Rail-fanning on The OGR Forum 🚂 Welcome: Pictures YOU have taken! • Hope to see you out rail-fanning.

Good Evening Everyone,

With the recent release of the Lionel Legacy Greenbriers,  I thought it would be appropriate to post some photos I took on a hot, hazy July day in the summer of 1981 of the 614 with the Chessie Safety Express.   The train itself was parked overnight at the old Pittsburgh B&O Grant St station and pulled by a Chessie Geep to the B&O Glenwood Yard where it was coupled up to the 614.   The 614 had been parked overnight at Glenwood where she had been serviced.   The train then traveled the old B&O Pittsburgh to Connellsville mainline.   The overhead shots were taken from Pa route 201 which crossed over the main leading into Connellsville Yard.

@metalman posted:

With the recent release of the Lionel Legacy Greenbriers,  I thought it would be appropriate to post some photos I took on a hot, hazy July day in the summer of 1981 of the 614 with the Chessie Safety Express.

Always good to see her in action.  In spite of my long-running obsession with Hudsons she's quite a favorite of mine.

Flashback: Up quite a bit higher in this very thread, and a year-and-a-half ago in time, I posted my money shot of her, about fifteen years later than yours, in Hoboken NJ alongside the Hudson (river that is):

     Father's Day with C&O 614 (12/24/2021) | Mellow Hudson Mike

She looks splendid in both places.  Thanks @metalman for posting.

May she continue to live a long and productive life.

Mike

Day two on the Murphy Branch.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Flashback: Up quite a bit higher in this very thread, and a year-and-a-half ago in time, I posted my money shot of her, about fifteen years later than yours, in Hoboken NJ alongside the Hudson (river that is):

     Father's Day with C&O 614 (12/24/2021) | Mellow Hudson Mike

She looks splendid in both places.  Thanks @metalman for posting.

May she continue to live a long and productive life.

Mike

Thanks Mike.   That turned out to be quite an iconic photo you took,  given the events of 4 years later.

Some pictures from in and around Denver the last couple of days.

@ryanexpresstrains posted:

Here's rail-fanning from a different angle. Back in September my wife and I rode the New Tygart Flyer on the Durbin & Greenbrier out of Elkins, WV. Half way through the trip, I was invited to ride in the cab of the F7. The video is from my cab ride. The pictures are of the pair of F7's heading the train. If memory serves me correct the WM unit was ex-CN.

Ryan, thank you for sharing your incredible trip, you were so lucky to get that opportunity.  Man that tunnel was tight, and long.  Very early in the video there was a trackside shelter on your side of the train.  Does the New Tygart Flyer or the Durbin & Greenbrier run flag stop trains?

@coach joe posted:

Ryan, thank you for sharing your incredible trip, you were so lucky to get that opportunity.  Man that tunnel was tight, and long.  Very early in the video there was a trackside shelter on your side of the train.  Does the New Tygart Flyer or the Durbin & Greenbrier run flag stop trains?

That tunnel is definitely tight! I was told the passenger cars only clear the sides by a few inches.

You know, I'm not sure. The New Tygart Flyer does not, to my knowledge, but other trains on the D&G might. Those flag stops are at some fairly remote little towns, and appeared well maintained and in use, so I'd imagine they might be.

@ryanexpresstrains posted:

That tunnel is definitely tight! I was told the passenger cars only clear the sides by a few inches.

You know, I'm not sure. The New Tygart Flyer does not, to my knowledge, but other trains on the D&G might. Those flag stops are at some fairly remote little towns, and appeared well maintained and in use, so I'd imagine they might be.

Ryan, I too want to thank you for your photographs and video.  Yes, the tunnel is tight, as are many others.  We have never made it down for a train ride, though it isn’t that far.  

@Mark Boyce posted:

Ryan, I too want to thank you for your photographs and video.  Yes, the tunnel is tight, as are many others.  We have never made it down for a train ride, though it isn’t that far.  

My pleasure, Mark! It was a fun trip and I finally got around to putting the video clips I took in the cab into one video. I'd definitely recommend the trip down for a ride. It's a beautiful ride through remote parts of WV, and takes you to the High Falls of the Cheat River, where they let you off the train for about 45 minutes to explore in and around the falls. Here's a picture of my wife and I at the High Falls.

These were taken on my surprise Father's day gift on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad in Akron! The vista domes are absolutely amazing and gorgeous in real life!

Centralia, WA. Ironically, this is about 20 feet from the front door of the only model train store in the entire region:

Heading from Denver Union Station to the Airport.

The Hudson River Railroad inaugurated service along the eastern shore of the Hudson River between New York City and upstate communities in 1849.  In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of service over its Hudson Line, Metro-North repainted two FL9s, the 2012 and 2013, in New York Central lightning stripe livery. Following its retirement, the 2013 was preserved at the Danbury Railway Museum in Danbury, CT. I photographed the locomotive at Danbury on August 6, 2017.

Bob

Notice the third unit, a KCS unit but with BNSF paint. This train is descending Napavine Hill, near Winlock, WA:

Good evening everyone. Day one of round two. This time, it is at the fabled Durango and Silverton with an Albuquerque stop.
First up, a visit to the Santa Fe 2926.

Three and half hours later and here are some photos and videos of narrow gauge at its best.

Day two will involve a possible double header with two K-28 class mikados and a cab ride to Silverton.

Here are 4 locomotives waiting for a crew switch in Montgomery Illinois. These 4 units are going to be headed to Wedron Illinois to haul silica sand. I took a picture from both ends of the SD40-2 as I'm partial to older models.

sand

I took a few hours to railfan yesterday during our family reunion in the Hocking Hills of Ohio. Here, the crew of the 2:00 Hocking Valley Scenic Railway train hams it up for me as they pass under OH-33, heading for East Logan.

I saw three each for freight and passenger trains, in just over three hours. Not bad for a Sunday evening!

Historic Depot Town, Ypsilanti Michigan • Part One

July 17, 2023 - Depot Town is a bustling shopping district offers numerous antique and collectible shops, Farmer's Market, specialty shops and numerous restaurants, offering deli sandwiches to gourmet coffees to sit-down meals. In a town rich in history, Depot Town glows with restored splendor. Let’s just walk around and check out Depot Town Structures.

Thanks for taking a look. Hope to see you out rail-fanning: Gary from Michigan 🚂

Last Saturday in and around Sultan and Skykomish Washington.

Monday in Seattle.

Historic Depot Town, Ypsilanti Michigan • Part 2 • Fisheye Lens

July 17, 2023 - Depot Town is a bustling shopping district offers numerous antique and collectible shops, Farmer's Market, specialty shops and numerous restaurants, offering deli sandwiches to gourmet coffees to sit-down meals. In a town rich in history, Depot Town glows with restored splendor. Let’s just walk around and check out Depot Town Structures.

Thanks for taking a look. Hope to see you out rail-fanning: Gary from Michigan 🚂

Gary, I love the name of that town!  It looks like it's a nice place for the railfan!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gary, I love the name of that town!  It looks like it's a nice place for the railfan!

Hi Mark: Thanks for taking a look. Depot Town is very popular for all the train related restaurants. I also Fly Model RC Airplanes and we like to go for lunch at Depot Town. Only about a two mile drive. This shows the location on Google Earth.

Gary from Michigan 🚂

Last night:

Had to pick up a co-worker at the LIRR Mineola station yesterday. Mineola is right at the midway point of the recently completed 3rd Track project. It is also the connecting point for the Oyster Bay Branch. I pulled up to the east bound platform as usual, actually much better now that all the construction barriers are gone....., and waited.

Two trains passed as I arrived, a westbound local, and a eastbound express, so while scanning around after the trains passed, this huge thing jumped into view, it was not there until recently.

The statue was recently set and dedicated honoring the completion of the project. Mineola was chosen as the site, since 3 historic structures were demolished in order to make room for the additional track. The South waiting room, Mineola Power House, and Nassau Tower. Long Island, and Mineola have a rich history dating from the early days of aviation, along with the LIRR. Charles Lindberg took off on his trans-Atlantic flight about 10 minutes from here.

So why a pilot, a woman named Bessie, holding up a dog? Turns out the dog was named Roxey. Roxey was the LIRR's mascot in the early 1900's. There's a great article in Trains Magazine about the piece.

Bob

Bob, that’s a great story about Bessie and Roxy!  A great tribute on Lawn Guy Land!!  Thank you!!

@RSJB18 posted:

Had to pick up a co-worker at the LIRR Mineola station yesterday. Mineola is right at the midway point of the recently completed 3rd Track project. It is also the connecting point for the Oyster Bay Branch. I pulled up to the east bound platform as usual, actually much better now that all the construction barriers are gone....., and waited.

Two trains passed as I arrived, a westbound local, and a eastbound express, so while scanning around after the trains passed, this huge thing jumped into view, it was not there until recently.

The statue was recently set and dedicated honoring the completion of the project. Mineola was chosen as the site, since 3 historic structures were demolished in order to make room for the additional track. The South waiting room, Mineola Power House, and Nassau Tower. Long Island, and Mineola have a rich history dating from the early days of aviation, along with the LIRR. Charles Lindberg took off on his trans-Atlantic flight about 10 minutes from here.

So why a pilot, a woman named Bessie, holding up a dog? Turns out the dog was named Roxey. Roxey was the LIRR's mascot in the early 1900's. There's a great article in Trains Magazine about the piece.

Bob

Bessie Colman is featured on one of the new quarters this year 2023 referencing the date 6-15-1921.

Ron

Here's some pics from my recent trip to Western NY state.  I found these treasures in Hamburg NY.  Part of the Western NY Railroad Historical Society collection.

HH660 diesel switcher by ALCO with a March 1940 buider plate.  

Railroad Express Agency end of the passenger station.

The freight station complete with a train shop.  Too bad they were closed when I was in town.

Pennsy Decapod steam locomotive.

A Jordan Spreader.

Something from across the pond. 2 weeks ago I was in Belgium and snapped a few photos of their railway trains. Immaculate and dead quiet.  All welded rail  on concrete ties with NO rail joints to feel.

Intercity express trains ran on the hour.  10-12 track stations extremely busy with a never-ending parade of passenger trains, not a freight in sight during daylight hours.

late in the day grain train

The Pine Creek Railroad is a three foot gauge demonstration railway operated by the New Jersey Museum of Transportation at Allaire State Park in Wall Township, New Jersey. The main line is configured in a loop approximately three-quarters of a mile in length with a yard and well equipped shop facilities. A variety of structures and line side features give the property a true early 20th century feel.

The equipment roster features an interesting variety of steam and internal combustion power although it’s been about twenty years since steam last operated. The following pictures which I took in September of 2017 illustrate some of the locomotives and rolling stock to he found at the Pine Creek.

The 45 is a 50 ton center cab unit built by General Electric in 1950. The locomotive had served previously at the US Steel plant in Lorain, OH. The 7751 is a two axle GE 25 tonner built for the US Army in 1942. The 45 and 7751 serve as the road’s primary passenger power. The coach trailing the center cab is from the Canadian National’s old narrow gauge operation and the Jersey Central caboose in the 7751’s consist was rebuilt by the CNJ from a box car and later re-trucked for narrow gauge operation on the Pine Creek. Also pictured is 7 ton Plymouth number 5 which is used primarily in work train service.

In the following image we see a Raritan River Railroad caboose off its trucks which serves as the yard office with an East Broad Top hopper spotted on an adjacent track. Within the shop building are several steam locomotives in various stages of restoration and/or repair. The 1927 built Shay was a regular performer at the railroad until its removal from service for overhaul. The “Lady Edith”, a 4-4-0T, is an Irish locomotive dating from 1887. Lastly, number 46,  a 1914 product of H.K. Porter, is pictured with her boiler and frame separated. I’m due for a return visit so I can see how the various projects are progressing.

Bob

I'm once again focusing on the Pittsburgh area. For this week's video, I spotlighted a few of the times last summer where Amtrak's eastbound Capitol Limited ran sufficiently late that it appeared in daylight.

Today, I headed back to DC after a week babysitting my parents' new puppy, but not before taking some time to railfan. I had hoped to catch the Allegheny Valley Railroad's interchange job heading west toward their meeting with NS, but they were held up by a succession of NS moves, including this welded rail train heading east, and empty coal heading west (rare to see downtown, since most coal trains diverge directly to the Mon Line at ESPLEN or WING, depending on their direction).

Went to run some errands in town tonight and saw this consist sitting on the siding in Cambridge, MN.  There were more than just autoracks in the consist and the switcher was in transit.  It wasn't idling like the bigger diesels were.  I have to admit I'm not as good at identifying diesels so would appreciate if someone helped out with that part of it.

@Byrdie posted:

Went to run some errands in town tonight and saw this consist sitting on the siding in Cambridge, MN.  There were more than just autoracks in the consist and the switcher was in transit.  It wasn't idling like the bigger diesels were.  I have to admit I'm not as good at identifying diesels so would appreciate if someone helped out with that part of it.

Looks like an EMD SW1500....

https://www.american-rails.com/32158.html

Today I took my 1944 Jeep to a car show. One block over, I watched a few Amtrak trains coming and going:

And tonight, I took my wife to her 30th high school reunion, and we parked right over a former NP line through Olympia:

I really like how this shot turned out. And YES, this track is active and used often.

A few scans from years past:

Scranton PA July 1998

Amtrak X2000 Los Angeles CA 1992 (Stretching the boundary a bit here, my wife actually took the picture, I was overseas, and she took our son to see the train)

Near Freudenstadt Germany 1993.  Lucky to get this, I had arrived a few days earlier for a conference and saw a poster advertising the trip in the station.  I managed to find out the route and got this picture.

UP 1982 Omaha NE 2005

UP 1983 Omaha NE 2005

NYC garbage train Staten Island

For today, I figured I'd share a few photos from my Flickr, reflecting my railfanning last Friday.

This first one is probably the only photo I've taken that's actually worthy of Flickr. After starting the day at midnight and chasing a train from 4 AM to noon (more on that below), I was too tired to drive, but the light was still great, so I spent the afternoon at the Amtrak station in Alexandria. An afternoon storm rolled through the District, bringing with it some dark clouds and a partial rainbow visible from the opposite shore.

The train I was after that morning was the Delmarva Central's SE-1, which currently starts its day in Delmar, MD, and works it way south into Virginia. The 4 AM departure was a result of temporary schedule adjustments to accommodate track work nearby. Funnily enough, while the railroad did not have a signpost at the Virginia border (as I've seen on other roads), a gas station nearby had a model of the Merrimack/CSS Virginia displayed within a hundred feet of the tracks, which served just as well.  

In the second photo, MP15AC 1561, which led southbound, idles while the crew switches Coastline Chemical with their trailing unit, another ex-SP MP15AC. Carload bought 17 of these units around 2015, both for the recently purchased Delmarva Central and to handle traffic on the SEDA-COG lines operated by North Shore Line. Carload still have not taken over, for reasons that are unclear but probably are because of some form of litigation.

The sun disappeared periodically during the northbound run, but there was enough light to photograph the 1561 trailing as the train headed north across the PRR-era swing bridge over the Pocomoke River. Most of the line today is unsignaled, but both of the line's swing bridges are still protected by approach-lit signals installed by Norfolk Southern. Based on the radio conversations I've heard, the signals only ever display a stop aspect, so the crews have to call the dispatcher and get talked past them.