Teen Railfan Place - Spring 2010

[Anonymous]

Here's one from me... Train 423 departs South Acton for Fitchburg.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trainmanty/4622450220/

[ns3010]

 Was down the shore this weekend, and made a stop at Bay Head while on the way home, and got pretty lucky. Caught X233 returning from the MMC with 4204, 4000, and its Multilevel set. At the same time, the ML set for 4748 was waiting to leave the yard, with ML cab 7038 leading. I got a photo of the meet, but don't know when I'll be able to upload it.

And as we were on the road, the Brielle bridge (the road one) went up for a boat. After it closed, 4745 rolled across Brielle Draw (the RR one), led by a PL42. If the bridge hadn't opened, we wouldn't have seen it.

Talk about a lucky day!

[Anonymous]

ns3010

 Was down the shore this weekend, and made a stop at Bay Head while on the way home, and got pretty lucky. Caught X233 returning from the MMC with 4204, 4000, and its Multilevel set. At the same time, the ML set for 4748 was waiting to leave the yard, with ML cab 7038 leading. I got a photo of the meet, but don't know when I'll be able to upload it.

And as we were on the road, the Brielle bridge (the road one) went up for a boat. After it closed, 4745 rolled across Brielle Draw (the RR one), led by a PL42. If the bridge hadn't opened, we wouldn't have seen it.

Talk about a lucky day!

 

PiiiiicTURES...piiiiicTURES...piiiiicTURES!

[ns3010]

TrainManTy

PiiiiicTURES...piiiiicTURES...piiiiicTURES!

 

ns3010

I got a photo of the meet, but don't know when I'll be able to upload it.

 

And besides, I took it on an overcast sky through the front windshield of my mom's car, using my phone. It looks like it came out fine on my phone, but I'll see how it really came out when (if) I ever get my computer back.

[WCfan]

TrainManTy

Here's one from me... Train 423 departs South Acton for Fitchburg.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trainmanty/4622450220/

Rain rain go away, don't come again another day...sunshine in Wisconsin, but 80 degrees out with a hot humidity makes it very uncomfortable. Lets rewind to the beginning of May, when it wasn't really raining, but it was cloudy, and about 60 degrees colder! (BTW Tyler, I love those Search Lights. There is just something about that type of signal...)

CN 8847 leads the second 198 up Bryon hill...yawn, cliche shot.

Things were slow that day, but as the dispatcher walked the 198 south he would them in the siding for two north bounds. Alright now for some action! This was a quick edited shot (So the quality won't be that great), a pair of GEVOs drift out of Bryon WI.

Next up was a Weston bound coal train lead by an Executive MAC. I was pretty pleased to see this guy leading!

Although you can't see the whole train, you can see a good portion of it. Back in the 70s when Bryon Hill was still single track, the brush was pretty low, and you could see quite a ways! (Another quick edit)

 

[Noah Hofrichter]

Been a while since I've been around the place - but I see that appears to be the case for most of us lately! Between school, a vacation, and now summer work I've been busy. So pardon me if I'm getting caught up on a few things that are rather old.

Neat shots of the UP Business train, Robby.  I remember hearing that Global 4 is being built, though not much more than that. Is it replacing one of the older intermodal yards, or is it just an addition to expand the UP's intermodal capacity?

The 365 project is really cool Ty - I've been enjoying looking at the new additions every few days. I always thought that it's a neat project, though I've never tried it because I know I'd fail miserably at trying to take a picture every day for a year. I probably wouldn't make it more than two weeks...

Neat Byron Hill stuff, Jordan. The shot from the overpass looking back towards Byron is always a neat one I've thought. Too bad it's not normally very well lit.

School ended for me a couple of weeks ago, but my family took a vacation last week out to Southern California. We were in the Los Angeles area, and part of the purpose of the trip was to spend almost four days railfanning between Cajon pass and the Tehatchapi loop area. It was absolutely a blast, with great scenery and a lot of trains. Not a whole lot of variety in motive power - everything was widecab GEs or EMDs, but the scenery is so totally different from railfanning I've done in the Midwest that it was still great. I took somewhere in the neighborhood of 1200 photos, so I'm sure it'll be quite a while before I narrow my selections down and get them all processed and posted.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Noah Hofrichter

The 365 project is really cool Ty - I've been enjoying looking at the new additions every few days. I always thought that it's a neat project, though I've never tried it because I know I'd fail miserably at trying to take a picture every day for a year. I probably wouldn't make it more than two weeks...

 

Thanks! It's good to know someone is looking at a few of them anyway! And right now I'm on Day 25, so don't jinx me! 

Noah Hofrichter

School ended for me a couple of weeks ago, but my family took a vacation last week out to Southern California. We were in the Los Angeles area, and part of the purpose of the trip was to spend almost four days railfanning between Cajon pass and the Tehatchapi loop area. It was absolutely a blast, with great scenery and a lot of trains. Not a whole lot of variety in motive power - everything was widecab GEs or EMDs, but the scenery is so totally different from railfanning I've done in the Midwest that it was still great. I took somewhere in the neighborhood of 1200 photos, so I'm sure it'll be quite a while before I narrow my selections down and get them all processed and posted.

I'll be looking forward to your report whenever it is! Always enjoy your photos. 

EDIT: Oh yeah, I took a train photo today! Blue Line car 0700 (!) at Aquarium Station.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trainmanty/4654174001/

[Anonymous]

Just for kicks, I submitted that last one to RailPictures, and it got in! That totally made my day!

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=326462

[ns3010]

Nice photos guys.

Noah, can't wait for the trip report.

I'm going back down the shore next weekend, so if time and homework permits, I think a trip to Bay Head may be in order...

[RR Redneck]

Howdy y'all. Nice to see y'all are still around. Those were some good lookin pictures y'all.

[ns3010]

Transit's ALP-46As entered revenue service on Wednesday. 4629 was doubleheaded (term for the Hoboken Division, would be MU'ed on the Newark side) with 4601 on a set out of Dover. AFAIK, there have been no major problems. I'm told that the 46As will be on this rotation on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, so I'm assuming that they'll put one in service every week.

Not sure yet, but I might swing up to Bay Head tomorrow. If I time it right, I'll see a few shuttle sets and maybe X232 or X233.

Strangely, I haven't seen almost any trains lately...
But today I saw ME 559 and 3(ish?) Comarrows (Comet IBs) at the South Jefferson Team Track. There are also four in the Ridgedale Runaround, and I assume the rest are at the shops.

[WCfan]

ns3010

Strangely, I haven't seen almost any trains lately...

Trains...psh...who here likes trains...

Noah, I can't wait for the pictures!

Tyler, glad to hear you got another one into RP! I like that picture!

Welcome back Eric, long time no see.

Now for more pictures! I haven't gone on trip where I have been completely happy with the pictures I have taken. Maybe I should stop whining and be happy I can even see trains!

Well yesterday I had to help move my sister back into her apartment at Winona MN. So this meant some rail fanning...only after I moved her back in. Before going down to Winona, my Dad and I stopped into Altoona Wisconsin (Just south of Eau Claire) to see if anything was moving. A patched SSW GP60, and a UP painted GP60 were in the yard. Out at the East end of the yard we found a switch job working with two LLPX GP38s. I really love the Code Line, in fact the UP Adams line has really started to grow on me. Jointed rail (on a few spots) fully wired code line, the Block signals. I would really like to do a chase on this line...if only the trains would cooperate.

After that we headed out to Winona. On our way there we go along a road that follows a short section on the ex GBW Whitehall Sub from Independence to Arcadia. My dad and I were discussing how we have never seen a train on that line for all the years we have been driving to Winona. Right as that statement came out we saw a headlight off in the distance. We quick pulled over and I was able to get a grab shot. CN 2502 leads the Taylor Turn between Independence and Arcadia WI.

A few miles just outside of Winona, I heard a very recognizable call; the DM&E east dispatch (The longest and most inefficient way to call a dispatcher). After about 10 minutes the dispatcher picked up. After a short exchange I found out that ICE 6416 was just outside of Rochester MN, and was heading east. Great! Only problem was I had to move my sister in. It was so painful to hear that four trains were waiting for Amtrak number 8, and all were so close. But I had to help move my sister in...

A few hours later and my dad and I were done. So we decided to check out the area. I wanted to head to Minnesota City to see if ICE 6416 was there. Before we were able to get out of Winona the crew of 6416 called the dispatcher. They wanted to get out and head for Lacrosse. The dispatcher responded stating "Here's what I'll do...", and then it cut out. Great, now what are we going to do? Well we are going to get out of Winona, head south, and wait.

I set up near the reverse curves at Homer MN. These curves are usually best lit in the afternoon for West Bounds. But I guess I'll just have to suck it up. Not too long afterward a CP train called out the Homer Mile board. A cloud covered the area making the lighting even worse!

After that East Bound left I decided to head a little farther north to see if the other reverse curve had better light. We waited for a long amount of time for the 6416 to show up. I then decided to just gamble it and head to Minnesota City. Right as we rounded the bend I saw a blue and gold SD40-2 coming down the straight away. My dad quickly stopped, and I ran back to the curve. In the view finder I saw not one blue and gold SD40-2, but three of them! The sun was coming out along the curve, I couldn't believe it! Three blue and gold SD40-2s with the sun out! But as they got closer, I saw that the 6416 was following just behind the cloud line...

Sigh...6416 took the siding at Homer to wait for a West Bounder. My dad and I decided to head out to Lunch in Winona. I heard the MP 299 detector go off, so I walked down the street to crossing to try catching them. A Blue Bird GE lead a stack train.

Afterward we checked out the area. At the small Winona Yard I found a pair of SOO geeps, and a SOO caboose tacked on the end! Almost looks like the 1980s!

Also in the yard was a short MOW train with some neat equipment. A MILW Flat car, SOO Caboose, SOO Crane, and a MILW gon.

After cursing around the UP yard we called it quits. It was then time for the three hour drive back home.

[Anonymous]

Nice photos Jordan! You're lucky to be able to go out and watch trains on a regular basis.

I uploaded this old one to RP and it got in! The more photos you have on there, the more they like you, I think.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=327086

This was taken from the Prudential Skywalk Observatory on the 50th floor, which as I discovered recently may allow me free access with my Museum of Science Volunteer badge so if that's true then I may have to go back!

[WCfan]

TrainManTy

Nice photos Jordan! You're lucky to be able to go out and watch trains on a regular basis.

 

Thank you Tyler! My rail fanning has really slowed down lately; probably because of school things. But I like to try and get out and do some rail fanning at least once a month. It's hard go to places that are interesting, in either scenery and or motive power. CN doesn't really "do" it for me anymore. Time and money can be an issue.

That location looks familiar! You know, I think the more shots you do get into RP, the more they do like. It's like you get more recognition.  

[Noah Hofrichter]

 Neat stuff, Jordan. I never get tired of seeing photos from the River. I know exactly what you mean on the DME's distinctive dispatch/radio system too - I've yet to hear anything else like it.

I normally figure the Adams line is a one shot per train situation. It's more possible up near Altoona since the roads follow the tracks a little better, but with 50mph track in a lot of spots I've found it pretty hard (and completely impossible east of Neceedah) to chase very well. I really need to spend some more time on it too - lots of neat locations but it just needs a few more trains...

My observation with rp.net has been that once you get a few photos accepted you start to learn what they are looking for in a photo and that makes it easier to get photos on. But certainly if you become a "big name" there you seem to get a lot more leeway in screening too.

Still working on photos from the vacation - I've been working 40+ hour work weeks so I usually don't feel like sitting around processing photos much lately when I'm home. But I hope to get to them soon. I can throw up a couple as a preview, however. The first was taken on Cajon Pass from about halfway up one of the Mormon Rocks:

The second is a BNSF train on UP tracks at Caliente, CA, near the famed Tehachapi Loop:

Noah