While, I enjoy the sound of 20 cylinder EMDs as much as the next guy, following the last real SD45 on the B&P this morning would have been an easy choice if it was not still in the ex-SP "crap" paint. Hence, when I heard about a 400 coal train coming east, I thought I could make up for the mediocre shot I got a month earlier on the Conemaugh. The fact that he took the Bayard branch meant I wouldn't get him at my usual location...New Galilee. So it was down the valley to see if he was into Conway yet. Low and behold as I was crossing into Rochester, I see the crossing gates going up in Bridgewater...there goes his tail end! I rush over to West Conway only to have him stop for clearance into the yard. After waiting about 20 minutes, my first attempt at a shot is foiled by a yard job. Strike one.
Ok, so off to East Conway to salvage the morning. These trains load at Peabody Coal's North Antelope Rochelle mine complex in Wyoming's Powder River Basin and run as C-NAMCSC0 on BNSF to Chicago. Running as NS 400, ultimate delivery is to the Constellation Energy (ex-Baltimore Gas & Electric) plant in Chase, MD...one of the longer hauls in the country. After another 20 minutes or so to change crews, it becomes obvious that 37A pulling in will ruin that shot. Strike two.
Last chance...race down Rt 65 to the signal bridge just west of Ambridge. Thanks to some nice recent clearing by Dave, we have a hit!
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