...of Clutter and Color

     
     The recent revival of traffic on the Cleveland line (ex-Bayard branch) has led me to try my luck at shooting at many locations that are either new to me or that I have not thoroughly investigated.  Case in point, Mar22 2015 had two trains come down the Cleveland line in the morning.  The first catch was NS 42R-18 (Fostoria to Cresson 6798-9478 w/ 70x0 corn for Clearfield, PA – RJCP).  After a nice shot east of E. Liverpool, OH, I stumbled into the yard at Midland, PA for a shot I have never done before.

By the time the following NS 10R-21 (Kankakee to Conway BNSF 5382-BNSF 4127 w/ 113x3 freight) came by the light was head on at Midland, so I continued east.  Just before the overpass at Vanport, PA I decided to try a shot.  Now, just need to remove some clutter...and add some color to that severely faded leader.  No, I don't feel guilty for doing that!

Cool Trains on a Crappy Day...

     

Typical January weather in western PA means overcast and maybe snow if your lucky.  January 23rd was typical...except for some of the trains...for a symbol geek like me.  First up, NS M0R-22 is my first catch of an extra section of Kankakee, IL to Conway, PA train 10R that was recieved from the BNSF at Streator, IL and forwarded to Kankakee on local B90.  This train is known for it's abundance of former ATSF boxcars full of California wine and canned goods.  Today's train has many loads of wine from Modesto Colony, CA going to the Kane Warehouse in Scranton, PA.  Back in the Santa Fe days it originated at Modesto, CA as a 952 train (aka "the wine train") to Streator, IL for Conrail, which ran it as a SFEL to Elkhart, IN and then connections east.

Normally this is not the weather that finds me trackside.  But, my new found friend (Photoshop) has given me new reason not to pass up some of these oddball train symbols.  Next up, I decided to make use of the overcast and shoot from the other side of the tracks for westbounds.  NS 21G-23 is another train with a BNSF relationship.  This train is built from connections at Harrisburg, PA and is delivered to the BNSF at Corwith yard in Chicago, usually continuing west as a Q-NSAFTM for Ft. Madison, IA eventually to be combined with a Q-NYCLAC for Hobart yard in Los Angeles, CA.

     Following close behind is a relatively new train.  NS 31E-23 originated at Conway yard and is destined for UP's Proviso yard in Chicago.  It's primary reason for running is to return empty 2-bay covered hoppers that brought Wisconsin frac sand east.

     Another train that got me trackside is next.  NS 10X-22 is an extra running from the recently expanded yard at Bellevue, OH to Enola, PA.  The train originated off the CN in Chicago (with mainly loads out of Alberta) and ran as a 326 to Bellevue.  Besides a covered hopper and a few cars of lumber, the whole train was tanks...the first half with refinery cracking stock (interestingly non-hazmat) and the last half all gas oil (1993 placards).

Bringing up the rear was another new train for me.  NS 66J-22 is a secondary origin train of crude oil from Stampede, ND for the Phillips 66 refinery at Linden, NJ.  While the primary source for Linden are the 66Z trains off BNSF that load at Berthold, ND;  66J originates on CP.

All in all not bad for less than 2 hours trackside!

Curtis Hill 2012 - A Day on the BNSF Transcon - June 08 2012

A great week out west with Larry.  Started in Ft. Worth, then off to the KCS at Shreveport, then up to the A&M at Springdale, before heading west for the BNSF Transcon around Curtis Hill.

Clearing out Clearing

     Last week as I tried to catch the last vestiges of the fall colors in western PA, I was treated to an interesting fleet of manifest freights out of Chicago's Clearing yard.  As most are well aware of the NS meltdown east of Chicago, it was exhibited first hand by this trio bypassing Elkhart yard.  First up was 16E-22  Chicago-Clearing to Conway 9165-6968-CN 2838 w/ 87x2 frt.  This is an existing schedule off the BRC.  Next up was the previous day's extra section, M6E-21  Chicago-Clearing to Conway 6929-BNSF 6557 w/ 70x7 frt.  The current replacement for 16N (Elkhart to Allentown) followed as 16G-21  Chicago-Clearing to Allentown 9969-9790 w/ 82x4 frt.  New Galilee, PA Oct23 2014.  Currently there is talk of routing some trains via the NKP east of Cleveland and down the Youngstown line to Conway.  Could get interesting.

A Banner...Day with John

     

Sometimes it doesn't take alot of trains to make for a successful day of railfanning. Sometimes it's just about reconnecting with old friends and take the trains as they come.  Sept26, 2014 was just such a day.  As it turned out, the first train of the day and the last were to me the most interesting.  While traffic was somewhat sparse in between (yes due to NS's continuing congestion further west), alot of good conversation filled the time.

     First up was NS 60X-23 with 2740 leading CSX 5272 and 970.  A most interesting train (and symbol) consisting of 100 loads of frac sand from US Silica in Sparta, WI via the CP at Bensenville, IL (Chicago) destined for interchange to the POHC at McKees Rocks, PA (for distribution to drillers in Southwest PA).  After waiting for a recrew (as a lot of trains on NS do these days), he continues his journey seen here just south of CP-Wood.

The last train would prove almost as interesting and I would learn what a "banner test" is on CSX.  Here, CSX K057-24 starts to pull at Edinburg, PA following coming to a complete stop to report "an obstruction" on the tracks.  It was the first time I witnessed such a safety test.  Of course it just so happens just as I need to get home.  K057 is one of a fleet of empty crude oil trains returning from the huge Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery (originally Gulf Oil and ARCO plants combined by Sunoco) heading west to reload in the Bakken shale oil fields of North Dakota.  A very practical routing decision by CSX as the loaded trains follow the ex-NYC "Water Level Route" via Erie, PA and the empties can avoid fighting the loads on the single track River Line south of Albany, NY by taking the less utilized ex B&O west via Pittsburgh.  Today two fairly clean CP units lead instead of the more common BNSF power.

All in all a good (or should I say banner) day!

White Cloud, Black Cloud and the lost Q

     Sundays during the winter months for me tend to be pretty routine.  It all revolves around the kid's tennis practice at an indoor facility in Boardman, OH.  The day started off with a report of the executive Fs on a 955 that was out of Cincinnati the night before.  Cloudy skies and some confusion over whether they would re-crew at E. Palestine caused me to miss it.  Passing by the yard at New Castle, I saw that a K059-07 with a BNSF-CSX-CP combo was still in the yard from yesterday.  Before long, it was off to Boardman for 3 hours of tennis.  A quick check of what's running on NS showed somewhat of a westbound parade out of Conway yard…66A, 576, 19A, and Q76…and as luck would have it, the sun decided to come out.  Luckily, the NS main at Leetonia is only 15 minutes from the Boardman Tennis Center.  I would also have to listen if that K059 decided to leave on CSX.

     As I head south I hear Ft. Wayne line dispatcher informing 66A to hold up at CP-Lum for a 24Z to cross over ahead of him that is "scooping a 34N Alliance to Lum".  It's interesting that I missed a good shot of 66A a few weeks before when he caused a fiasco on the FWL by stalling around E. Palestine, OH on the day the NKP unit was leading a 65R behind him.  I still remember the white gypsum cloud that day.  So here was my chance to get a good overhead shot since the gypsum is hard to see from track level.  Only one dilemna,  as I come into town, one of Leetonia's finest has someone pulled over getting a citation.  Do I chance the overhead Rt 344 shot?  I notice I have a clear view of the cop from the bridge half a mile away.  Before long, 66A is by the mp61 detector and within a minute I see his headlight.  NS 66A-05 is York Haven, PA to Gypsum (Sandusky), OH 8401-9596 w/77x0 gypsum.  True to form I am soon enveloped in a white cloud.

     After he passes, I hear CSX talking to a westbound ready to depart New Castle.  Do I rush over to Center St. in Youngstown to try and get the K059?  Why not!  As I head north, it turns out the the BNSF unit is on a Q640…false alarm.  As I decide to head back to Leetonia for the 576, I miss 19A at the at the crossing east of town.  NS 19A-09  is Conway to Chicago-Clearing, IL  9692-7636 w/0x119 freight (mix of Bensenville-CP and Chicago-Clearing yard BRC blocks). 

     Not long after the freight, 576 roars through town leaving a black cloud…obscuring the helpers in it!  NS 576-05 with the C7E-09 helper is  Cresson, PA to Lamberts Point, VA  9267-7569-BNSF 7384 w/105x0 coal  (loaded on RJCP at Clymer #1).  That was cool, hence why I am writing this blog post.  As I head back to Boardman, I notice a Q76 called out of Conway but not on the move yet.  Maybe I can get him later.  Anytime I can catch multiple sections of a train on the same day, it's a good day for a symbol nerd like me.

     Before I head north on Rt 11, 11V announces himself going through E. Palestine…hum, is it worth a shot…why not.  After a quick grab shot, I am surprised to see the new frac sand distribution facility just north of the main at the former Kaiser Refractories plant.  Looks like Utica Shale drilling is really taking off in Ohio.  NS 11V-09  is Enola to Bellevue  9553-9626 w/3x56 freight (59 Bellevue, Fairlane Multi-Levels).

     What could spoil such a great day?  After I get back to Boardman I see that Q76 is out of town, really?  Before long he is through Leetonia.  If I had stayed put, I would have been able to get him and still pick up Anjuli on time…oh well.  NS Q76-06 with the C7G-09 helper was Shire Oaks to Hyco, NC  9509-8113-7681 w/110x0 PGNX coal (loaded at Consol-Bailey).  Wait?…what was that?  In my haste, I failed to realize that Q76 was not a second section of 576 but one of 776.  A Y76 would have been the second section to Lambert's Point.  Ah yes, the things a symbol freak deals with.

     Oh and as for that Q640 with the BNSF unit, the next day I noticed that K059's train was missing it's power…I guess that was the BNSF-CSX-CP set that must have been swapped onto the Q640.  Still glad I didn't go after it…since there would not have been a "white cloud-black cloud" to remember.

Standard cabs in the snow…or 6 trains at New Galilee in half-n-hour

     I have to admit, I'm not one for shooting many trains in the snow.  I mean when it's snowing...I mean when the sun isn't out.  I mean everyone loves snow and sun, but how often is that.  Then again it's very rare to get snowflakes flying when the sun is out.  Ok, you know what I mean.  So in the spirit of the season (and with my new found friend…photoshop), I decided to make up for an aspect that is very lacking in my photos…snowing action shots.

     So on the way back from errands to Grove City Outlets, Cranberry and Ross Park Mall, I decide to pull over at good old New Galilee.  On the way back I see 11V-15 crawling by CP-Wood, yep, it will be easy beating him there.  A quick check with Eric, shows some east bounds in the picture.  So I set up for the first EB, oops 11V is already here.  No time to get the camera, iPhone video will have to do…a few seconds later  a late 26T-15 goes blasting by too.  Within 10 minutes, chatter around Enon, alerts me to another EB…but not before I61-16 approaches with a string of road railers.  Ok, time for the real video camera.  Within a minute 20R-15 rolls by the other way.

   

     Not long till I hear another EB by Enon.  So I get ready…only to be interrupted by another WB.  Soon 25Z-15 blasts by just as I'm ready to see the EB, but alas, he clears as I rush to the other side of the tracks to shoot 421-13 with a pair of SD40Es leading a wide cab.

        Not bad for 30 minutes…of course after I leave 64R-15 is pulling by Enon…oh well.

(Double) Icing on the (Cup) Cake

   

    

     Friday Sept20 is calling for overcast and some rain...definitely no trains today...or so I thought.  It's one week till I turn the big 5-0.  The main duty for the day was to go down to Vanilla Pastry Studio to order cupcakes and a cake for my party next week (and pick up some samples for home of course).  Since they recently moved from Shadyside to Edgewood, the plan was to take the Turnpike to Monreville and then down the Parkway East to Rt30 (I still hadn't Googled the actual address and was going on my sister's comment they were on Ardmore Blvd).  Before I get to Cranberry I notice that NS 261 with the N&W unit is reported by Latrobe.  Oh well, the weather is lousy, but It might be nice to see it.  I punch in the bakery address and notice it is just off the Edgewood/Swissvale exit, so it would actually be better to swing through town instead, not to mention skip the Turnpike toll.
   As I roll down the Parkway North, the Roadrailer is reported by Wing per Freddy, so I decide to maybe do a grab shot off the I-279 ramps at Federal Street.  A few minutes away, I hear him calling mp350...this will be close!  I pull over and within a minute 261 is crossing over the Ft. Wayne bridge...wow, that was some timing!  NS 261-19 has a nice shiny 8103 leading 6757 elephant style down the ramp.  Cool!

   Ok, off for some cupcakes.  I pull in at Vanilla Pastry and soon notice a text about the OCS that was called out of Conway with the NS Fs.  After a few seconds of clearing the cobb webs out of the brain, I realize I'm too close not to go take a look. A quick call to Freddy informs me they are by the Station.  After a quick drive over to the tracks I have a few minutes to find a spot with some elevation to clear the Bus-way.  It isn't long before I hear 951 call mp346 and his headlight appears.  And if that wasn't enough the clouds parted to boot!  NS 951-19 has all 4 F units and 7 cars...all gleaming.

     Time for some cupcakes...and a cappuccino

Godzilla and Cleveland Stack Trains

     

     Ok, so it's easy to get diverted from scanning slides. So is the case here just east of Cleveland at Eastlake, OH on Aug10 1990. First train of the day is Conrail TV-200 with 3 B36-7s and a solid train of APL stacks at 800am. 

     

     The weather deteriorated by the time TV-550 arrives at 923am with 2 BN GP50s and a cabless B30-7A with a solid set of Sealand stacks.  

     

     After scanning and playing around in Photoshop with the lighting and colors...what if we got rid of those nasty high tension lines as Godzilla loved to do. Yes that was fun, although just a quick and dirty attempt...definitely something to play around with more!

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.

The Color of Crude

     Even though Western PA has been cloudy forever, the continuous updates of at least three Heritage units that headed west onto BNSF and CP along with their impending return was enough to finally get me trackside.  It started with Savannah & Atlanta 1065 heading an earlier 64R on March 6th.  After a few days it returned west on a 65R which was handed off to BNSF in Chicago.  Within a week it was heading back east after loading 100 cars of "North Dakota Nectar".  Even though the train left Elkhart with an Elkhart-Conway "super pool" crew, it only made it to Cleveland before being re-crewed.  

  

     At 1036am on Sunday March 17 (St. Patrick's Day), NS 64R-16 roars through New Galilee, PA with 1065-1051-8018 leading 102x0 (100 crude oil w 2 buffer) and DPU 1056.  This train originated at the Bakken Oil Express loading facility at Eland, ND as BNSF U-ELUNSD0-17T.  Destination, is the recently expanded rail unloading loop at the  PBF Energy Delaware City refinery at Reybold, DE.

-

     Ok, so what does any of this have to do with color?  While catching my first DPU powered oil train was exciting, the lousy weather had me determined to only video tape the action.  Alas, I did decide to shoot some photos.  While previous digital attempts to Photoshop in "sunshine" were always marginal, this time I decided to focus more on adding color instead of light.  The result speaks for itself.  From now on, I won't be so quick to dismiss going after an interesting train just because the sun isn't out...Did I really just say that?

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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.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years 2012

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