I will be chasing the # 765 on July 25 and riding on July 26. Any body have route information on the excursion from Youngstown Ohio to àshtabula Ohio? Any good and legal picture taking locations? Thanks in advance.
Be sure to download the 765 tracking app to your phone and be sure it's working properly before the day. I believe you can do some of your route planning by conmparing the map displayed in this app with the other navigational tools you'd be using.
Wow, thanks...never knew that. I suppose its on thier web page
iTunes under "NKP 765", also available on google play store. (Small fee, but goes towards the upkeep of 765, so very worth it.)
Planned route for now, several grade crossings between Youngsville and Ashtabula. I will be on the northern portion of the planned route, so I plan on being south of Ashtabula, probably either Cherry Valley or Dorset area, on an old back road somewhere next to a crossing... Love that 765 is coming this close to me. Now, we need 611 to come back north again, like it did in the late 1980's/early 1990's. (Cleveland to Buffalo anyone?) Even better would be 1218, but that may take a little while yet... (They still had street trackage in Erie Pa. last time either of these two ran that route... Of course, same with 765...)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Rick, I too chased the 1218 and the 611, but in fl and ga. I'll be coming from Erie, so your suggesting staying up north. Is the line anywhere near Ohio 11?
Rick so the app is under I tunes 765?
Yes, near OH 11. And, yes. NKP 765 on iTunes brings up the app. The planned route is north from Youngstown to Ashtabula, if you are familiar with that area, it's the second line west from Pa/Ohio state line. Runs under 90 just east of OH 11 and then would cross over OH 11 just south of Astabula. Serves the NS coal docks off of 6th st in Ashtabula.
And, just seen, you mentioned Erie. I'm staying on the north end of the trip because I will go through Erie to get there on Saturday. (I am going with friends from just south of Erie.)
I grew up in Cleveland, and not real familiar with nw pa or next corn or of Ohio. So thanks for the info.
Does anyone know when the 765 will arrive in Youngstown from its previous engagement? Will it be passing through Akron?
According to the twitter release via the NKP 765 app, it will be sometime midweek, but definately before Friday. Unknown routing currently.
Thanks, Rick
If the 765 travels via Akron or Ravenna I know a few railfans who'd be appreciative of a heads-up.
Good to know this fine old locomotive has so many friends.
Ditto that
Definitely has some fans... I know several making the trip on Saturday, some next weekend to Buffalo, and several that are wanting the heads-up for the ferry move to Buffalo.
And, yes, that does include me! (All of the above, thank you.)
Robert, which day were you planning on going? If it's Saturday, and we both stick up north end, we just might end up in the same place...
I am chasing Saturday and riding the crescent harbor Sunday. Any good locations tips would be greatly appreciated.
Ricky are you in the greater Erie area.
I am. I live about 40 minutes south of Erie.
Last I heard from the friends I will be going with, we will be setting up in the morning off of Marrian Rd, just south of Dorset, off of Ohio route 307. (Hoping that back roads won't be as crowded with people as the main roads, like US 6, and US 322, further south of 307.) Then, if as planned they turn at the coal docks, we would go there for a while, then get back ahead of them on the return trip, setting up on a back road somewhere north of midway point, which would be somewhere around Cherry Center, near US 6 and US 322 areas.
If you need some more detailed directions, I would be happy to assist on some good, legal, grade crossings, south of 90. (Some are back roads, some are little more travelled paved roads, some are very busy main routes, like US route 6, US 322, and others.) Some North of 90 as well, but getting into downtown Ashtabula then. Some of these are completely inaccessible, due to there being no good places to set up off of the road, and one, totally illegal, is OH 11. (Overpass/underpass style, not at grade. 11 is underneath the line IIRC. I haven't been train watching in downtown Ashatbula for about 3 years. Haven't gone to 6th street coal docks in about 8, so I cannot help much there.)
(Edited typo.)
Ferry move, will go from Cleveland east on lakeshore line, to Ashtabula, then south to Youngstown. No trip to Akron. Last noted, should happen Wednesday.
Sounds good, the train is due into ashtabula at noon, when will it get to dorsett or cherry hill?
That one I can not say for sure... It will depend on how much time they make, what speed they run, and on if they leave on time.
They will run the line today on the ferry move, so I will have a much better idea tonight when I get back home from work. So this one I will update my answer to later tonight.
Thanks, ricktrains4824, for the news on the ferry moves. While it's bad news for us south of Cleveland, it sure saved me a lot of useless waiting around hoping to see it. Now I guess I'll have no excuse not to cut the grass. May your chase be well rewarded with fine photos and fellowship.
So, 765 spent last night in Rockport Yard, is departing Cleveland this afternoon. On it's way to Ashtabula, then Youngstown today. This should be a good trial run of the route for the weekend. They will go from Ashtabula to Youngstown, along most of the planned weekend route. That will allow for better chase planning, as they will provide real time updates via twitter and the 765 app.
Just for those who could be there today, who don't have to be at work..... (Wish that included me...)
For those going to Chase 765 on Sunday:
From West Andover Northbound chase:
Once cleared of West Andover, head out north on 193, to route 307. Take 307 north/west to OH 11. Once on 11, go north to exit 92, and take south state road north/east until you reach the grade crossing. (Mill Rd crossing to south state rd crossing is what I did to get back ahead of them. And hustle is needed, do not take your time leaving the last crossing cleared, going speed limit this is what it takes. And, I recommend speed limit, no higher. Lots of law enforcement around due to the special.) This should give you about 5-10 minutes to set up. (There is a intersection at the crossing, so lots of room to park.) Once clear of South State rd crossing, you will not catch back up until they are turning on the wye at Adams Ave in downtown Ashtabula. They park just short of Main Street in downtown Ashtabula, making for nice detail shots, and crowd shots. (Note: This does block the Center st. crossing. Main st crossing is activated, but Police control traffic here.)
Today, they were in West Andover around 10:45am, to South State road around 11:15 am, in Ashtabula turning around by 11:30 am.
NB trip, West Andover area was at 40(+/-)MPH. Slowing by the time they hit South State rd.
They do not go further north than the NS Chicago line.
Southbound chase:
Once they leave Ashtabula, around 2:00 pm, set up again at South state rd, north side of the crossing. You get a nice, almost head on shot coming up grade, and into the curve. They do struggle A little bit on the up grade, so lots of smoke and steam and sand. Once clear, head south on south state rd, get back on 11 south to Dorset, again setting up ahead of them near West Andover. (This trip is just as tough as Northbound, you have to hustle as soon as they clear, they take a straight trip, you can not.)
SB at South state rd crossing was climbing up the hill, doing about 15MPH max. West Andover was again about 40MPH.
I can not give any info for south of West Andover, as I did not go any further than that south of 90.
Happy Chasing!
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