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[EJE818]

The 2009 CP Holiday Train schedule has been released. First, the train will not be touring the IC&E  again this year, unfortunatly. The train starts in Gurnee this year, just like all other years before last year's train. Also, it is running through Portage and Wisconsin Dells during the day, then Mauston right as it is getting dark this year. Unfortunatly that means no shots of the train lit up in Portage or the Dells this year, but Mauston may actually be pretty nice this year as it will arrive there while it is still kinda light out, but it will leave after it gets dark. Instead of touring the IC&E, the train is touring the DM&E lines this year. The whole midwest schedule can be found here. http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/General+Public/Holiday+Train/Schedules/US+Midwest+schedule.htm

[Noah Hofrichter]

 It's still coming to the ICE, just to the northern edge from Mason City - Marquette - LaCrescent. Being semi-conveniently located in Platteville, I'm already making plans to be in Marquette at about 10pm on December 10. That is, assuming of course they bother to do up a DME or ICE engine in lights again this year. If it's just a CP GE, well, then I don't know, since I've got about three sets of shots of that 20 miles from home...

BTW, in case any of you were wondering (which I doubt anybody was), I am still alive, just busy. Having a laptop as a primary computer makes it hard to edit photos accurately (color balance issues mostly), and I haven't had a chance to do much railfanning in the last month anyway. But this weekend that will hopefully change. Can you say IC&E + Passenger Special = Win? And then next week is the 4449 for the third time this year. Hopefully this time the weather works out better...

Noah

[BNSF & DMIR 4Ever]

Pretty good week this week, at least until the rain and the wind came in. Monday, I spotted these Warbonnets sitting at the engine facility in Superior, one of them BNSF, the other a nearly unpatched Santa Fe.

 

And one of them together.

 

Tuesday was the gem of the week, though. The Mrs. and myself took a drive through Superior, and on the off chance of something roaming about, I headed toward Saunders, and spied a train to the east. Catching up to it, it's the Transfer headed for Itasca Yard. The power: An all EJ&E consist. Better yet, 662 is leading.

 

And it wouldn't be complete without a little video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85PCV6Dx21U&feature=channel_page

[WCL]

 

[Noah Hofrichter]

I think I'm working too hard here at college. I've started seeing pink elephants...

(ICE Local B50 with 2nd 170 power at Marquette, IA Oct. 4, 2009).

What next? An ICE passenger special? Eight SD40-2s with 3300 feet of train? The SP 4449 running in the Midwest? Yeah, right. I've really got to stop this homework thing, it's driving me crazy...

Noah

[WCfan]

That is completely uncalled for Noah, totally unfair! Stop this! Eight SD40-2s, unfair! I can only seem to manager to catch six! On a more serious note, I can't wait to see your pictures.

I'm starting to think about another ICE trip, possably on the Mason City Sub, or maybe farther West on the DME Tracy and Huron subs...

[EJE818]

ONLY six, Jordan? I'm lucky to see a SD40-2 period! CN is starting to bring the IC 6100 series SD40-2s out of storage due to a power shortage. Watch out for them and get them while you can, this could be the last hurrah for the IC SD40-2s. Hopefully CN brings some WC and GTW stuff out of storage. I would expect more stuff to come into service since the fall grain rush is quickly approaching, especially on the IC side. The IC has numerous grain elevators south of Homewood. I've heard several reports of 6100s operating on the IC main and on the Iowa Line.

Concerning EJ&E, it seems that all the stuff CN is planning to keep for now is running. All SDMs, both SD38s and all the switchers have officially been retired, even though CN was forced to bring EJ&E SW1001 446 out of retirement because one of the IC SW14s that replaced it failed. The truth is that the EJ&E SW1001s are in much better shape than the SW14s, especially the 446 which got some work done in 2007. It is in the yellow paint.

Also, it sounds like EHH will be touring the CN system one more time before his retirement on a business train with the IC E9s and IC passenger cars, so it might not be a bad idea to keep an eye on the web for more details.

Also, for those who haven't heard yet. CN has donated IC 6071, the former SD40 prototype to the Monticello Railway Museum. I'd imagine 6071 will operate there.

[ns3010]

So Tuesday, I was thinking about finally heading to Mt. Arlington to get my shot for the Trains photo contest. Just as I was about to ask my mom if we could stop there, I realized I was an idiot. It was raining, and there were 50 mph winds. The shot would have had sideways rain and tons of leaves flying across the platform. Great job me...

I'm finally almost done with the photos from my trip back in July. Once I'm done, I'll upload those, and I'll also make a slideshow.

[Railfan Alex]

I think it's time we start a new thread, it is fall after all:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/161576/1779622.aspx#1779622