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Need caption help

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Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 4:23 PM

Lithonia Operator
In this photo, what is the piece of metal that is blocking the view of the lower part of the switchman's arm? (It looks like there may be a second such piece completely in shadow.)

Top shelf of the coupler. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 4:10 PM

That's the light shining across from the left.  You can see the shadow of the bolts to the left of the vertical brakewheel shaft.

If in doubt look at the shadow pattern of the car at the left.

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 3:49 PM

I should have been more specific. I was referring to the RIGHT arm.

I see the crossover platform, but I'm not talking about that. Maybe what I'm seeing is part of his jacket, a sleeve patch?? But it looks too geometric for that.

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Posted by cv_acr on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 2:26 PM

Lithonia Operator

In this photo, what is the piece of metal that is blocking the view of the lower part of the switchman's arm? (It looks like there may be a second such piece completely in shadow.)

"Crossover platform"

If you look at the end view of basically any modern car (anything built after at least 1970 or so) you'll see a step that allows a trainman to safely climb and step over the couplers of the car.

It's at both ends, so while the trainman can put a foot on it to work the handbrake, it's also at the non-brake end so not just for setting brakes.

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 12:46 PM

Thanks.

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Posted by adkrr64 on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 10:16 AM

Lithonia Operator
In this photo, what is the piece of metal that is blocking the view of the lower part of the switchman's arm? (It looks like there may be a second such piece completely in shadow.)

Looks like it is the small platform someone stands on when setting the hand brake.

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 9:01 AM

In this photo, what is the piece of metal that is blocking the view of the lower part of the switchman's arm? (It looks like there may be a second such piece completely in shadow.)

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 6:55 AM

Once I went to Wyalusing on Google satellite view, I knew Ajsik had nailed it. For sure.

Thanks, gentlemen.

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Posted by blhanel on Monday, October 25, 2021 10:04 PM

I'll second that location, although I've seen that bridge only from another vantage point (Pike's Peak in Iowa).

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Monday, October 25, 2021 2:53 PM

Hey Ajsik, I think you've got it!! Smile The name Wyalusing rings a big bell, and I am pretty sure I shot it while we were camped at a state park.

Thanks!

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, October 25, 2021 2:00 PM

Ajsik
...or the Wisconsin River south of LaCrosse (Wyalusing State Park - looks possible?).

Given the angle of the shot, the terrain in the area, and the construction of the bridge, I'd tend to agree.

And the sun is right for an afternoon shot.

But I'm working off the topo map and satellite image, so I could easily be wrong.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Ajsik on Monday, October 25, 2021 1:20 PM

BN river crossings in the general area would be the Mississippi River at Prescott (doesn't look like it) or the Wisconsin River south of LaCrosse (Wyalusing State Park - looks possible?).

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Monday, October 25, 2021 12:03 PM

I shot this photo in 1981 in Wisconsin. The railroad was BN then. I think I shot this near Wisconsin Dells. Can anyone pinpoint this location?

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Posted by MidlandMike on Thursday, October 21, 2021 7:28 PM

tree68

 

 
Lithonia Operator
Similar question. This train is westbound at Leland IL in June.

 

Westbound, I'm going with sailboat fuel.  Coal eastbound.  I suspect the lack of graffiti is because they're usually on the move, enroute, loading, unloading.

 

Coal sounds right.  They do their unloading in a secure location at a power plant, and do their loading in a location that is unfriendly to trespassers.  Also with solid bottom gons, its doubtful its ballast.

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, October 21, 2021 4:12 PM

LarryWhistling
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Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Thursday, October 21, 2021 1:57 PM

Thanks on both counts, Larry.

Sailboat fuel! I love it. Big Smile

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, October 21, 2021 1:48 PM

Lithonia Operator
Similar question. This train is westbound at Leland IL in June.

Westbound, I'm going with sailboat fuel.  Coal eastbound.  I suspect the lack of graffiti is because they're usually on the move, enroute, loading, unloading.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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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 tree68 on Thursday, October 21, 2021 1:45 PM

Lithonia Operator
Can anyone make a good guess on what's in the hoppers?  I'm thinking ballast.

Agreed.

LarryWhistling
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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 Lithonia Operator on Thursday, October 21, 2021 1:44 PM

Similar question.

This train is westbound at Leland IL in June. Anyone have a clue what's in it (or if it's empty)? My angle is such that I'd probably see no bulging content if there was any. It was a solid unit train, and IIRC had no graffiti at all.

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Thursday, October 21, 2021 1:35 PM

Can anyone make a good guess on what's in the hoppers? 

I'm thinking ballast. On the scanner I heard talk of an extra, rights to travel in both directions within a three-mile stretch for a period of time, and mention of a foreman. I believe all the cars were lettered for MEC, and the general condition made me think these cars don't interchange.

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 5:01 PM

CShaveRR

The key is in the Mechanical Designation stencilled underneath the number:  an "MWX" was a car used for human occupants (bunk, dining, kitchen, etc.).  A tool car would have been "MWT", and a stores car "MWM".

 

Thanks, Carl! Yes

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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 5:01 PM

All very nice pictures, L.O. 

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Posted by rdamon on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 2:18 PM

My first though was that was the BAR car!!  Beer

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 10:46 AM

The key is in the Mechanical Designation stencilled underneath the number:  an "MWX" was a car used for human occupants (bunk, dining, kitchen, etc.).  A tool car would have been "MWT", and a stores car "MWM".

Carl

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 9:48 PM

Lithonia Operator
BTW, why does it have the X in its number?

I believe that's an indication that the car is not in revenue service.

I couldn't find any images of that car, but other MOW equipment on BAR also has an X...

 

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 9:15 PM

Electroliner 1935

 

 
Lithonia Operator

Re this photo, can we say for sure that this is a camp car? I shot this in 1989.

 

Without seeing the entire car, I can't exclude a material handling car or similar. The camp cars I slept in had windows, home type doors, and a short chimney for the stove.

 

Well, you can see a little bit of a window at upper right.

BTW, why does it have the X in its number?

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 8:41 PM

Lithonia Operator

Re this photo, can we say for sure that this is a camp car? I shot this in 1989.

Without seeing the entire car, I can't exclude a material handling car or similar. The camp cars I slept in had windows, home type doors, and a short chimney for the stove.

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 4:57 PM

Re this photo, can we say for sure that this is a camp car? I shot this in 1989.

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 4:51 PM

It is a great area for train-watching. Lots of trains on each side of the river.

I take it all of the MNCR FL9s have been retired. Too bad.

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Posted by blhanel on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 2:56 PM

Funny how this Trains Hot Spot popped up in my Facebook feed today-

Bear Mountain, New York | Trains Magazine

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