The Last Horah of Conrail Blue

[tlapteditor]

In June/July of 2011, I caught Norfolk Southern GP38-2 #5347 switching cars in Jackson, along the Michigan Line. It was a great experience being one of the last few to capture big blue on her last, "hoo-rah," that summer. Not only did I film #5347, but I also captured #5346, #5273 (both are also GP38-2's) and Conrail #24039 (a bay window Caboose) all in one place! At this time of the year, the big blue locomotives we were so used to for over 22 years here in Michigan, were nearly gone. With only forty some units on Norfolk Southern, and about ten or so on CSX still in blue, I was among the lucky buff's to get timeless images of Conrail, that we'll hopefully never forget. 

The first time I ever fully captured one of these big blue units, was in early June. Norfolk Southern #5346 was in the yard, ready to haul train B16 from Jackson to Albion, Michigan and back. I had just got out of Driver's Ed. and headed out with a buddy to go catch the train. We first filmed the Amtrak trains (#350 and #353) from the Yard and from the Amtrak Station, which happens to be the oldest continuously used passenger rail station in America. After the two Amtrak trains, we filmed B16, lead long hood forward by the GP38-2 (also a treat). We lost the train for awhile, but found her again in Albion. There she was, shiny and blue, even though she hadn't been washed in years. She was waiting for train B34 to pass, lead by a Geep 38-2 and a High Nose SD40-2 (also a very rare catch along this neck of the woods). We watched her switch Aderson's at Albion and headed back to Jackson to film her by the depot. It was a momentousness day, to say the least.

Here's the video for that catch: 

watch?v=Ad lo5RDJZQ&list=UUqpvHYdGIEk3SEVpAWsLGCg&index=42&feature=plcp

The second time I encountered an, "ex-Con," was also in Jackson. They're rather, "blue-collar units," if you know what i mean (Ha-Ha). As I said previously, all three units (#5346, #5347, and #5273) were all in one place, with a old Conrail Bay Window Caboose. I knew I couldn't let the opportunity to pass me by, so once again I set out to film the trio of Geeps in action, but on various jobs. In the first scene of this video, we watch #5347 (still in blue) switch a grain elevator in Chelsea, Michigan. The train was also rather interesting, a push-pull move on Norfolk Southern! With a Conrail Geep leading! I mean, how much better could things get? Well, apparently much better. After filming the train switching, we set up at the Chelsea Depot. I give a picturesque view of the area, the old clock tower can be seen, the Jiffy Mix plant, and of course, the depot! We pause for a short interlude and watch Amtrak Wolverine #353 pass by the same location on a different occasion, being led by a NPCU, not normally assigned to our area. We cross back to the future where we see the train fly on passed the camera, out of town. We catch the train once more, in Jackson Yard, right along side a former Conrail Bay Window Caboose, still in blue! It was awesome to film the two side-by-side! 

Several weeks later, we again ran into #5347, this time, with two other blue Geeps and the Caboose! THREE BLUES IN ONE PLACE?! It just got better. AND, there were to High Hood units in the yard (MY FAVORITE). Also that day, Amtrak #90219, a former F40PH, was leading the Wolverine. This NPCU, is one of two (three counting 406) to still wear the Phase III livery. I was also very fortunate to film this unit. We caught up with the train at Jackson Station. To my delight, Danny Kostrubiec was working as a conductor that day, and let me tell you, he's the best. He's rather animated, and very comical too! As the train arrived, he shouted out his usual saying of , "Hey buddy! Seen any cool stuff lately?" We had a short convo as he helped passengers on board. I told him about the Conrail units and how I was excited, yadah-yadah-yadah. The train departs and he shouts out, "First you film me on the other side, now this side!?" I shout back: "You're a celebrity man!" With a smile he shouts, "I try! See yah' buddy!" 

Back to the yard and we see #5273 out switching Dawn Foods on the old Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Line (well, what's left of it!). #5273 was the last locomotive on NS (at the time) to have a Juniata Shops paint sticker on the side, dated for September of 1992, which told us that it hadn't been painted since! That's almost 19 years being under the sun! As the train backed into Dawn, the brakeman failed to flag the crossing, which is a PUBLIC ROAD. It is technically, a violation. Anyways, it was neat seeing the train switch cars and slowly creep back to the yard on the rusty rails. After, we saw another NS train with a Geep 38-2 leader at Jackson Station. 

Finally, to end the day, I caught up with the crew of 38/39E (whichever the eastbound out of Jackson is called, I always confuse them). They told me that they would be pulling the train with two six axles, #5347 (which was dead and being taken to be repaired and repainted), and the two GP50 High Nose units. Since I don't have a scanner, I had to take their word and hope they'd be out of the yard within the next hour. So, I headed to Leoni, Michigan. It's one of those towns where if you're driving through it and blink, you might miss it! I went to a farm where there was an area to film along a sweet curve. I asked the creepy farmer (who acted all zombie like) if I could film there. He said yes, and continued plowing his field. 30 minutes had past, and just as the crew said, there they were! I filmed them as the sun was starting to set, all capping off an amazing Railfan experience!

Here's the video:

watch?v=by05fut9y1k

Once again, on January 27th, 2012, I encountered GP38-2 #5347. This time, she was in black Horsehead paint. It was rather sad to see the blue gone, but I tell you, that black surely looked shiny and nice! I set up along a curve, watching the train switch CerainTeed, a company which makes plastics for home siding. This time, I had my new HD Handy Cam, which I received as a Christmas gift, which made for an excellent day out! I filmed the Geep rounding the curve as she headed to Omni-Source to switch in more cars of scrap metals. B22 can be seen daily switching Omni-Source, Dawn Foods (LSMS Line), and Mac Steel (Cincinnati Northern Line). As you can see, the motorists were very unhappy about waiting for the train, and some took their chances and dashed a crossed the xing, barely beating the train. After picking up cars, the train headed back to the Yard to retrieve empties. 

After getting the empties, I again set up along the same curve, getting an awesome shot:

watch?v=hCdObysZpo&list=UUqpvHYdGIEk3SEVpAWsLGCg&index=3&feature=plcp

The train encountered more angry motorists, again taking chances and luckily beating the train. When the train dropped off the empties and started heading back to the yard, just before making her way around the curve, three deer cross the track and BARELY make it alive! I believe the first one to be seen is a buck, the second one (first to cross) could be a doe, and the third, which almost got CRUSHED was a baby fawn. Please pass this around!

Here's the video:

watch?v=sTc2CDk4 rE&feature=related

To view the Yard Job in it's entirety, click here:

watch?v=Xl5NuUDuNtA&feature=related