Trackside Lounge: 2Q 2010

[CNW 6000]

nanaimo73

CShaveRR

Dale, we build trains for NS and take them to their Ashland Avenue Yard. Their trains from Elkhart come straight into our yard. We also have run-throughs between North Platte and Elkhart. And I almost forgot about the Triple Crown train that goes from Fort Wayne to the Twin Cities and back, NS power (usually) and all.

We build several blocks for CSX that are taken by us to Barr Yard for assembly into their trains. I'm not sure where their run-through train for Proviso originates--Willard, perhaps. In addition, I think there are manifests that run between North Platte and Willard, the "Express Lane" train daily between North Platte and Selkirk, and two weekly perishable trains from Delfar, California, to Selkirk (with connections to and from Wallula, Washington).

Thanks Carl. I find that kind of stuff intriguing.

I'd love to see a schematic Map of the Month in Trains showing all of the interchange in the Chicago area, with all of the volumes listed. But those numbers aren't available to the public, are they?

Maybe someday Andy Cummings will be the Editor.

+1 to what Dale said.  Perhaps should such an article surface numbers from a few years ago could be used or rough approximations.

CN's been busy again lately.  Several 'little birdies' gave me a heads up that Neenah would be a good place to get to a couple days ago.  Taking their advice was a good idea once I got there.  There was a total of 6 trains that were either trying to use the Controlled Siding/yard or pass through in the span of about 30 minutes.  Lotsa radio chatter!  It was busy enough that the YM told the yard job to lock in the clear on a house track to let the "mayhem" finish.

I am deducing that CN feels they've had success with using DPUs.  According to other sources and confirmed via pictures CN has purchased 35 C40-8s (exx CNW) from the lessor that leased them to CNW and then UP.  Supposedly CN 2100-2134 will be renumbered direct, in order, from UP numbers (not from CNW) and will be used in Canada.  Other sources confirm that at least some have arrived at CN's shops (for paint/mech work?) in Centralia, IL.  It will be interesting to see how these units perform and I look forward to seeing some of them as they pass through here.

[CShaveRR]

You're right, Dan--CN 2100-2134 will be renumbered in order from UP 9065-9099. Those units were renumbered, not in order, from CNW 8543-8577. I believe that they had 4135 horsepower. They did not have wide noses; I think they'll be attractive in CN paint.

[CNW 6000]

CShaveRR

You're right, Dan--CN 2100-2134 will be renumbered in order from UP 9065-9099. Those units were renumbered, not in order, from CNW 8543-8577. I believe that they had 4135 horsepower. They did not have wide noses; I think they'll be attractive in CN paint.

Carl,

Thanks for confirming that.  I happen to agree with your assessment of the paint.  As much of a fan of the 'wide cab' and modern power that I am I can't wait to see these units get some fresh paint and to turn some more revenue miles for someone.  Hopefully I will be able to catch and roster a few (all would be too much to hope for!) as they head past this area for the Great White North.

[The Butler]

 I saw over in Steam & Preservation that the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay sold Milwaukee 261 to The Friends of 261.

Hopefully, I will get to see 261 running at track speed one more time.

[CShaveRR]

Only once, James?

[The Butler]

CShaveRR

Only once, James?

Well, I've seen 261 running twice.  If I hope for once and get more, life is good.

[tree68]

I was forced into a little cleaning today (had to find something, and I knew about where it was - so had to dig).

In doing so, I found a binder with the pictures I used for my portfolio for a B&W photo class back in my junior college days (early 80's).  All are printed on 8x10 paper, so they make for good scanning.

One project we had to do was playing with orthographic film, negatives, etc.  So I posed some of my N Scale motive power under the enlarger, with this result:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/OrthoN.jpg

While on the model bent, here's my Chessie GP-40 and a couple of hoppers, on the rail:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/NonRail.jpg

One day I chased a local (that included some street running at the time).  After they finished their work they headed back to the yard.  Literally.  The locomotive is actually pushing, with a real, live caboose on the leading end.

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/CRLocal.jpg

Before they left me, though, I got a picture of the crew - unfortunately I don't have any names, and I'm not sure which one was the conductor.  Check out those radios, though!

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/CRCrew.jpg

This picture is impossible to repeat today.  The track leading off to the right once ran to the NYC station in Watertown, NY.  The siding to the left leads to a now-closed feed mill.  I was standing on the main (oops!), which continues down the hill and eventually on to Massena.

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/Arsenal.jpg

Who says storing cars is just a current phenomenon?  These Railbox cars were being stored at Massey Yard in Watertown:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/Railbox.jpg

I worked at Ft Drum, NY during sleepier times (it's pretty busy there now, railwise) and was able to wander the "coal" yard unmolested one wintry day.

The hill visible at the right, with the fence on top, was actually the unloading ramp for coal hoppers.  The trestle was long gone at the time, and the ramp itself is gone now, too:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/DrumRail.jpg

I just can't resist a ladder track:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/DrumLadder.jpg

Enjoy.  There are more prints in the binder.  I'll scan them in later.

[CShaveRR]

Those are great pictures, Larry! Looking forward to seeing more when you get a chance.

You're right about those radios, too--they're even bigger than the ones we started out with. Hand-held radios were around, and getting common by the time I'd been there a few months, but most of the road guys and a few yard folks still had to use the kind with a receiver on the handle. And the things that had to be installed and removed from engines had to weigh 30 or 40 pounds!

[CNW 6000]

Today was the final clean up/out day for the Oshkosh Model Railroad Club.  We are 100% moved out of our old home and into a storage unit for (hopefully) a short while.  While going through some of the club's belongings we came across some RR artifacts: marble eye or "Cat's Eye" cross bucks.  I have 4 of them now in my garage.  All are from CNW ROW when a line was reclaimed and ripped up in the early 80s...and legally obtained.  The question is now...what the heck do I do with 'em? 

[CShaveRR]

Found this on my Facebook page, courtesy of my son-in-law's dad:

"A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest." ~Irish Proverb

Wishing all the ladies out there, mothers and grandmothers alike, still with us, or dearly departed, a great Mother's Day tomorrow. May your, children, grandchildren, and your spouses, shower you with wonderful blessings and memories on your special day.

Those of you who are mothers, enjoy your day tomorrow! Those of you who have had mothers, please see the preceding paragraph for suggestions...

[mudchicken]

Just back from volunteering at the railroad musem ...In addition to "Goose-Fest" with RGS Goose #5 making laps around the museum grounds, we had a social function with the Quilt Museum, the local quilters and the RR Museum .....the promotional flyers all had a heavilly photo-shopped CNW logo.

Maybe we call it "Shaver Fest" next year?

[The Butler]

Enjoyed the photos, Larry.  I hope to see more.

They made me wonder, just how far apart are yard tracks?

[CShaveRR]

mudchicken

Just back from volunteering at the railroad musem ...In addition to "Goose-Fest" with RGS Goose #5 making laps around the museum grounds, we had a social function with the Quilt Museum, the local quilters and the RR Museum .....the promotional flyers all had a heavilly photo-shopped CNW logo.

Maybe we call it "Shaver Fest" next year?

If they coordinate trains and quilts next year, let us know ahead of time--it would be worth heading that way for!

[zardoz]

CShaveRR

And the things that had to be installed and removed from engines had to weigh 30 or 40 pounds!

Yeah, I remember those. About 18" long, 12" wide, and about 4" deep (IIRC). But I always felt is was worth lugging the thing up and down the ladders, just to have an actual working radio on the lead locomotive (even if we had to "borrow" it from a different loco in the shop).

[CShaveRR]

Caught the tail end of another Lilacia Park tour after work today. A loaded coal train came through while we were in the park, and after the tour I took the guide to a special dinner at the Italian restaurant that took the place of my old favorite barbecue place. While we were there, we saw two scoots and three assorted freights.

[AgentKid]

zardoz

actual working radio

 

But wasn't that a whole other thing back in the seventies.

My father was dispatching in Calgary then, and he had many stories about those early radio's. He normally worked third trick east from Calgary to Swift Current, SK. It was about as flat a territory as you could imagine. But he used to tell about trains that could talk to each other over 100 miles apart but they couldn't raise a train that they were supposed to meet 20 or 25 miles away.

This was before they had repeater technology and the effects of weather figured out. He thought radio's were useful, eventually, but he never did give a train order over one. He retired before the end of time table and train order operations.

Bruce

 

[CShaveRR]

In some railfanning circles, the name Ken Meeker was familiar. He was a photographer, and wrote a news column for Pacific News. Ken passed away yesterday, after a lengthy illness. Our condolences to his family and friends.

Condolences to one of our own, as well: Randy Vos' paternal grandmother passed away today.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

CNW 6000

Today was the final clean up/out day for the Oshkosh Model Railroad Club.  We are 100% moved out of our old home and into a storage unit for (hopefully) a short while.  While going through some of the club's belongings we came across some RR artifacts: marble eye or "Cat's Eye" cross bucks.  I have 4 of them now in my garage.  All are from CNW ROW when a line was reclaimed and ripped up in the early 80s...and legally obtained.  The question is now...what the heck do I do with 'em? 

That would seem to be a good item for rail-oriented museums in the C&NW's territory, if they don't already have one. Maybe some e-mails to them would be a way to find out. Meantime- since I'm not familiar with them - how about a photo of one, or a link to am on-line photo ? - Paul North.

[CShaveRR]

Our best wishes to Brian Hanel, who is, possibly as we speak, undergoing an angioplasty today. He says there's about an 85-percent chance that he'll need either stents or a bypass. I hope we'll hear some news later today.

[CNW 6000]

Paul_D_North_Jr

CNW 6000

Today was the final clean up/out day for the Oshkosh Model Railroad Club.  We are 100% moved out of our old home and into a storage unit for (hopefully) a short while.  While going through some of the club's belongings we came across some RR artifacts: marble eye or "Cat's Eye" cross bucks.  I have 4 of them now in my garage.  All are from CNW ROW when a line was reclaimed and ripped up in the early 80s...and legally obtained.  The question is now...what the heck do I do with 'em? 

That would seem to be a good item for rail-oriented museums in the C&NW's territory, if they don't already have one. Maybe some e-mails to them would be a way to find out. Meantime- since I'm not familiar with them - how about a photo of one, or a link to am on-line photo ? - Paul North.

It's on another forum...er..."three"um I visit.  14th post down (same screen name):
http://www.fuzzyworld3.com/3um/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4824

I have already sold one of them and have leads on some others.  I have an email in to MCRM in Baraboo...

[blhanel]

CShaveRR

Our best wishes to Brian Hanel, who is, possibly as we speak, undergoing an angioplasty today. He says there's about an 85-percent chance that he'll need either stents or a bypass. I hope we'll hear some news later today.

 

Your wish is my command, thanks to laptop and free hospital wireless service.  I am now the proud owner of one stent, and already am feeling better than I've felt in awhile.  Gotta spend the night here at the Mercy Medical Center Hilton, though... at least I've got a nice view of downtown.

[CNW 6000]

blhanel

CShaveRR

Our best wishes to Brian Hanel, who is, possibly as we speak, undergoing an angioplasty today. He says there's about an 85-percent chance that he'll need either stents or a bypass. I hope we'll hear some news later today.

 

Your wish is my command, thanks to laptop and free hospital wireless service.  I am now the proud owner of one stent, and already am feeling better than I've felt in awhile.  Gotta spend the night here at the Mercy Medical Center Hilton, though... at least I've got a nice view of downtown.

Glad you're doing ok Brian!  Here's hoping you recover quickly.

[CShaveRR]

Glad to have the good news from you, Brian! Are there many trains to see from your penthouse balcony?

You'll probably be encouraged to walk, but to avoid more strenuous exercise, possibly including stairs, for the next few days. No heavy lifting. (Been there, done that.)

[blhanel]

CShaveRR

Glad to have the good news from you, Brian! Are there many trains to see from your penthouse balcony?

You'll probably be encouraged to walk, but to avoid more strenuous exercise, possibly including stairs, for the next few days. No heavy lifting. (Been there, done that.)

I haven't noticed any movements, although there was a string of covered hoppers parked on the new CRANDIC river bridge that have since been moved- my attention keeps getting distracted (walks around the ward, visitors, etc.).  Also, the weather is not very nice here today.

Someone's already come by and signed me up for the cardiac exercise classes, but I've yet to see my doctors- probably later this evening.  I should be going home in the morning.

[CShaveRR]

This installment of "Trackside with Trains" has "glint" as the subject. Definitely a neat thing about railroads. I remember one time seeing the sun reflecting off our three tracks on the big curve between Glen Ellyn and Wheaton. I didn't comment on it at the time, even though I was riding in a truck driven by one popular Mudchicken. I'm sure he saw it, too (our car was being driven by Pat, with Boss Hen as a passenger).

I think my first experience with glint was a lot like the one posted by Alex Mayes. I was in the cupola of a caboose on the end of the Grand Trunk's hot (seemingly) freight train from Durand to Muskegon. The sun was setting as we approached Grand Rapids, and managed to catch the sides of the trailers on the piggyback cars just ahead of the caboose--one car, one pair of trailers, at a time. The trailers themselves were white or aluminum, but the reflected colors from the sunset were an interesting combination of oranges and purples. Due to the hills east of the Grand River, the presence of the sun was just for a very short time, in just the right location. That sight was probably one of the more severe instances of being bitten by the railroad bug that I had. I've found it best not to say anything at times like these, because it's hard to keep a steady voice.

[tree68]

CShaveRR

This installment of "Trackside with Trains" has "glint" as the subject

I'm still trying to figure out how Alex comes up with so many votes when the comments on the forum seem to favor others...

[Mookie]

I voted, but the subject wasn't all that interesting to me, ergo no comment. 

[CShaveRR]

Metra's May issue of On the Bi-Level has an amazing lost-and-found story (there do not appear to be copyright restrictions on this material; I hope no one minds my reprinting it here).

On March 8, I was on the Rock Island 5:10 p.m. train from Chicago to Joliet. At some point, the diamond fell out of my wedding ring. I did not notice it was missing until I got home. My husband and I went back to the train station that evening to follow my steps from the train to the parking lot. We did not find it. On Tuesday, I called Metra’s lost and found, but it had not been turned in. After getting off of the train on March 9th, I decided to look around again. Jim McCormick was working in the tower at Joliet that evening. He noticed me looking around and asked if everything was okay. I told him I lost my diamond. He immediately took action and he and Miles Fuller tracked down the car I was sitting in on Monday. Within a couple of hours, Jim and Miles found my diamond on the train. I want to thank them both for all of their help. They went above and beyond to help me get my diamond back. I cannot thank them enough, and I want Metra to know what terrific workers they have as part of the Metra team.

Judy

Metra's response:

We’re told that dispatcher Don Nelson also helped to find the needle in the haystack. We’re proud to have such multifaceted workers. And we’re amazed they were able to find your diamond,

[tree68]

Nice story!

OK, here we go with round two of the photos from my photo class portfolio:

Railfanning at the Rome, NY station one day:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/RomeSign.jpg

I managed to catch an eastbound Turbo while I was there.  I was pretty excited about that.  Note the crewman in the door of the power coach, waiting for a highball:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/Turbo.jpg

Crossings are few and far between on the Water Level Route (now the CSX Chicago Line).  Thus was this CWR train able to sneak up on me.  Fortunately I wasn't standing in the gauge.  They were moving:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/RailTrain.jpg

Another shot from my local chase in Watertown, NY.  This is the local passing over aptly named "Arch Street."  Headed right to left in the picture, the train would have just passed through the Watertown station, if it still stood.  It's now a parking lot, and a road now runs over the former ROW.

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/ArchStreet.jpg

Back at Fort Drum, a Conrail crew is working on taking out a train of military equipment.  It appears the engineer is waiting patiently for the crew on the ground to sort things out.

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/WestYard.jpg

This wall no longer stands.  At the time, it was the last standing vestige of the roundhouse in Watertown. 

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/Roundhouse.jpg

You can still see the pit and the tracks radiating from it in this satellite image.

And finally, one of the assignments for our portfolio was a white on white or black on black shot.  What better subject for a railroad themed portfolio than coal?  Unfortunately this wasn't taken on a RR coal pile or in a tender, but it's the thought that counts:

http://www.tree68.net/Railroad/Coal.jpg

Once again, all of these shots date to the early 80's.  Wish I'd had a better sense of RR photography at the time.  And technically,  a lot of them are pretty flat, contrast-wise.   But they are what they are.

Enjoy!

[The Butler]

 Thanks, Larry!