When I worked in Raleigh, I was not far from the mainline of CSX and NS heading west/south out of Raleigh. Busy section and Amtrac used it too. Well, when I was flying to the various Bass Pro Shops this winter/spring, I would always have a window seat. I would look out and see railraod tracks. On apporaches to big cities, I would watch the tracks and switching yards. I’d see trains, the “EL” and etc. Since that little job is over for the season, I have not been anywhere to see a train. Went to Raleigh today and went by the old office and to the tracks, lights flashing, OH BOY, a train. Nothing [:(] Don’t know what had the signals working. So, I did not see a train. Did sit beside a NS service truck in traffic. How many of you get to see trains each day? [now David rides one]
I also get to ride one every day to and from work in Chicago - 42.9 miles on Metra from Crystal Lake (IL) along the former Chicago & North Western’s Harvard sub. I am fortunate to see dozens thought they all look the same…Not much UP freight on this line. The Metra parking lot is right next to the UP’s small yard in Crystal Lake where there is always an MP15AC burbling away and an assortment of work-train equipment. Right now, an Ohio crane is on the track that curves around the parking lot - so if I time my arrival right, I can park within 3 feet of the beast.
Living so close to the track (about 1/2 mile) I can hear about 6 pe hour. I also drive along the CSX Main line on the way to and from work, so I always see one or two there. I also pass the Collinwood yards in Cleveland with alot of action there. We also have a small CSX yard next to our plant, and we can see them all day long.
ITS GREAT
tom
In my past life, working full time, the plant was next to a CSX mainline that averaged one freight per hour. I used to sit in boring meetings, in the conference room, gazing out the window as they went by and kept a record of the engine numbers. Now I can hear them in the distance as I walk from my truck in the parking lot to my current part time job.
Hey Chief … I followed alongside a 3 engine lashup of BNSF Dash 9’s yesterday. US 95 parallels this mainline for about 12 miles. There is maybe 100 ft between the road and the tracks. He was running a cool 63 mph. I set the cruise control and stayed right alongside the whole way. You can literally feel the power of the engines pulling a loaded 80+ string of cars headed north. Have some fun and look it up on Mapquest. Its between Athol Idaho and Cocolalla Idaho…Tim
We just got back from a visit to Laughlin, kind of like a mini Las Vegas, my wife said I was becoming to obcessed with our home renovations. On the way we travel on I-15, 40 and US-95, which also share parts of the corridor with the UP. All along I-40 there were a LOT of trains just sitting along the sidings, I don’t know if they were waiting for crews or helper engines but it sure seemed like a waste of resources to me.
There was an awful lot of traffic as well, especially over Cajon Pass. Makes it kinda hard to keep the car on the road and watch trains at the same time.[(-D]
Glad to be back home though, it was 112* there. They keep saying “but it is a dry heat” I don’t care dry or wet it is still to HOT ![:D]
Doug, I 40 is not far from my house [12 miles or so]. It starts in Wilmington NC and ends at your end [or visa versa]. Something to think about. Cross country. Now if we had a passenger service that did that.
I get to see trains everyday at work. The unfortunate reality is this: when you rely on the railroad for a paycheck, the glamor and glory can go away very quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, however, there can be bad days. Once, I was involved in a very bad derailment and was out of service for a week pending investigation. During that time, I didn’t want to see or hear any type of train, model train, magazine, nothing. I got a rare chance to spend much needed time with my wife, kids, and dog. At the end of the week, the trainmaster called me, told me I was cleared of any wrongdoing, to get back to work right away, and that I would be paid for all lost earnings. He even apologized for taking me out of service in the first place. What’s my point? Sometimes no trains can be just as good as many trains.