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Teen Railfan Place - Summer 2009

  • coborn35

    BNSF & DMIR 4Ever

    coborn35

    BNSF & DMIR 4Ever

     For what it's worth, listening to the online feeds of the Staples Sub, it would appear as though there's a drastic decrease in GE power, with a lot of talk of SD75s in the lead of some trains. Even here in the Twin Ports, the GE power isn't as plentiful as it has been. UP's were parked in Itasca Yard while two SD70Ms did the switching, and CN's power on the UP transfer were two GTW GPs. The only exceptions seemed to be a BNSF Manifest heading out of the yard south, led by an ES44DC(allowing me to score a pic, now meaning I've finally got good pics of every commonly used locomotive model on the BNSF) with a Dash 9 trailing. Even the All Rails have ditched the GEVOs in favor of SD75s.

     

     While you are correct in a way, you are also incorrect.

    UP's trains out of the Twin Ports usually rate two SD70M's, or similar power. Their transfer jobs rate either two LLPX GP38's, or as was the case yesterday, a UPY GP15-1 and a UP GP38.

    The Pokegama transfer power changes, but it never has a GE online. It usually rates an SD38-2 (mostly EJE now, every once in a while a DMIR unit snuck on) and/or a SD40-3. (usally an IC unit)

    GE's are a fair rarity in the Twin Ports, with the majority of trains using good EMD power. GEVO's, yes, are common, but then again, its relative, we have 3 GP28M's, 2 GP50's, and GP39M's that are common also.

     

     

     

     

    Very true, now that I think about it. I think CP is probably the only place I consistently see GE units, with UP sometimes switching Itasca with one or two of those units, and the occasional one that strays through BNSF or CN trackage.

     

    Also, a quick question about Proctor, since you seem to be on top of things in this area. What's the status of the area near the engine facility? I've been told in the past that it's not marked as a no trespassing zone, but I find that a bit hard to believe, and with 211 back in town, I'm finding myself wanting to get decent pics.

     

    Proctor is has trespassing signs, er well they say specifically "No Unescorted Visitors Allowed Beyond This Point" that are very visible and let you get pretty close. Here are some shots I have taken up there.

    1

    2

    I would say just use your head and be careful.

    I apologize for not posting any photo's lately, im too lazy lol, also chased the #4449 through MN and Wisconsin and paced it at the head end from La Crosse to Prarie du Chien.

    Here is a picture to show what i have been up to lately:

    Smoke

     

     

     

    Again, thank you. Your advice came in handy today. 

    Long Live the Missabe! Pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/midminnrailfan(no longer updated) http://mid-minn-railfan.rrpicturearchives.net/ Video http://www.youtube.com/user/MidMinnRailfan
  • I'll have my Train Festival 2009 trip report as soon as RRPA quits acting up.

    SP 4449, NKP 765, PM 1225, the Leviathan, Flagg Coal 75, Viscose 6, Little River 1, Little River 110, HESR GP40-2W 9712, SOU FP7 6133 and GLC GP35 385 were all important parts of the festival, as well as live steam trains, model trains, a mini NW 611, and tons on vendors selling all kind of unique items> think the event was very well run and the crowds, while not being the greatest for photos, were generally kept under control by the staff who ran the event very well for the thousands that came. I did get a lot of shots ruined by people walking in front of my camera while I was taking a photo, but I got more good shots than bad.

    Robby Gragg - EJ&E fan Railpictures photos: http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=5292 Flickr photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24084206@N08/ Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=EJE665 R-V videos: http://www.rail-videos.net/showvideos.php?userid=5292
  •  

    Alex

  • We must have driven right past each other on the the chase of the ICE train Atmo. I recognized a few other people in the photo line for that bridge, but I didn't notice you.

    Interesting back story Alex. It seems like with most any event there are stories like this that I find interesting, even though many of them are rarely made very public.

    I'm actually back myself from a four day railfan trip. While most of the hard-core foamers were headed for Trainfest, I headed in the opposite direction to the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota for four days of railfanning. It was a really great trip. The weather and the trains all cooperated nicely, and I was able to get sunny, well lit shots of the four main railroads I was going after: the Twin Cities and Western, the Minnesota Commercial (including one of only two remaining RS27s running), Progressive Railway (including their only two SD units), and DME. Also included in the trip was a chase of a MILW bandit leading a mainline local, and plenty of scenic shots of class 1s all over the area. And the best part; no crowds!Wink

    I'm sure it will take me a while to get pictures posted, but I'll probably post them in four installments starting soon.

    Noah

  • I think we stole another J loco, Robby. I spotted 660 working out of Pokegama yesterday.
    Long Live the Missabe! Pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/midminnrailfan(no longer updated) http://mid-minn-railfan.rrpicturearchives.net/ Video http://www.youtube.com/user/MidMinnRailfan
  • Wow...that is some pretty bad planning!

    I got a bunch of my photos accepted into the TRAINS David P. Morgan Library for use in articles and such. Some were rejected, of course (like a regular 'ol perfect shot of CSX, a subject of which I'm sure they have many more that are more creative) but that was actually good, since it let me figure out that the rest got ACCEPTED and they don't just take everything people submit! I got 7 photos accepted, out of perhaps 9 that I submitted. That feels pretty good! Approve

  • 660 has been up north for bit. but has been working between South Itasca and Fon Du Lac. It was recently pressed into pusher service since 659 went to Proctor for a inspection.

    Interesting story, Alex. Sounds like the friends of 4449 got greedy and wanted people to buy from their stand. If they didn't come to an agreement, I bet there would've been very few vendors, since most had at least something involving SP 4449. Without a doubt, by far the most popular engine at Train Festival was 4449. There were times where there were basically no people around the other engines, they were all by 4449.

    I'll post my trip report here, but I'm not going to post everything due to the amount of photos taken, but I'll put a few of each engine.

    Day one: Southern FP7 6133, one of only a few shots I got of it. They parked it in a awful place for even a halfway decent photo. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689692

    Another big player in Owosso is the GLC, with their shop right next door to the festival. Here is GLC GP35 390 and a GMTX leaser by the shop. 390 still wears classic TSBY paint. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689694

    America's newest steam engine, the Leviathan, sits on display. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689737

    GLC GP35 385 sorting cars. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690352

    4449 pulling back into the SRI yard. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691156

    Cedar Rapids at the rear. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690349

    At Durand, a GTW caboose sits on display. The CN was dead this night. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690355

    Day 2: Little River 1 backs through the yard. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689704

    Viscose Company 6. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691454

    PM 1225. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690630

    NKP 765. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690638

    Flagg Coal 75. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691448

    Little River 110 leading the hourly train into Owosso. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691151

    HESR 5086 comes within 7 seconds of hitting a car in Durand. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690698

    Another one, check out the second engine! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689707

    4449 pulling in again. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690379

    A GATX leaser leads a unexpected executive train on the GLC. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689698

    GLC 391 at the other end. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689696

    Day 3: CN RDC 1501 passes the historic Durand depot. This looks quite familar from when it was on the J. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690070

    DRGW 464 on the Huckleberry Railway in Flint. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689730

    Inside the Daylight. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690728

    CN C40-8M 2431 passes the depot in Durand. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689718

    day 4: the grand finale! SP 4449 right after the gates opened, no crowds! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1692352

    Low shot of 1225. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690569

    Low angle shot of 4449. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690380

    SRI's 25 tonner. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691445

    TSBY 1977, unpatched! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689695

    The last photo from Owosso, triple 0-4-0s on the turntable! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690375

    GTW 4619 sits in the yard in Durand. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689685

    Departing the yard past Durand's clock tower. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689716

    A 44 tonner in Charlotte, MI. This is power for Charlotte's dinner train. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690577

    I also stopped by the Hesston Steam Museum. I'll have those photos later.

    All the photos from the album can be viewed here. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=47197&Page=1

    Robby Gragg - EJ&E fan Railpictures photos: http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=5292 Flickr photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24084206@N08/ Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=EJE665 R-V videos: http://www.rail-videos.net/showvideos.php?userid=5292
  •  

    EJE818

    660 has been up north for bit. but has been working between South Itasca and Fon Du Lac. It was recently pressed into pusher service since 659 went to Proctor for a inspection.

    Interesting story, Alex. Sounds like the friends of 4449 got greedy and wanted people to buy from their stand. If they didn't come to an agreement, I bet there would've been very few vendors, since most had at least something involving SP 4449. Without a doubt, by far the most popular engine at Train Festival was 4449. There were times where there were basically no people around the other engines, they were all by 4449.

    I'll post my trip report here, but I'm not going to post everything due to the amount of photos taken, but I'll put a few of each engine.

    Day one: Southern FP7 6133, one of only a few shots I got of it. They parked it in a awful place for even a halfway decent photo. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689692

    Another big player in Owosso is the GLC, with their shop right next door to the festival. Here is GLC GP35 390 and a GMTX leaser by the shop. 390 still wears classic TSBY paint. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689694

    America's newest steam engine, the Leviathan, sits on display. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689737

    GLC GP35 385 sorting cars. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690352

    4449 pulling back into the SRI yard. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691156

    Cedar Rapids at the rear. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690349

    At Durand, a GTW caboose sits on display. The CN was dead this night. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690355

    Day 2: Little River 1 backs through the yard. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689704

    Viscose Company 6. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691454

    PM 1225. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690630

    NKP 765. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690638

    Flagg Coal 75. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691448

    Little River 110 leading the hourly train into Owosso. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691151

    HESR 5086 comes within 7 seconds of hitting a car in Durand. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690698

    Another one, check out the second engine! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689707

    4449 pulling in again. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690379

    A GATX leaser leads a unexpected executive train on the GLC. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689698

    GLC 391 at the other end. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689696

    Day 3: CN RDC 1501 passes the historic Durand depot. This looks quite familar from when it was on the J. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690070

    DRGW 464 on the Huckleberry Railway in Flint. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689730

    Inside the Daylight. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690728

    CN C40-8M 2431 passes the depot in Durand. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689718

    day 4: the grand finale! SP 4449 right after the gates opened, no crowds! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1692352

    Low shot of 1225. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690569

    Low angle shot of 4449. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690380

    SRI's 25 tonner. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1691445

    TSBY 1977, unpatched! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689695

    The last photo from Owosso, triple 0-4-0s on the turntable! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690375

    GTW 4619 sits in the yard in Durand. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689685

    Departing the yard past Durand's clock tower. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1689716

    A 44 tonner in Charlotte, MI. This is power for Charlotte's dinner train. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1690577

    I also stopped by the Hesston Steam Museum. I'll have those photos later.

    All the photos from the album can be viewed here. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=47197&Page=1

     

     

    In that case, I no longer feel guilty about chasing it for roughly an hour on Wednesday(not that I did, anyway.   :D) 

     

    Nice pics, man.

    Long Live the Missabe! Pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/midminnrailfan(no longer updated) http://mid-minn-railfan.rrpicturearchives.net/ Video http://www.youtube.com/user/MidMinnRailfan
  • I caught the Disney Train Thursday, that was neat, then I got 4449 yesterday in Porter and today in Franklin Park. I won't be able to make the CP tommorow, so today was my last time seeing 4449. A huge thanks goes out to 4449's crew for making this once in a lifetime event occur! Though I won't be able to make tommrow, I saw 4449 running 8 times, on display twice, and got to go into the cab. That's more than enough footage for me! I hope 4449 comes back, but if it doesn't, I'm happy with what I got. From Riverside to Owosso to Franklin Park, with historic water towers and skylines behind it, I got 4449. A few months ago it seemed too good to be true that 4449 was coming through the Midwest, but now I get why they call it the world's most beautiful train! It was truely a privelege to see 4449, not once, not twice, but eleven different times, in three states and in 6 different cities.

    Robby Gragg - EJ&E fan Railpictures photos: http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=5292 Flickr photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24084206@N08/ Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=EJE665 R-V videos: http://www.rail-videos.net/showvideos.php?userid=5292
  • Time for the two week report, and what a couple of weeks it was.

     

    First up, we flash back to last Wednesday, as I trek over to the Superior side of things, as usual. What was unusual was how quiet everything was. I was after the Js, and spotted one in BNSF's 28th Street Yard, but too deep for any pictures, and I was sure that I'd lost them. On the way south, though, I spotted an ES44DC leading a Manifest out of town.

     

     

    Saunders is still undergoing construction over the bridge, and UPs Itasca Yard was pretty quiet. I head back toward home. However, out of the corner of my eye I see a headlight, and pull over. It's the BNSF Transfer heading out rather late, led by EJ&E 659 and 665.

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

     

    Heading back over to Superior in the evening, I spot a couple of CSX units, SD70MAC 4821 and SD40-2 8099.

    That rounded out last week. This week wasn't far behind, either. Again, on Wednesday, I head out, with things looking rather similar. However, a pair of CSX SD60s were working in the BNSF yard.

     

    While waiting for the light at Saunders, I spy a train leaving, and manage to make a quick U-turn, and head back to check it out. Turns out it was a mammoth of a Manifest. Case in point, mid train helpers in the form of a Dash 8 and a Dash 9. To put it into perspective, the head end of the train was through South Itasca, and the back was still on the overpass a mile and a half away.

    Turns out chasing that bad boy was the best thing that could have happened, because here comes the UP Transfer, headed up by EJ&E 660 and 665.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob3qkTPV_qk

    I then follow them to Itasca for some pics.

     

    And to close out the week, a shot of DM&IR 211 heading down the hill.

    Long Live the Missabe! Pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/midminnrailfan(no longer updated) http://mid-minn-railfan.rrpicturearchives.net/ Video http://www.youtube.com/user/MidMinnRailfan
  • BNSF, I want 660 and 211 back! Also your lucky to catch that CSX SD40-2, I'm sure Alec would envy you, but he doesn't come on here often.

    Noah, can't wait for the pictures.

    Robby, nice pics, and good catch on the U-Boats and GTWs. Oh and, GOT YA! EJ&E 669 wasn't leading the 588, I didn't even catch it that day, Brent caught it the day before...

    Now to my Trip Report...

    On July 31st to August 2nd Brent came over and stayed the night. We did some of the normal area rail fanning.

    But first we'll rewind to August 27th. I had heard that an ARR RDC was heading up to Tomahawk and would be making its way through Wausau. When I got to the yard, I found this. The only thing appealing was the light.

    Brent had confirmed that 712 was at Wausau, so I decided to check out and see if it was tacked on the end. Well it was one car from the back, so I walked down a little ways to get a better angle.

    I haven't seen so many rail fans in Wausau at one time. One guy worked for the ARR too...

    August 1st.

    Brent and I had got going around 7 in the morning, I didn't know when the 588 south was going to leave, but I assumed it was early in the morning. Well the Wausau Switch job was working, and my conductor friend was also working it. Another plus was that RLCX 1003 was on it, which showed it was set out at Bradley that morning.

    At the other end the 588 was just getting their crew. We waited and found that an SD60F would be leading our train today. They also had lots of problems, the SD60F was missing its’ conductors desk.

    Also trailing was IC 1012, the other SD70 repaint, and IC 1032. This is about as good of a consist you'll get on CN these days, except for maybe a WC, DMIR, GTW or EJ&E leading.

    It was sure looking like a nice day, but in an hour the clouds rolled in...here the 588 is waiting to pick up paper work.

    Well we left when they got a warrant. Brents' friend Steve was in the area so we stopped by him, and I grabbed this shot.

    Mother Nature wasn't really being kind today. We chased them down to Weston...

    Next was Mosinee, the sun was just starting to peak out, but this shot is normally badly lit in the early morning. I was surprised to see them blow past us light, looks like they were going to work the mill. I didn't know at the time but I had a finger print on my lens...

    We headed down the Mathy while they worked at the mill to see if there where any ballast cars. We found a loaded HERZOG rock train all ready to go with power and a fred. We where hoping that they'd follow the 588, but as we waited at Du Bay we didn't hear anything at all.

    At Knowlton we headed to the Lake Du Bay Bridge shot. The sun was out, but there where clouds in the distance threatening to block our sun, and I was hoping we'd get lucky. Well the clouds cleared the sun as the 588 crossed the bridge. The next shot I do here I'm going to try a lower angle.

    We tried for the Dancy Shot, but there was too much traffic, so we missed that. We headed to JO where we heard that the 118 was waiting in the siding for the 343 to head through. No SD40-2 leading and no BCOL power, what a let down.

    Well the 343 called for an approach to JO, so we set up by the Diamond. A filthy SD60F was leading an IC SD70 and an M-2. That finger print is really bothering me in these shots...

    After the 343 had cleared, the 118 was ready to head out. I liked the horn on this unit.

    Next out of JO was the 588. I headed up to the location where I caught a coal train before, while Brent got more of a curve shot.

    There was nothing in Point. WC 1558 and 1566 were switching, but that was it. After a little while the 118 was ready to leave Point. Here they are crossing Hoover; they would meet their counter part, the 119 here.

    After giving the 118 a good roll by, they switch crews. What another let down, two SD75is...

    We headed down to Rapids, and Plover, but nothing was there. So we headed home and called it a day.

  • nice pics jordan ill have mine up sometime late tomorrow, still gotta work on a few.
  •  Brent and Jordan....You guys wanna make it to JO this week sometime like either Wednesday or Thursday?????

     

    Brent you got my number so just text me if ya can or not cause I wont be able to check this and Jordan let Brent know if ya can go as well.......

    J Trane
  • finnaly my pics from the weekend Start out with friday

    now to saturday.

  • Noah Hofrichter

    We must have driven right past each other on the the chase of the ICE train Atmo. I recognized a few other people in the photo line for that bridge, but I didn't notice you.

     

    Yeah I was with my friends Eric and Jessica. We were the only ones there for the bridge shot. I was the only one wearing shorts too.

    Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.