I’m wondering if anyone else feels the same way on this (maybe it’s
just me).
In my opinion, with all the power-sharing, leasing, mergers,
paint-outs, trackage rights etc. going on, I think it’s less and less
likely you’ll see three or four-unit consists with the same color
schemes running on their home rails.
When I was growing-up, it was quite common to see all EL varnish
running on EL tracks. Same thing with MILW and CNW trains.
Though I never got to see them while growing up (dang it), I’ve never
seen a photo of a CGW train with anything but CGW power before
the CNW takeover. When I saw a set of Soo engines parked by the
depot in Burlington, I knew that was Soo territory even without
knowing the history of railroads through Burlington, Wis.
Nowadays, for cryin’ out loud, I hardly ever see a BNSF train with all
BNSF power - there’s almost always a leased unit or run-through
engine in the consist. It’s even worse on the CN and CP it seems.
UP appears to be the most likely to get a consistent set of paint.
Of course, I like seeing recently fallen-flags like the WC, BN, Soo,
etc. still on the rails. But for those of us travelling is areas where
we’re not completely familiar with the territory (and don’t have a
rail atlas handy), if I see a locomotive pulling a train, I have to stop
and ask myself, “Is this trackage really CP property, or is that
just a run-through?”
Yes, and no. On the one hand, I enjoy seeing a variety of paint schemes where they typically don’t belone — such as NS on CN’s line north of Milwaukee. I don’t often get to see too much foreign power, so it’s always a kick to see something new.
On the other hand, it is always nice to see a matched set on home rails. This past Saturday a friend and I were chasing CN and caught three lovely maroon-and-gold WC locomotives in Van Dyne, WI. Too cool. So, yeah, they’re harder to find, but what a catch when you do get matched sets!
I got a couple cool shots, many more “practice” ones, though. I’ll post a link when I fini***weaking them if anyone’s interested.
Kathi,
I was around there Saturday also. I wonder how we missed each other. Did you happen to notice someone napping in a red Ford Ranger on Viaduct road?? Did you catch the train with the post-merger three-unit set (CN, IC, WC units)?
Nowadays when you travel somewhere you need a railroad atlas to find out who owns the rails. Can’t always tell by the engines, that’s for sure. I’ve seen sets of WC, Soo, KCS, UP, NS, and CN here, not to mention a lone IC coupled to the KCS. Maybe I am in Kansas!
Kathi - maybe you should go head to head with Eric and Mike!
It’s always easier to make a photo look like a company publicity shot when they’re a solid consist. But, OTOH, it warms my heart every time I get to see a D&RGW unit, a CNW unit, or even an unpatched BN unit out and about. If it’s on the point and I can graba roster of it, even better!
Chris,
Interesting how you would like to time-travel back to see the CNW (what I live near), whereas I would like to travel back to see the DRGW (what you live near)!
Too bad we cannot copy our railroad memories onto a floppy and share!
The D&RGW is definately another railroad I would love to see more of. I only got to see Tennessee Pass in operation a couple times before they shut it down (I’ve only live in CO for 4 years, I hailed from Aurora, IL before that).
The CNW just holds a special place in my heart because some of my first railfanning experiences were in Elburn, IL, when I was visiting my aunt. That was the first place I was ever invited up into a cab.
When I got a little older, my cousin and I starting going on a little longer trips. Usually we were out on the BN or the CNW. I remeber my first trip to Sterling, IL. While sad that the 0-8-0’s had quit running when I was 1 year old, it was still fun to see a CNW Geep-7 working a cut of cars. Going to Clinton, IA was like a trip into first generation dieseldom. There were so many old Geeps there.
And the employees were always the best. You can always tell a company that is or was employee owned.
Man…th Yellow Borg could really learn a couple things from some of their ancestors.
Oh well…waxed halcyonically long enough I supppose.