I was lucky enough to catch the UP 1995 and CNW 8646 as they left Butler Yard and headed west on the Adams Sub. Even though it was in the 90’s and humid, the chase was great and the sun was out most of the time.
Here is the CNW duo at Butler Yard in northwest Milwaukee, WI on July 29, 2006
CNW #8646 at Butler Yard, still one of the best paint schemes. [:D]
UP 1995 at Butler Yard, an interesting version of the classic CNW scheme
Here are some more classic locomotives at Butler Yard, the SD40-2 is a former CNW unit, the bell o n the nose is a giveaway, plus an unpatched SP unit.
UP 1995 leads a smoking CNW 8646 as they depart Butler Yard and head onto the Adams Sub westbound.
At Marcy Road about 3 miles west of Butler Yard
The above shots were taken from Hwy E overpass just east of Clyman, WI
Glad you could catch her–she left here late yesterday evening, and spent most of the night in Butler. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see where she’s going from Valley Park, and whether CNW 8701 rejoins these two.
he JUST left Altoona. i caught him idling with his brother, 8646, but was only able to get scotchlight shots. bad news. he left without 8701, which is still in Altoona. i got some night and day sots of him too
Keith, some very nice photos. I didn’t get a chance to chase it myself, I decided it wasn’t worth it as I didn’t know about what time it would be through up near Adams. Glad to see you got some good shots though, I can railfaning through them instead. Might have to look into that return trip though if he comes back on MSSPR, as that’s usually an early morning job through Adams area.
The units are not scheduled for tomorrow’s MSSPR, so they may be leaving town via another route (or staying for a day). I forgot to check on them before leaving work.
The usual move after arriving in Valley Park is to send the power on the next days MVPDM. It will probably go to St. James on Monday. after arriving in Desmoine, it should return to Proviso on MDMPR. Then it should go into the shop because the a/c doesnt work.
When I missed the Clyman Junction coaling tower shot because I took a wrong turn, I almost went all the way to Adams, but the coaling tower there isn’t anywhere the mainline so I headed back home. Plus with train speeds bumped up it was going to be a tough chase.
Doesn’t sound like they will be coming back on the Adams Line right away. Plus its going to be plenty HOT without an AC in that cab.
UP North, dont they send Des Moine bound trains down the Spine Line. I thought the only trains that went through St James on the Mankato/Worthington Subs were MVPNP. But if it is going through St James, please let me know ASAP. Thanks
MVPDM runs down the Mankato sub from Valley Park to St. James then takes the Fairmont sub to Mason City. From Mason City it runs the Spine line to Des Moines. MNPVP is on duty at 0730 at Valley Park with MVPDM a couple hours behind them, usually 0930 on duty.
As of 5:45 pm on the 31st, MVPDM is in Mankato with the CNW 8646 in the lead.
Probably just doing it to prove me wrong, the UP 1995, CNW 8646, and UP 2953, are scheduled to the MDMSS- MSSPR route back to Proviso, and not MDMPR as I stated earlier.
The CNW 8701 is on MCNKC out of Itasca, hopefully only to SS, so it can team back up with the other 2.
