To Jen

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Me Again!

There I was - 9 am - pouring rain, just me, Millie and the pigeons. Definite nut behind the wheel! Driver working all day!

Saw: 3 Dash 9’s dbl stack container train.

2 SD70s - cream/green - coal train

SD70 -punkin with Dash 9 - freight

2 SD70’s -MT coal train

Dash 9 and SD40-2 (#8024)- freight

Dash 9 and SD40-2 (#8007) - freight (had BC Rail cars on it!)

SD70 - mt coal train - with one on each end.

SD40-2 (#7012), SD45-2 (SF #6486) and SD40-2 (SF #6752) - freight
all containers

2 SD70’s with 3rd on tail - full coal - that’s unusual, since they usually run one and one.

9 in two hours - was good day - even with rain.

But then, of course, have some ?'s. Maybe I can ask on the forum and get us both an answer…

What would be the approximate speed coming into the yard, going right around the entire bowl and right out the other end? Slow down a little to what? Not stopping for crew change, fuel, oil change or empty/fill the fridge.

I think I saw a gated crossing in the yard area, where crew haulers and vehicles would cross tracks. Was I seeing things?

Why would some poor railfan sit in pouring rain and try to take pictures. I could barely see the trains, let alone take pixs. Does this affect pix taking? (he was shooting out the back window of the truck - windows were open - but it was raining from the n/s and e/w…one of those…

Ok - all from here for now. Til next time.

Mookie

PS - oh yes, also saw 2 firetrucks going to house fire. Watched them go by and then went home and listened to them work on it on my scanner. Ah the best of several worlds!

2

…I assume you must be on a main line of UP at your watching post Jen…and according to the discription there must be some grades near by to employ pusher[s]…There has been times in the past as I was at Horseshoe curve in Pennsylvania which is the route of the old PRR…and it used to be 4 tracks…One could sit and watch and at times see multiple trains passing…sometimes running in both directions. Pusher operations as well…The grade there is about 1.8% for roughly 12 miles to get up to the tunnels to make it across the Alleghenies. In recent years times have changed and it now is 3 tracks and being run by NS and traffic is still pretty good. It is interesting to see them drag around the massive curve and climbing that grade to attain the summit as well as hearing the dynamic brakes and smoke coming off brake shoes for one decending the grade…

3

Jen, if those are yard tracks, he’s probably going no faster than 10 (that would be what we’d allow on our railroad).

If it’s a main line that just happens to go around the yard, you’d have to check the timetable (we have one of those, too…70 for passenger, 40 for freight).

I’m not a picture-taker, but if I were to come to Lincoln on a weekend next month and it were rainy, I’d still want to do most of the note-taking and car-spotting that I’d normally do, and see what’s in that strange, exotic place! Perhaps the same mentality exists among photographers. Or even more of it–ever notice that when someone mentions “foamer” you picture a guy with a camera driving a vehicle that the driver thinks can go anywhere?

Carl

P.S. Our car is Frankie. There are plenty of places we’d never take it.

4

Carl - I am on the main line of BNSF - and I am thinking they are doing at least 30 mph. They slow down a little, but really go past me pretty fast into the yard and zip right out the other side. Heaven help anyone that is slow at getting out of the way!

Remember, Lincoln sits in a bowl - so we are uphill out of Lincoln anyway you go. When you come to Lincoln sometime, I will take you out of town - I should just leave it at that! Pay attention forum people - it’s a joke!

However - I will take you out of town and let you see how Lincoln nests in a bowl! Probably cornflake bowl!

5

Mookie
Garrett has a speed restriction of 30.Saw a crew driver take a crew to a train.figured why dont they just walk but with all their stuff I saw why.the mattmobile or my truck doesnt go on to rr property.I try to make sure im not either.
stay safe
Joe

6

That’s something for all us rail fans to look for!!

If CN does merge with BC Rail (which it most very likely will) take a look out for BC Rail loco’s on the CN Main lines.

With the merger CN will then own the BC Rail loco’s and will likely just pop them into ordinary service on the CN main lines.

These should make for some awsome photo’s and probably will only be around for a limited time, if CN gets around to re-painting them.

Keep your eyes out!

7

(Guess no one thought it was strange I was writing to myself…) - [}:)]

8

Joe - I had the binoculars that the driver usually uses. Was sitting in the seat that the driver usually uses and could see a lot that I couldn’t normally see from the shotgun seat! Gotta do more driving!

9

We were all focused on the questions…[:D]

I once worked for a guy who said that the only intelligent conversation he could have was with himself. That’s open for debate. He surely wasn’t referring to ME!

10

having a split personality helps; keeps co-workers at bay, too

11

Being “CRAZY” keeps you from going insane also!

12

Insanity is hereditary -you get it from your kids!

13

Mookie,strange??? No way… [:D][8D][:-^]

14

Mookie
just dont start answering yourself-uh oh? :0)
stay safe
joe

15

Very cool have you seen any MRL Locomotives Lately?

DOGGY

16

As a matter of fact, I haven’t. I saw a few NS for awhile, they haven’t been spotted lately and CSX for awhile - ditto. Have seen only a couple of UP’s lately - but they have some tracks close by so no biggie. Will keep looking!

Actually, unlike most of you who drive around and look for trains, I have to park in one spot and see what they parade before me. Not many places any more to go hunting.

17

Mookie
where I go depends upon if my little helper is with me.Of course he makes sure everyone knows if he hears a train.
stay safe
Joe and Matt

18

Usually where I go to watch trains, is where I tell my servant(s) (Mom and Dad) to take me! [:-^] There are those times when the servants revolt and say “No trains for you today!” I’m usually good about not pestering them. [angel]

Willy

19

I don’t think posting yourself a question is wrong- I often say to myself in the mirror (while shaving) “hello me-meet the real me!”. And if I didn’t talk to myself at work (and sometimes talk me down from the edge) well then we just couldn’t hold each other responsible for our actions (me and me, that is). Wait-I’m not sure which one of me typed that.
OK- I just asked myself and turns out it was me. I think…

20

Insanity can’t be hereditary for only the reason “you get it from your kids” because I have no kids, and I’m crazy.

I’ve lost myself, and am going out to find myself. If I should return before I get back, will you please to me to wait for me?