Curtis Hill 2012

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Taking Dave's advice

   


All to often when it comes to a choice between heavy mainline action versus exploring a regional or local line, the latter loses.  Such was the case on Wed Dec12, 2012.  Clear skies and a day off gave me a choice of possibly finding oil trains up on the CSX lake front or following my friend Dave Baer's recommendation and chasing the Wheeling & Lake Erie Westland turn.  As to add salt in the wound, several hours around Lake City, PA yielded only 3 CSX trains (nothing of interest of course) and just missing NS 287.
     So when Friday also looked to be sunny, I didn't think twice about catching the "Wheeling Feelin".  Of course an internet post about NS 20Q having 2 BNSF units today was only icing on the cake.  As luck would have it, just as I was passing East Conway tower, Conway Control gives 20Q clearance east.  Within minutes, NS 2775 has 2 BNSF C44-9Ws in H1 and H2 paint rolling a solid train of domestic stacks east for Morrisville, PA.

     Heading south to Bridgevile, I set up at 84 Lumber for my first shot of the WE.  It takes awhile, but soon WE 643 gets clearance out of Rook yard with 21 empties for the new Mark West rail load out at Westland.  With power on both ends (4000-3049 leading and 3102 trailing), the Wheeling makes a quick move at the new connection at Gregg with the former Montour Westland branch to head south.  The dispatcher tells 643 to clear the block so 212 can head east.  Oh boy!...2 trains on the Wheeling.  Before long 3102 leads south after changing directions.

Rounding the curves at the top of the grade allows for any easy chase.

   



Soon 643 arrives at the Mark West rail loadout at Westland.  It is quite a facility that serves the nearby cryogenic gas processing plant.

After chasing 643 to Westland, its back north to look for 212.  Alas, he was alot quicker than I thought...already must have went east...dang.  Oh well, I soon hear 643 heading back, and within an hour after catching him heading south, he is climbing back up the connection.  All in all a very enjoyable morning and it's only 1pm.  So much for the mistake on the Lake!

A Chase from Hell...Eh?

     


Sometimes it's hard to get out of the house, even when you know clear skies are on the way.  Dec01 2012 was such a day.  The only thing moving on NS that got me out the door was a M1G and M1V (extra sections of 11G and 11V respectively)  somewhere around Conway.  As I head south, I soon hear a K630 ethanol train on CSX with Canadian National power in the lead reporting a clear signal "center yard" as he departs New Castle.  No time to get him at West Pittsburg...dang!  But, then again, was the sun out enough anyways?  Ok, I guess it's off down I-376 to Blacks Run yard in Aliquippa.  Should be easy to beat him down the valley....WRONG!
     As I roll down Rt 51 into Bridgewater, he is already calling Monaca.  WOW!  I guess I am really not going to get this guy.  Come on, he has to get held up for a westbound somewhere.  Interesting, I did not hear Q015 and Q137 this morning yet.  Did they already make it into New Castle?  Reports also indicated that Q276 has a SD80MAC leading...should be following the K-train east.  Of course plodding down Rt 65 is no way to catch a train.  Is it possible he gets the whole way to Pittsburgh without stopping?  YEP!  "Clear J&L"...really?  Just how far am I going to follow this guy?
     In the meantime, a call from Dave informs me that Wheeling 643 is heading to the new Mark West fractionation plant at Southview.  Sounds like something to do later.
     Seems my only chance is McKeesport, as he winds over the Monongahela bridge and through Braddock.  "Clear Demmler"...as I roll into McKeesport to what seems like the longest red light ever.  Finally green!...next signal RED again!!! and NO TURN ON RED!!!  Crossing gates going down...oh well...turning!  A quick shot at Riverton is disappointing as he comes around the curve.  Any reason to go east?  I notice him slowing just as he is talking to M/W around the Yough bridge.  Last chance, down Rt 148 and over the Port Vue bridge.  Finally a chance to breath as I set up for a shot off the hillside.  

     Just as he starts to pick up speed, one last attempt at Sinns.  No time to set up for video...either another shot or hand held video...I choose the later.  CSX K630-30 is all ethanol loads received from the CN in Chicago bound for Baltimore with CN 5699-2126 as power.

Wow, was that really worth it?  Memories seem to be related to effort involved...maybe that's why I'm writing this post.  Anyway, Q276 was right behind, with that 4591 in the lead, followed by Q216 soon afterward.

Ok, time to go after the Wheeling.  Crawling through the South Hills, I soon realize, I'll never make it back home to pick up Anjuli from gymnastics on time.  Guess the Wheeling will have to wait for another day.

...and now back to your regularly scheduled programing.