9161 serves as a DPU on an eastbound load of coal

 

 

Parting shot

 

 

 

Also, any of you sick of seeing GE units might want to come take a look at the Brainerd Sub here in MN. Over the past few weeks, I've seen a handful of GEs, and two of them being somewhat rare for the area(the AC shown above and a blue CEFX unit). Other than that, we've got nothing by MACs and ACEs for the whole family to enjoy!

 

Edit: No sooner did I type this, a duo of MACs led an empty coal train past the house. Forty five minutes later, another one, this time, an ACE was DPUing.

[Noah Hofrichter]

Neat stuff Robby.

That's a pretty good start for night photography Ty. I wish I had a crossing around here with gates, as I've always wanted to try the motion blur thing.

It's been a while since I've posted here as well, as I have the same problem as Alex; no time. But I have had a chance to do a little bit of railfanning. Last Saturday I got a call about 10am that the Canadian Pacific M&P job was leaving Portage with a Bandit on the point. The M&P is the CP line from Portage to Madison, WI. The only thing that runs the entire 50 mile or so length of the line is the CP M&P local. Normally however this train runs in the late evening, and so one can only chase a short ways before the light disappears, even in the summer time. However, thanks to a contract to transload natural dasoline in Madison, the G64 train has been making a daylight Saturday morning run down the M&P for a few weeks. I finally caught him in good sunlight on Saturday. Just a sample of the photos:

It's really a pretty scenic line, and it makes for a nice few hours to chase. The rest of photos if you want to check them out are online at my website:

http://badgerrails.webng.com/photos/cp/satmp.html

Noah

[EJE818]

Excellent photos as usual, Noah!

Tommorow is shaping up to be a gold mine of good stuff once again! First, you have the J running tommorow. The second thing is up the UP Geneva Subdivision. Right now UP 1982, 1983, 1988, 1995, 2001, 2001, CNW 8646 and CNW 8701 are all running in this area. There are only two specially painted UP engines that are not here right now, pretty incredible!

[nssr9169]

nice noah

[Anonymous]

Another great virtual railfanning trip for me, Noah! I've always loved those "Bandits" and somehow they're stil sticking around on CP! Excellent photos!

[EJE818]

Today UP 1988, the Katy Heritage engine, made its way into Chicago, but it did not take the UP, it took the racetrack into Chicago! I shot it coming past the water tower in Riverside on the BNSF. I also got other shots throughout the day so the good streak continues! Here we go with the trip report.

Here is UP 1988 passing by the water tower at Riverside. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1489257

Now onto Chicago for some skyline shots. Freshly repainted CSX GP38-2 2672 sits in the yard. It's unusual to see CSX sitting here. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1489297

Amtrak 142 backs into the yard. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1489298

The skyline angle with the CSX. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1489299

Amtrak 508 switches the coach yard. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1489307

Now back into the Joliet area, first is EJ&E 665 again, this time switching Joliet Yard putting together what will be tonight's JSW3. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1489290

UP 7154 passing one of the new signs warning of the new trains coming. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1489288

Overall, it was yet another excellent day.

Also I just got word EJ&E SD38-2s 670, 671, 672 and 673 are now assigned on the IC side of the CN for yard and local service at Homewood, looks like CN might use EJ&E power at Homewood for the yard switchers from here on out. I guess that isn't bad, they aren't on EJ&E territory but they're still nearby, plus all of those are the ex-B&LEs, the original EJ&E SD38-2s are still where they belong. Alec, if you come down to Barr I suggest heading for Homewood to see some EJ&E orange!

The big question now is will the rest of them be reassigned, I hope 665 isn't sent to British Columbia or Winnipeg or somewhere really far away.

[wctransfer]

Im working on it, so I may swing by but Im not really sure. It will mostly be a CSX and closeby affair, maybe the IHB since they are right around the corner. Nice shots Robby and Noah, the 2066 leads more than any other bandits combined it seems! Nice fresh CSXT there too!

Alec

[EJE818]

I am glad the SD38-2s are finding jobs with CN but I am still concerned. I am very concerned that CN will beat the SD38-2s at Homewood to death. The J ran them hard but treated them with care when they weren't running.

I want to go to Homewood badly because I'm sure the SD38-2s are in run 8 sometimes. Nothing like the sight of a pair of EJ&E SD38-2s at work, anywhere, even if they are on someone else's rails! The uniqueness and the tradition continue (yeah I know I sound insane, LOL!), just on the IC side! Plus we still got 650, 654, 656-669, 675 and 675 to keep things good here!

I know this is weird, but Homewood might be the best place to see EJ&E power in daylight, cause there's always something moving there. Also, now that it seems CN finally realizes that SD38-2s are valuable assets to any roster for switching, the J power could be safe!

The show of the J must go on, just as it has for the last 122 years! As always, I'll take that chance of seeing some orange any day, any time, anywhere.

[coborn35]

 Now it sounds like some EJE SD38-2's may be sent to the Missabe for T-Bird service.