Olympic Celebration in Rochelle, IL ??

Trains Magazine General Discussion
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Greetings,

Spent most Saturday August 23, 2008 about 100 miles southwest of Milwaukee at Rochelle, IL and the Railroad Park. The model railroad club I belong to the Milwaukee “N” Southeastern http://www.mnse.org/ had a member cook-out down there. About 20 members came down and the UP and BNSF did not disappoint. Between 9am and 6:30pm close to 40 trains rolled through.

The weather started cloudy, then a brief period of heavy mist. Then the clouds disappeared and the sun came out and it was great day.

The highlight was probably the pair of Union Pacific Olympic units #2001 and #2002 coupled together pulling a baretables train into Global 3. I guess putting them together near the close of the 2008 summer was appropriate. Saw several of the newer UP SD70ACe’s and some vintage power on the BNSF with several SD40-2’s and even a GP39, former GP30 I believe.

Shots below are of the UP 2001 and 2002 with baretable train at Rochelle, IL

See more photos at Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N04/sets/72157606929017595/

Some shots of the Olympic Units couple together at Rochelle, IL on the eve of the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Maybe UP is hinting Chicago might get the 2016 games.

A newer UP SD70ACe eastbound

UP and Patched SP lead westbound coal empties

Trio of UP Power with westbound TOFC train

UP #5120 got a “white eye” in an alterc

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Looks like the 5120 hit a can of paint.

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UP 2001 and 2002 were back at Proviso this afternoon, possibly waiting to take more cars out to Rochelle. I looked at their presence as a possible omen that Chicago will host the 2016 Olympics–no doubt UP will again help sponsor the Games, and who knows what new locomotives will show up in a special paint scheme?

Grill looks good–how many folks were you feeding?

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That little Weber worked great. This was the first round of grilling. Fed close to 20 people, plus alot of other snacks in the shelter.

Keith

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How many trains on average run through rochelle i plan on making a trip after my interview in august?