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.

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     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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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.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years 2012

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