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Trackside Lounge - Spring '09 Edition

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Posted by blhanel on Sunday, April 5, 2009 4:52 PM

Chris:  Re that third shot, either you didn't have the camera level, or that's a pretty steep grade in the background! Smile,Wink, & Grin  Re the last shot, I wish my street had a busy rail line crossing it.

Justin:  You've got some pretty nice shots there, keep working on it!

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Posted by bubbajustin on Sunday, April 5, 2009 3:16 PM

Thanks for the knd worda Chris! Youre's are way better. I like the AC4400AC's in their new scheem! I will display one more photo.

A good ol' SD70.

Maby 2 or 3 more.
Here a -8 leads a manafest outbound SB fut of the CSX yard at Lafayette.
 
 
 An NA-8 leads an inbound, NB, auto rack. Trailing is a new ES40DC
Today I had my old camra so the quality isn't real good. A -9 leads Conrail -8 north of Attica.
 
Hope you guys like em'!

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by CopCarSS on Sunday, April 5, 2009 3:06 PM

Nice shot, Justin. It really does a nice job of putting the train in a rural atmosphere.

I was out and about yesterday, too. The blizzard that was supposed to hit Denver Friday/Saturday kind of petered out and didn't do much but give a nice little dusting of snow. That dusting proved to be rather pretty, though, so I headed out to the Moffat Sub for some shots.

Traffic was pretty light, but I was able to get some shots.

My first shot was taken near Tunnel No. 1 of a westbound coal empty with lots of power. UP 5821 is on the point:


Next up is the westbound California Zephyr as it approaches Blue Mountain Road:

After that, I listened to the radio and found out that I had an eastbound, but he was up at Cliff. Having nothing better to do, I hung out by Blue Mountain Road and waited for hom to head down the mountain. You can see the mid-train DPUs just above and to the left of the lead unit in this shot:

By this time, I needed to start heading towards home, and so I decided to follow 6044 back into town. Here he is as he approaches the Indiana St. overpass. As with all the shots, I kept the white balance on the blue side to give a "cold" feel to the shots:

I caught him again at Simms St. and decided that a "tele-wedgie" would be the shot of choice here. I really need to use the M 135mm more often. It's an amazing lens!

And finally, here he is crossing my street. The weather isn't quite as dramatic down in the city, but I thought it would be worth the effort to shoot him one more time:

-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

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Posted by bubbajustin on Sunday, April 5, 2009 1:56 PM

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh ! everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Everone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got a shutterfly account here is one of my pictures! My best one yet!Big Smileictures!

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by bubbajustin on Sunday, April 5, 2009 1:28 PM

Carl,

 Glad to hear you had a relly fantastic day at work!!! (Big Smile) So you humped a set of frogs in godolas hugh? Interesting. I had a really bad 20 minuets of morning. I went to Attica today (30 mi south of Lafayette) and dad and I sat at the Attica marker sighn on the NS ROW. We sat for probably 15 minuets and my patients depribed freekin' dad got tired. So we went on (I was really upset at this point beacause I had seen that a WB train had a clear aspect.) So anyway. We went on when I saw her cummin'. Dad whipped over I turned on the camra, bailled off the moving truck in pouring rain, snapped the picture and fell face frist into a pool of watered down creasote...Dead. Well I had a really pecahey morning hugh?Tongue To make matters evan wose mom had the good camra and I had the old crappy one. It is the most grainy thing I've ever seen! Ugh...

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 5, 2009 8:23 AM

Modelcar

CShaveRR
I remember getting an antique (pre-knuckle-coupler) American Flyer train and an early Erector set at this auction (it was in Zeeland, Michigan; we drive past the site often, but I don't think it's used for auctions any more).

 

Boy, Carl.....I really loved to "work" with Erector sets as a youngster...Can remember building a Thru truss bridge that spanned our kitchen table. It was stable too.

Alas, our Erector "set" (actually a conglomeration of several sets) was one of the things that disappeared from the house while I was in the Air Force.  Some of the items would become collectables, too.  I guess Dad wanted to get rid of my "kid" stuff.  The Marx train set disappeared, too.

I'd actually enjoy the challenge of "playing" with an old fashioned Erector set even now.

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...

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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, April 4, 2009 10:05 PM

CShaveRR
I remember getting an antique (pre-knuckle-coupler) American Flyer train and an early Erector set at this auction (it was in Zeeland, Michigan; we drive past the site often, but I don't think it's used for auctions any more).

 

Boy, Carl.....I really loved to "work" with Erector sets as a youngster...Can remember building a Thru truss bridge that spanned our kitchen table. It was stable too.

Quentin

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Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, April 4, 2009 7:49 PM

I used to attend auctions with my dad--he got started collecting antique tools and such that way. It wasn't all boring, though--I remember getting an antique (pre-knuckle-coupler) American Flyer train and an early Erector set at this auction (it was in Zeeland, Michigan; we drive past the site often, but I don't think it's used for auctions any more).

Another dull day at work, spiced up only by the sight of UP 2001 and 2002 (the Olympic units) getting ready to take something to Rochelle. I humped a carload of frogs (that's what the sheet said--probably a switch frog or two). I commented that the car should have been a hopper ('twas a gondola); I think that was over the heads of a couple of co-workers who usually can't resist snickering at my stuff.

After working in the lovely (yeah, right!) weather tomorrow, we get to drive in it--headed toward the Quad Cities/Muscatine, Iowa, to visit my sister in their new place (they have a view of the ICE tracks through Muscatine from their house). My other sister will also be there. We also have to go to Bishop Hill, Illinois, to submit a quilt to their annual competition (Pat finished it a few weeks ago). My sisters are up for exploring the area (one of them has a van that will hold all of us), and although Galesburg isn't directly on the way, I'll try and talk them into looking it over (shouldn't be too hard--no places to eat in Bishop Hill that I can remember!). The weather isn't going to be very cooperative on Monday; I'm hoping that we'll be following the tail end of the storm home on Tuesday.

Speaking of weather, Willy and Mookie were supposed to be getting together in Lincoln today, after the weather symposium that Willy was attending. I hope it cooperated (weather, that is!).

Sorry to be remiss...welcome back, Junc!

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)

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Posted by bubbajustin on Saturday, April 4, 2009 7:30 PM

Evening all!

Chris nice shots! Went with grandpa today to an action. We didn't buy anything. I had fun. Sadly i had my camra dand only got to hear 2 trains not see them. Theay were at Attica. Have some really crappy weather cummin' our way tommorow. Cold and snowy. Phhhht.Angry

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by bubbajustin on Friday, April 3, 2009 5:32 PM

Yah Carl were supposed to have a wintery mix here in Lafayette too. Man it alternates between shorts and jeans almost every day. Well if you don't like Indiana weather, just wait an hour!

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, April 3, 2009 4:40 PM
We're expecting snow here around Monday. The bad news is, we'll have to deal with it on the road. The good news is, driving will be done by people experienced with western Michigan winters. I'll be navigating--maybe I can work Galesburg in!

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)

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Posted by bubbajustin on Friday, April 3, 2009 4:16 PM

Hi everybody!

Been a while scince I have seen you all. Cold today. 47*. Well hope you have a good weekend! The Pan American is awesome!

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by Junctionfan on Thursday, April 2, 2009 3:46 PM

 Good day all.  It has been quite some time since I was on here enjoying debating and information sharing back and forth.  I have been busy working and learning more of politics.  I changed my political view recently after learning more about things especially after Obama was elected and the NDP and Liberal Party of Canada tried to pull a coalition government like Mussolini did........well I won't go into a political debate so I will say no more.

 I look forward to talking to you more often now and hope everyone has been well physically and so on.

 Best Regards

Andrew
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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 7:18 PM
RJ, you're right about the significance of the date--lower numbers than 2003 don't make sense as dates, and 2004, when squared, gives a date more than four millennia hence.

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)

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 7:12 PM

Brian, that's probably all that's left of a train after the cars for other destinations have been pulled off. Given a locomotive number, I might have been able to identify the train and the destination (but it isn't easy pulling that off the webcam!).

Was surprised at work today by a pop quiz on our yard's DTO Bulletin. Did all right, though, in spite of having no time whatsoever to brush up. Considering that I never use some of that stuff, I even feel good about the questions I missed.

Furloughs have now hit the ranks of the CROs--one is gone, and four more are within 20 of the bottom of the list. I'm a little less than 500 from the bottom now...

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)

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Posted by blhanel on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 6:52 PM

I was watching the Rochelle webcam just now, and spotted an EB stack train apparently leaving Global 3 on Track 2- shortest stack train I've ever seen, one engine and maybe seven or eight well cars.

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Posted by miniwyo on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 5:18 PM

Afternoon!!

Still snowy and cold here in Rock Springs, hope this ends soon.....

Just posted it in Ed's April fool thread, but this is too good to not post here.

Gonna nerd out just a little, Today is a very special day....

It's 2003^2 (squared) day! Get a calculator and either do 2003^2 or 2003x2003 and you will see why its special.

 

Chris, Are you hand stitching your photos or using the stitch tool that comes with Photoshop?

 

RJ

"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling

http://sweetwater-photography.com/

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:29 PM

Thanks, Chris! That's interesting--and it makes sense.

We're on strep alert here--granddaughter has it; nobody knew it when we were visiting earlier today. Cross your fingers, so we don't miss out on our trip to Muscatine and Galesburg next "weekend".

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
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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:29 PM

Thanks, Chris! That's interesting--and it makes sense.

We're on strep alert here--granddaughter has it; nobody knew it when we were visiting earlier today. Cross your fingers, so we don't miss out on our trip to Muscatine and Galesburg next "weekend".

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)

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Posted by passengerfan on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:17 PM

The mind pays funny tricks sometimes , don't know what made me think about the ski train car manufacturer again but it just popped into my mind the manufacturer was Hawker Siddeley and the cars were built in 1968 the year of my youngest daughter birth.

Al - in - Stockton

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Posted by CopCarSS on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 2:57 PM

Carl - Here is a good article on the subject from The Luminous Landscape.

-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

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 1:34 PM

Chris....Chris....wow!

Not sure what could be wrong with the color, but will take your word for it, if you say it needs fixing.

The "glacier" behind my tower at work is the result of snow being dumped into the ditch there. It looks mostly black.

Now to the term "ice blue": It has to be a real phenomenon, caused by more than a casual reflection of the sky. What causes it?

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)

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Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 1:27 PM

passengerfan
Quentin, I've noticed those brakes myself a few years ago, when they used to borrow the ski train to run as the Hawkeye Express for Iowa home football games

 

Brian....That's a good view of them.  Still think they stick out and in a position to catch some damage...or vandalism.  Strange that the cars were rough riding above a certain speed....That air suspension must not have been very successful.

Quentin

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Posted by passengerfan on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:45 PM

blhanel

Great shots, Chris- the panorama has been added to my wallpaper collection!

Quentin, I've noticed those brakes myself a few years ago, when they used to borrow the ski train to run as the Hawkeye Express for Iowa home football games.

Here's a closer shot of those brakes:

The trucks with the outside disc brakes everyone has been asking about were built for these cars for CN Tempo service as fast trains operating in Southwestern Ontario. They were built in Thunder Bay and operated Toronto-London Toronto-London-Sarnia Toronto-London-Windsor. The trucks I suspect were designed for quick inspection between runs as the trains had very little time between arrivals and departures. The trains were never that popular in the service they were built for as they had a rough ride at higher speeds. The Ski train service is ideal for the former cars as the speeds would rarely get above 60 mph. They generally operated in CN and VIA service in five and six car trains with the original power being RS-18 diesels with Cummins Generator sets in the short hood to supply HEP to the cars. These were the first HEP cars operated in Canada. The name of the cars builder escapes me for the moment but it was taken over by Bombardier and yes builds the Commuter cars that operate on Metrolink and about another dozen commuter agencies operate. I understand the builder designed the trucks and Dofasco actually built the trucks to the designers specs.

Al - in - Stockton   

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:30 AM

Wow...thanks for sharing!

Dan

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Posted by CopCarSS on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:08 AM

Once I get the last two shots in there, it'll be close to 180ยบ -- maybe a little shy of that. I suspect that's part of why I'm having problems. The perspective from the sides is very different than the view straight ahead. Hopefully I should be able to add the last two in there, though, as there's a really scenic mountain just to my right.

-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

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:03 AM

Chris - how many degrees does that second picture cover?  It would be phenomenal wrapping a room, floor to ceiling.

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...

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Posted by CopCarSS on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:56 AM

Not train related, but I spent some time playing in PSE building some panoramas from my Alaska trip last night. These are still very early versions, but I think they're coming together nicely.

Harvard Glacier in College Fjord

Big Version available here
8 Images from my K20D/ FA 77mm f1.8 Limited Combo

College Fjord, AK

Big Version available here
13 Images (so far) from my K20D/ FA 77mm f1.8 Limited Combo

I know the colors are a mess...I'm working on fixing that. I also have two more images that I want to stich to the right side of the College Fjord shot. For some reason, PSE is having issues with those two. Gonna have to play a little bit more with them.

C&C are definately welcome!

-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

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:55 AM

CopCarSS
Larry - That second image is absolutely stunning! Well done!

I was looking to duplicate the front cover illustration from the book "Polar Express..."

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...

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:46 AM

Chris,

Isaac and Deke have been tough lately!  But you're up there!


Busy day on CN yesterday.  I must be finally getting the hang of when to see trains...I found 6 in half an hour!  That includes a monster SB train.  It went through the detector at MP181.1: Total Axles=514 or 124 cars with 3 units at the head end.  It seemed huge as most of the trains I've seen lately have been in the 260-280 axle range.

Dan

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