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!