Wisconsin ramblings

[eolafan]

Well, today I traveled from my home in Aurora, IL up through Milwaukee to a customer's open house in Neenah, WI.  After that event was over I traveled down WI Hwy. 26 then WI Hwy. 151 to end up in Janesville for the night (where I am in my hotel right now).  On my way here I stopped in Columbus, WI to see what was going on at the Amtrak depot.  As luck would have it Amtrak #7 was just about due in and there was a rather large crowd (estimate of about forty or fifty) waiting to board at the depot so I waited.  After a westbound freight came slamming through with a Dash 9, a dead in consist switcher and a SOO SD40-2 along came number 7.  He had a very long train (I recall at least ten cars) and had to pull forward twice along the platform to allow passengers to board the various cars (long train or short platform?) and he was in the station about ten minutes boarding before he blasted off.

Then I was off to Janesville, where I stopped by a Subway shop for dinner and ate it down by the Wisconsin Southern roundhouse.  They had five SD40's, two SD20's and a (stacks capped) UP switcher next to one of their ex-C&NW bi-level coaches.  A long WS train came into the yard while I was there and a UP local with a switcher leading a GP40 left eastbound while I was just leaving to head over here to the hotel.  I wrote down the numbers of the units but left the paper in my car and am too tired now to go down and get the paper.  If anybody cares just say so and I will put them in a follow up message later or tomorrow.

All in all a relatively relaxing early evening of railfanning in Wisconsin.

[blhanel]

Makes me wish I had a different line of work.

Do you ever get over this way, Jim?  Let me know if you do... 

[dknelson]

Jim during the WSOR's 25th anniversary celebration, which coincided with the 100th birthday of the roundhouse, a couple of years ago the WSOR had a total open house -- we had unrestricted access to the engine facility and round house.  They had the Soo Line steam locomotive 1003 there as well.  Sorry you missed it because the opportunities to tour and photograph a working steam era round house are few and far between -- even fewer when there is major steam on the turntable!  

Dave Nelson

[eolafan]

Makes me wish I had a different line of work.

Do you ever get over this way, Jim?  Let me know if you do... 

Thanks, I will let you know.  I used to have Iowa as part of my sales region but that went to our guy out of Dallas (yea, go figure). I appreciate the invitation just the same.

[eolafan]

Jim during the WSOR's 25th anniversary celebration, which coincided with the 100th birthday of the roundhouse, a couple of years ago the WSOR had a total open house -- we had unrestricted access to the engine facility and round house.  They had the Soo Line steam locomotive 1003 there as well.  Sorry you missed it because the opportunities to tour and photograph a working steam era round house are few and far between -- even fewer when there is major steam on the turntable!  

Dave Nelson

Oh, I was there with my bride, would not have missed the opportunity.  I fondly recall getting into the cab of one of their E-9 units.  A good time was had by all.

[CNW 6000]

When in Neenah did you stop by CN's yard?  There was a couple of WC SW's working there tonight as well as a couple of WC GP's.  It was raining and I didn't want to get wet but I also saw some -9W's leading a SB manifest not too long ago.  Sounds like you had a good day.

[WCfan]

If you want, when I get my film devolped, I can show you a SOO SD60 running on the UP line at Rochelle. Weird. And I got some pics of a trip at Point. I got 4 WC locos in a day! Just ask if you want to see.