TrainManTy 79 mph isn't high speed...Amtrak does that in New Mexico and Arizona on the Transcon. In Europe, 150 mph (which the Acela accomplishes for a few miles in southeast Massachusetts) is considered the lower limit of HSR - anything slower isn't HSR.
79 mph isn't high speed...Amtrak does that in New Mexico and Arizona on the Transcon. In Europe, 150 mph (which the Acela accomplishes for a few miles in southeast Massachusetts) is considered the lower limit of HSR - anything slower isn't HSR.
79 is pretty fast for Wisconsin! I don't think any of the lines in Wisconsin get above 60. Possibly some parts of the CP.
Robby, the paint that is on that unit is actually the LS&I paint job. I'm not sure if I'd like it in ATSF or GBW. I think the Pin Stripe would look pretty cool, but then again not many GBW locomotives are preserved. Now, that CNW Geep, I'd like to see that get the Bankrupt Blue scheme...
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
I thought some of the C&M sub was 79 mph for the Hiawathas, but I'm not positive on that. I think most of the rest of the CP has a max passenger speed of 69, though I don't have my timetables in front of me to check either bit of information.
Of course, I still think installing "HSR" to Madison is just as smart as burying money in the ground and letting it rot, but what do I know. I do know that I need to get some "before" shots of the WSOR Watertown sub before they rehab it for 79 MPH passenger trains - should be quite the transformation!
Nice catch on the BL2 Joe!
It's interesting to read IRM is going to work on the RSD15. I'd love to see it in LS&I paint personally, but then again if I had my way I'd be shooting it LS&I paint along with an RS12 and a GE U30C grinding up the hill towards Eagle Mills with a 60 car cut of ore cars...
While I'm here, a couple random shots. These were taken during the last week of my Winter Break on January 13th. The WSOR Reedsburg sub local became a daytime job again after the 1st of the year, allowing one to actually shoot it on a regular schedule again. The only catch is that it only runs during the week now, meaning one can't shoot it on the weekends when I'm actually home. But I got a few shots before I went back to school, and I really, really, really hope it says on this schedule all the way until summer. During the long summer days, it would make for absolutely perfect shots in a couple of spots I've never been able to previously take pictures at...
Rolling through the famous Baraboo Bluffs at Rock Springs:
About a minute later crossing the Baraboo River (the WSOR has recently brushed out this shot in preparation for some bridge work, providing a better angle on the bridge than was previously available).
As you can see, he had a mortgage lifter with him that day.... [/sarcasm]
Noah
Tyler, except for the NEC, I can't think of any places in Jersey that have a MAS of 79 come to think of it, I think the Southern Tier (NS Owned, but the NJT/MN Main/Port Jervis Line) is good for 79; not positive though.They sold the Maine Eastern F40s some time in the last few years, so all they have now is the FL9s. As for the Easter Bunny Trains, they use whatever they have laying around. For example, last year, they used the 489 (I think it was the 9, but I'm too lazy to check), because it was down here for an overhaul or something. There's been talk that the BL2 will be on those trains this year, assuming it will still be around then. I believe they always use the 18 (C424, the main workhorse), and whatever they can for HEP, although the BL2 doesn't have it (that's partly why they would use the ME Fs.I know that they have the 21, the old RS1, at the WRM, as well as all the PVs. Other than that, I'm not sure what else is there. Although I believe there is a ex-NJT bay window caboose...
Noah, I reallly like that second shot!!
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
I'd like to see it in pin stripe, but this is from the second order ATSF had of RSD15s, and those never were pin stripe! :P I'd personally vote GB&W or LS&I since I've never seen an operational unit from either of those lines. Monticello has an operatable GB&W Alco but I've never seen it when it was running. I honestly don't care what paint it gets, it'll just be cool to see a RSD15 running.
IRM also has eight new electric cars on their property as well as a ninth one that is being stored there temporarly for a museum in Dallas. They got seven cars from Trolleyville USA in Cleveland which abruptly went bankrupt and shut down, as well as a South Shore line car that was stored in Michigan City. 2010 One of the cars they bought was a open car from Mexico, so that'll be interesting to watch and even more interesting to ride on! It can already operate. The rest of the Trolleyville cars were basically all CA&E wood cars and CA&E steel cars, some of which were able to run right off the truck. Looks like 2010 is gonna be a good year to get out to IRM with no less than 8 new pieces of equipment and yet another diesel restored for the already extensive collection! They may even have steam by the end of the year but we'll see what happens regarding that.
Also, sounds like BNSF is bringing the SD75Is out of storage again. It looks like we might finally be heading the right direction powerwise. CP is brining the SOO SD60s and SD60Ms back. BNSF is bringing the SD75Ms/SD75Is back again, and UP just announced they are going to begin rebuillding some of their SD40-2s, including some of the ex-CNW ones that were retired last year. The SD40-2s refuse to die quietly! Regarding Amtrak lines, speed for Amtrak trains in Illinois is 79MPH with the exception being BNSF from Chicago to Aurora on the racetrack, which is 70MPH.
Thanks Joe.
If IRM wanted to paint the RSD15 in GBW it would just pretty much stay as is - the GBW never painted any of the RSD15s, nor really used them. But you probably knew that. And like you said, Robby, whatever it paint it gets it'll just be cool to see an operating RSD15!
On the subject of the LS&I, it sounds like the current LS&I's motive power is about to change again. A pretty solid rumor (confirmed direct from a source other than a yahoo group) says that 8 AC4400CWs, CEFX (or CITX?) units that were originally leased to the BNSF, are coming over winter shutdown here in the next few months. They hope to be able to run just one unit on the trains with the bigger power, though I'll be curious to see how that pans out. The odds that the 8 units will be able to cover all the jobs on the LS&I is pretty slim, so a few of the older GEs might hang on, but they'll definitely be running less. I just hope they get new LS&I paint job and don't stay in their leaser scheme, or a patched BNSF scheme if that's what they're in now. But no matter what, the new GEs won't quite be the same as hearing the burble of the old GEs...
Apparently the LS&I has been less than impressed with the EMDs they currently have on lease from HLCX.
I can only imagine a trio of UP SD40-2s leading trains on the Adams line again, but perhaps with the SD40-2 life extension program it might be possible. Ah, the things we used to take for granted...
That'll be interesting to see if the big GEs will pan out for the LS&I.
Lets hope that the former CNW SD40-2s will keep their cab signals. If the SD40-2s came back, I think I'd even take some time to go on the Adams Line.
Oh, and nice shots Noah! I really like the second shot too!
Well, here's my report for this week, and I think I can safely call this my personal best railfanning week ever.
I was given the choice by the Mrs. of either heading up to Iron Junction(wewould actually head up there Tuesday, anyway) or check out the NSSR coal emptymovements, so we ventured out in search of the action. Well, it wasn't a longsearch, as I found the action just east of Highway 61. DM&IR 316 and LTV/CliffsErie 4211 were in action, and were in the midst of various preparations for themovement. I would like to take this time to thank the crew of this movement forbeing so courteous and friendly. You guys really made the day for one awestruckrailfan, and if any of you happen to read this, I thank you very much.Here are some shots:316 IdlingHere's a quick(okay, it's seven minutes) video of the train beginning itsjourneyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLu6z3avJg316 Approaching East DuluthLTV/Erie Mining 4211Both units heading into the distance
Well, after partaking in that incredible action, the wife and Iended up venturing up to Iron Junction on Tuesday, despite some slight flurries in the air. Uponreaching the area, we spotted what looked to be two T-Birds at UniTac in themiddle of unloading. We then trekked down to Ramshaw to find a MOW crew workingon the diamond. Figuring that would be a dead spot, we left, and made our way toKeenan, to check if the EJ&E 674 was anywhere around. Finding nothing, we headedback east, and as we crossed the rails, I spotted DM&IR 215 rounding the corner.After a brief race to Forbes, I prepare to set up, only to see that one of theT-Birds had left, and looked to be heading back north as the 215 came south.Thankfully, the lighting held out, and I was able to get a nice video of 215leading a loaded T-Bird with an IC repaint trailing.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So0S7SrUy4cAfter the train passes, I wait for the arms to go back up to meet back up withthe wife. The arms never come up, as the empty T-Bird is on its way(if you look real close, you can see the loaded train in the far distance of the shot). Afterfinding a not so great place to set up(not many good places for a northboundwith the signals and the crossing arms cluttering up the scene), I catch a videoof IC 6259 and another repainted IC unit leading the empty T-Bird back towardthe mine, making for the first time I had caught two trains back to back at thesame location(almost came close to a trifecta last spring with a BNSF Intermodalover the Peg bridge, a CN Manifest southbound, and DM&IR 403 with Limestone atMunger).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lFAfOaLPLYWe then head to the plant crossing, hoping that 215 hadn't gone into the plantquite yet. Unfortunately, it had, but as it passed, we spied ANOTHER trainleaving. We whip a U-turn(in front of one of those Midwest Security patrolvehicles, no less), and race back to Forbes. After scrambling to find a decentspot, now that the light had definitely shifted, I get a decent video of theMRF, led by GTW 6221, with another IC repaint(seemed to be the theme of the day)trailing.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gA4-FD2S0oNot bad for ten minutes of work or so. :D
ns3010For example, last year, they used the 489 (I think it was the 9, but I'm too lazy to check), because it was down here for an overhaul or something.
Well, someone just happened to post something about the 489 on another forum yesterday...It seems it DIDN'T run on any trains last year, because it has no prime mover!
So, I guess over the summer, ME was stuck with only the 488 for its trains...
If the LTV unit can't be out hauling ore, at least it's still hauling something. I really should have bit the bullet two years ago and drove up to ore country to catch one of the clean up runs....
A couple semi-random pictures from me. First off, a tip I got on Thursday led me to finally find something here on campus that I've been looking for since I got down here last fall:
What you're seeing may just be the last relic of 1:1 railroading left in Platteville, aside from a few chunks of grade. Down at the end of a street by Platteville's water treatment plant, at the very furthest northwest point on campus, is this old Great Northern Flatcar. I knew it existed at least back in 2001, but I'd been unable to find it until this week because it's located pretty well out of the way. The car had obviously been converted to a bridge for use on a hiking/bike trail. However, it's fenced off now so that you can't get any close than about three to five feet of the east end, where I took the picture from. And looking at the rotted decking, I wouldn't want to cross it anyway....It's still got all it's lettering intact, and the north side of the car, which is pretty well blocked by brush and that darn fence, looks even better. It's got a build date of 2-54, which surprised me in some ways, as I was expecting a much older car. I'd love to know when it got here (at least two miles from the nearest track), and why. I have a feeling it may have somehow been abandoned in town when the tracks were removed, and it was claimed by somebody to use for a bridge, but that's only a guess.
Yesterday another guy from my dorm (who's also a model railroader) and I decided to take a drive down to Dubuque to check out a couple of hobby shops. We found the town's main model railroad shop (Fagan's on Central Ave) and I was impressed by their selection of HO stuff. I ended up buying a Atlas prebuilt house for $20, thinking that had to be at least a decent deal. It wasn't until I got home that I realized how good a deal it way: they retail for $50! We also hit up hobby lobby where I found a couple of items at about 60% off (an airbrush tip and a Woodland Scenics culvert kit).
The reason I'm writing this here is because on the way out of town we stopped at the CN/IC yard in Dubuque and were surprised to find M338 getting ready to head east. He was just three big GE motors so I just shot him by the yard office instead of worrying about getting over the river to see about the bridge shot that I did back in December. We wandered around just to see what was in the area, and in the process we stumbled across a public walkway on the top of the levy that goes right along the CN yard and the Mississippi River. There was a yard job trapped in the yard waiting for 338 to clear, and he made for a decent shot really, even though it was cloudy:
If I had some morning sunlight it would be a decent shot I think with the curve, the bridge and the domed building in the background. I've done better in town, but I've done worse also.So that's my adventures in railfanning for the week. It's been a good one, though I have a feeling the next week won't be: I have four exams in four days this week...
BNSF, I remember a little over a year ago I saw 316 operating on CN. Funny how fast things change on class ones these days.
Noah, that's a pretty neat find. Also, nice catch on the pair of GT geeps! I should have gone up to see the last hurrah for the F units too, but foolish me. This is kind of a random question, but for the Mad City train show, are the Trains.com guys going to do a picture? So far I haven't found a thread.
Well today was a pretty decent day. I stopped into the yard after running around town with my dad. Upon arrive I found two WC GP40s in the yard! Looks like they were in a consist, but the yard crew broke them up. WC 3024 was the locomotive that was working the White Pine job for the longest time.
It looks like WC 3010 will be the next candidate for the White Pine local.
Speaking of White Pine, I need to get up there soon. The copper smelter in White Pine is shutting down this summer, so that is pretty much it for one of the last remnants of the DSS&A.
The 316 was the leader on probably my personal favorite Missabe shot, from 2007 (when one could still find three-four pure maroon consists in one day!:
It's a repost, I know, but I just like it so much!
I liked the fact that the GTW units were only two apart (5859 and 5857). Wish they were still in blue and red though!
Most years there's a trains.com gathering at Mad City, but I haven't seen a thread this year yet either. Usually nobody starts one until about a week before the show at the earliest. We'll have to see if someone starts one this year or not.
I really should chase the White Pine job too before the smelter shuts down, but sadly I don't think it's going to happen. There's talk of another copper mine opening in that area that would want service from the CN on the branch, but right now the details seem pretty sketchy and I really haven't seen much on it. I wouldn't bet on it happening, but you never know...
Another Naperville update. First, here is a Metra passing under the East Naperville CB&Q signal bridge. No new signals up yet but that's probably gonna change soon. http://www.flickr.com/photos/24084206@N08/4337976312/
The West Naperville signal bridge, however, could be replaced pretty much anytime now. They new signal bridge is on site and ready to go up. Here's a shot of the top of the new signal bridge. It was actually sitting at East Naperville but according to my friend who lives in Naperville, it was moved to West Naperville today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/24084206@N08/4337969682/
This also seals the fate that these new signals will be ugly tri-lights instead of re-used searchlights.
The West Naperville CB&Q signal bridge may be as old as from the 1940's, and if that's true that might make it one of the oldest CB&Q signal bridges on the racetrack, if not the oldest one. Soon another generic steel signal bridge will stand in it's place...
Nice photos everyone!
Well, I've heard that the last 4 Comet IIIs were pulled from service over the weekend. Although they spent most of their time down on the NJCL, the last few days were spent roaming the Hoboken Division. I was never a fan of them, but it's always sad to see cars go.
That's the CIs and the CIIIs gone within one year. The Is were pulled last March (the last revenue run was on 3/27/09, to be exact), and now the IIIs.However, I've heard that once the time comes, the IVs will be getting a rebuild. But not the IIIs. They'll be sold off and/or scrapped, just like the Is were.
In other news,WORK ON THE CUTOFF HAS BEGUN!!!!!!Nothing major, just brush clearing. I'm assuming that they started at Port Morris (it's UN Interlocking. I think I have a really crappy photo of the tower somewhere on my computer, and I'll post it if I find it) and are working West to Andover. Nothing noticeable, at least until they reach Brooklyn-Stanhope Road, which will be the site of the only grade crossing on the entire line.Don't know when actual trackwork will begin, but we'll see.
As much as I hate double-posting...
So I went into NYC yesterday. Didn't see much, and most of the photos are way to horrible to even put on Flickr. This was really the only good one (it would be perfect if that light post wasn't in the way, and if I actually remembered to crop out the inside of the car...). I really like it, a lot-- PATH crossing the Hackensack River:
Also, before my game, we made a quick stop at the Morristown & Erie shops. Outside was 563 (in the same spot as two weeks ago), 487 (again, hasn't moved), and 4240 (looks the same, but in a different spot), as well as a few flatcars, including a bulkhead in Southern reporting marks. SBRR 54, the BL2, was up on the hill (behind the trees on the left), possibly for shipment back to PA:The rest of the album: Morristown & Erie
Wow, thanks guys... You're forcing me to triple-post... Not cool!
So I went out in the snow to Netcong today:NJ Transit 1028 at Netcong, 2/16/10
AND, BTW, ACES caught fire on Saturday! Yep, P40DC 4800 caught fire (bad fuel injector) and brought down 1400' of catenary... So for all of Sunday, a replacement set of another ALP and another P40, and 4 regular MLs (there are no spare ACES cars) ran, in addition to the other 'normal' ACES set.General Explosion at its best!!