For those of you interested I had the unbelievable luck of not only seeing two SD70ACes come through Milwaukee today but I also saw the United Way SD40-2 3300. The two SD70ACes were 8316 and 8330 which were pulling a freight train headed north. I wasn’t able to take any pictures since I didn’t have my camera with and I had to run around a building at work to catch them come through the crossing. Even with my camera I wouldn’t have gotten them. They both looked great in my opinion and just seeing them in person counts a whole lot. I hope you all get a chance to see them soon.
they are supposed to be in Chicago-LA service, but these are on a controled run on the hills of the Adams sub. I wouldnt get used to seeing these units in Wisconsin much
I’ve been wondering for a while what the names are of the two UP lines which run through my area. I live in South Milwaukee, a suburb south of Milwaukee and just north of Racine. One of the lines runs close to the lake and the other is a few more miles westward. I saw the two units on the westwardmost line headed north. The two lines run North and South through my area by the way. Anybody have an idea what the names of the two lines are?
A couple days ago I saw an SD70ACe on the point of a train passing St.Paul yard (CPRail),headed west on the BNSF main…sorry,didn’t get the unit number…busy switching…
2059,
The tracks that go through South Milwaukee are the UP’s Kenosha Subdivision; the tracks to the west are UP’s Milwaukee Subdivision, and a bit further west is CP’s C&M Subdivision.
Man I wish I could see some SD70ACe’s or AEs as CSX would call them. Unfortunitly, I don’t think I’ll be seeing any anytime soon. Because over here in the great state of PA we mainly use GE power. The only EMD power you’ll see lots of is SD40-2s, SD50s, or two axle EMDs. The highest EMD powe I’ve seen over here was a SD70M. That’s sad I have to go far if I want to see something other than GE power.
Would you mind writing a few lines about bestt rain watching/photo opportunity spots in the Milwaukee area? Two of us will be traveling through with cameras on the 22nd and again on the 24th and could use a morning or afternoon diversion. Thanks for any help!
The areas where I have watched trains is from the North most side of Racine county to the southern side of Milwaukee county in the city of Milwaukee. So I’m familiar with 3 rail lines through here. The two which are closest to Lake Michigan are both Union Pacific. The one which is closest to the shore (the Kenosha Sub) is not very busy from what I notice around here. The other Union Pacific line (the Milwaukee Sub) carries all of the UP traffic from Chicago north. This line can be busy some days and on other days it isn’t very busy. The third rail line I’ve watched trains on is the Canadian Pacific line (CP’s C&M Sub). This line is west of the 2nd UP line. I happen to be a UP fan but of the three lines to choose from for a visiting railfan I would have to choose the Canadian Pacific Line. This line not only carries CP traffic but it also carries the Amtrak Empire Builder which has a north bound and south bound train come through (Is the empire bulider still in operation? I’ve heard Amtrak is facing cutbacks) along with an Amtrak commuter train which constantly goes back and forth between Milwaukee and Chicago every weekday and possibly a few times on the weekend; I’m not sure about the weekend running. I think the CP line presents a better chance of seeing a train at any point of the day. As for spots for good photo opportunities I can’t think of many since I always see the trains when I’m at work. My job site is next to the UP’s Milwaukee sub right by Mitchell Int. airport; I just walk up to the tracks or watch them go by and one of the yards which we park semi trailers is right next to the CP line. The UP’s Kenosha Sub runs about a mile to my east. I would just go out and try to find a good spot anywhere. In the area where I have watched the trains on these 3 rail lines they are each to the east of Interstate 94, which runs north and south through here. I’ve never really traveled abroad to do any railfanning since these 3 lines are so close to me so this area and these lines are all I can describe to the best o
i’ve seen quite a few UP SD70ACe’s as they come from EMD in London Ontario, i live an hour west form London in Sarnia, CN is routing them throught the tunnel here and on to the USA. I can’t quite remember how many i have seen so far 10 or more at least, ussually sent out 3 at a time from London. a few nights ago the CN crew was having troubles coupling the last ACe to the first car in the train (autorack) they eventually got it coupled up and on their way.
Those Two UP SD70ACe’s 8316 and 8330 came up through Neenah Wi on the CN and stoped overnite on a siding next to US 41 I don’t know where they where going. Occasionaly I see one every once in a great while heading south mixed in with a group on CN power.
Saw UP 3300 through Fox River Grove,IL on the way to Janesville, WI last week . It has apparently been in the IL/WI for a little while now. I only wish it had been daytime and I’d snagged a pic.
I have to go far if I want to see something other than GE power.