Got you beat there, Larry. We were on the C&O in Michigan at about the same time (I know to the day how much younger you are than I). Except on my part of the C&O, the power for local freights and passenger trains was BL2s! About the time I discovered just how rare those things were, they got rid of 'em! And the GP7s they replaced them with had steam generators and dynamic brakes.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Wish I hads... Pictures of C&O's ubiquitous "north end" non-dynamic brake equipped Geeps running on the old PM through my hometown, not to mention the cabooses. I remember noting one day that there was actually smoke coming from the smoke jack as one passed.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
I don't think that I actually got onto the Pielet property. Two of my friends and I took the Burlington to Congress Park and walked south on East Avenue to 47th Street, where we then walked south along the IHB past the quarries to just outside EMD. The trade-in locomotives were parked on sidings alongside the IHB running tracks and were outside the fence. Also keep in mind that this occurred in 1969.
Paul, how in heck did you get into Pielet Brothers to "poke around"? I once was "invited" into the guard shanty just for looking at some old C&O geeps from Joliet Road (with binoculars). And a friend of mine, employed by Chessie at the time, had to fend off their dogs while performing his track inspection (he was another mudchicken at that point) past the plant. This is, or was, B&OCT trackage as far west/north as Superior, even though it was dispatched by IHB.
CSSHEGEWISCH It can be worse. I can remember poking through the dead line just outside of Pielet Bros. and EMD way back in 1969 (at the age of 16) and continue to kick myself for not getting pictures of a lot of the trade-in material that I saw.
It can be worse. I can remember poking through the dead line just outside of Pielet Bros. and EMD way back in 1969 (at the age of 16) and continue to kick myself for not getting pictures of a lot of the trade-in material that I saw.
Likewise, as a kid, my father took me on a tour of the B&O's Mt. Clare Shops in Baltimore - the pictures I could have taken if only I had a camera.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
CopCarSS Sorry that I've been AWOL of late. A lot of changes have been going on for me. I hope to have a formal post in the very near future that I'll explain some of the changes in. Until then, here's something that qualifies as "old:" The Old Burlington Train Station by Christopher J. May, on Flickr This is from my last roll of Kodachrome that I ever shot (please excuse the poor scan quality). This is the old Burlington station in my hometown of Aurora, IL. Sadly, the station has gone the way of the Kodachrome that I shot it with and is no more. While I don't remember the exact trip, this was the first station that I would have ever taken a train from. I'm guessing that it was probably an E9 powered Dinky to Hinsdale. Shortly thereafter the new Aurora station opened up near the old roundhouse. A few years later the E9's were gone. I think that there's a lesson in all of that. Both the E9's and the station were photographic subjects that were easy to overlook. They were there everyday and didn't have a lot of "flash." It's only after they're gone that we realize that the everyday stuff can disappear, too. I try to keep that in mind when I'm shooting yet another solid lashup of GEVO's or something. While I'd like some more variety, there'll come a day when I might actually miss all those GEVO's.
Sorry that I've been AWOL of late. A lot of changes have been going on for me. I hope to have a formal post in the very near future that I'll explain some of the changes in. Until then, here's something that qualifies as "old:"
The Old Burlington Train Station by Christopher J. May, on Flickr
This is from my last roll of Kodachrome that I ever shot (please excuse the poor scan quality). This is the old Burlington station in my hometown of Aurora, IL. Sadly, the station has gone the way of the Kodachrome that I shot it with and is no more. While I don't remember the exact trip, this was the first station that I would have ever taken a train from. I'm guessing that it was probably an E9 powered Dinky to Hinsdale. Shortly thereafter the new Aurora station opened up near the old roundhouse. A few years later the E9's were gone.
I think that there's a lesson in all of that. Both the E9's and the station were photographic subjects that were easy to overlook. They were there everyday and didn't have a lot of "flash." It's only after they're gone that we realize that the everyday stuff can disappear, too. I try to keep that in mind when I'm shooting yet another solid lashup of GEVO's or something. While I'd like some more variety, there'll come a day when I might actually miss all those GEVO's.
Now that’s the stuff….
The two most important passenger stations in Houston, The SP’s Grand Central and the MKT’s, with its unique passenger platform that extended on a trestle out over White Oak Bayou have almost zero photographic history.
Along with the SP’s Eastern District headquarters, all three buildings were within a two block walking distance from each other, and all connected with the downtown trolley system.
SP’s headquarters still survives, as the “Pacific Lofts” luxury loft apartments, the passenger stations were torn down in the 60s.
So far, I can find no good image of either station on line, and both were of course long gone before I was ever interested in photographing them.
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zugmannMan, I wish our rules weekend had a slide show.
We went out to dinner before the slide show.... (on your own, though)
The local theater owner let us use one of his "screens" for the show.
tree68 Part of the activities of our "rules weekend" included a slide show (optional attendance, of course). The fellow has dozens of pictures of our line from "way back." It was pretty cool. Unfortunately, a couple of people who could have added a lot more color didn't make it.
Part of the activities of our "rules weekend" included a slide show (optional attendance, of course). The fellow has dozens of pictures of our line from "way back." It was pretty cool. Unfortunately, a couple of people who could have added a lot more color didn't make it.
Man, I wish our rules weekend had a slide show. We used to have rules in a big yard so you could go out he door and watch all the neat power being moved into and out of the engine shops, but now our classes are done in our own little yard office. Not as exciting.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
zardozRoadrailer 165 by Jim53171, on Flickr
Roadrailer 165 by Jim53171, on Flickr
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
WS at Wheeler Pit by Jim53171, on Flickr
Summer Storm on the CP by Jim53171, on Flickr
Clark Ave. Cleveland, OH 1971
zugmann Murphy Siding You don't have indoor plumbing? Port-o-jonnys come in such neat colors anymore. You could have a different color every few months depending on season.
Murphy Siding You don't have indoor plumbing?
Port-o-jonnys come in such neat colors anymore. You could have a different color every few months depending on season.
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Murphy SidingMookie About the size of our bathroom! You don't have indoor plumbing?
Mookie About the size of our bathroom!
About the size of our bathroom!
MookieAbout the size of our bathroom!
Temporary Train Order Station circa 1969
edblysard A night shot at the tower with light on the old tower would be pretty wicked….
A night shot at the tower with light on the old tower would be pretty wicked….
With light from a passing train? Yeah, but traffic isn't the greatest, so getting night shots like that will take some commitment, or some knowledge of what's on the line already. Easy enough to get; just haven't had the motivation.
but yeah, no operators in there anymore. Just C&S guys.
CShaveRR The air conditioning for the bungalow probably keeps it a lot more comfortable than the old tower ever was.
The air conditioning for the bungalow probably keeps it a lot more comfortable than the old tower ever was.
Electronics demand a better working environment than Operators could ever get.
SJ, I'd say the old tower is probably no longer occupied by an operator controlling switches and signals, but the signal department probably still uses it (storage and a potty?), judging from the open door. The silver building in front is not a tower per se, but is a bungalow containing the electronics that now operate the switches and signals, now controlled by a dispatcher miles--if not states--away.The air conditioning for the bungalow probably keeps it a lot more comfortable than the old tower ever was.
Going to make a stab at this: Is that an old tower in the background with a newer tower next to it and was there a lot of wind in those clouds?
I love the sky.
Well, my stuff pales in comparison to some of Jim's,
but here's a post storm, sunset shot from a week or so ago.
I would not want to have to vote on any of these. I couldn't do it. I love the old SP, all the train crew pix, sunsets, sunrises and impending storms on locomotives - what's not to like. This is like getting to go to an art gallery and not having to choose only one.
Photos should be studied and enjoyed for their individuality, not unlike art.
I know Ed has some more - from waaaay back. Bet some more individuals have some good or grab shots, too!
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