Trains.com

Trackside Lounge Locked

68709 views
1287 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Posted by nanaimo73 on Monday, March 17, 2008 10:32 AM
Dale
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Monday, March 17, 2008 8:49 AM

Morning All,

Noah - Great shots! It's always fun to see the stuff that comes out of your camera. Thanks for sharing!

 

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, March 17, 2008 8:47 AM

It isn't often that the passing of a railroad executive is noted on the Fine Arts radio station we listen to, but it happened today.  Former ATSF president John S. Reed passed away yesterday at his home in the northern suburbs; he was 90.

Of course, they made as much of the fact that his middle name was Shedd, and he was the grandson of John G. Shedd, founder of the Shedd Aquarium.  Mr. Reed remained active as a fundraiser and friend of the aquarium after his retirement from ATSF, but they also noted that he was a lover of trains all his life.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, March 15, 2008 4:42 PM
 nanaimo73 wrote:
I see. I was just curious if the new AC locomotives (7800 GEs and 8600 EMDs) start in North Platte for PRB service.

I'm guessing you are working today if you are up before 6 on a Saturday? Dead [xx(]

Yup.  Had to put my time in today.  Not too enjoyable, as the previous shift had a derailment that we had to work around for half the day.

However, when we arrived at work, we saw brand-new GEVOs 7819-7822.  Their number boards are illuminated with a much whiter background light (lunar white?), as some of the genset units had been.  Fluorescent tubes behind the boards, perhaps?

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Posted by nanaimo73 on Saturday, March 15, 2008 11:37 AM

I see. I was just curious if the new AC locomotives (7800 GEs and 8600 EMDs) start in North Platte for PRB service.

I'm guessing you are working today if you are up before 6 on a Saturday? Dead [xx(]

Dale
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, March 15, 2008 5:53 AM
I think I've seen some reference to shop assignments; I'm not sure how meaningful they are, though.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Posted by nanaimo73 on Saturday, March 15, 2008 1:27 AM

 Noah Hofrichter wrote:
but it is Iowa after all....

That does not look like Heaven this time of year. Perhaps once the corn has grown waist high...

 

Hey Carl,

Does UP assign each locomotive to a particular shop (North Platte, Roseville, ect), like CP, CN and BNSF do?

Dale
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Friday, March 14, 2008 9:51 PM
 Noah Hofrichter wrote:

but it is Iowa after all.... Wink [;)]Whistling [:-^] 

Noah

 

Tongue [:P]

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Reedsburg WI (near Wisconsin Dells)
  • 3,370 posts
Posted by Noah Hofrichter on Friday, March 14, 2008 9:48 PM

Thanks much for the compliments guys, I appreciate them.

Carl, while I normally like snow and it makes for some nice pictures, I am ready for spring to come this year. Let the green grass return!

PZ, I hadn't noticed the propane tank until you pointed it out, but you're right! It's an old MILW depot, but from the looks of it the tank is a more recent addition. I suppose it was one of those things where the railroad just put the tank there without worrying about code. I'm not sure what the codes are either, but it is Iowa after all.... Wink [;)]Whistling [:-^] 

Noah

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Eau Claire, WI
  • 1,882 posts
Posted by Lord Atmo on Friday, March 14, 2008 5:41 PM

this morning brought some nice luck to me on my Altoona run:

The closest i've ever gotten to an NS unit! Big Smile [:D]

they look even better up close! 

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: West end of Chicago's Famous Racetrack
  • 2,239 posts
Posted by Poppa_Zit on Friday, March 14, 2008 4:35 PM

Nice photos, Noah!

As an aside, looks like the fire codes up there are different than here -- I notice the propane tank sitting outside the RR building does not have any protection (guardrail, cement-filled pipe, girders sunk with pile driver, raised curb) against being struck by a vehicle driving past. And so close to the building, too.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, March 14, 2008 4:17 PM
 mudchicken wrote:
QUESTION: Anyone know of a University library collection or museum that got any appreciable collection of Wabash material after the 1964 merger?

Hoping it all did not go to the dump. Seems like WAB was never as well covered as some of the others. (not much at NS Atlanta Archive, VPI (VA Tech) or Wabash Historical website) 

Definitely with you in those hopes, but it's been over 40 years now.  Anything around Decatur, perhaps?

Noah, great shots, which would be better appreciated with more green in them.  Today and yesterday have definitely spoiled me (bike's in the shop, getting ready for this year!).

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, March 13, 2008 11:19 PM
Really nice photos Noah !!! well lit and nicely composed.Thumbs Up [tup] Thanks for shareing.Cool [8D]
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:38 PM

QUESTION: Anyone know of a University library collection or museum that got any appreciable collection of Wabash material after the 1964 merger?

Hoping it all did not go to the dump. Seems like WAB was never as well covered as some of the others. (not much at NS Atlanta Archive, VPI (VA Tech) or Wabash Historical website) 

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:42 PM
Great shots, Noah.  I need to get up that way myself some weekend and collect a few photos.
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Reedsburg WI (near Wisconsin Dells)
  • 3,370 posts
Posted by Noah Hofrichter on Thursday, March 13, 2008 7:55 PM

I belated congrats from me too Larry!

It's been a while since I've posted here as school and work have kept me busy lately (one more day till spring break!). I come with an offering of pictures though.

Last Saturday a friend and I headed out to Prairie du Chein, WI with goals of catching the Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern. While we were hoping to catch a train headed east out of Mason City towards Marquette or vice versa, what we got was the MSPKC (Manifest St. Paul to Kansas City) and MKCSP (his counterpart) in a meet at Kains IA. It's a little ways north of Marquette, and is the only siding between Marquette and La Cresent (or Prairie Du Chien and La Crosse if you go by the better known cities).

As we were rolling west toward Prairie we picked up radio chatter that indicated a meet would be going on at Kains, the only siding on the ICE between Marquette and La Crescent. Since there wasn't a whole lot moving on the BNSF for a while, we headed North to intercept the southbound and chase him back to the meet. We didn't get more than a few miles north of Kains, as we caught up to him at the town of New Albin, IA. We found a Two DME units (one in the old colors) and a NREX unit hauling the MSPKC through town:

A pair of shots from about two miles south of town:

Heading in for the meet at Kains siding. The MKCSP is on the main, and will head north as soon as the SPKC clears:

After waiting a while for them to get the South Siding Switch free of snow, we got one last shot at Lansing, IA (one of the few places around this area with street running, though we chose not to shoot him there because of lighting):

We caught back up with the ICE train at Marquette where the ICE has a yard. The crew had already tied the train down as no outbound crew was called, so I tried an angle one can't usually get when the train is moving, from the edge of a road that runs along the tracks:

We spent a few hours waiting and saw absolutely zip on the BNSF for a few hours. We finally caught one last BNSF eastbound at Wyalusing, WI:

We called it quits for the day after that and headed home. Not the best day I've ever had, but I think some of the ICE shots came out well enough that I'm happy. Being possibly the last seven months of existance for the ICE left, I really want to get out and hit the railroad hard this spring and summer. I like the ICE alot, and I'm really going miss it if (or when) the CP/DME merger goes through. But in the mean time, I shoot everything I can!

Enjoy, and hopefully I didn't slow down anybody's computer with all the photos! 

Noah Hofrichter
Reedsburg, WI 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, March 13, 2008 7:40 PM

Larry, I caught the pictures over at the cafe.  Was going to make a remark about "bigfoot" from the first shot!  Congratulations again! 

They grow out of the cuddly stage fairly quickly, unless you happen to be a parent.  You wouldn't believe the amount of condescending my three-year-old granddaughter can put into "I can do it myself, Grandpa."

Don't be a stranger to her!

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Eau Claire, WI
  • 1,882 posts
Posted by Lord Atmo on Thursday, March 13, 2008 4:59 PM

oh ok thanks. worried my magazine may have gotten lost in the mail for a sec there.

I'm gonna get tracking when i mail out my check too.... 

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, March 13, 2008 4:51 PM
Just the mailing, no magazine yet.  The local hobby shop didn't have it a couple of days ago when I was there, either.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Eau Claire, WI
  • 1,882 posts
Posted by Lord Atmo on Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:33 PM
 nanaimo73 wrote:

 Lord Atmo wrote:
looks like my wallet is in for a pounding.... 

I hope you get your moneys worth.

Any word on which locomotives will be there? How abouy 1385?

I wish 1385 could make it, but he's been in pieces at North Freedom for years. Needs a new boiler I believe.  

oh I'll get my money's worth. No question about that. I found out about the fees plenty early. With paychecks coming every friday and a raise in April, I'm sure I'll be just fine. 

I wouldn't hold my breath about UP sending anything up here for the meet. Unless we get the E9s or something for the OLS train. But otherwise I would guess it'll just be our CVRX coaches (ex-Algoma Central) with a GP38-2 on either end.

Should be fun either way! 

 

oh and Carl, when you got that mailing, did you get the magazine too? i got that same mailing today but no magazine. It covers train ops in my area and i'm really eager to read it 

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:13 PM

Congrats Larry !!!!!!!!!!!!!

And another late congrats to Chris on the write up !!!!!!!!!!!

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:20 AM
Wow. Somehow I missed that announcment while perusing the Lounge. A very belated congratulations, Grandpa Larry!

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,023 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:12 AM
 CShaveRR wrote:

Just saw the announcement on another thread--my birthday buddy from upstate New York has a new granddaughter!

Congratulations, Larry--and watch out...those grandkids could be habit-forming!  Sorry she's so far away from you (our two granddaughters, and a grandson due in June, are less than an hour away under nearly all traffic conditions).

She may be a distance away, but I was at their house to greet them when she came home for the first time.  Burned up lots of electrons on her - and spent a lot of time cuddling her.  In fact, I think her Dad felt deprived since grandpa was getting in all the 'hold' time he could.  But I also did some night-time duty, so Mom could rest.  The little one is starting to develop a personality and a schedule - she should be a real joy next time I visit. 

Hated to leave, for sure, but it's just a day's drive, and I know the route really well now. 

Managed to see a couple of trains around Harrisburg during the trip, including the tail end of a stack train crossing the river on one of their famous stone arch bridges.  I also found a few minutes to stop in at Scranton on the way back and visit with the GVT dispatchers there (adjacent to Steamtown - what a place to work!).  We get our Form D's from them, and it was nice to put a face on the folks I'll be talking to this summer.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:02 AM
 Lord Atmo wrote:
i didnt get my new issue yet, however i've known for about a year that the con is here. i already asked the time off for all 4 days. it should be quite fun. i've heard about some of the activities planned

http://www.cnwhs.org/relitemdocs/1201995423.pdf 

the full details. looks like my wallet is in for a pounding.... 

Wow, Max. That looks to be a fun event! I hope you have a good time and your wallet survives!

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Posted by nanaimo73 on Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:05 AM

 Lord Atmo wrote:
looks like my wallet is in for a pounding.... 

I hope you get your moneys worth.

Any word on which locomotives will be there? How abouy 1385?

Dale
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Eau Claire, WI
  • 1,882 posts
Posted by Lord Atmo on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:46 PM

i didnt get my new issue yet, however i've known for about a year that the con is here. i already asked the time off for all 4 days. it should be quite fun. i've heard about some of the activities planned

http://www.cnwhs.org/relitemdocs/1201995423.pdf 

the full details. looks like my wallet is in for a pounding.... 

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:44 PM

Max, I just got a mailing from the C&NW Historical Society--did you know that their convention's in Mid-May, in Eau Claire?

Coincidentally, it's during the week of my vacation!  Unfortunately, we've already got vacation plans that will be taking us in the other direction.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Eau Claire, WI
  • 1,882 posts
Posted by Lord Atmo on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:38 PM
 CopCarSS wrote:

Max - Nice shots! I can't believe you featured a "Crash" 9 as the dominant element in the second shot, though! Wink [;)] Thanks for sharing!

don't read too deep into it Tongue [:P]

yeah i wanted to shoot the consist from the other side, but there was too much equipment in the way. that was the best i could do.

i really did go for 3054...really!Angel [angel]

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:28 AM

Brian - I guess I should have mentioned that some of the links and such at TOP might not qualify as something one would want to view while at work.Blush [:I] Thanks for adding that tip!

Max - Nice shots! I can't believe you featured a "Crash" 9 as the dominant element in the second shot, though! Wink [;)] Thanks for sharing!

Passenger Fan - Now that the Rebel XSi is out, you can probably get some pretty good deals on the Rebel XTi and some fantastic deals on the Rebel XT. Both are highly capable cameras (I've even been able to keep up with High School Basketball while using the XTi and an EF 135mm f2L!) that would be great for railroad photography. If you need some more info on the Rebel XT and XTi, you can check out this thread. And feel free to ask any questions. Talking cameras is about the only subject I can get away in this forum with without looking like a complete idiot (not that it stops me from trying on other subjects! Tongue [:P]Laugh [(-D]). Best of luck!

 

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:49 AM

Having visited this site numerous times just for a peek. Iwould like to say I enjoy the photgraphy and having taken 35 mm and super 8 some years ago I believe it is time for me to take a look at the new fangled digital photography.

I am going to buy me a new Canon Rebel for a start and go from their. Just have to wait until tax season ends and I have time to visit the Camera Store and buy the necessary equipment. Many years ago I enjoyed Rail photgraphy and feel I need an outlet once again I can do at my leisure. Seeing the excellent work at trackside lounge has convinced me to get to it after April 15, 2008.

Wife is worried this will creat another monster as I have a tendency to go all out on hobbies. She has already advised me don't expect her to go along to Donner in the winter? Does that mean I will have to find someone else for winter trips. By the time tax season is over their is not much winter left even on Donner.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy