Teen Railfan Place - Spring 2010

[WCfan]

I have to agree with Max, the 4205 looks pretty nifty. I love those flared radiators!

When I woke up on March 26th, it was another grey day. Another grey day in the long streak of rail fanning trips since December 30th. But as the day waned the clouds moved out, and the sun shined its nice light on Wisconsin. It was time to head out.

Although the day looked nice, it was fairly chilly. I decided to just run down to Point. To save time I skipped the Wausau yard, figuring the 588 was still sitting there. At Weston, a coal train had just been uploaded, and a new crew was waiting to take the empties south. I decided to wait for a few minutes. It would have been a great chase south, but I soon abandoned that idea. I hopped back onto the highway and headed south. I could hear someone switching, but I figured it was just the empty coal train. Nearing Knowlton WI, I started to pick up some movements around Junction City. The 198 was getting a warrant on the Valley Sub to set out some stacks at Hiawatha. The 199 had left Point earlier and was going to do a meet at Junction City. As the 198 backed around the south east leg of the wye, a BCOL C40-8M surprised me. I knew that the 199 was coming, so I headed just west of Junction City to get a shot I always wanted to get for a while now. Crossing the tracks, I noticed a rock train sitting on the Valley Sub main, waiting to go north.

Waiting for the 199 to makes it appearance, a new crew showed up to relieve the 198s crew. While waiting the conductor came over, and we chatted for a while. Not long, the 199 started to roll through JO. The 198s' train was holding the main, so they would have to take the siding around. CN 8003 leads another M-2 and an SD75i. For some reason I like the non-nose light M-2s better.

After the 199 cleared, the 198 backed down the main to its' train. To the north I could hear a horn, but I figured it was just the 199s' horn echoing. I was able to get a decent shot of the BCOL C40-8M.

The crews started to change out, and chatted for a while. Sorry for such a wide shot. This spot proved to be difficult because of the "3/4" mile sign.

The relief crew made their way out of the locomotive to give the 343 a roll by. The conductor came by, and we chatted again. He said that he had hired out on the WC back in 92, which I found interesting. As the 343 made its way up the hill, I was surprised to see a clean and new CN SD70M-2; 8903.

After they cleared, the 198 high balled out of JO. I caught them going down the other side of the hill.

After that, the 588 got the clear to head into Point behind the 198. The chatter I heard on the scanner was the 588 working at Mathy, and the horn I heard was also the 588. This angle would be so much better if the clutter wasn’t here. I also really should have been on the other side of the tracks.

After the 588 cleared, the rock train got a warrant to head north. My shot came out pretty bad, since it was very back lit, so no pictures of that.

I had to go home at that time, so no stopping at Point. On my way back up, the empty coal train was still sitting at Weston. So I say it was a good move to go to JO.

In the end, the traffic was good, and I was able to rail fan on a sunny day. It was too bad the sun wasn’t able to cooperate with me. Maybe next time.

[Lord Atmo]

WCfan

For some reason I like the non-nose light M-2s better.

 

 

That's nothing to be ashamed about! 

[ns3010]

I don't like nose headlights at all. I think they're fugly. Nose headlights are awkward. Cab headlights are much better looking, IMHO. Fortunately, we don't really have that out here... (unless you count the ALPs, F40s, PL42s, and P40s ok, most of Transit's fleet. But those would look fugly with them on the top. Imagine a PL42 with headlights up near the numberboards... Ew.)


Those C40-8Ms are neat with the two sets of ditch lights!

[WCfan]

Lord Atmo

WCfan

For some reason I like the non-nose light M-2s better.

 

That's nothing to be ashamed about! 

I don't really like nose lights, but hey, I'll still shoot it. Especially if it's something like this!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74637625@N00/4468364577/in/photostream/

Joe, that's one thing that is unique about the BCOL units. They also have really nice horns too!

I also forgot to throw this picture in. The Wausau switch job heads back to the yard in the last rays of light. March 23 2010.

[ns3010]

Hey, I'd take that any day!

WCfan

I also forgot to throw this picture in. The Wausau switch job heads back to the yard in the last rays of light. March 23 2010

Aaaaah! Nose lights!!!

EDIT:
Tyler, I'm jealous. This weekend, the Easter trains apparently had the 3010 and 18 (I guess 54 isn't done with repairs yet, dunno if it will be for next week's trains)!!!! That is probably the second best consist you could get, after 54, 18, 21, 3010, and NJT 4112 (only because of its amazing horn)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt44qeqhfuw (not mine)

[Noah Hofrichter]

 I've always wanted to model a jimbo crane and a few gons like the one Joe shot, but it's just been stuck on my "someday" list of things to do. I'm sure it's been done before, but it's not something you see modeled very much.

Neat trip report Jordan.  Even though I haven't been there in probably two or three years, I remember exactly what you mean about the 3/4 mile post marker at that barn shot west of JO - it's positioned in exactly the wrong place! But, what can you do. It's still a nice shot anyway.

Noselights have never bothered me that much, though I guess it does seem more natural for a locomotive headlight to be in the high position. Well, expect on something like the locomotive in my avatar. There, low headlights are perfect!

Noah

[Lord Atmo]

 Indeed. I'm gonna have to say cab headlights on a cab unit would just look ridiculous :P

 I'm with ya there too, Jordan. I shoot everything that comes my way. Except for this one CN SD50F that was in the yard one day...I just can't stand cowled SD50/60s.

 Oh and If it's a 3 eyed SD60M, I only shoot those from behind 

 

[ns3010]

Tyler, I tried to find out what I could about 487. No real answers, but the only reasonable possiblity is for a parts unit. It was moved to the shops around the same time (a little over a year ago) that 489 came down from Maine, and hasn't moved an inch since then. So I can't confirm anything, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was being parted out and eventually scrapped.

Unlike 4240, which was scrapped less than four months after it was dragged to the shops, it seems to be hanging around a little longer, but if you want to be safe, try and shoot it while you can.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Joe. I'll look into it. Luckily the weather is supposed to be nice this weekend so I'll be trackside!

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I almost had to pull the emergency brake today! A few miles outside Boston, the lady sitting in front of me realized she had gotten on the wrong train - Worcester instead of Forge Park. A couple other passengers and I tried to calm her down and help her get home. I gave her walking directions from Auburndale (2 stations later) to Riverside where she could catch the Green Line back into the city.

She finally stopped sobbing as we pulled into Auburndale, and then she asked me to write down the directions for her. I scribbled them down as fast as I could and we sent her quickly towards the door, but the train started to move. I realized she was going to jump from the moving train onto the wet rainy platform, so I got up and ran to the door. If she fell then my hand was already on the emergency brake cord. Rolling under a moving train is typically a bad thing...

[ns3010]

Oh, I am SO looking forward to this weekend! We have our first game on Saturday (one reason I can't go to the trains) and it's supposed to be BEAUTIFUL! I really hope we go down the shore the day after Easter... beach (even the water will still be freezing), and maybe even a trip up to Bay Head.

I went into New York today, and I saw TONS of trains, but I didn't have the camera...
We didn't go out 280, we went out 78 to the Turnpike instead. For the first time EVER, I actually saw a train in Hillside, with NS 5286 (GP38-2) in CR Quality paint. I don't know much about the trackage there, so I'll have to do some research. Not that I'd ever railfan there, though, cause Hillside is a pretty bad place...
On the way in, we also passed all the ports and Oak Island Yard. I looked for some 46As sitting in the Ports, but didn't see them.
On the way out, saw Amtrak 652 (HHP-8) on a SB NE Regional (we paced it on 280), 4146 and a 44 (don't know the number) on the Hudson protect, 4201 and a string of CIVs (looked like a AC train, but I doubt it was) in Hudson Yard, and 7036 leading a string of MLs (4609 pushing) at Brick Church.
Some nice catches, just wish I had the camera...

[B.Erdmann]

 Its Been a While since i posted here but i got a trip from yesterday.

 Spring Break time off try to get some trains in. 

i was 3 miles out yet & i heard the detector go off its a SB i knew i wouldn't get it so i pushed the pedal i got at least a good grab shot

next up 416 rolls along

also got accepted to RP

 then we got 199 which just met the 416 NB isnt a good shot here since its right into the sun so i went with a going away

between trains i was bored & shot my car

 Then the last train a SB

that was it for yesterday. i did go back this morning & i got the detector 5 miles out & i knew i wouldn't get it for sure but i did manage to get a glimpse & it happened to be EJE 674 Trailing 3rd Motor out.  then later RTC Calls them & wanted to double check if it was running or not & it happened to  be DIT. today's pics i will post later tonight.

[EJE818]

Looks like 674 is now heading back to Illinois then. If that were the case, 665 would be the last one out of state.

[B.Erdmann]

Trip Report today

missed a SB the one with 674 dead in tow

Got the Unknown one again

C703 For Weston

199

& Last train 198

Im not Done yet, 198 had Called the East Desk & reported a Semi has plowed down the Gates at Mill St the main drag in Weyauwega. so i went to check it out sure enough.

then a Weyauwega Cop was on scene until the CN guy showed up

[Anonymous]

Nice shots, Brent.

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Here's a new video from me. Yes, I am getting bored of shooting the T, but I can't complain since it beats what some of you have! In typical T fashion, our cars are misfit mutants almost NOTHING of what we have can be found anywhere else in the world! Blue Line - specially designed extra-short cars which are the only duel-mode subway cars in the US and possibly the world. Green Line - more specially designed articulated LRV cars, some of which are low-floor cars. Red Line has more standard equipment but I don't think any other subways have the same stock. Orange Line is based off the PATH. Commuter rail has bi-level Kawasaki cars, weird German cars, and Bombardier cars sort of like NJT Comet IIs, plus F40PH-2Cs and GP40MCs rebuilt from widecab CN GP40-2Ls.

So no, I can't complain! This video has the Green Line at Park Street, probably the most visually stimulating station with three active tracks on a single level (plus a 4th that is only for the odd train that terminates there), the Orange Line at North Station, and a new location for me of a sweet curve at Downtown Crossing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfw0DH6-oHU

[ns3010]

Nice guys.

Sorry Tyler, I think we have you beat in the weird equipment department. The RiverLine DMUs, PL42s, the various types of geeps (PH-2s, As, and Bs, and FH-2s, Comet Vs, MP20s, Multilevels...
Transit is known for always reinventing the wheel. Now, in some cases such as the Multilevels, this was necessary because of the restrictions for the tunnels.

Speaking of the Geeps, I sense a rebuild for 4207. Apparently it's turbo sounds like it could blow any minute, like 4205 and 13.

Tyler, apparently  485 and 486 are still in the Vornado siding (the one by that ice cream place where you saw 487) if you would be interested. 487 and 489 seem to still be at the shops, with other stuff spread around (it would kinda be a lot of driving to see it all). I don't know what will be the power for the Easter Trains, but I would guess 18 again, and something else, maybe 54, but I don't know if it's done. If not, then NS 5664 (3010 was on last week, but is currently in Enola for inspection, but doesn't seem to be in Washington waiting to be returned tomorrow) probably. From what I have(n't) heard, it seems it will be 18 and 5664.