Dynamic Duo

     As they say, the early bird gets the worm.  Well, that wasn't me today.  Thank's to Freddy tipping everyone off about today's feature presentation, I woke to face a dilemma.  So by the time I open my eyes around 730am to see a text from Dave about the Reading unit called for a 64X, it's a little late since he sent it at 509am.  I heard the evening before 64R had the Interstate unit, so it was just a matter of how much time he would spend at Conway.  Seems like oil trains have a habit of leaving Conway early in the morning and this morning was no exception.  A check of the forecast meant it was worth heading out of the house.  Assessing the weather is a key reason I tend to dilly-dally in the morning, instead of being in position.  So to make a long story, short, had I decided to rise and shine, I could have drove down to Leetsdale and got both trains (as Harry did) and had plenty of time to get other things done.  
     By the time I leave the house, a report shows 64R is by Leetsdale at 805am.  A quick call to Freddy informs me he just saw him take the Conemaugh line courtesy of the PennDOT camera on the Northside.  Oh well, no chance for me to get him anywhere on the Conemaugh line before Kiski Jc.  Not being familiar with the territory east of there, I debated heading east to get him at a spot I shot last year, just east of Seward.  I was dreading the drive.  Freddy suggests E. Vandergrift, but I doubt I can make it.  I settle for CP-Salts.  Drat!  He is already by as I'm approaching.  Ok, off to Blairsville.  On the  way I stop at the overhead at CP-Blair only to see Roy Ward.  In typical railroad-ese, its "hurry up and wait".  Soon we hear what is taking so long as 64R informs the dispatcher they are in emergency.  Double Drat!  Doesn't sound like any wheels will be turning soon.  I decide to go to the next crossing west.  
     Upon arrival,  I can see 64R's creamsicle in the distance.  After what was probably a 90 minute delay, NS 64R-15 with the 8105-8140 rolls by with his 100 loads of North Dakota nectar (and 2 buffers) for the PBF Energy Delaware City refinery at Reybold, DE.  This train originated at Eland, ND as BNSF U-ELUNSD0-77T.  

     Due to the delay, the Reading is right behind.  Within 20 minutes, NS 64X-16 is moving right along with the 1067-1043 and 80 cars of heavy Canadian crude (and 2 buffers) also for Reybold that originated at Conway from trains like 12N (Chicago Calumet yard-Conway) and M6E (extra section of Chicago Clearing yard-Conway).  Origins are Big Gully Transfer, SK, Unity, SK, Kerrobert, SK, and Bruderheim, AB.

     While it was a long drive for only 2 trains, I would do it again in a minute.  And as they say, now we return you to your regularly scheduled programing, or for me, time to go to Costco.

The Devil and the Jersey Girl

     While any chance to get a heritage unit leading on a sunny day is normally priority one, I have to admit, this day it wasn't. Having been in Erie the day before for a picnic with the kids at Waldameer Park, and missing a K011 with BNSF power meant I had oil trains on the brain. The decision to return on Sunday was made easier since the CofG unit on 22W was already in Conway and it was cloudy down there. So knowing 287 would have the CNJ leading made Erie a no brainer. It seems like the last few times I've been on the lakeshore, CSX is fast asleep. Arriving at the Franklin Ave bridge a little after 9am seemed totally useless, since the first train didn't arrive till after 11am. Another fan I ran into said it had been trainless since their 830am arrival. Finally, the slumber was broken at 1104am with Q158-11 lead by CSX 666 "The Devil" and 621. 

CSX put 2 more intermodals by before more silence returned. NS 287-11 showed up at 1222pm with the CNJ 1071 leading 9289 and 103 empty auto racks for Avon Lake to be dropped at Fairlane. 

Oh well, no oil trains and time to head home since high noon sun had arrived.