A CSX hat trick, in Wisconsin

Since I moved to Wisconsin from Ohio two years ago, I've seen some great sights while trackside. But, at the same time, I've missed train-watching on the well-trodden CSX lines of the lower Great Lakes region. So imagine my surprise Sept. 28 when three successive Canadian National trains through Waukesha were led by CSX units.

First, a northbound showed up, led by a CSX GE and a Union Pacific EMD. I was set up on the west side of Waukesha, along the aptly named West Avenue, waiting on a northbound train that had triggered the talking defect detector south of town. Looking south down West Avenue, along which the tracks run, I thought I spotted a familiar friend, a CSX GE! Sure enough, as the train drew nearer I could see CSX No. 7786, a mid-1990s vintage C40-8W, pulling the train with a much newer Union Pacific SD70ACe. One down, two to go.

After hearing on the scanner of a meet in the Waukesha siding, I relocated a few blocks north for the pending southbound. I chose the junction at Grand Avenue where regional railroad Wisconsin & Southern joins the CN main line to exercise trackage rights north of the city. After a few moments of waiting, the gates dropped and the train came into view with four CSX motors for power. On the point was GE AC44CW No. 358, a unit I had no doubt seen countless times in Ohio on heavy coal and ore trains. Two down, one to go.

The last train, however, really made the day. Another northbound, photographed again at Newhall Avenue, was powered by a former Conrail SD80MAC, one of just 12 on the CSX roster. Paired with it was a lowly CN Geep, making the 20-cylinder behemoth seem that much more impressive. Here, we have a winner.

Yes, folks, it is still possible to have a great day of train-watching without hunting down the latest heritage units or getting a "heads up" from a friend on that special move. Just get out there and watch the trains, and enjoy the surprises that come along the way.