How would I read these…
-UP 001995 DES MOINES IA 10 21 0431 U Arrive In-Transit MVPDM1 UP
-CNW 008646 PROVISO IL 10 11 1505 U Arrive In-Transit MCBPR1 UP
-CNW 008701 BOONE IA 10 21 0433 U Arrive In-Transit MPREA2 UP
…with an eye towards being able to position myself ahead of the train to take pictures of the engines?
Actually, you don’t–those times and destinations suggest that the units are currently (as of the time you asked) at these locations. I don’t know whether the power for MPREA goes beyond Boone or not, so the 8701 could be headed toward Eagle Grove or thereabouts. But the 1995 arrived in DesMoines on a train that was destined for there, and there’s really no telling what it will leave on or when–it might head to South St. Paul or Proviso from there. And CNW 8646 has been at Proviso since October 11. Must have some problems (and I hate to say it, but there is a possibility that it might get the patch while there–we were lucky when 8701 spent all that time in North Little Rock without being renumbered).
That’s what I was originially thinking, but someone elsewhere was trying to convince me that these were currently in transit. I guess I’ll have to try and get lucky, so to speak, trackside then.
How are you getting the trace? From the UP website??
From another railfanning website, the UP Predecessors group on Yahoo! is where I get it from. Am I not supposed to be able to see it?
Normally what happens is employees have a password and they are able to do traces on units. No, it is not available the average John Q. public, but there are ways of getting them.
Dan, the 1995 is headed back up to South St. Paul.
And the power on the Eagle Grove trains does indeed go through to Eagle Grove–the 8701 is headed back on MEAPR.
That’s what I thought but I figured if it’s posted in a public forum I could read it.
CShaveRR thanks, I’ll try to catch 'em!