While chatting with some of my railfan buddies yesterday at Eola, one told me that 4449 would be making a trip through Eola (Aurora, IL) on July 16! Can anybody confirm this, and if true can anybody provide any details at all? Many thanks.
Unlikely – it will be in Minneapolis July 10-17:
http://www.sp4449.com/trainfest.html
Further, since the legs through Chicago are being sponsored by Friends of 261, I’d assume that the routing will be via CP, not BNSF. But, if anyone else definitively knows that, it would be helpful.
The 4449 is going south on the BNSF on July 18, and back North on the CP a few weeks later. Dates and details are availible on the friends of the 261 website:
http://www.261.com/moreinfo.cfm
Noah
Yes, to add what Noah said, it is going to (or maybe I should say that it is “expected to”) run down the BNSF from Minneapolis to Chicago on Saturday, July 18.
Since they are starting out of Minneapolis in the morning (probably 8 or so), it is quite likely that they won’t be down to Eola until late in the day–or quite likely after dark–on July 18.
The 261.com has tickets for sale on this one-way excursion, but it doesn’t specifically say that it will be down the BNSF.
Lance
Thanks guys, now I have a much better idea of the date and probable time of day (errr, or night?) she will be coming through here. I will keep my “ear to the rail” for more information. Thanks again.
Depending on times of day, the sun angles will probably determine the best places to shoot 4449 on the BNSF. There are some potential photography spots west of Rochelle on the BNSF that I may need to explore such as around Oregon IL, or go further up the Mississippi River for earlier morning shots.
The general understanding is the 4449 will be taking the CP route back to Minneapolis August 2 and 3. Once again sun angles will be an issue.
Dave Nelson
That’s what I heard also, it will take BNSF from Portland to Chicago, then CN into Durand, then GLC up to Owosso on the way up. Then it will take GLC down to Durand, CN into Chicago, CP to Minneapolis and BNSF from there back to Portland on the way back. 4449 will also be pulling the 261’s fall colors excursion this year, which is why it is staying in Minneapolis for a few months.
Actually, Jim, this is pretty exciting. Thanks for keeping an eye on it for us.
I think I’d go intercept it at Rochelle, just to see it a little earlier and get home.
Or, you could intercept it at Rochelle, just to see it a little earlier and then race it home on IL Rt30. I’m sure that nobody else will have that idea!
CC
Hadn’t thought of that, Chris! I suspect that if it’s moving at any decent speed, you’d have a rough time catching back up to it between getting out of Rochelle and going south/east to 30. People lying in wait for a chase along 30 ought to have a good time, though!
Assuming, of course, that it’s still light!