tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64824272024-03-04T21:57:00.196-08:00RailfanRailsRamblings and observations as a railfan.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-18719748970000222782018-11-02T11:31:00.000-07:002018-11-02T11:31:32.528-07:00October 2018I have not been out doing much active train watching for quite some time now. My focus has shifted and primarily I have been photographing freight cars or structures. I find most of the modern railroading to be very boring and after about the 3rd train with a dirty UP consist or an all GE BNSF consist, I've had enough and typically head for home.<br />
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I do still photograph locomotives and trains and have a few from October to share.<br />
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BNSF 549 is assembling its train on the south end of the BNSF Omaha, NE Gibson yard. 20 years ago she would have been running across the ATSF with hot intermodal traffic, but now she has been demoted to local and switching service.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJXLBy1rKpfMJBE0y4HhOWK8dEgIfULpJ-7ga0cq9_Cmni6F2oYk7MF4SyeQ9xIiAcSEQwU6Rhy5mmwPJTJjM3iLEggEssoNEf_1kzqVdfuuZoGFacNx7ieTXdrQzX4XYjbqa/s1600/hlcx_1837_102817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJXLBy1rKpfMJBE0y4HhOWK8dEgIfULpJ-7ga0cq9_Cmni6F2oYk7MF4SyeQ9xIiAcSEQwU6Rhy5mmwPJTJjM3iLEggEssoNEf_1kzqVdfuuZoGFacNx7ieTXdrQzX4XYjbqa/s320/hlcx_1837_102817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roster shots seem to be the most I do with locomotives anymore. So, I couldn't help myself when I spotted this nicely lined up unit in the UP's ex CNW yard in Sioux City, IA. This unit started out as a MoPac unit and now works for Helm Leasing.<br />
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Its getting late in the year for MOW work, so it was unusual to see this Hertzog ballast train rolling thru Council Bluffs, IA. In less than a month pretty much all MOW projects will come to an end until next spring.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ei1pw489EM/W9yW6rgjKPI/AAAAAAAAOm0/JkhLyTc5kRAtW4srHs4ax4QsjIP2yr_DwCLcBGAs/s1600/cn_5447_5455_102018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ei1pw489EM/W9yW6rgjKPI/AAAAAAAAOm0/JkhLyTc5kRAtW4srHs4ax4QsjIP2yr_DwCLcBGAs/s320/cn_5447_5455_102018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the more unusual movements that I witnessed this past month, was this transfer run from the CN to the UP. Typically this train is a single unit but today two SD60's are performing the duties. Both are pushing the cars that will be interchanged with the UP into the Council Bluffs, IA UP yard.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-71888818293270838142018-10-30T15:06:00.000-07:002018-10-30T15:06:38.948-07:00A return to postingAfter a number of years of using Google+ and Facebook, its time to return to the roots of "social media". With Google+ being abandoned and the rampant censorship of Facebook, it was time for this change. Hopefully Google will not infringe on the 1st Amendment rights of those who use this platform. Yes, I know that there have been a number of removed Blogs and individuals being banned, so time will tell.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-83077088796155925642017-08-23T16:25:00.001-07:002017-08-23T16:25:02.588-07:00The Dakota and Iowa, the early years,My first encounter with what would become the D&I (Dakota and Iowa) was oddly enough a view of their bright orange hoppers while sitting in an orthodontic exam chair. This was more than likely March or April of 1980, but like the building I was in, my the memory of the exact date is gone. I do remember a Milwaukee Road switcher moving the cars around the track beside the old Milwaukee Road freight house, though. This was probably near the end of the Milwaukee Roads cleanup of its Sioux City operations and may have been one of the last Milwaukee Road movements in the area.<br />
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Being 15 at the time, I relied on a bicycle and a 126 Instamatic camera to <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a7012fb5-3144-481e-8005-d38cbf53ab3e" id="9c6219b4-e6f6-45db-8f6d-cb2f5cc184b5">railfan</gs> with. Money for film and an obsession with the BN and anything ex Burlington directed my priorities elsewhere. I don't remember seeing anything more that year or have any photos of the LGE operation until the spring of 1981 when two ex-UP GP9's appeared in town with LG Everest logos on the cab sides. These two units moved those orange LGEX hoppers into the old Milwaukee east yard from South Dakota and could occasionally be seen on the ICG or CNW yard leads when they delivered cars. The BN seemed to gather up any cars from LGE when they would interchange with the CNW and ICG.<br />
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Spring of 1982 brought about a new image as the two GP9's were both repainted in a nice yellow and gray scheme similar to the old UP one they <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="24137c22-55f6-4ef8-9411-7d04996dec7b" id="373ed65a-ea0b-467c-9637-f20c35cb0464">wore</gs> previously. My first encounter with the newly painted units was with LGEX 1 leading empty hoppers north out of Sioux City, Iowa during April of 1982.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXW7yHxrYpSZ3z9Wibkd51HTmhHIvudLvZEFZRR3bATCPieKvOiuvkBf7VOCaHpmCX1zZyEEGlShTPt7ip8zDw1Xdlr18tEvJiy2GYlCGUxe07ehOSBphseY30hqr60CESq6O/s1600/dair_1_041982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXW7yHxrYpSZ3z9Wibkd51HTmhHIvudLvZEFZRR3bATCPieKvOiuvkBf7VOCaHpmCX1zZyEEGlShTPt7ip8zDw1Xdlr18tEvJiy2GYlCGUxe07ehOSBphseY30hqr60CESq6O/s320/dair_1_041982.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LGEX 1 is slowly passing the old Milwaukee Road shop complex in Riverside, IA and will shortly cross the Big Sioux River to South Dakota.</td></tr>
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The BN had done a massive tie replacement on the old Milw mainline out of Sioux City during the summer of 1981, but ballast and heavier rail were still in the works. The light rail is evident in the photo of LGEX 1 passing the old Milw shop complex in Riverside, IA. Within a month she would receive D&I logos along with the #2 and new acquired #3. <br />
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The spring 1983 brought a new look for the D&I. The GP20 #3 (ex BN 2019) they acquired during the 81-82 winter and the two GP 9's received chopped noses, though the GP20 was still setup to run long hood forward. The three units were often used together on the road trains and could be found on a regular <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f6af419d-ebb0-48f1-a914-1dc7ca563297" id="62aa5e0b-c118-4073-9e09-e5cfd87cd689">basics</gs> in the old Milw east yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6Km2vW-ceQ/WZ4CJiZqb_I/AAAAAAAALqg/9hFjzzAWMVscaQBwuyTprfOmIarlVZfaACLcBGAs/s1600/dair_1_3_2_081983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6Km2vW-ceQ/WZ4CJiZqb_I/AAAAAAAALqg/9hFjzzAWMVscaQBwuyTprfOmIarlVZfaACLcBGAs/s320/dair_1_3_2_081983.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D&I #1<gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3cda776e-3dd5-4f55-8143-43d4ce6cb756" id="c1986eda-8276-498b-b54e-f14c6068045a">,</gs>3,2 and an ex Milwaukee caboose, lay over in the old Milwaukee Road east yard in Sioux City, IA.</td></tr>
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<br />1984 revealed that additional units were added over the winter. Five ex-Milwaukee Road GP9's helped the D&I with switching duties along with the increase in train size and frequency. These units continued in their Milwaukee Road orange and black paint and road numbers with the D&I herald on the cab until the winter of 85-86. During that time they received D&I numbers 4 (ex 293), 5 (ex 328), 6 (ex 321), 7 (ex 323) & 8 (ex 303).<br />
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During 1985 thru 1987 the D&I continued on with these 8 units with up to 5 units being used on the road trains <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3152f186-47ef-464f-b242-7825facc09c6" id="6a478f8d-4cde-4bfa-b0db-7b10c6cf0eb3">into</gs> Sioux City. December 1986 I left for the Air Force and left the railroad that I called my own. My time away brought many changes to the D&I. Increases in traffic and operations out of state brought 6 axle power to the railroad in the form of SD45's and SD39's. The years between 2012 and 2016 saw the retirement of the old Milw GP9's and the downgrading of the remaining GP9's to switcher status. Newer GP50's and GP39-2's have taken their place along with six SD40-2.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnZz6dC6-8A/WZ4EfAI_7ZI/AAAAAAAALqs/XhSseEI5Zyc22UJ0Pq2SIFziNfdMC22PwCLcBGAs/s1600/dair_4_061984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FnZz6dC6-8A/WZ4EfAI_7ZI/AAAAAAAALqs/XhSseEI5Zyc22UJ0Pq2SIFziNfdMC22PwCLcBGAs/s320/dair_4_061984.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D&I 4 leads a rock train thru the old maze of tracks into the ICG yard for unloading at the cement plants served by the ICG in Sioux City. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F7ViSkh1V8/WZ4EsdbCpsI/AAAAAAAALqw/RzdIdOlMl7wBSZcjCYfwLflOu1V5MR2AgCLcBGAs/s1600/dair_3_1_2_051985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F7ViSkh1V8/WZ4EsdbCpsI/AAAAAAAALqw/RzdIdOlMl7wBSZcjCYfwLflOu1V5MR2AgCLcBGAs/s320/dair_3_1_2_051985.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five D&I units have a loaded rock train in tow thru Jefferson, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XyY52gL0Ek/WZ4EvPpUIVI/AAAAAAAALq0/Hedb0jiGAeYJfovoebGDVXWT4bHBK0uWwCLcBGAs/s1600/dair_3_1_051985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XyY52gL0Ek/WZ4EvPpUIVI/AAAAAAAALq0/Hedb0jiGAeYJfovoebGDVXWT4bHBK0uWwCLcBGAs/s320/dair_3_1_051985.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for a BN core line train D&I 3 holds clear on the south leg of the <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="fa12148b-b33f-4f70-b9ac-68759b221fc4" id="1fb3d43c-2f53-4617-be28-62a25f11160f">wye</gs> at Elk Point, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Rni8tI9mRR9hiECDDGCkvLH8vRNYLGOBwDTUPJeaSlpq8Vp8LbFxhNj63aHBLIZxwykidGz2G6Fg8CTg3a2r5NTi0N8eCDZ6bBntS0ybTFSeX-icD6pHYLFEqQJoEYaYu0yL/s1600/dair_2_5_071985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Rni8tI9mRR9hiECDDGCkvLH8vRNYLGOBwDTUPJeaSlpq8Vp8LbFxhNj63aHBLIZxwykidGz2G6Fg8CTg3a2r5NTi0N8eCDZ6bBntS0ybTFSeX-icD6pHYLFEqQJoEYaYu0yL/s320/dair_2_5_071985.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snaking back down the CNW main from the old Milw main. D&I is taking the connecting track to the ICG main just west of the Cargill plant in Sioux City, IA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoh1GNGTkhQ/WZ4E1FCFEUI/AAAAAAAALq8/sdxmAWOqtPg7GyqiBbheeSpPiS3P1D3BACLcBGAs/s1600/dair_08_7_5_051985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoh1GNGTkhQ/WZ4E1FCFEUI/AAAAAAAALq8/sdxmAWOqtPg7GyqiBbheeSpPiS3P1D3BACLcBGAs/s320/dair_08_7_5_051985.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of units for an empty rock train, but slow track means this train will take <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a5db4e79-ed7d-404e-8ff6-784bd9073fab" id="a16549a1-982d-43fa-8ec2-d4168c665627">awhile</gs> to get to Hawarden. Crossing the Big Sioux river <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c380d67e-c465-43c9-9aaf-01b4c6010b1b" id="3a96d857-0bd2-4e4a-a5cf-966613e1aaae">into</gs> South Dakota.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCBqSxRNopg/WZ4E8nGvNXI/AAAAAAAALrA/wvxYpq-drUg-O_ZvWm1as5yK7ieiEbeEACLcBGAs/s1600/dair_303_321_111985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCBqSxRNopg/WZ4E8nGvNXI/AAAAAAAALrA/wvxYpq-drUg-O_ZvWm1as5yK7ieiEbeEACLcBGAs/s320/dair_303_321_111985.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting in a cold late fall rain, this <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="4a3e27ca-aadd-4cee-8f90-edb3df92b874" id="00677170-bf3d-4d4c-a5d2-aa23bf85542a">is</gs> the last time I would see these units in Milwaukee Road paint. D&I 303 and 321 laying over in Sioux City.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JN1ggfSuZC52KUzfklgvX9ksS6GXlYmggV38AxmO9983FsdkO6Tol5J-XFsQBzNnvPhSUU_DVERrteMomB7AS_yzMlnAFw2AwqOcKrZhJC_-kwJKnt5lckZ2WfhUGNOVvud-/s1600/dair__071987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JN1ggfSuZC52KUzfklgvX9ksS6GXlYmggV38AxmO9983FsdkO6Tol5J-XFsQBzNnvPhSUU_DVERrteMomB7AS_yzMlnAFw2AwqOcKrZhJC_-kwJKnt5lckZ2WfhUGNOVvud-/s320/dair__071987.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the winter of 85-86, the D&I completed the chop nose conversions on the ex-Milw units and changed to a black and yellow scheme. Rumor at the time was the UP took offense to the gray and yellow and forced the change. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7DaMTDaJUo/WZ4FFYCND8I/AAAAAAAALrI/m0SWrNvUUMgUE5wHRJbrUp3H04uzUev_QCLcBGAs/s1600/dair_6_7_5_4_121987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1280" height="216" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7DaMTDaJUo/WZ4FFYCND8I/AAAAAAAALrI/m0SWrNvUUMgUE5wHRJbrUp3H04uzUev_QCLcBGAs/s320/dair_6_7_5_4_121987.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parked under the car shaker in Sioux City, D&I 6,7,4 & 5 dead on a cold December day in 1986.</td></tr>
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<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-28912030699823313402016-10-04T17:19:00.000-07:002016-10-04T17:45:26.336-07:00October 2 RailfanningSunday provided me an opportunity to enjoy some beautiful cloud free fall skies. With light winds and the nearly perfect sky, I was able to record some video which is something that can be pretty difficult to do with the wind in Nebraska.<br />
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The first catch of the day in the area I planned on fanning was an empty MidAmerica <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f2cabf40-ba13-47e9-a99e-4ab46683bfc8" id="bf98d40a-18d9-4519-a934-73c7b399d241">coaler</gs> just west of Lincoln, NE.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 6021 & 6096</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Hn7bXQqOCmY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hn7bXQqOCmY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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I followed this train up to the bridge west of Pleasant Dale, NE to try to catch it coming through the widened cut the BNSF created for the second main train. Unfortunately, it had an advantage with the shorter route and beat me there.<br />
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After a short wait, the signal at CP 14.6 displayed a red over yellow and then a red over flashing yellow followed by a <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c7017556-1031-493e-aceb-356acc453f09" id="946e7cb5-320b-42d2-be16-ca62ea33bff0">green</gs>. Drifting down grade an empty Bunge bean train rounded the curve to the west of the bridge and took the diverging clear for main two.<br />
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Once this train cleared, the signal at CP14.6 went red over yellow and stayed that way for about 10 minutes. Since I haven't heard any horns across the valley, I headed west to Milford. Once at Milford I setup to get a shot of the anticipated eastbound on the slight grade out of the Blue River valley. Within about 5 minutes horns could be heard coming from the north side of Miford along with a distinctive EMD 2 stroke sound. Soon BNSF 9246 lead an Alabama bound coal load up the grade.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">While in Milford a quick stop at the local Casey's for a slice of pizza was in order. While eating another eastbound was heard blowing for the crossing north of Milford. Shortly a TU Utilities coal train approached and I was able to capture it rounding the curve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">After this train passed, I headed back to the bridge for some more photos and videos. Since it was after noon the farmers had returned from church and were out in the fields cutting their crops and stirring up dust as the winds had started to pick up. With that in mind, I decided to stay for the westbound that was holding at CP 14.6 but the BNSF had a bunch of <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9b69e6d5-4471-41be-9c65-3e4b76fa4cbf" id="33e16074-d9c9-4742-bbea-eaa913ca8808">eastbounds</gs> to get in before it would finally get a green.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">First up was another loaded MidAmerica <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="6e6339b7-bccb-41b1-9bd7-0c853893ed7e" id="21c424a7-e4b0-40e2-8baa-695c26e458bf">coaler</gs>. BNSF 6350 lead another ES and another was the DPU <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bfa51269-0034-4b40-91aa-7e506a5c67ab" id="7519462e-e7fc-4172-9a30-b7adaf3e34b7">making</gs> an all GE consist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Following the MAXX <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="da5a54c0-4222-4486-a864-cd4dde59468f" id="979f9403-5ac5-4933-a9f0-ae3070d0860a">coaler</gs> was a Kansas Power and Light coal load with the BNSF 6209-5639 and DPU 8546. Once it crawled into the clear at CP 14.6 the westbound was given a green to head out. As the train came into view the green sheen of the Boeing B737-8xx's could be seen. This tipped me off that the HKCKLAU-01 was about to pass my spot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">After this train passed, I packed up my stuff and headed for the car. I decided to check out the signal one last time just in case and sure enough one more train was in store for me followed by another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">First up was the first train I recorded earlier in the morning. BNSF 9109-5775 and DPU 6057 with a GGPX coal empty was first seen on the east side of Waverly, NE holding for an opening in Hobson yard. Four hours later it had pasted trough the yard and was about 40 miles further west.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Once the BNSF 9109 passed it was followed by the last train of the day for me. BNSF 6404-NS 1086 with DPU 5821 rolled an empty JHMX coal <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="555a12c2-be56-40c9-9978-dae2c29ce358" id="8e66a3ac-65c4-429e-9a94-9ec8a07bf460">west</gs>. After watching this roll by I headed for home. Not a bad day for about 4.5 hours of quiet. </span><br />
<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-68180388416594524542016-09-26T18:44:00.000-07:002016-10-04T17:44:15.234-07:00On a quest to find the NS 4002 and 4004Our original plan was to get photos of these units around the local area, but the weather and updates on their status had us traveling south to get them in some sunlight.<br />
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We headed south out of the Omaha area, getting off the interstate at Mound City, MO to follow the BNSF tracks via the back roads. While making a quick stop in Mound City, we heard a northbound over on the Napier Sub and were hoping it wasn't the NS units running ahead of time. My son checked Facebook and found that the crew was called for 1100. Since it was 0900 we decided to head south until we found them.<br />
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At Napier Jct, an empty grain train was being held before continuing north up the Napier sub. The power looked like every other GE so we skipped going up to the headend for any pictures and headed south on Hwy 111 to Forest City. From there is was onto County Rd T to Forbes, MO.<br />
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North of Forbes, MO we noticed that the signals were lined for a southbound, so we pulled into Forbes and waited about 10 minutes before a southbound RWSX loaded <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b95b8b37-d2c3-4d7a-a962-6c494851f6f7" id="e4107466-a17c-4a73-9211-92e5c3e74646">coaler</gs> showed up. BNSF 8990-6394 with DPU's 9649-9085 cleared the only crossing in town within a couple of minutes.<br />
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As we paced the 8990 south we soon encountered a traffic jam around Rushville, MO. A truck towing a trailer with a Suburban on it, blew a front tire going into the ditch and hitting the rails. To my untrained eye it didn't appear to cause too much damage to the track, but the DS had to have a track inspector out to verify all was good.<br />
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The curious part of this traffic jam was at that a southbound TXUX loaded <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7aa970db-53e3-45bd-a656-7ea399fdf9f5" id="efd06202-21ec-4f9f-9345-4b7a33f93ab4">coaler</gs> was in the siding while a northbound mixed freight was holding the main. BNSF 5387-4535 was the power on the freight while BNSF 9270-6014 and DPU 6255 had the TXUX loads in hand.<br />
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A bit further down the road we noticed a headlight coming around a curve, which belonged to a northbound KCP&L empty with BNSF 9144 and DPU 9258 as power. Once they came to a stop BNSF 9270 got a green signal to continue south.<br />
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We encountered our next train at Amour siding where a northbound freight was being held. Power was BNSF 6235-6207-54181-9658. There was also a KCPL loaded <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bf51c123-1e07-48c4-badf-8ab5cb9e3d04" id="08215780-de47-44dd-af16-87bec72b99e8">coaler</gs> on the <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bf51c123-1e07-48c4-badf-8ab5cb9e3d04" id="07ad7b8d-3844-4c89-b1cc-d79bd7064f2a">ballon</gs> track running through the dumper at the Iatan Power Plant. From here we headed back up into the hills away from the tracks until we crossed under Hwy 92 about 2 miles north of the north end of Leavenwoth siding. Sitting at the north end waiting for the BNSF 9270 south was a TXUX empty <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a414e211-c7f0-4a0c-a472-067862069c53" id="42591342-712c-496b-abea-e3656cc50e4f">coaler</gs> with BNSF 9280-6082 on the headend. I could not get the number of the DPU on this train.<br />
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About half way down the siding (which is 17550' long) we set up for a shot of the 9270 passing the northbound in the siding.<br />
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Our next encounter was near MP 11.8 where we encountered the BNSF 9257-9838 on a loaded RWSX <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="effe27a0-d7a6-4add-b77c-b3824f49c884" id="780f0445-457a-4dd7-aa43-afbe6265205d">coaler</gs> holding at the end of double track. Having not encountered the NS duo and needing gas we headed on down to N. Kansas City to take a peek at Murray yard. The connector from Hwy 9 to Hwy 169 was closed so we ended up taking the roads down along the east side of the yard. We saw lots of faded/dirty/stored C44-9Ws, SD70MACs, a few AC44C4s in various BNSF paint schemes stuffed into tracks along the east side of the yard. After figuring out how to get over to Hwy 169 we were able to drive north along the west side of the yard and finally spotted the duo at the north end of Murray yard.<br />
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Not able to get any photos of the units, we decided on lunch and a run over to the NS yard as the IT heritage unit and the <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5608da65-9a39-4f23-9ce9-d3d9b3262b56" id="f5ce26fa-0829-4b83-9fff-edc4589ffa32">Veterans</gs> unit were reported to be in town. A drive down along the NS yard didn't reveal either unit, but we did manage to catch a parked auto rack train.<br />
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We took another run around the Murray yard to see if a crew may have been brought out to get on the train and found it in the same spot and state. Heading back up to Parkville, MO to position ourselves to get some photos when it does leave, my son looked up the latest information for the train at the various social media sites and read that the crew was called for 1600. Since it was 1430 and we had a 2.5 hour drive home combined with a line of storms coming in we reluctantly headed north.<br />
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Retracing our route, we encountered our first train just north of Parkville. Seems the crew on the BNSF 9257, which we had seen earlier died on the single track and had the main plugged. Seeing this we assumed that there wouldn't be any northbound movements on our way back. This was soon proven wrong as we encountered a northbound empty DDG train at Sadler. Moving at track speed we had a bit of a run to catch up to the head end which had BNSF 4556-6605 as the power. While trying to get ahead of it, I noticed a different train in the siding at Sadler from when we had headed south earlier in the morning.<br />
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The northbound grain train slowed to take the siding at Halls and my son wanted to get a shot of the train passing under the old Q cantilever signal at the south end of the siding. Once he was able to get his shots (mine were not the best) me headed north again and encountered a monster of a consist on a train holding at the end of double track. This mixed freight was lead by BNSF 6100-5742-5876-5166-652-6304-1106-8160-6902-7764, 10 units. Of course they were not all online and the last 5 looked as though the last 5 had recently been removed from storage.<br />
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Once the crew was relived and a new crew got on board this train would continue its journey to KC. We continued our journey north and soon encountered a loaded KCP&L <gs class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3266e820-7d39-44bf-a1b3-96d6342c17b2" id="a9580bd9-54d6-41cb-bba9-6e33e604e56d">coaler</gs> powered by BNSF 6263 and BNSF 8572 as the DPU quickly rolling up on the stopped freight stopped in front of it.<br />
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While we got our shots the crew fan ran around us and pulled up to a stopped mixed freight in the siding with BNSF 3800-4058-3012 as power.<br />
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With us still over a 100 miles from home and heavy rain just to the north we made a beeline for home and ended our day of railfanning.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-67430047233804643412014-02-01T10:24:00.000-08:002014-02-01T10:24:41.179-08:00Some finds in a yellow boxMoving has its disadvantages and advantages, especially went it comes to <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d3dc4986-42a1-4f32-af06-003dd17554b2" id="1b2d152e-b1e2-4bf5-94a3-12e030b63fb2">rediscovering</span> lost or forgotten items. While going through a tote with a bunch of photo envelopes I came across a long, thin, yellow plastic slide box. This box contained a roll of 126 slides that were developed in 1986 but had been exposed during the late fall of 1981.<br />
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Now before the purist turn their noses up and scream <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="44c8fade-b220-4d12-bb8c-263eb53e6439" id="7642618c-e874-41a5-95a7-aaaad7e2ead1">ack</span>, 126 Instamatic <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="44c8fade-b220-4d12-bb8c-263eb53e6439" id="7fffde1a-f672-4c25-96a2-97dc49658681">wtf</span>, it should be told that as a 15 year old this was the best I had in a camera at the time. I wouldn't get my first 35mm until Christmas 1981 in the form of a Pentax K1000.<br />
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So why make a blog post on this find, it's not for the technical purity of the images, but rather for the bit of history that was captured. The late fall of 1981 was a dramatic change for the BN in my hometown. Since 1908 there has been a CB&Q/BN terminal in South Sioux City (Ferry), NE and a separate GN/BN terminal in Sioux City, IA separated by a weight restricted 1888 link pin truss bridge over the Missouri River. Starting in 1980 the BN started the process of replacing this bridge to allow for heavier trains on the Sioux City line. The opening of this bridge in Dec 1981 lead to the closing of the So Sioux City terminal and consolidation of operations <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d1e41171-d460-43e3-8239-ebe739dd524b" id="04dfaa22-2046-4d2a-be82-f664ca1937a3">into</span> the old GN yard in Sioux City, IA.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three clean SD40-2's lead the first revenue train across the new Missouri River bridge between So. Sioux City, NE and Sioux City, IA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTuNA63q6XQ/Uu0etEuVmdI/AAAAAAAAExk/B_fI9AhylYI/s1600/bn_1557_1964_121981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTuNA63q6XQ/Uu0etEuVmdI/AAAAAAAAExk/B_fI9AhylYI/s1600/bn_1557_1964_121981.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying over in the old Q Ferry, NE engine terminal, a set of bridge power waits for a northbound train to take across the weight restricted Missouri River bridge to Sioux City, IA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road power waits for their train to be dragged over from Sioux City, IA before taking over from the bridge power for the trip south.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the old GN service track in Sioux City an unusual lashup of U33C and SD9 await service before taking a train north to Wilmar, MN. </td></tr>
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Some other images on this 20 shot roll include a couple of CNW and ICG shots included below for a look back. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQW35PdGnkw/Uu0eth3OVTI/AAAAAAAAEx0/5NxA2GHXwLA/s1600/cnw_6814_6904_121981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQW35PdGnkw/Uu0eth3OVTI/AAAAAAAAEx0/5NxA2GHXwLA/s1600/cnw_6814_6904_121981.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EMNPA power sits in the cold as their train is switched in the Sioux CIty, IA yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having brought in their train earlier in the day these two GP10's rest outside the old IC engine house in Sioux City, IA. This engine house <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3a13c92f-dd8e-44ea-8a1a-83bf272ecd23" id="556d427a-ecc7-49ed-b98d-c70fd1e1ac7a">still exist</span> as a machine shop for Cargill but the IC and GP10's are gone.</td></tr>
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<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-71923483332741060132013-11-23T15:55:00.000-08:002013-11-23T15:57:27.973-08:00A couple of cold hours at Ashland, NEWaking up to a dusting of snow Friday morning and some brilliant post storm sun light gave me an urge to get out and do some train watching. Unfortunately the clouds rolled back in by the time I got motivated and out the door.<br />
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First train I encountered was the ZCHCDEN as it rolled down from Gretna, NE toward Ashland on the Omaha Sub. I caught up with it before it got to Ashland but I wanted to get a shot of it further west and settled on a shot of it rolling east of Greenwood, NE. Unfortunutely, since its now stick season and the sky was gloomy a b&w conversion was needed to salvage the shot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHAF0_nLEi2rSsPoUgYHwlQ4HvWJLE7ltfkvuvbR17KUjbDIRzx8OwxP9uBLdO26UVjcuRUiDI_bdx9p-lU3x2RGnWHYEsJNfkvPTYQydjT7PN14FPxdDwXRqXR8usF9iMyzw/s1600/bnsf_7249_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHAF0_nLEi2rSsPoUgYHwlQ4HvWJLE7ltfkvuvbR17KUjbDIRzx8OwxP9uBLdO26UVjcuRUiDI_bdx9p-lU3x2RGnWHYEsJNfkvPTYQydjT7PN14FPxdDwXRqXR8usF9iMyzw/s320/bnsf_7249_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 7249 leads the ZCHCDEN between Greenwood and Ashland, NE.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFA-jdx6-knfnlB5vmYaX9ySEdi0EnA3xGFBs1Dmf-ubUNZfLnpHU3TssIsAO-noYwctx4pXv-g-oHBbNWxA1h-vCi_bRkjBsy_eWAZkYjxuWWAdEPQgR4aRJYW11EO39ScKZ/s1600/zchcden_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFA-jdx6-knfnlB5vmYaX9ySEdi0EnA3xGFBs1Dmf-ubUNZfLnpHU3TssIsAO-noYwctx4pXv-g-oHBbNWxA1h-vCi_bRkjBsy_eWAZkYjxuWWAdEPQgR4aRJYW11EO39ScKZ/s320/zchcden_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 7249 heads west toward Greenwood, NE.</td></tr>
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As I passed thru Ashland toward Greenwood, two coalers were stopped to give the Z train a clear block thru the area. A westbound empty coaler was holding at east wye in Ashland but was given a green on the heels of the Z train. It passed me as I headed back to Ashland and I wasn't able to get a shot of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nuNsdEfHL_YroTzxCs_42YfohvItmbeuGtheUJrCnIw3SgXTMIetJIdBazlAbf35Rrb1KY-oDsWdWSOR5rKtxij-Ue1Bi95lZ2t2I5y2KY0uRvxbLKbRJtkvwYlRhz-Yfuwt/s1600/bnsf_5968_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nuNsdEfHL_YroTzxCs_42YfohvItmbeuGtheUJrCnIw3SgXTMIetJIdBazlAbf35Rrb1KY-oDsWdWSOR5rKtxij-Ue1Bi95lZ2t2I5y2KY0uRvxbLKbRJtkvwYlRhz-Yfuwt/s320/bnsf_5968_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 5968 heads east on the Creston Sub instead of the anticipated north on the Sioux City Sub.</td></tr>
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An eastbound loaded coaler was holding at west Ashland and I thought it was going to head up the Sioux City sub and was caught off guard when it heading toward me instead of taking the hard left for Sioux City.<br />
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Soon after the eastbound passed a train was heard blowing for crossings and the chirp of a EOT was heard on the scanner. After a couple of minutes CREX 1312 rolled a westbound empty up to the signal on the Omaha sub. After about 15 mins she got a green and headed west again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LKFjmYjs3mXYW_ync3UdIdYcnVyc1g7T5ioECgrr9XJ5Us1lwnTXLpmngQWZsOoQVitPV0ndhC6Y0dEQU71rFDzBGVfoyNYfyRvMoBZK9qOJ-1epos83C3mWoDGUQKY3vjhQ/s1600/crex_1312_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LKFjmYjs3mXYW_ync3UdIdYcnVyc1g7T5ioECgrr9XJ5Us1lwnTXLpmngQWZsOoQVitPV0ndhC6Y0dEQU71rFDzBGVfoyNYfyRvMoBZK9qOJ-1epos83C3mWoDGUQKY3vjhQ/s320/crex_1312_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CREX 1312 leads a westbound empty coaler off the Omaha Sub.</td></tr>
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Once the CREX lead train passed another empty coaler followed about 20 minutes later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaV8uafGVsQ/UpE5it0QATI/AAAAAAAAEqw/M2SINvx99Ng/s1600/bnsf_9655_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaV8uafGVsQ/UpE5it0QATI/AAAAAAAAEqw/M2SINvx99Ng/s320/bnsf_9655_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9655 leads an empty coaler at east Asland.</td></tr>
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After the BNSF 9655 passed a lull in the action developed. The Sioux City Sub DS was talking to a southbound and soon it was heard blowing for the crossings north of Ashland. One nice thing from the lull is it gave the sun a chance to make an appearance.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-caWUiS5uZHM/UpE6IvK7x9I/AAAAAAAAEq4/jjS-Aa-jwl8/s1600/bnsf_9262_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-caWUiS5uZHM/UpE6IvK7x9I/AAAAAAAAEq4/jjS-Aa-jwl8/s320/bnsf_9262_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9262 leads a ballast train off the Sioux City Sub.</td></tr>
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Into nearly perfect sunlight BNSF 9262 lead a short ballast train across the Salt Creek bridge and then curved west toward west Ashland and the Creston Sub. Its passing gave me a chance to head for Casey's and some pizza.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK_5n7DkrOcy7E6iWFDHfJcwQL8VsfRbvJy8JuvL4boIvnhrBigOep_qH0e1pYsF3cKGuVyf5uOAGBGEhM8RX27RxxKvqHuBkVw5mWBog3muXYmKv-NuRa5kfUjVV_7W0tnOr/s1600/bnsf_7335_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK_5n7DkrOcy7E6iWFDHfJcwQL8VsfRbvJy8JuvL4boIvnhrBigOep_qH0e1pYsF3cKGuVyf5uOAGBGEhM8RX27RxxKvqHuBkVw5mWBog3muXYmKv-NuRa5kfUjVV_7W0tnOr/s320/bnsf_7335_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 7335 leads a DEEX empty at west Ashland.</td></tr>
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Crossing the bridge over the tracks reveled another westbound empty coaler so I headed over the west Ashland and waited for it to roll west. After a bit the BNSF 7335 and two C44-9W's slowly moved up to the signals. This is the first time since I've moved back to Nebraska where I've seen a coal train without AC units. Too bad it was still roaches on the front.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_7CG-rpalI/UpE9xUAeEaI/AAAAAAAAErQ/LLyRiZ67HDo/s1600/bnsf_6243_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_7CG-rpalI/UpE9xUAeEaI/AAAAAAAAErQ/LLyRiZ67HDo/s320/bnsf_6243_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 6243 leads a empty coaler at east wye Ashland.</td></tr>
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After grabbing some shots of the units, I headed back over to east Ashland and caught a couple of more empty coalers before hearing the Sioux City Sub DS calling out the BNSF 2778 south. BNSF 2778 was leading the Fremont switch down to the yard in Ashland and soon was head blowing for the crossings north of Ashland. As soon as I was able to see the headlight thru the trees I headed out to get a shot of it curving off the Sioux City sub before calling it a day and heading for home.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itfinml7nD4/UpE947u-K3I/AAAAAAAAErY/L2yBpDY8QpA/s1600/bnsf_2778_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itfinml7nD4/UpE947u-K3I/AAAAAAAAErY/L2yBpDY8QpA/s320/bnsf_2778_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 2778 leads the Fremont switch off the Sioux City Sub.</td></tr>
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<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-16150185293788377022013-10-13T19:14:00.000-07:002013-11-02T12:45:37.687-07:00Foamers<div class="thread-item-header" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1915">
<div class="contents" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1914">
<span class="from lozengfy" data-action="contact-card-menu" data-address="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com" data-name="Allan Love Jr" title="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com">Interesting.</span></div>
<div class="contents" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1914">
<span class="from lozengfy" data-action="contact-card-menu" data-address="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com" data-name="Allan Love Jr" title="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com"><br /></span></div>
<div class="contents" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1914">
<span class="from lozengfy" data-action="contact-card-menu" data-address="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com" data-name="Allan Love Jr" title="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com">This individual crawled out from under a rock and sent this to me. This is the character of the individuals that make a hobby so difficult to enjoy.</span></div>
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<span class="from lozengfy" data-action="contact-card-menu" data-address="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com" data-name="Allan Love Jr" title="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com"><br /></span></div>
<div class="contents" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1914">
<span class="from lozengfy" data-action="contact-card-menu" data-address="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com" data-name="Allan Love Jr" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1928" title="bnsfrailfan@yahoo.com">Allan Love Jr</span> <span class="thread-snippet" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1913">.</span></div>
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<span class="thread-snippet"><span class="to" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1927">To </span><span class="lozengfy" data-action="contact-card-menu" data-address="cnw6500@yahoo.com" data-name="Me" title="cnw6500@yahoo.com">Me</span></span></div>
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<span class="thread-snippet"><span class="btn btn-contact lozenge small left right" data-action="contact-menu" id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1381713677025_1925"><a dir="" href="http://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=942855028&action=showLetter&umid=2_0_0_1_704931_AGxwimIAAA8RUltGmwAAAO0sAyc&box=Inbox&src=hp&referer=www.yahoo.com#" role="button" tabindex="-1" title=""></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="thread-snippet"><span class="thread-date"><span class="short" title="Sun, Oct 13, 2013 at 8:19 PM">Today at 8:19 <span class="ampm">PM</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.I'm gonna tell you this one and one time only. A friend of mine sent me your fucking post of what you said. If you want to keep on bitching like a typical school bitch take it up with your slutty cunt bitch wife. Remember this fucker. I know who you are and know where you work. So you better keep your fucking trap shut cocksucker or I'll come shut it up for you. Your one step closer to me filing harassment charges on you. This is your last warning mother fucker. I'm tired of your shit. And another thing. You can gripe and fucking complain all you want of us true railfans like Brad and myself of going railfanning in ashland. And one more thing. If you do bitch back. You and your cunt wife can Call 1-800-FUCK-OFF Also. I will not be checking this e-mail anymore. Plus the fact of it is. Your e-mails are now 100% BLOCKED! So don't even wait your fucking time trashing back faggot. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ironically I had completely forgotten this individual existed, oh well his threats against me and my wife have been dully note with the local authorities.</span><br />
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railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-49519619449051455502013-09-07T19:54:00.000-07:002013-09-07T19:54:41.599-07:00Last couple of Fridays at AshlandBeen awhile since I've made a post, a new job and generally being sick and tired of dealing with the likes of Allan Love Jr, Tim Vana, Brad Grefe and Brad Williams had deterred my enthusiasm for what should just be a hobby. During August I started to get more free time and decided to take advantage of the free time with some train watching in Ashland.<br />
<br />
Traffic volume has changed in the last year through Ashland. The explosion of oil related traffic in North Dakota has forced the rerouting of some traffic from the old GN and NP lines down to the old Q across Iowa and Nebraska. Along with the increase in traffic on the Creston Sub, the Sioux City Sub has also experienced a traffic growth spurt.<br />
<br />
<b><u>August 30th</u></b><br />
The morning started out with a detour to Fremont, NE to take care of some business before heading south to Ashland. After getting my tasks completed, I turned on the scanner and caught the BNSF Sioux Line dispatcher give track and time to a southbound that was in the siding at Elk. Knowing I wouldn't be able to get to Elk before it left I decided to see what was lurking around Fremont.<br />
<br />
<u>BNSF Fremont switcher</u>:<br />
BNSF 3035<br />
<br />
<u>BNSF Fremont local</u>:<br />
BNSF 2778-2667<br />
<br />
<u>UP Fremont yard job</u>:<br />
UP 501<br />
<br />
With no other activity on the UP and the BNSF, I figured it was a good time to head for Ashland. Unfortunately there really isn't a direct route from Fremont to Ashland unless you take the dirt back roads. Not feeling like eating dust I headed down Hwy 77 to Hwy 92 for a short run over to Mead, NE and the connector road down to Hwy 66 to get to Ashland. About the time I got to Hwy 66 the chirp of an EOT started to be heard on the scanner. Rolling up to the sharp curve where Hwy 66, county road c and county road 4 intersect I caught a glimpse of a southbound on the Sioux City Sub. This was the same train that I had heard in Fremont getting T&T to Ashland. After pacing for a bit the train came to a stop at Abel to wait out traffic on the Creston Sub which gave me a heads up and time to get down to Ashland.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0V6iES99g0/Uiu0DhIzQlI/AAAAAAAAEf0/ew699xVkJEw/s1600/DSC_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0V6iES99g0/Uiu0DhIzQlI/AAAAAAAAEf0/ew699xVkJEw/s320/DSC_2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9175 & 9119 lead a MARX empty coaler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Crossing of the Creston Sub, I noticed there was a westbound holding at the west end of the old yard with another train tied down in the old yard. Instead of taking a left, I headed west and parked on the derelict main road into Ashland. Unfortunately the trees along the fill west of Ashland have had a growth spurt the last couple of years and a few are starting to be block the line of sight in certain spots. Holding the westbound main was an empty Mid America coaler from Council Bluffs, IA while an unknown local with two faded warbonnet B40-8W's for power was in the yard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AwSB2HARCUY/Uiu1wfuK0uI/AAAAAAAAEgA/xsrQ9peNhdQ/s1600/DSC_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AwSB2HARCUY/Uiu1wfuK0uI/AAAAAAAAEgA/xsrQ9peNhdQ/s320/DSC_2983.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9927 leads a MRWX coal load eastbound west of Ashland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a few minutes the empty MARX got under way with a RWSX empty right on its heels with BNSF 9190-8836 DPU's BNSF 9119-9208 as power. Within a couple of minutes of the RWSX clearing the fill an eastbound MRWX loaded coaler came into view with BNSF 9927-9695 for power. Once the loaded coaler cleared the west end of the Ashland yard the MWLMLIN rolled out onto main one from the Sioux City Sub with BNSF 9479-6920-7394 as the power. After the Wilmar cleared the west end of Ashland the scanner went silent so it was time to head over to the east side of Ashland.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tR1Oeg6R5nM/Uiu3Xdv71fI/AAAAAAAAEgM/Rix2gcjRNnc/s1600/DSC_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tR1Oeg6R5nM/Uiu3Xdv71fI/AAAAAAAAEgM/Rix2gcjRNnc/s320/DSC_2986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 7121 leads the MGALDEN at East Wye Ashland.</td></tr>
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Behind the Subway and car wash on the north side of Hwy 6 is the jct of the Creston Sub, Sioux City Sub and Omaha Sub. The paved road down to the tracks is wide enough for a couple of cars to park and not intrude onto the BNSF's land. It also allows for a good spot to setup for photos. So far this area has been a safe spot to train watch but there have been a number of photos posted by Allan Love Jr from inside the wye (BNSF land) and a month or so ago he and a gaggle of foamers were called in by crews for trespassing. If you visit this area don't be another Allan Love Jr and ruin it for others.<br />
<br />
After a bit of a wait the westbound signals showed a high green and the chirping of an EOT was heard. Rounding the curve under Hwy 6 the MGALDEN came into view with BNSF 7121-4403 as the power. Next up was an empty RWSX coaler with BNSF 9682-5903 and DPU 9704 as power. Following closely was a UCEX empty with BNSF 8853-6212 DPU 9883 as power.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKScoaBcoQ4/Uiu7fdG4NuI/AAAAAAAAEgc/Jm15ceJdlgw/s1600/DSC_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKScoaBcoQ4/Uiu7fdG4NuI/AAAAAAAAEgc/Jm15ceJdlgw/s320/DSC_2990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9682 leads an RWSX coal empty.</td></tr>
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After the UCEX empties the scanner went quite and the signals stayed red. Sitting in the heat with no action gets old quickly so I packed up and headed for Waverly to see what was parked waiting for a spot in the Lincoln yard. Sitting in the center siding was a MKCKLIN with BNSF 5711-NS 2714-NS 9226. Not sure how common NS power is on the Creston Sub but it was a nice surprise for me. After getting some shots I headed back to Ashland and as luck would have it I missed an eastbound coal load and a westbound ballast train<br />
<br />
Settling back in at the wye at Ashland I would only encounter a couple of more trains before calling it a day. BNSF 6229-6042 DPU 6094 rolled a UCEX empty coaler down the Omaha Sub to be dog caught at Linoma. A loaded MARX coaler took the Creston Sub lead by BNSF 9182-6105 next.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-NS0qKz2UU/Uiu-NjttTYI/AAAAAAAAEgk/dE7JEbf9Fjs/s1600/DSC_3001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-NS0qKz2UU/Uiu-NjttTYI/AAAAAAAAEgk/dE7JEbf9Fjs/s320/DSC_3001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 6229 leads an empty UCEX coaler down grade on the Omaha Sub. </td></tr>
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Listening to the scanner an interesting trend was noted. The Omaha sub typically is pretty quite but there were a number of westbound empty coalers getting dog catch crews. The dispatcher was routing trains with crews short on hours up the Omaha sub at Oreapolis, NE so that they wouldn't plug the main and sidings of the Creston Sub when they died on hours .<br />
<br />
After 4 hours in 98 degree heat I called it a day.<br />
<br />
<b><u>September 6th</u></b><br />
I had planned on getting out to Ashland before it got too hot but a phone call put a stop to that thought. The car dealer called me and let me know they had gotten a replacement title for my new car and since my paper tags expired on the 8th I had to make a detour to the county courthouse before any train watching. After about 25 minutes and writing a $2000 check for taxes and plates I was able to get back on track for Ashland.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5iIA4POdbA-uIeH8TtE0RdghiCc4MAjQ9TFEUV7Y_-7XXBbWeLWBrGdaPGl73pqO88Re21M0gfjF1xubCIcrE8OD07U1fNBuVkcMr4Kjnizrqy6fz_Eod_G_KRQyVX9vD0KT/s1600/DSC_3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5iIA4POdbA-uIeH8TtE0RdghiCc4MAjQ9TFEUV7Y_-7XXBbWeLWBrGdaPGl73pqO88Re21M0gfjF1xubCIcrE8OD07U1fNBuVkcMr4Kjnizrqy6fz_Eod_G_KRQyVX9vD0KT/s320/DSC_3009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 6083 leads a TGNX empty coaler at Ashland, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon after getting settled in at Ashland a TGNX empty coal came into view with BNSF 6083-8845 DPU's 9209-8806 as power. After the TGNX empties passed a eastbound loaded HPJX coaler rolled by with BNSF 5792-9103 DPU 5737. The scanner came to life with the BNSF Sioux Line dispatcher giving instructions to a southbound on the Sioux City sub. Even with this heads up I was caught by surprise when the BNSF 7468 with a loaded ETOH train rolled into view and onto the west leg of the wye. This was an interesting train as it was setup "backwards". BNSF 7468 lead but BNSF 1072-7611 were the DPU's.<br />
<br />
The booze train off the Sioux City sub was stopped on the west side of Ashland due to T&T given to a MOW crew doing some work on the cross-overs. Figuring there would be some dead time I packed up and headed west on a search for some lunch. Heading west on Hwy 6, I encountered a northbound MLINWLM holding for the BNSF 7468 to clear the west leg of the wye to the Sioux City Sub. I didn't stop and get the unit numbers but the power was a BNSF C44-8W and a CSX SD70MAC. I figured they would still be there when I got back from my lunch run but the BNSF tricked me as the MOW crew finished up pretty quickly.<br />
<br />
Just east of Greenwood, NE an eastbound vehicle train passed me with two BNSF C44-9W's as power. This is the first solid vehicle train I've seen on the Creston Sub since the floods of 2011 so I am not sure if this is a regular train or a reroute. At Waverly a long empty coaler with FURX and BNSF hoppers was sitting in the center siding. BNSF 6291-9519 DPU's 6001-6225 were the power for this monster.<br />
<br />
Since I had ventured this far west I decided to go into Havelock and check out the Havelock switcher power and grab some food at Burger King. Power sitting at the yard office in Havelock was BNSF 2967-8707 which made the trip over worth while.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Se-FwAkgHyM/UivCExRvL7I/AAAAAAAAEhI/wAU_HH8Urbc/s1600/DSC_3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Se-FwAkgHyM/UivCExRvL7I/AAAAAAAAEhI/wAU_HH8Urbc/s320/DSC_3023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 6288 leads a UCEX empty coaler off the Omaha Sub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back in Ashland the parade of trains continued with BNSF 6288-5798 DPU 9340-9170 rolling a empty coaler with CITX hoppers off the Omaha Sub. After about 20 minutes BNSF 6125-5853 DPU 9746 rolled up to the east leg of the wye and held the main with a UCEX empty coaler. After about 15 minutes all the lights came on and two bleeps of the horn meant they were heading west again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FsjVvDpR5E/UivCFMUz-FI/AAAAAAAAEhc/10q2R7eSWNw/s1600/DSC_3031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FsjVvDpR5E/UivCFMUz-FI/AAAAAAAAEhc/10q2R7eSWNw/s320/DSC_3031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9425 leads the MKINGAL past the BNSF 6125.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While the UCEX coaler was getting back under way the MLINGAL rolled through on main two with BNSF 9425-8971. Once the MLINGAL passed it was quite for awhile until an unusual train rolled in westbound. BNSF 8298-4946 NS-1064 lead a stack train of MOL sea containers (40' and 20'). I've never seen a solid train of MOL containers on the Creston Sub prior to this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOfXJ_rMuBU/UivCFShNFPI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/Zg_rC9thPL8/s1600/DSC_3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOfXJ_rMuBU/UivCFShNFPI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/Zg_rC9thPL8/s320/DSC_3032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 8298 leads a westbound stack track.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the stack train made its way thru the Sioux City Sub came alive with two southbounds. The first was a loaded grain train with BNSF 738-685-4392-4478 as power. Next up was a westbound GBRX coal empty with BNSF 9590-8764 DPU 9705 as power. Interesting this train went into emergency as it rolled off the west leg of the wye. I drove out to the west side of Ashland and saw that the train was still on the rails so I'm not sure why it went into emergency.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UGLfkHm7m9MsMTERuNScEv-142okpybISUdBejf-QUUbXicQ8ajxNQtvnr2_qLO1k5OBkd9Ichl5SB-8vk2uYdnPpU85cehceKRpdF53xugUfi5jBDnsixZ4OYvmZAdr7KSh/s1600/DSC_3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UGLfkHm7m9MsMTERuNScEv-142okpybISUdBejf-QUUbXicQ8ajxNQtvnr2_qLO1k5OBkd9Ichl5SB-8vk2uYdnPpU85cehceKRpdF53xugUfi5jBDnsixZ4OYvmZAdr7KSh/s320/DSC_3046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 5311 with track inspection cars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While the crew was busy talking to the dispatcher BNSF 5311 rounded the curve under Hwy 6 westbound with two track inspection cars in tow. After it rolled by I called it a day and headed out for home. On the way to I-80 the last train of the day was encountered stopped along Hwy 6 with BNSF 9179-6326 leading an empty LNTX coaler.<br />
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railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comAshland, NE, USA41.042785939678531 -96.35335922241210941.036797939678529 -96.363444222412113 41.048773939678533 -96.3432742224121tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-41696470840030367202013-04-01T11:41:00.000-07:002013-04-01T11:41:12.967-07:00Weekend in Grand Island, NEWinter just seems to want to stick around and the weekend of March 23rd and 24th was a good example of that. The girlfriend and I headed over to Grand Island, NE for the state Womens Bowling tournament that she was bowling in and for me to spend a couple of hours or so watching trains.<br />
<br />
We left the Omaha area in bright sunshine but a storm was getting its act together out west. The brunt of this early spring snow storm was supposed to impact Kansas with a predicted 2-4 inched in the Grand Island area. Thankfully this never occurred but we did get a chance to drive on some icy roads on Sunday morning.<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday March 23rd</b><br />
I left the girlfriend at the Bowling center around noon and had about 3 hours to get out and explore. The weather was pretty bad at this time with really dark skies with light snow and rain. Not a good scenario or having too much fun but I made the most of it.<br />
<br />
The first train I encountered was the ZG2SC as it passed through the yard and headed west. Figuring I would not be able to get ahead of it I detoured over to N Oak and E Front St to see what was going on. Under the BNSF overcrossing the Nebraska Central was doing some work on the west end of the Grand Island yard. NCRC 8118-8123 were switching out a box car that they eventually shoved down into the area of the yard that they park their power at. After watching them do this and taking a look at the signals and hearing no scanner traffic, I made an impulse decision to head west and see how far I could get before having to turn around.<br />
<br />
While crossing over the UP mainline on the west side of Grand Island, I noticed that the z train was still in the area and moving west really slow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obrDN2WZUtc/UVjNfibSOqI/AAAAAAAAEMc/b91rFeyOBl0/s1600/up_7900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obrDN2WZUtc/UVjNfibSOqI/AAAAAAAAEMc/b91rFeyOBl0/s320/up_7900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 7990 and the ZG2SC from Hwy 30.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not sure why this high priority train was basically crawling along at 45 mph but I figured it was a good opportunity to get some foul weather moody pacing shots. I was able to catch up to it between Alda and Wood River, NE and fired off a couple of shots that I knew would not be perfect but was hoping they would be salvageable. Power for the ZG2SC was UP 7990-7201-4376-4888-4055.<br />
<br />
At Gibbon, NE an empty coaler was holding on the Marysville line for the westbound Z train and a loaded coaler was slowly rolling toward the jct. UP 6747-6621 DPU 6608 had the eastbound coal load while UP 5921-7121 DPU 7236 held on the Marysville line with the empties..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtyEEetc8h4/UVjNefrADcI/AAAAAAAAEMM/LRLRKIWGamU/s1600/up_6747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtyEEetc8h4/UVjNefrADcI/AAAAAAAAEMM/LRLRKIWGamU/s320/up_6747.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 6747 leads a coal load west of Gibbon, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having made some good time to Gibbon, I continued over to Kearney, NE to see if I could catch the ex BRC GP7 at the Peavey elevator. As my luck has been with this unit it was locked up in the elevator load shed. A drive by the UP yard did revel the UP 504-823 that are the local switchers based in Kearney. With just over a hour to get back to the bowling center, I headed back into Grand Island with only one more train seen for the day. The Grand Island to North Platte local was seen at Alda with UP 1645-1641-1593 and about 30 cars in tow. This train has been powered by three SD40-2's and SD40N's for the last 3 years or so and reminds me of the days when I would sit along side the tracks in Wood River watching the UP run trains like street cars.<br />
<br />
<b>Sunday March 24th</b><br />
We woke up to some nice clear skies but a brutal north wind around 30 mph. A quick morning rush to get the gf to the bowling center by 0730 was needed before any train watching could occur and this allowed the sun to get a bit higher in the sky.<br />
<br />
I was able to get about 3.5 hours of train watching in before heading back to the Omaha area. Since I was also out taking pictures of the old buildings and signs that are still around, I did miss a few trains during that time.<br />
<br />
<b>0740 - Westbound UP stack train</b><br />
UP 8710-7613 DPU 7431<br />
<br />
A drive around the yard to check out the local power and various MOW train power sets.<br />
Switcher set - 518-508<br />
MOW train - 4069-4658<br />
Loaded grain train 6313-6398-7920<br />
MOW train - 5184-9640<br />
MOW train - 8248-5631<br />
Nebraska Central - 8118-8123 and a set of two additional SD40-2's<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-marMxW76XHw/UVjNddzV0zI/AAAAAAAAEMA/yjE2fIdTXZc/s1600/ncrc_8118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-marMxW76XHw/UVjNddzV0zI/AAAAAAAAEMA/yjE2fIdTXZc/s320/ncrc_8118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nebraska Central SD40-2's 8118-8123</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After getting pics of the Nebraska Central units I took off to find some old and obscure items in downtown Grand Island. During this time I missed a BNSF westbound stack train that was followed by a westbound freight. The UP sent a coal empty and an eastbound stack train thru also.<br />
<br />
<b>0905 - Eastbound UP stack train</b><br />
UP 6850-6743-6052-5072 DPU 6713<br />
<br />
With the downturn in coal loadings formerly coal train only power is starting to become common on these higher priority trains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3swx6nxeiM/UVjNfKaPHCI/AAAAAAAAEMU/eSSOMEicy6Y/s1600/up_6850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3swx6nxeiM/UVjNfKaPHCI/AAAAAAAAEMU/eSSOMEicy6Y/s320/up_6850.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 6850 leads a eastbound stacker into Grand Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>0920 - BNSF Coal empties</b><br />
BNSF 6340-6054 DPU 5856<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLBX_H-rhpY/UVjNbn6P2qI/AAAAAAAAELs/Ii-g7Kl5EWQ/s1600/bnsf_5856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLBX_H-rhpY/UVjNbn6P2qI/AAAAAAAAELs/Ii-g7Kl5EWQ/s320/bnsf_5856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 5856 passes over the UP QNPEL.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>0922 - UP QNPEL eastbound</b><br />
UP 8498-7736<br />
<br />
<b>0935 - UP ZSKGR westbound</b><br />
UP 6451-6470-7097<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Btv2c-bUuaA/UVjNdvsejFI/AAAAAAAAEME/pgC1z6U0DjQ/s1600/up_6451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Btv2c-bUuaA/UVjNdvsejFI/AAAAAAAAEME/pgC1z6U0DjQ/s320/up_6451.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 6451 leads the empty salad shooter out of Grand Island, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>0945 - BNSF Coal load</b><br />
Missed the single headend unit but got the 6221 DPU<br />
<br />
<b>1009 - BNSF Coal load</b><br />
BNSF 9272-5897 DPU 9835<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLAOQq59-Dg/UVjNcS7U09I/AAAAAAAAEL0/rxgIGXvgsYk/s1600/bnsf_9272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLAOQq59-Dg/UVjNcS7U09I/AAAAAAAAEL0/rxgIGXvgsYk/s320/bnsf_9272.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9272 leads a coal load south over the UP mainline.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>1011 - UP Mid America coal empties</b><br />
UP 5700-7195 DPU 7279<br />
<br />
<b>1019 - UP loaded grain train westbound.</b><br />
UP 7920-6398-6313<br />
<br />
Power had run around the train and departed westbound with the loaded train from earlier. While getting in position to photograph this train the BNSF sent a coal load over the departing train.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_JUl_pmO-o/UVjNgey40zI/AAAAAAAAEMk/kNVvUZjL4YE/s1600/up_7920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_JUl_pmO-o/UVjNgey40zI/AAAAAAAAEMk/kNVvUZjL4YE/s320/up_7920.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 7920 departing Grand Island with a loaded grain train as a BNSF coal load passes over head.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>1050 -UP ZG2SE westbound.</b><br />
UP 8477-7607-7806-8778-8576<br />
<br />
<b>1052 - BNSF coal empties</b><br />
BNSF 9277-9938 DPU 5729<br />
<br />
<b>1111 - BNSF eastbound freight</b><br />
BNSF 4325-4169 DPU 6763<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHSwyuGlpi8/UVjNa0YOIJI/AAAAAAAAELo/61vXkblykIM/s1600/bnsf_4325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHSwyuGlpi8/UVjNa0YOIJI/AAAAAAAAELo/61vXkblykIM/s320/bnsf_4325.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 4325 leads a southbound freight through Grand Island, NE<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After this last train passed through it was time to meet the gf , have some lunch and head back to Omaha.<br />
<br />
<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-1609331665605281482013-03-05T12:16:00.000-08:002013-03-05T12:35:59.140-08:00A couple of days along the BNSF Creston SubI was able to spend some time on Saturday and Sunday along the BNSF Creston sub in Lincoln and Ashland, NE. Its been awhile since I've spent anytime in that area and it was good to see something other than dirty yellow GE's.<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday March 2nd.</b><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlwHWIO4XCM/UTVJ7JV98TI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/Br9wjubVtgs/s1600/bnsf_8970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlwHWIO4XCM/UTVJ7JV98TI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/Br9wjubVtgs/s320/bnsf_8970.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 8970 starts to head into the Lincoln yard.</td></tr>
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As is typical, the closer one gets to Lincoln the more common it is to see trains backed up waiting for a spot in the yard. Taking the I-80 off ramp into Waverly, NE two coal empties were seen waiting for a slot in the yard.First in line was a empty KC Power and Light with BNSF 8970-5807 and DPU 9688 as power. Behind it was another empty coaler with a mixed bag of private reporting marks on the cars. Power was BNSF 9229-5895-9148 and no DPU.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYK3bqYO2u4/UTVJ7kZ163I/AAAAAAAAEKY/j75VJcgQ2eQ/s1600/bnsf_9229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYK3bqYO2u4/UTVJ7kZ163I/AAAAAAAAEKY/j75VJcgQ2eQ/s320/bnsf_9229.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9229 leads mixed bag of empty coal hoppers into Lincoln, NE.</td></tr>
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Both coalers needed to clear the main in order for a couple of loaded coalers to head east. While waiting for these movements to start the MLINLIN pulled up through Waverly and held on the west side of town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8UJO6dVeeE/UTVJ69fg45I/AAAAAAAAEK8/zd5HNpejMUI/s1600/bnsf_6102_9161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8UJO6dVeeE/UTVJ69fg45I/AAAAAAAAEK8/zd5HNpejMUI/s320/bnsf_6102_9161.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The MLINLIN holds the main west of Waverly, NE.</td></tr>
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The first of the eastbounds to head out was a Mid-America coaler for Council Bluffs, IA. Power was BNSF 6136-9964 and no DPU. The second train was being moved from the yard to Pacific Jct., IA. Instructions for it where to tied down in the old yard after backing down the east side of the wye to the Napier Sub. I wasn't able to get the power numbers as it passed on the opposite side of the BNSF 9229 in Havelock, NE.<br />
<br />
After the brief stop on the east side of the Havelock shops, I headed over to the old depot area to take a look at the local power that is typically tied down there. BNSF 3171 and 8613 were noted as the local switch units which is a far cry from the days when they ran the Transcon full out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K9hozlRQnQ/UTVJ6XVTTvI/AAAAAAAAEK4/1OjqZ2LmYBg/s1600/bnsf_3171_8613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K9hozlRQnQ/UTVJ6XVTTvI/AAAAAAAAEK4/1OjqZ2LmYBg/s320/bnsf_3171_8613.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 3171 and 8613 are the Havelock local switch engines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next stop was the area on the east end of the yard where the St. Joe, Creston, and Hastings subs all come together. This area is now no mans land as the BNSF had the city close J st. through the wye over to S 1st st. There are a couple of locations to park near the grade crossing at S 1st st, but since one of them is a private business there is no guarantee that one can park there for long.<br />
<br />
While getting parked I noticed a set of lite power on the east end of the yard and was hoping they would come out a little bit closer to the road as the lead unit was BNSF 769 which still wears its red and silver BNSF scheme. She had the BNSF 4300 and a unknown CSX C40-8W trailing.<br />
<br />
With no more eastbounds lined up to leave the yard the last train for me was another empty coaler with BNSF 9231 and DPU BNSF 9818.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4k-8XLMP0QE/UTVJ756611I/AAAAAAAAEKc/Yvl0Wgh5cOw/s1600/bnsf_9231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4k-8XLMP0QE/UTVJ756611I/AAAAAAAAEKc/Yvl0Wgh5cOw/s320/bnsf_9231.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9231 curves under the signal bridge on the east side of the Lincoln NE yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Sunday March 3rd.</b><br />
Sunday started out with hazy sunny skies but soon turned to clouds. Since the sun was shinning I took off for Ashland, NE hoping to get a fair amount of traffic before having to head back home at noon.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpiRtamvDF8/UTVJ8HVPwlI/AAAAAAAAEKo/Ceva_KuCb9w/s1600/bnsf_9693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpiRtamvDF8/UTVJ8HVPwlI/AAAAAAAAEKo/Ceva_KuCb9w/s320/bnsf_9693.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9693 leads an empty coaler through Ashland, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon after getting parked the scanner started chirping letting me know an EOT was somewhere close. Within a couple of minutes an empty coaler came around the curve on the far east side of Ashland. BNSF 9693-6220 and DPU 6273 roared by in some nice light. The signal just to the west of where I was parked soon returned to yellow and then flashing yellow as another westbound approached. Today's MLINLIN came into view with the same units (BNSF 9161-6102) as the day before plus the BNSF 521 that they picked up in Omaha, NE..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Enly4fHuPag/UTVJ7dm6iLI/AAAAAAAAEKw/nCiYl7g7ODM/s1600/bnsf_9161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Enly4fHuPag/UTVJ7dm6iLI/AAAAAAAAEKw/nCiYl7g7ODM/s320/bnsf_9161.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 9161-6102-521 on the MLINLIN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Video of the MLINLIN<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXklRkbWst0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Next up was another empty coaler setup as a 1x1 train. BNSF 6067 lead with BNSF 9955 as the DPU.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88F06t43CAk/UTVJ8JogMCI/AAAAAAAAEKs/J17njrL2KoE/s1600/bnsf_9955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88F06t43CAk/UTVJ8JogMCI/AAAAAAAAEKs/J17njrL2KoE/s320/bnsf_9955.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another empty coaler was following pretty close behind. BNSF 6191-8851-9699 headed to Lincoln on the heals of the BNSF 9955. The yard must have been pretty fluid that morning to have empties this following close together.<br />
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After the EOT passed traffic died down on the Creston sub. A southbound on the Sioux City Sub toned out the DS for permission enter the Creston Sub. About 15 minutes after the radio exchanges a southbound loaded ethanol train slowly crossed the Salt Creek bridge and took the west leg of the wye to head for Lincoln. BNSF 4346-5281 and DPU 1078 where the power for the train.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LX5mzxTfR5I/UTVJ6S4xskI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/4f9TfdSBTLA/s1600/bnsf_4365_5251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LX5mzxTfR5I/UTVJ6S4xskI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/4f9TfdSBTLA/s320/bnsf_4365_5251.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Soon after the ETOH train cleared the Sioux City sub the DS was giving track and time to the track inspector on the Sioux City sub and another track inspector was heading east on the Creston sub. Seeing as the DS only lets the inspectors out when there is a lull in traffic, I took this as a clue to head for home.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-74484409610851723412013-01-14T12:47:00.000-08:002013-01-14T12:53:30.403-08:00A look at the BNSF Sioux City SubThe Sioux City sub is one of those often over looked Midwestern lines when compared to the close by BNSF Creston and Ravenna Subs and the UP's Chicago to North Platte mainline. This is rather unfortunate as this increasingly busier line has some unique character that the busier mainlines seem to lack.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">History</span></b><br />
Before beginning the exploration of this line some history is in order. The Sioux City sub was a rather late comer in eastern Nebraska. Construction of this line did not occur until 1905 when the Great Northern Railway extended the Sioux City and Western Railway to Ashland, NE from Dakota City, NE. The extension was needed to connect the CB&Q leased Sioux City and Western Railway from Ferry, NE to O'Neil, NE line. Once the line was completed the CB&Q leased what is now the Sioux City sub from the Great Northern. In 1907 the Great Northern began a process of consolidating subsidiary lines into the great Northern and in 1909 the Sioux City & Western was sold to The CB&Q.<br />
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The original route of the Sioux City Sub between Ferry, NE and Sioux City, IA was via the Pacific Short Line bridge (later known as the Combination bridge) where access to the Great Northern passenger station and freight houses along 3rd Street in Sioux City was gained.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ia/ia0000/ia0082/photos/069186pv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ia/ia0000/ia0082/photos/069186pv.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Short Line bridge looking toward Iowa sometime in the 1890's.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Today</span></b><br />
The BNSF Sioux City sub is a dramatically different line than it was in the early 20th century. Gone are its days of serving as a feeder line for the mainline at Ashland to its important role as a shortcut between the upper midwest and the south. Oil, sand, grain, ethanol and over head freight form the back bone of the traffic from the Dakotas and Minnesota all funneling down this non-signaled single track line. Between 14-20 trains a day play leap frog from siding to siding along this 100+ miles using TWC and creative dispatching. Some changes are in the wings for this busy line as PTC will be cut in sometime during 2013, dispatcher controlled power switches are being put into place and segments of double track are slowly being built.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Exploring the Line</b></span><br />
Beginning from Ashland, NE heading north the various areas of the line will be outlined. The map below pinpoints specific locations and items along the line. Clicking a pin will open a pop-up with a narrative of that point of interest.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=217849462124896942146.0004d2b82794303049409&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=41.783601,-96.437988&spn=1.966094,3.515625&z=8&output=embed" width="640"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=217849462124896942146.0004d2b82794303049409&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=41.783601,-96.437988&spn=1.966094,3.515625&z=8&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">BNSF Sioux City Sub</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<small><br /></small><small><b><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Ashland to Fremont NE</u></span></b></small><br />
<small><span style="font-size: small;">Ashland NE is where the Sioux City Sub joins the Creston Sub. A wye at this junction allows for trains to head east or west on the Creston Sub. A unique feature of this junction is the presence of the Omaha Sub's junction with the Creston sub occurring between the two legs of the wye. </span></small><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAZrTa0LK3U/UO9lJ_sSC3I/AAAAAAAAEEc/4KOb7Ef_cQA/s1600/bnsf_685_701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAZrTa0LK3U/UO9lJ_sSC3I/AAAAAAAAEEc/4KOb7Ef_cQA/s320/bnsf_685_701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An empty grain train begins its north bound journey up the Sioux City sub in Ashland NE.</td></tr>
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Heading north from Ashland the first siding encountered will be the gravel pits owned by Western Sand and Gravel at Able and Big Sandy. These pits were once the property of Nebco and was home of the Omaha Lincoln and Beatrice inter plant railroad. Today the old OL&B line is used to store coal and freight cars.<br />
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The first town encountered north of Ashland is Yutan, NE. Yutan hosts a 4168' siding along with the at grade crossing of the UP Lincoln Sub. This crossing is protected by an automatic interlocking protecting the one M-F UP train from Valley to Valprasio, NE.<br />
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7.5 lines north of the UP crossing is the first of the 5 important sidings along this 108 mile sub. The siding known as Elk is 7811' long and is used to stage trains across the UP crossing in Fremont along with south bounds meeting north bounds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTy4tjyOQDg/UO9jzAVdcLI/AAAAAAAAEE8/jGgpjO2mfRI/s1600/bnsf_5875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTy4tjyOQDg/UO9jzAVdcLI/AAAAAAAAEE8/jGgpjO2mfRI/s320/bnsf_5875.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having just meet a north bound at Elk siding this empty coaler heads for Ashland.</td></tr>
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From the north siding switch to the UP crossing in Fremont it is 6.2 miles. About midway the sub crosses the Platte river on a plate girder bridge. From the river crossing it is around a mile and a half to the south switch to the old Fremont, NE siding. This siding is no longer used for meets and primarily serves as a storage track and to gain access to the spur into the Hormel plant at the north end of the siding.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phyQpDOQgHI/UO9j1o4oqKI/AAAAAAAAEDs/zRp_F8vWY2U/s1600/bnsf_9681_052911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phyQpDOQgHI/UO9j1o4oqKI/AAAAAAAAEDs/zRp_F8vWY2U/s320/bnsf_9681_052911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the curve to briefly head west to the UP crossing.</td></tr>
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After following a generally straight north alignment the line curves to the west to parallel the UP a block to the south through Fremont. Within this curve a spur heads south along the main to serve the cold storage plant across from the Homel processing plant. Both Hormel and this cold storage plant ship by rail. Refers of pork products and tank cars with tallow are the shipped out.</div>
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East of S. Main st in Fremont is the last remaining depot on the Sioux City sub. The MOW department uses the depot as offices and storage. On the west side of S. Main st the old Fremont yard is located. Interchange with the UP is done here. The Fremont to Ashland local and the Fremont to Oakland local cars are swapped on the tracks that remain.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQjjcwXcTJI/UO9jxo2nnSI/AAAAAAAAEC4/kdBzZBQpzNc/s1600/bnsf_4528_080710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQjjcwXcTJI/UO9jxo2nnSI/AAAAAAAAEC4/kdBzZBQpzNc/s320/bnsf_4528_080710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A loaded grain train beats the UP crossing on its way south.</td></tr>
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West of S. Main st at the north end of N. Morrell st is the BNSF-UP diamonds. BNSF trains are the lower priority at this crossing and will often wait extended periods of time before being allowed to cross the UP. BNSF crews contact the UP dispatcher for permission to cross. Once given authority they will hustle from S. Fremont or Papa to get across. Any delays typically results in the BNSF trains being "bumped" and there authority removed until the next window opens up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPPYmUYoU0g/UO9jxWCVA9I/AAAAAAAAEC8/Gs-HqME6aIA/s1600/bnsf_4326_740_101511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPPYmUYoU0g/UO9jxWCVA9I/AAAAAAAAEC8/Gs-HqME6aIA/s320/bnsf_4326_740_101511.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A northbound loaded cement train holds the siding at Papa.</td></tr>
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From the UP crossing it is about 2 miles to the south siding switch at Papa. Like Elk, Papa siding plays an important role in getting trains through the Fremont area, unlike Elk, Papa has industrial spurs to active customers. Five customers receive and originate loads in the area just to the south of Papa siding. Ashland Cement, Farmers Coop, Interstate Chemical, Nutri-Flow and BioEnzyme are served along the spur. At the north end of Papa siding another spur heads to CFI Industries were tank cars are unloaded.<br />
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<b><u>Fremont to Oakland</u></b></div>
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Heading north out of Fremont the sub follows the Elkhorn River valley crossing it north of Winslow, NE. From this location it follows Logan Creek north through Oakland, NE.<br />
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6.9 miles northeast of Papa siding the sub crosses the FEVR's ex-CNW line at grade. This crossing is protected by an automatic interlocking but with the loss of the Diner train it is rare that an FEVR train will be encountered at this crossing.<br />
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From the FEVR crossing it is 2.5 miles to Nickerson, NE and then 5.6 miles to Winslow. Winslow used to have a small passing siding but it is now stub ended on the south end before crossing Hwy 77.<br />
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The next siding north from Winslow is a new siding that was built late 2011 south of Uehling, NE. This siding was to be the start of a segment of double tracking on the sub. It will eventually tie into the Oakland, NE siding. The distance between the two sidings is approximately 9 miles.and would give the BNSF some more room to hold trains while waiting for authority to cross the UP in Fremont. The siding at Oakland is 7420' feet but does have a crossing that can not be blocked when used.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wf6v-MA7nY/UPLjghXAVDI/AAAAAAAAEFE/5090ix262w0/s1600/bn_8045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wf6v-MA7nY/UPLjghXAVDI/AAAAAAAAEFE/5090ix262w0/s320/bn_8045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A BN Lincoln to Sioux City train is crossing the flat farm land south of Oakland NE during the summer of 1984.</td></tr>
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<u><b>Oakland to Winnebago</b></u><br />
After leaving Oakland a grain shuttle loader is encountered about 1 mile from the north switch Oakland siding. This loader is setup to allow access from the north and south, but will not allow a loaded train to reverse its movement without the power running around the train. The shuttle loader is also the only customer along the sub until Dakota City, NE. This is a rather dramatic change from the 80's when every town would ship and receive cars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujka1qpfX_4/UO9jyapMPaI/AAAAAAAAEDA/QLeDLUenc0E/s1600/bnsf_5434_5257_022710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujka1qpfX_4/UO9jyapMPaI/AAAAAAAAEDA/QLeDLUenc0E/s320/bnsf_5434_5257_022710.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An empty grain train is waiting for a fresh crew to load at the Oakland shuttle loader..</td></tr>
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Lyons is the next town encountered from Oakland. At Lyons the sub takes a slight jog to the northwest to stay in the Logan creek flood plain which it follows until Rosalie, NE. At Rosalie the sub climbs out of the Logan Creek flood plain to the South Omaha Creek flood plain. This is a short climb of around 0.5%.<br />
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The sub follows the creek down into Walthill where an old passing siding was located.The siding is now stub ended and used for MOW storage. Just north of this siding is a hi-wide detector that protects the Gordon Drive Viaduct in Sioux City from any shifted loads or loads higher than 19'2". This high restriction prevents double stack and M3E auto racks from using the Sioux City Sub.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LE0WzWORCQ0/UO9jud5zomI/AAAAAAAAECQ/hgoiT63Gvvc/s1600/bn_1964_1284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LE0WzWORCQ0/UO9jud5zomI/AAAAAAAAECQ/hgoiT63Gvvc/s320/bn_1964_1284.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A southbound local running at track speed.</td></tr>
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The next siding is at Winnebago, NE at 7590' it is the second longest siding on the sub.The Winnebago siding provides a staging spot for trains coming into the Sioux City terminal. Inbound crews will call into the Sioux City yard master asking for "landing" instructions and are typically told to call back when crossing the Missouri River bridge.<br />
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<b><u>Winnebago to Sioux City</u></b><br />
It is 27 miles from Winnebago to the terminal in Sioux City. These 27 miles can tend to be the busiest of the sub. 6.3 miles north of Winnebago is the town of Homer, NE. The old siding is still in place but has been stub ended on the south end. There does not appear to be any active shippers on this spur anymore.<br />
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It is 7.3 miles to Dakota City from Homer. In these 7.3 miles the sub crosses the Missouri River flood plain and its many old channels. There are numerous soft spots that have been shored up by driving pilings into the row on both side of the track structure. These soft spots are more pronounced during wet years as the tracks tend to sink back into the gumbo.<br />
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At Dakota City the first customer since Oakland is encountered. Elementis LTP receives inbound tank cars of chemicals that are trans loaded into tankers. A block north of them is the division point between the Twin Cities and Nebraska Divisions.The sign announcing this is a nice backdrop when out photographing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-peWVYpTjVlI/UO9jwTBAkuI/AAAAAAAAECo/OjJc-cwbrKk/s1600/bn_7100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-peWVYpTjVlI/UO9jwTBAkuI/AAAAAAAAECo/OjJc-cwbrKk/s320/bn_7100.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A southbound BN grain train passes from the Minnesota Diviosion at Dakota City NE during the mid-80's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUqFmkqR3Y/UO9lJo91NkI/AAAAAAAAEEU/1mpoNsKWM4c/s1600/bnsf_643_031410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUqFmkqR3Y/UO9lJo91NkI/AAAAAAAAEEU/1mpoNsKWM4c/s320/bnsf_643_031410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A southbound grain train passes from the Twin Cities to the Nebraska Division.</td></tr>
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After crossing into the Twin Cities division the sub passes through the large Tyson beef slaughter and processing plant in Dakota City. On the north side of the Tyson complex is the wye that connects the former Nebraska Northeastern/BN/CB&Q/SCWR O'niel line to the Sioux City Sub. On December 1, 2012 the BNSF completed its repurchase of this line and its new subdivision name is not known at this time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oY1Qidn1TBY/UPLjgbwnMcI/AAAAAAAAEFA/Ci0YOpkjgA8/s1600/bn_8068_1963_cnw_4422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oY1Qidn1TBY/UPLjgbwnMcI/AAAAAAAAEFA/Ci0YOpkjgA8/s320/bn_8068_1963_cnw_4422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing through the old Ferry yard a northbound empty grain train passes the CNW Dakota City local.</td></tr>
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Just to the north of the this wye is the old BN/CB&Q Ferry yard and engine terminal. In 1981 the BN replaced the original 1880's bridge over the Missouri River. Prior to this trains coming north would exchange the road power with a set of GP7's or GP9's to drag the train over to the Sioux City yard. The opposite would occur for southbound trains from Sioux City.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UgpbMdUprtw/UO9juYRkoYI/AAAAAAAAECI/zFb1EXDnXng/s1600/bn_1959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UgpbMdUprtw/UO9juYRkoYI/AAAAAAAAECI/zFb1EXDnXng/s320/bn_1959.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A SC-LIN train heads south through Ferry.</td></tr>
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Soon after the opening of the new bridge the old engine terminal and yard was reconfigured with the engine terminal removed and the yard ladder tracks off the main removed with only two tracks surviving as storage tracks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WZCkj4FiOQ/UO9jzoDI3lI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/PUhmi0Gc1mw/s1600/bnsf_6142_ferry_111509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WZCkj4FiOQ/UO9jzoDI3lI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/PUhmi0Gc1mw/s320/bnsf_6142_ferry_111509.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MWILKCK passes through Ferry NE.</td></tr>
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From Ferry to Floyd the CNW and BN shared the trackage. The line was originally owned my the CNW and was The CStPM&O mainline until the line south of Pender NE was washed out in the 1930's. After that the line was a secondary line to Emerson and Norfolk NE. The line and bridge was sold to the BN in 1975 with the CNW retaining trackage rights and ownership of the sidings in South Sioux City, NE. The UP still retains these rights today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYgKlvSBxIs/UO9jvj2-xmI/AAAAAAAAECc/sEhJk5byVZg/s1600/bn_6780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYgKlvSBxIs/UO9jvj2-xmI/AAAAAAAAECc/sEhJk5byVZg/s320/bn_6780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An empty BN coaler heads through S. Sioux City on a frozen morning.</td></tr>
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To cross the Missouri River the sub encounters a short grade up to the level of the bridge. On the NE side this is an incline that starts at G st in South Sioux City and at Leech Ave in Sioux City. Once a northbound train starts the climb for the bridge they call the Sioux City yardmaster for instructions. If everything is going well they get to proceed into the yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2aFMrFJdyeE/UO9juTslmUI/AAAAAAAAECM/CbG3VLRgaBo/s1600/bn_6318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2aFMrFJdyeE/UO9juTslmUI/AAAAAAAAECM/CbG3VLRgaBo/s320/bn_6318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming off the bridge at G st in S. Sioux City, IA..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RZcY-AsOtA/UO9lJ7mkYmI/AAAAAAAAEEg/Nv80ORz06VM/s1600/bnsf_651_112109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RZcY-AsOtA/UO9lJ7mkYmI/AAAAAAAAEEg/Nv80ORz06VM/s320/bnsf_651_112109.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the climb to the Missouri River bridge in S. Sioux City, Ne.</td></tr>
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For those trains that don't have space in the yard they are held at Leech Ave. Trains are also held at Leech Ave for new crews if they are to head up into South Dakota.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4a9ysoNa5_4/UO9j02aEsAI/AAAAAAAAEDk/pbYLDy90vjs/s1600/bnsf_9926_060510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4a9ysoNa5_4/UO9j02aEsAI/AAAAAAAAEDk/pbYLDy90vjs/s320/bnsf_9926_060510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding on the hill at Leech Ave this loaded coaler is waiting for a spot to open in the yard.</td></tr>
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Just to the north of Leech Ave is Floyd. This jct is where the UP accesses the Sioux City for the run to Ferry and the UP Dakota City Industrial lead. Floyd also is where trains from the South Dakota lines access the Sioux City Sub. Heading north from Floyd the sub curves around the old Milwaukee Road downtown yard on a track that was built in 1956. This new track allowed GN and CB&Q trains to interchange in the GN yard on Hwy 75 instead of the original GN yard in the stock yard district.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1cgC_KhFvo/UO9j0TLYmSI/AAAAAAAAEDg/0opj7r3yEK0/s1600/bnsf_6228_012310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1cgC_KhFvo/UO9j0TLYmSI/AAAAAAAAEDg/0opj7r3yEK0/s320/bnsf_6228_012310.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An empty coaler heading south out of Sioux City.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72cxSjYKwN0/UO9jzuHythI/AAAAAAAAEDU/17vEIWAGSI4/s1600/bnsf_6059_022810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72cxSjYKwN0/UO9jzuHythI/AAAAAAAAEDU/17vEIWAGSI4/s320/bnsf_6059_022810.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling out of the Sioux City yard past the MOW staging area.</td></tr>
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At 6th st the cross-over for the yard is located. This cross-over allows for trains to use the new pass which is a by-pass track that was build along the west side of the yard in the mid 80's to allow coal and grain trains to roll through.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4hMTKCAzuc/UO9jxUonoUI/AAAAAAAAEC0/QMydeI3RgE4/s1600/bnsf_1549_112209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4hMTKCAzuc/UO9jxUonoUI/AAAAAAAAEC0/QMydeI3RgE4/s320/bnsf_1549_112209.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doubling over its inbound train the Sioux Falls local passes the grain elevators just south of the Sioux City yard.</td></tr>
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The BNSF yard is located on the west side of old Hwy 75 between 18th St and 31st St. The city opened a new under pass about 2 miles north of 31st St and since then the BNSF has been blocking this crossing for extending periods of time. The yard office and MOW departments share the old GN freight house located off of 18th St.This is a busy area and is BNSF property. One should not venture into the yard office area without an expectation of being confronted.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Railfaning the Sioux City Sub.</span><br />
Though Hwy 77 parallels the line from Fremont to Sioux City the sub is often away from the road. The highway is the best to use when getting from one point to the next in a fairly quick time. To explore the line in depth the many country roads (paved and gravel) are the best way to railfan the sub. <u>A word of caution</u>, if you are not used to driving on gravel roads you should be cautious. Loose gravel is like ice for those that are not familiar with driving on it.For those that like to get off the pavement GPS and a Delorme map are your best friend.<br />
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The sub is controlled by TWC and due to this trains are given TWC from one of the 5 sidings to the next and told how many they will meet. AAR channel 75 (161.235) is used by tthe BNSF Dispatcher to communicate with the trains. The BNSF Sioux City yard is 160.680 and UP DS 20 is 160.740. The UP DS is called by when permission is need to cross the UP in Fremont.<br />
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Known trains along the line:<br />
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<ul>
<li>MKCKWIL/MKCKWIL - Kansas City to Wilmar, MN/Wilmar, MN to Kansas City</li>
<li>MLINWIL/MWILLIN - Lincoln, NE to Wilmar, MN/Wilmar, MN to Lincoln, NE</li>
<li>MLINSCX/MSCX/LIN - Lincoln, NE to Sioux City, IA/ Sioux City, IA to Lincoln, NE</li>
<li>MKCKDIL/MDILKCK - Kansas City to Dilworth/Dilworth to Kansas City</li>
</ul>
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Along with these trains there are unit grain,ethanol,coal, cement, potash, and oil trains to keep the line busy.<br />
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railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-78541443624451794962012-12-27T09:32:00.001-08:002012-12-27T09:32:13.259-08:00December Blair Sub Construction Update 21012 A week before Christmas I was able to get out and take a look at the construction progress on the Blair Sub. In short not much has taken place but there are a couple of items worth reporting.<div>
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<b>Arlington, NE</b></div>
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The new double track bridge was cut in in late November. This involved replacing the current bridge with the construction of a new double track concrete deck bridge.</div>
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At the grain elevator in Arlington MOW crews were noted working with panel track sections. I do not know what they were doing or if these panels are going to be used in the area.</div>
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<b>Kennard, NE</b></div>
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The biggest development is the relaying of the old Kennard siding as the second main track. This section was completely rebuilt and two new bridges were installed as part of this rebuild. The track had been laid and connected at the old West Kennard switch but had not been ballasted when I visited. Crews where noted moving ballast regulators and tampers into the spur on the west side of Kennard. Once this track is finished the line will be double tracked from CP Allen Creek to a mile east of California Jct, IA and then from CP Duffy on the southwest side of Blair to the west end of the old Kennard siding.</div>
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<b>Fremont to Missouri Valley</b></div>
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From east Fremont, NE to Missouri Valley, IA no new work was noted. The new row that was created from west Kennard to the west side of Arlington is ready for ties and rail to be installed. The crossings that will receive flashers have had the new bases installed and signal boxes all wired for the installations.</div>
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A UP conductor was noted as indicating that the union announced that no new work would occur on the project until 2014. There was no indication that the current work would be finished in 2013 or if the project will be dormant until 2014.</div>
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Spring weather and time will tell.</div>
railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-65059709439848909852012-12-17T12:53:00.000-08:002012-12-17T12:53:25.378-08:00A cloudy SaturdayOn Saturday, I was able to sneak away for a couple of hours to do some train watching making a circle from Omaha to Fremont to Missouri Valley and back to Omaha. This seems to be one of my more permanent train watching patterns as I typically encounter a fair number of trains following this route.<br />
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During the overnight and Saturday morning we had our first rain in quite awhile.The 1/2 to 3/4 inches of rain made the back roads interesting to drive on later in the day while I was out on the Blair Sub. It also left the sky dark and full of heavy clouds. So making the best of it I converted the days images to black and white.<br />
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Heading out of Omaha, I didn't encounter any trains until the Dodge St/Hwy 6 over crossing near 144th where I spotted the tell end of a eastbound bare table. I was hoping that this wouldn't be the way the morning was going to go. By the time I got to Fremont I was really wondering if the day was going to be a bust as I hadn't encountered any trains until then. Just east of Fremont while on old Hwy 275 I was greeted by the MNCCB heading toward Omaha behind UP 4935-2168-4721.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5n4xDtWmUbg/UM5bXvVd3xI/AAAAAAAAD_A/_4H1qxMcCb4/s1600/up_6523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5n4xDtWmUbg/UM5bXvVd3xI/AAAAAAAAD_A/_4H1qxMcCb4/s320/up_6523.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 6532 leads a train of company hoppers eb toward Fremont, NE.</td></tr>
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Continuing on into town and crossing over the ex CNW yard on S. Bell st, I spotted a westbound booze train changing crews. I started to head over toward the BNSF/UP diamonds but noticed that the train had already started to head west so I drove over to Ridge rd to get a shot of the train with the town in the background. No sooner had I pulled up and an eastbound coal load of company hoppers starts blowing for the crossing. UP 6532-7255 DPU 6392 rolled out of the fog and misty low cloud to block my planned shot of the booze train. I was hoping that the booze train would slow down or stop but soon UP 5693-6189 rolled past me on the opposite side. Crap I hate it when that happens.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDSZgJyD7NI/UM5bYYG2nMI/AAAAAAAAD_U/xntZqgC7X0E/s1600/up_7255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDSZgJyD7NI/UM5bYYG2nMI/AAAAAAAAD_U/xntZqgC7X0E/s320/up_7255.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coal loads and booze</td></tr>
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Once the coal loads cleared the crossing I headed on up to Pappa siding on the BNSF to see if any southbound BNSF trains were holding while the UP trains cleared the diamonds. The siding was empty but the Fremont switch engine, BNSF 2828 was parked on the Frontier Grain spur.<br />
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With no action on the BNSF I headed back south and noticed a set of eastbound headlights on the UP from the N. Pierce st crossing. I pulled over and parked hoping to catch them as they pulled into town. After a couple of minutes the eastbound hadn't moved any closer to me so I started to head for the BNSF side of town.<br />
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Broken chatter on the scanner had a northbound BNSF train releasing the track warrant from Elk siding south to Ashland and BNSF 7356-6824 soon brought a north bound empty booze train across the diamonds.The radio chatter continued on the BNSF side with the dispatcher placing the northbound booze train into the siding at Pappa and moving a southbound from the siding at Elk down toYutan siding to meet another northbound out of Ashland who was to meet the southbound that the booze train sitting at Pappa is waiting for at Elk siding. Got that?<br />
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The BNSF was fairly busy but I wanted to check on the Blair sub double tracking and decided to head that way instead of chasing the BNSF. Before heading out of town I spotted the BNSF local power tied down west of the depot with BNSF 2809-2304 being the assigned power. Over at the UP depot the UP Fremont switcher power UP 517-833 were tied down in their usual spot.<br />
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Heading east and crossing over the ex CNW yard I noticed a green signal for a westbound to head off the Blair sub to the Columbus sub. While driving east on Morningside rd near the Fremont power plant, I spotted an westbound perishable with UP 8524-4111-7508 leading about 35 empty refers. As it went by me I also spotted a westbound mixed freight on the Omaha Sub. A quick u-turn was in order.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jkWcgC2QUk/UM5bXt5d_gI/AAAAAAAAD-8/Z4sgqPmf7VI/s1600/up_4332_6757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jkWcgC2QUk/UM5bXt5d_gI/AAAAAAAAD-8/Z4sgqPmf7VI/s320/up_4332_6757.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DPU 6757 passed the UP 4332 on the MCBNP.</td></tr>
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Driving west on Morningside rd I spotted the eastbound train I had setup for earlier starting through town. UP 6510-6445 DPU 6757 had a NSPX coal load heading for Omaha and a run up the Sioux City sub to Minneapolis. I was able to catch the DPU passing a late MCBNP on the east side of Fremont. The tardy MCBNP had UP 4332-1976-8285 as power and was being held for the empty perishable.<br />
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With the back tracking done I headed back east out of town to Military Ave to follow the tracks over to the Elkhorn river.The overnight rain had turned this normally decent gravel road into a mess, ruts and soggy car tracks made for a fun drive. Gumbo really lets one know its time for new tires as I was spinning and sliding the whole time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUGwK_dQYNA/UM5bXmlwQpI/AAAAAAAAD_E/1ofK_IRJYBM/s1600/up_6866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUGwK_dQYNA/UM5bXmlwQpI/AAAAAAAAD_E/1ofK_IRJYBM/s320/up_6866.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 6866 leads the MSSNP into Arlington.</td></tr>
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No trains were spotted until Arlington where I encountered the MSSNP dropping down off of Arlington Hill on the east side of town. The MSSNP had the UP 6866-8139 DPU 6952 as power.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WtgOUECLxtw/UM5bYXHApTI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/lRO6UPThMC8/s1600/up_8638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WtgOUECLxtw/UM5bYXHApTI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/lRO6UPThMC8/s320/up_8638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next train I encountered was a westbound stack train between Arlington and Kennard. UP 8638-4759 DPU 7622 made good work of the climb up Arlington Hill. The train was mostly domestic containers with some maritime containers thrown in.<br />
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As I dropped down the hill on Hwy 30 into Kennard I spotted another westbound stack train with UP 7831-4526 DPU 5226-7524 as power. This train was made up of mostly maritime containers and may have been a Seattle bound train.<br />
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From Kennard to Council Bluffs I didn't encounter anymore trains which was unusual. At N. Council Bluffs the first coaler I had encountered in Fremont was holding at beanos for the MNPCH with UP 4346-8227-4975 to run around it.<br />
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While in Council Bluffs I was surprised to see that the CN/IC yard was empty. Saturday has been a day that the road train comes into CB but the road power was nowhere to be found. Scanner chatter did reveal that the CN Switch crew was out and over on the Omaha side.<br />
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Over in the UP Pool yard UP 536-511-512 were noted sitting in the middle of the yard. These units maybe the N. Omaha power as its unusual to see three GP38-2's together unless they are on this train. While checking these units out the NSPX train encountered at had pulled up to 9th street to wait for the two trains in front of it to head out of town. With nothing currently moving I headed over to get some gas and to check out the BNSF and IAIS.<br />
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The BNSF Island Park local was working at the S. Bartlett elevator putting its train of aboutr 5 cars together. Today's power was BNSF 9634-6797-3020 which was overkill for the amount of cars to be moved. The BNSF CB switcher is BNSF 8613 and she had about 25 cars tied on to her. These would be interchanged with the IAIS later in the evening.<br />
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The IAIS was quite. The CBBI was already made up and had two ES44AC's and a GP38-2 as power. With the opening of the new shop at Yocum the stored power has been slowly moving east. There was around 6-8 units still on the storage tracks though.<br />
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Before heading for home I headed back over to 9th Ave to catch an eastbound mixed freight. Power was UP 4104-8656-KCS 4615. Its unusual to see KCS power on the UP in this area so that was an interesting sight. The terminal yard master was giving the MCBDM permission to make a double over and to head out of town so I headed down to see what the power would be. A ratty GE was today's leader so I decided it was time to head for home.<br />
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<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-63322354265380516172012-11-14T16:49:00.000-08:002012-11-14T16:52:13.652-08:00South Central NEIt had been awhile since I really went out and did some exploring and while building a <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/8i1oa" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">map of industrial locomotives</span></a> I got the urge to get out and look for some industrial units close by. With my work schedule and always being on call every 3 weeks I don't have much free time but I had a spur of the moment idea to take the 9th off to explore.<br />
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I headed out the door a bit later than I had liked but was able to get to all the areas I wanted to before the day was over. Heading to Lincoln to head south for the first planned stop of Hallam, NE I made a detour over to Hwy 6 from I-80 to follow the BNSF into Havelock. \<br />
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Ashland was quite and I didn't see my first train until I was west of town about 3 miles. A westbound empty coaler was sitting at the cross overs between Ashland and Greenwood. Since it was just a couple of plain Jane ES44AC's for power I continued on west and was surprised to find a Habsco rail grinder in the house track at Greenwood. This train set has the two ex GE B30-7's as power units for the grinder cars and movement.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYtSdtDIzoM/UKLiEfFbwGI/AAAAAAAAD9I/G3eYMSWAoOc/s1600/rmsx_1101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYtSdtDIzoM/UKLiEfFbwGI/AAAAAAAAD9I/G3eYMSWAoOc/s320/rmsx_1101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RMSX 1101 rail grinder at Greenwood NE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a brief look around the train it was time to head westbound again. Next up was the MKCKWIL sitting in Waverly, NE and a westbound Maresk double stack stopped between Waverly and Havelock. I stopped to get shots of both because I typically do not get harassed while taking shots from Hwy 6.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUSZAFdxWUY/UKLiBhgYavI/AAAAAAAAD8c/nl14oz76aqg/s1600/bnsf_5220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUSZAFdxWUY/UKLiBhgYavI/AAAAAAAAD8c/nl14oz76aqg/s320/bnsf_5220.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MKCKWIL sitting on the main waiting for a new crew at Waverly, NE</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyXOgr-TfSo/UKLiBg3XocI/AAAAAAAAD8g/Ji0PVCNYFug/s1600/bnsf_6712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyXOgr-TfSo/UKLiBg3XocI/AAAAAAAAD8g/Ji0PVCNYFug/s320/bnsf_6712.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 6712 leads a Maresk double stack sitting east of Havlock, NE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I caught the tail end of the "rush" hour traffic in Lincoln and just headed right on through town on Hwy 6 to Hwy 77 south. Driving over the BNSF yard I caught a glimpse of BNSF 9999 and a number of other units including some SD40-2 hump engines.</div>
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The first stop of was Hallam, NE at the NPPD power plant. NPPD has a GP38-2 as the switcher located at the power plant just north of town. This is also the end of the line for the old RI mainline north out of Fairbury NE. Unfortunately there was a coal train being unloaded and the unit was not visibly from the road. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm down in that area.</div>
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With Hallam being a bust I got back on Hwy 77 and headed for Beatrice, NE and the Alco that lives at the coop elevator. Relco 707 and SNCC 2004 are used to shuffle empty grain hoppers but today they were being serviced by a mobile Relco crew. SW7 SNCC 2004 was being worked on while I was there. Not sure what they were working on but the fireman side doors for the compressor where open and a guy was noted under the unit working near the air reservoir tanks.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlkV05HIi8w/UKLiEg8jkvI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/rSpfwMa-pSM/s1600/sncc_2004_relco_707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlkV05HIi8w/UKLiEg8jkvI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/rSpfwMa-pSM/s320/sncc_2004_relco_707.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SNCC 2004 and Relco 707 resting under a hazy dusty morning sky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
While finding my way down to the coop I stumbled across some rare surviving freight cars; B17/B24 aircraft wing cars. They are no longer on trucks but were fairly intact with the old Burlington Route herald still visible on one side of each of the cars. Both are sitting on cinder block foundations just east of the coop being used for sheds.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onv67ENOs7g/UKLiD_WtiwI/AAAAAAAAD9E/WiyCb_uL670/s1600/q_ac_wing_cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onv67ENOs7g/UKLiD_WtiwI/AAAAAAAAD9E/WiyCb_uL670/s320/q_ac_wing_cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B17/B24 aircraft wind car used as a storage shed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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While two more have been incorporated into a warehouse at the Beatrice Scrap Shredder yard.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNWRKOFVKWQ/UKLiBgEf4-I/AAAAAAAAD8Y/apzCd1k-XeI/s1600/beatrice_scrap_processing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNWRKOFVKWQ/UKLiBgEf4-I/AAAAAAAAD8Y/apzCd1k-XeI/s320/beatrice_scrap_processing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beatrice Scrap Shredder warehouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Having found the first Alco of the day I took off for Plymouth NE for the next one on my mental list. RLCX 1051 an S-2 is assigned to the local coop and had just finished loading a grain train in the last day or two. The loads were sitting southwest of the coop waiting for the UP to come and drag them out of town.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wuymZ4hn1Rs/UKLiDyZW2tI/AAAAAAAAD9A/aziWo_7hsKI/s1600/rlcx_1051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wuymZ4hn1Rs/UKLiDyZW2tI/AAAAAAAAD9A/aziWo_7hsKI/s320/rlcx_1051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My next stop was Jansen, NE. I wasn't really sure what would be found there as both Google Earth and Bing images of the area are of low quality. The images seem to show an Alco switcher on the north east side of the town but only a visual inspection would confirm this. Unfortunately the switcher was not to be found but a rather nice looking GP7 is used to shuffle around the grain cars. The thought of an Alco was nice but the sight of a GP7 in 2012 is also a nice one.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4skQoOSY1qo/UKLiDWZ8QII/AAAAAAAAD84/mi_HuKKCBdg/s1600/jlcx_101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4skQoOSY1qo/UKLiDWZ8QII/AAAAAAAAD84/mi_HuKKCBdg/s320/jlcx_101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JLCX 101 resting in the mid morning sun in Jansen, NE</td></tr>
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<div>
Having finished getting my shots and a frame number of the unit it was time to head down to Fairbury and to check out the town. On the agenda was to get a shot of the old RI division point depot/office which I was able to do, but I also tripped over a couple of other interesting items.Over on the UP main an old RI/CNW snowplow was sitting on a spur. This old RI plow was probably used in this area while working for the RI but in her painted CNW colors she looked out of place.</div>
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In the area between the RI depot and the road is a small park containing an ex RI gas electric and the ex CB&Q depot from Kesterson, NE. The gas electric is looking pretty rough and the old Q depot is in the grounds of the riding train that is east of the depot. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lf4Dxujr5aw/UKLiCgUeUgI/AAAAAAAAD8s/FxZulC50nc0/s1600/crip_gas_electric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lf4Dxujr5aw/UKLiCgUeUgI/AAAAAAAAD8s/FxZulC50nc0/s320/crip_gas_electric.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ex CRIP gas electric stuff and mounted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awVDtqZGOzw/UKLiC-ysbqI/AAAAAAAAD8w/TDsvd1bgV64/s1600/kesterson_depot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awVDtqZGOzw/UKLiC-ysbqI/AAAAAAAAD8w/TDsvd1bgV64/s320/kesterson_depot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ex CB&Q Kesterson NE depot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Fairbury was my turn around point though I wouldn't be going home the same direction I had came, so I continued to travel west to go east. After making the turn north on Hwy 81 at Hebron, NE I headed up to Carlton, NE to check out the Alco S-2 working at the elevator. </div>
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The 'downtown" area of Carlton is south of Hwy 4 and I soon made my way from Hwy 4 down to the elevators only to be disappointed that the Alco was nowhere to be found. I did happen to notice that the new flood loader that had been built on the west side of town had a CN painted loco that needed to be checked out. I was able to drive up to the area where the unit was parked and got a semi distant shot of CGAX 6128. This unit appears to be an the ex IC 6128 but I could not get up close to check for frame numbers to confirm its heritage. The one item I noticed is the unit may have been deturboed and may now be an SD38-2.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqFPliZFtfM/UKLiCL5wTwI/AAAAAAAAD8k/rsevAtzvKMk/s1600/cgax_6128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqFPliZFtfM/UKLiCL5wTwI/AAAAAAAAD8k/rsevAtzvKMk/s320/cgax_6128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CGAX 6128 at Carlton NE</td></tr>
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<div>
After the side trip to Carlton I back tracked 6 miles to Hwy 81 for the next stop in Fairmont, NE. Before getting to Fairmont a stop in Geneva to grab a quick shot of the derelict ex GTW 0-8-0 that resides on the north side of town was in order. Its strange seeing this loco out in the open miles from active rail<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0DxrEasP4s/UKQz6JnwOoI/AAAAAAAAD98/sVtIN7uZbjM/s1600/geneva_steamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0DxrEasP4s/UKQz6JnwOoI/AAAAAAAAD98/sVtIN7uZbjM/s320/geneva_steamer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missing a lot of parts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After this little diversion it was back on the road to Fairmont. I wanted to catch the GP10 that works the ethanol plant on the west side of Hwy 81 but was only able to catch a long distance glimpse. So I took off for the next objective; Manning Rail.<br />
<br />
First unit I was able to get to was the Watco SW2 being prepped for interchange. Railserve was onsite installing alignment couplers and was about half way completed. A local stopped to talk to me and stated that they had to finish the job today so the unit can be moved to Birmingham, AL. Since it was already 2 pm I don't think they got it done in time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o3mF0sC6tes/UKQz6OtWLeI/AAAAAAAAD-I/rAHRdR8mwOI/s1600/wamx_105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o3mF0sC6tes/UKQz6OtWLeI/AAAAAAAAD-I/rAHRdR8mwOI/s320/wamx_105.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAMX 105 an SW1 repowered with a Cummins genset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After walking around and getting shots of the SW2, I walked over to its replacement unit. Manning Rail 4602 had been delivered in the last couple of weeks and was looking good in red and blue. Unfortunately the unit is positioned so that its a morning photo. Since I'm was about 2 hours from home I took the shots anyway.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9QlGisXpi4/UKQz6WbOMlI/AAAAAAAAD-E/vbrR-JCZVio/s1600/ssrx_4602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9QlGisXpi4/UKQz6WbOMlI/AAAAAAAAD-E/vbrR-JCZVio/s320/ssrx_4602.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manning Rail 4602 at Fairmont, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I had a 4 pm appointment back in Omaha it was time to leave. All in all it was a good trip even though two Alcos couldn't be found. </div>
railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-14801893346341394362012-10-13T16:55:00.001-07:002012-10-13T16:55:19.410-07:00UP Blair Sub Construction update 10/12/12Only a short update as work has pretty much stopped on the sub.<br />
<br />
The bridge east of Arlington is still being built. The pre-stressed concrete deck sections has been brought in and are positioned on each side of the creek. The headers are also staged to be positioned for the sections of the deck.<br />
<br />
At Kennard the new switch which will be the other half of the cross overs is being installed. This is about 100-150 feet west of the Linn St crossing. Once this switch is installed the double track should be extended to the end of the old West Kennard switch. That is if the super foamers proclamation in August is correct.<br />
<br />
On the Iowa side the only work observed was a MOW crew working on the cross over switches west of Allen Creek. The third main is also now connected to the main on both ends. New signals have also been installed protecting all three tracks eastbound just east of Italy Ave.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-52183982082118825722012-10-12T17:54:00.000-07:002012-10-12T17:54:35.981-07:00BNSF Sioux City Sub south endI took a chance today and set out to follow a train or two on the Sioux City sub. My prior luck with this goal had been decidedly unlucky but with the up tick of traffic on the sub I figured my luck would change.<br />
<br />
I headed over to Ashland, NE to try and find a northbound Sioux City sub train to follow. While passing over the Creston Sub on old Hwy 6 east of Ashland, I noticed a grain train holding the main. As I got closer to the wye from the Sioux City to Creston Sub the power came into view. Two faded and grubby warbonnet units where found leading the empty grain train. I typically don't give these units much time as the paint on them is way past its prime, but with two of them as the only power I was up for a chase.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkTMYU8KVdk/UHiechjzhCI/AAAAAAAAD54/nSrMW73CMIg/s1600/bnsf_685_701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkTMYU8KVdk/UHiechjzhCI/AAAAAAAAD54/nSrMW73CMIg/s320/bnsf_685_701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 685 heads north up the east leg of the wye to the Sioux City sub from the Creston sub. The Omaha sub will be crossed in the process.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While waiting for the grain train to start heading north the scanner was active with chatter between the Lincoln power desk and BNSF 7317. Seems the windshield had developed a crack and was getting worse and the crew wasn't too happy about it. Thinking this was a southbound train off the Sioux City sub I parked over by the car wash to get a shot of it coming off the Sioux City sub and of the grain train heading north. But after about 5 minutes the signal turned green and the Sioux City sub DS was giving a track warrant to BNSF 685 to proceed from CTC Ashland to the north switch at Elk siding. So the chase was on.<br />
<br />
Heading north through Ashland my goal was to get to Wann Rd and ahead of the train. Turning off Hwy 66 at CR B I noticed that the train wasn't ahead of me nor even close. Unfortunately Wann Rd was on the wrong side of the sun for any shots so I headed north looking for photo spots. It should be noted that this area is flat and pretty featureless outside of a couple of bridges and an old elevator at Big Sandy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j15QStTq136JFzhakmjJq8unA16QQ8E4Bwg_89tywdHIikMKqFG7AANy2aZ2eewGg8Ic-tC0pIG_5DoL9yWdD3Sen5fwcg23-tTKUVfQOhpa8Fc-FgGkgNkEHMn-E_TfhrvK/s1600/bnsf_685_701_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j15QStTq136JFzhakmjJq8unA16QQ8E4Bwg_89tywdHIikMKqFG7AANy2aZ2eewGg8Ic-tC0pIG_5DoL9yWdD3Sen5fwcg23-tTKUVfQOhpa8Fc-FgGkgNkEHMn-E_TfhrvK/s320/bnsf_685_701_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling north through the harvested fields.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally getting to the sunny side of the tracks north of Big Sandy I setup at CR J out in the middle of nowhere to get a shot of the train running across the harvested fields. Figuring this might be my last shot for awhile I headed back to Wann Rd to head back north. Even with waiting for the train to pass and heading about 4 miles out of the way to Yutan Rd I was still able to catch up with the train at Yutan (about 7 miles away from the shot location).<br />
<br />
Since BNSF 685's track warrant was only good to the north switch at Elk I was anticipating a meet at Elk with a southbound. Going through Leshara and crossing over the main about a mile south of Elk I noticed a southbound waiting in the siding at Elk. I setup at CR T and CR 7 to get my shots of both trains. BNSF 685 was coming at me out of the sun and I decided to see what I could do with the shot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpAd9gOalPx31ffuyzcN6Q26uJ_vtaF4xoRFfONjexnlPW_WC9KRRgaq8Om_UrMigP104ZIU-4-lCrdXzvEQ4YtNSAqt74S9COLh7cS4ZfjabvqQWwouwKWNkc-tSW9rxqiXl/s1600/bnsf_685_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpAd9gOalPx31ffuyzcN6Q26uJ_vtaF4xoRFfONjexnlPW_WC9KRRgaq8Om_UrMigP104ZIU-4-lCrdXzvEQ4YtNSAqt74S9COLh7cS4ZfjabvqQWwouwKWNkc-tSW9rxqiXl/s320/bnsf_685_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back lit through Leshara.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
BNSF 685 rolled on through Elk and soon I heard the DS give it a track warrant to Pappa (Fremont, NE). Figuring that it would get stabbed at the UP crossing in Fremont and then have to wait for a southbound at Pappa, I waited for the southbound coal empty to pass before heading over to Hwy 77 and north to Fremont.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_xu1YUDK74/UHiejp9F99I/AAAAAAAAD6I/OeDwk-NO_U8/s1600/bnsf_5875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_xu1YUDK74/UHiejp9F99I/AAAAAAAAD6I/OeDwk-NO_U8/s320/bnsf_5875.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 5875 leads a empty DEEX coaler out of Elk siding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As luck would have it the UP cooperated with the BNSF and BNSF 685 got to roll right on through town to Pappa. The anticipated meet at Pappa was with a southbound empty coaler that was already waiting for the grain train. BNSF 685 released the track warrant from Elk to Pappa and was given a new one from north switch Pappa to the south switch at Oakland, NE. Decision time, do I keep going north or do I follow the southbound? Well the need to get rid of 20 ounces of coffee and to get some food made the decision for me.<br />
<br />
After a stop at Burger King I headed back down to the area of the UP/BNSF diamond to wait for the southbound. The UP wasn't cooperating this time as the ZSKGR was given the green to run through the diamonds but the southbound didn't wait long.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SwjuJXNEn8/UHielMqJylI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/VEg_HQAoI-o/s1600/bnsf_8917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SwjuJXNEn8/UHielMqJylI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/VEg_HQAoI-o/s320/bnsf_8917.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 8917 crosses the UP at Fremont, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No sooner does the ZSKGR clear the diamond and I hear the southbound blowing for the crossings to the north of the diamond. A quick run over to N M st and W 2nd St to get the southbound crossing the UP. As the train comes into view I see its another empty coaler. Two coalers back to back are fairly unusual on the Sioux City Sub. As the coaler sneaks through Fremont I head south to CR W and head toward the Platte river to get a shot. CR W ends at the railroad crossing and becomes a private community with lots of signs letting you know you are not welcome.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15873wpcUxMKRlzuIFTv3WAVupx48J2o8bYmo5F_7JF_e3OO9MBMjO-JMpfxzIeK9ACcS0trpFrgY5YrB0i4SL1Gw5jbRI40Ch9EJdV1IE88Gpz-BeN62heyyWOQ0e-L5vZ3g/s1600/bnsf_8917_9447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15873wpcUxMKRlzuIFTv3WAVupx48J2o8bYmo5F_7JF_e3OO9MBMjO-JMpfxzIeK9ACcS0trpFrgY5YrB0i4SL1Gw5jbRI40Ch9EJdV1IE88Gpz-BeN62heyyWOQ0e-L5vZ3g/s320/bnsf_8917_9447.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running along the Platte.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From CR W it was a quick run over to Elk and LeShara to get a shot of the train running through Leshara. Before heading over to Valley, NE and back into Fremont.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6kAMCPOw5Ws/UHiemmVvhVI/AAAAAAAAD6o/xgFDLgn9EDs/s1600/bnsf_8917_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6kAMCPOw5Ws/UHiemmVvhVI/AAAAAAAAD6o/xgFDLgn9EDs/s320/bnsf_8917_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling through Leshara, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back in Fremont I headed back up to Pappa to see if another southbound had rolled into town but only found the BNSF Fremont switcher heading back into town after switching the industries on the north end of Fremont.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrED04Rv7NN4tXDTKw3Cy2mBJzj7BU-zrFGo9NA1dfX7QuGXh4eLuumkhUH-tRfnuBhkd_YRdbruyd9VbDDzrfKE_7bO7CCKrKPRrzl2pFIhxY_3FkyVHyjo9ls-jSEOGCUDr8/s1600/bnsf_2809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrED04Rv7NN4tXDTKw3Cy2mBJzj7BU-zrFGo9NA1dfX7QuGXh4eLuumkhUH-tRfnuBhkd_YRdbruyd9VbDDzrfKE_7bO7CCKrKPRrzl2pFIhxY_3FkyVHyjo9ls-jSEOGCUDr8/s320/bnsf_2809.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF 2809 rolls through Pappa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
BNSF 2809 ended my day on the BNSF but not my day of railfaning.<br />
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<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-92077991563975844502012-09-27T11:04:00.001-07:002012-09-27T11:06:00.705-07:00Blair Sub Construction September UpdateOn Friday 21 Sept 2012 I explored the Blair Sub construction progress to see what was actually going on. Earlier in the month one of the local super foamers reported that all work was going to stop on this project, a rumor I could not find any confirmation of when I inquired on the internet. As I did the previous month I started out on the west end of the sub and headed east. The west end is were the most activity is currently occurring.<br />
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<b>Arlington, NE</b><br />
Contractors were actively driving piles for the new bridge over the creek on the east side of Arlington, west of CR P11. The sub grade work is completed through Arlington to the S 6th St crossing. No work has been started west from this crossing toward East Fremont.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mI9fWH8WjEI/UGDm0VunH6I/AAAAAAAAD1c/5uplJ4SgWZA/s1600/DSC_1832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mI9fWH8WjEI/UGDm0VunH6I/AAAAAAAAD1c/5uplJ4SgWZA/s320/DSC_1832.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pile drivers and cranes at the new bridge installation in Arlington, NE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Heading east from the CR P11 crossing the grade work is completed all the way to the west end of the old Kennard Siding.<br />
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<b>CR P15 Arlington Hill</b><br />
The short section of new ROW that was unfinished last month is now completed. A new drainage culvert was installed on the north side of the ROW under the road to allow run off from the hill to drain away from the new ROW.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xto4KSzS0pQ/UGDm0Vc38LI/AAAAAAAAD1k/edqU1AfMoZM/s1600/DSC_1821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xto4KSzS0pQ/UGDm0Vc38LI/AAAAAAAAD1k/edqU1AfMoZM/s320/DSC_1821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west the new ROW will cross the existing ROW and be on the south side .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the east side of the crossing the new ROW has been completed up to the crossing control box for the current main. The new crossing control box is located to the north (left in the pic) of the existing control box. The bases for the new crossing gates have been installed and the electrical work has also been completed from the control box to the gates.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKetX_6fj1s/UGDm0QkreEI/AAAAAAAAD1g/TqeE9Rzeg2s/s1600/DSC_1822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKetX_6fj1s/UGDm0QkreEI/AAAAAAAAD1g/TqeE9Rzeg2s/s320/DSC_1822.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east at CR P15 the new alignment stops at the existing crossing control box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>CR P15 to Allen Creek</b><br />
With the ROW construction nearly completed there is very little activity to be found from Arlington, NE to Missouri Valley, IA. This same lull in activities occurred with the first section of the double track over Blair Hill.<br />
<br />
Contractors were noted adding rolls of soil stabilizers along the cuts on the east side of Arlington Hill. At the CR 121 crossing a set of new metal culverts have been positioned along with rip rap for installation in the area.<br />
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At the west end of the old Kennard siding, the contractor has completed the concrete wall on the south side of the Hwy 30 over crossing shoring this up for the new second main. The stagging area just south of the West Kennard switch has had a number of pre-stressed concrete bridge decks and metal pilings for a new bridge. These components maybe used in the replacement of the pile bridge on the main at this location.<br />
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Between Kennard and the Missouri River bridge no activity was noted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrhOQLLgbCE/UF8f8PmXwUI/AAAAAAAAD0U/qbWRa5kzfDM/s1600/DSC_1835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrhOQLLgbCE/UF8f8PmXwUI/AAAAAAAAD0U/qbWRa5kzfDM/s320/DSC_1835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in Blair, NE be sure and stop by Fernadoe's and give the super foamer dish washer a shout out. It will put a smile on his face. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the Iowa side of the Blair Sub it appears that most work has stopped from the Missouri River bridge incline to the new junction on the east side of California Jct., IA. The ROW is completed but there has been no work on the installation of new crossing gate bases or electrical to connect those crossing bases to the control boxes.<br />
<br />
The one bit of activity that was observed on the Iowa side was a track game working on connecting the third main to the existing main east of the Italy Ave crossing. The new main has also been connected to the existing main with the cross over that was just east of Italy Ave. Between Allen Creek and Italy Ave there is now a set of cross overs allowing movement between the two mains.<br />
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Until the next report.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-61515010908609548372012-09-23T10:58:00.000-07:002012-09-23T10:58:42.379-07:00Some accidental railfaningWith a very busy work schedule it seems that all of my railfaning adventures for the last year or so have been accidental. Friday and Saturday were two of those accidental occasions. The plan Friday was to get the Jeep worked on so I took a day of PTO to get it into the shop. To my surprise the work was done in an hour and a half. Not as long as I had anticipated but long enough to check out this Jeep on the dealer lot. Might make a good rig if it wasn't orange and $40k.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cNNjRvoUO8/UF8ioJXJPtI/AAAAAAAAD00/KSPVMUI4xBY/s1600/2012-09-21_08-47-29_842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cNNjRvoUO8/UF8ioJXJPtI/AAAAAAAAD00/KSPVMUI4xBY/s320/2012-09-21_08-47-29_842.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JK8 on the dealer lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nine AM and the rest of the day off, so what to do? I really had no plans so I headed toward Fremont, NE but first stopped at Elkhorn, NE to investigate where the old UP depot had been moved too. After being moved it had been made into a house and after looking over the only possible house it might be, I decided to not take any photos as it had been modified beyond recognition.<br />
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The first train of the day was found in Elkhorn. A loaded WEPX coaler that was stopped just to the west of the Hwy 31 over crossing. Strange place to be stopped but later in the day I would see why. Power was UP 5888-7318-DPU 5608.<br />
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East of Valley, NE an eastbound CWEX coal load was stopped on the main. UP 5615-6294-DPU 7291was its power. In Valley, NE the UP has a long string of fallen flag covered hoppers parked on the north siding. Western Pacific, Mopac, CNW, SP, SSW and old paint UP hoppers can be found in this string. There is even a SP ACF that is free of graffiti, which anymore is a rare find. This years poor harvest will cause these to become a common sight as grain loads will be way down from previous years. Unfortunately I missed the Lincoln turn as there was no power to be found in town.<br />
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Mercer, NE had the inbound MCOCB holding at the signal with UP 4890-4842 as the power. Though these two units are less than 50 numbers apart, they are in different schemes. 4890 lacks the flag and instead has Union Pacific on the side. Given the deplorable condition of the flags on most units five years or older, I like the non-flagged SD70M's with the flared radiators.<br />
<br />
Fremont, NE was fairly quite. An eastbound wind turbine train was spotted headed up the Blair sub. No blades were noted just the turbines.I figured I'd be able to catch this train later so wasn't concerned about missing it. Unfortunately I never did catch it later.<br />
<br />
Local activity was pretty quite. The BNSF road switcher was nowhere to be found and the UP switcher was parked near the office. When crossing the UP main at N. Pierce St an eastbound UP was seen in the distance approaching town. This train would need a new crew and there would be plenty of opportunity to see if it will take the Blair or Omaha subs, so it was off to check out Poppa siding on the BNSF. The BNSF holds trains at Poppa while waiting for time to cross the UP diamonds. As usual Poppa was not a disappointment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArLUp53DAhw/UF8f6s9F9GI/AAAAAAAADz0/26RY0EOsqBo/s1600/DSC_1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArLUp53DAhw/UF8f6s9F9GI/AAAAAAAADz0/26RY0EOsqBo/s320/DSC_1820.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lined up at Poppa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the siding was a northbound empty grainer while on the main was a southbound ballast train full of ballast from the Dakota Iowa out of Dell Rapids, SD. BNSF 5256-7046 would take this grainer up to Sioux City while BNSF 9247 was the rear dpu on the ballast train. I wasn't able to get in position to see the head end power on the ballast train. On the Frontier Grain Coop lead the BNSF had parked the Fremont switcher. BNSF 2702 along with a tank car had the lead all to themselves.<br />
<br />
Heading out of Fremont on Morningside rd, I "found" that eastbound UP train. It turned out to be a empty grain train with UP 8520-8205-DPU 5504 as power. As I neared the head end three toots signaled the train was restarting its journey east. A quick u-turn and a run over to the s-curve west of CR 15 to get a shot before this section is replaced by the new alignment on the west side of Arlington Hill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz1ZhXz_wVI/UF8f6rfLjBI/AAAAAAAADz4/b4345mufwJo/s1600/DSC_1828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz1ZhXz_wVI/UF8f6rfLjBI/AAAAAAAADz4/b4345mufwJo/s320/DSC_1828.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twisting though the s-curve.</td></tr>
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Checking out the work being done on the Blair Sub I noticed that the signals were light up for a westbound. I setup for a shot but after about 20 minutes of waiting I decided to move east to see if I'd catch it over by Kennard. Sitting too long in one location tends to attract the wrong attention anymore even out in the country. As I dropped down the hill toward the Hwy 30 over crossing on the south side of the old Kennard siding, I spotted the westbound I had been waiting for. Unable to get into position to get a shot, I grabbed a backlight going away of the MCHNP with UP 5881-4105-DPU 8232.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpD_YfsIlck/UF8f6jIYoOI/AAAAAAAADz8/t4sZqyd5Xdw/s1600/DSC_1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpD_YfsIlck/UF8f6jIYoOI/AAAAAAAADz8/t4sZqyd5Xdw/s320/DSC_1834.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West out of Kennard.</td></tr>
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This was the last train I saw on the Blair sub and the last one until I got to Council Bluffs, IA. Even the scanner chatter was light until Missouri Valley, IA. DS20 was heard asking where the MSXCB was to position it off the Sioux City sub for a short jog across the Blair sub and then down the Omaha sub. The SX was head sating it was just north of Modale, IA. DS20 then gave instructions to a westbound to slow down a little to allow the SX time to make the transition from the Sioux City sub to the Blair sub and then the new double track west of Mo Valley. Though this set of moves sounded interesting I decided to head on to Council Bluffs and then home.<br />
<br />
Coming into Council Bluffs I spotted a train holding at Beanos. UP 3940-3877-8144 were leading an eastbound freight, while the coaler that was stopped in Elkhorn 3 hours earlier passed on the right. Getting further into town I noticed that the old CNW yard was fairly empty with the day switch crew working the lead on the south end near the Heritage shop buildings. Crossing the main at Ave B, I noticed a UP MOW crew working on the cross overs south of N. 11th Ave. This explained why the trains were backed up west of Omaha and why there was no action on the Omaha sub north of CB.<br />
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Over on the IC/CN had the typical stored cars and no power to be seen. Fridays are a day that the local does not come into Council Bluffs and the local switch crew had the North Omaha transfer over on the NE side.<br />
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On the old Burlington lead into the UP pool yard, the UP had the power parked from a bean train that had been run down the BNSF Council Bluffs sub to the Bungee bean plant. UP 6954-3498-DPU-6376 had been the power for this train and where waiting for it to be unloaded before heading back down to pick up the empties. UP 3498 was the first SD90MAC that I have seen post renumbering.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hifpSxNmYsA/UF8f7ojgaSI/AAAAAAAAD0I/q6PkpcyvLPw/s1600/DSC_1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hifpSxNmYsA/UF8f7ojgaSI/AAAAAAAAD0I/q6PkpcyvLPw/s320/DSC_1836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the rare AC6000CW's to have worn a set of wings on the nose.</td></tr>
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Before a quick run over to the BNSF yard another eastbound coaler with UP 6881-5715-DPU-6061 passed by on the main. Parked in the BNSF yard where two KCS belles that had brought in an empty grain train to be loaded at the south house Bartlett elevator. KCS 4110-4129 brought in 72 empties for load out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSFnOboXViQ/UF8f8AQnrPI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/FXeR8FF7V0U/s1600/DSC_1840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSFnOboXViQ/UF8f8AQnrPI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/FXeR8FF7V0U/s320/DSC_1840.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belle power laying over.</td></tr>
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Since I had some busy work to accomplish it was time to head back home but only after stopping to get shots of the two NS units parked on the elevator tracks in the UP yard. UP 5826-NS 8898-NS 9545 were positioned to be the power for the MCBDM later in the afternoon.<br />
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Saturdays accidental railfaning occurred while heading home after the Nebraska game. West of Adams St in Lincoln an inbound grain train was being tied down on the main. Power was HLCX 6241-BNSF 4546, the HLCX was an unusual sight as it is rare to see lease power on the BNSF. The Havelock switcher was spotted was tied down near the yard office with the BNSF 3171-2778 as power. Further east an empty coaler was tied down east of N 98th st. Power was BNSF 9249-5834-DPU 9946.<br />
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The drive along Hwy 6 didn't reveal any more trains until Ashland, NE. Looking down into the yard from Hwy 6, two loaded ballast trains where spotted. On that note my accidental railfaning ended.<br />
<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-60784358074503591842012-09-11T08:02:00.001-07:002012-09-11T08:03:54.483-07:00An 844 SundayThe decision to go out and catch the 844 on Sunday was just one of those spur of the moment wild hair type of decisions. After a lazy Sunday morning I was checking out the various railfan sources and stumbled on the realization that the 844 was heading back to Council Bluffs that afternoon. She was scheduled to have a servicing stop at Dunlap, IA at 1515, so the girlfriend and I made the decision to try and head out there to meet up and follow her back to CB.<br />
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Getting out the door around 1415, I thought it would be cutting it close to run the 50+ miles from my house in Bellevue to Dunlap but my concern wasn't needed. A check of the UP Steam twitter feed and the UP GPS tracking map showed that she was pretty far behind schedule and was still east of Carroll, IA when I arrived in Missouri Valley, IA. So with that knowledge (smart phones are nice for this type of tracking) I set out to find some spots to get a shot or two.<br />
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The back roads west of Woodbine, IA were scouted but I soon rejected the area as the main gravel road was pretty loose and wouldn't have been good to use as a chase road. The road condition and the spotting of BNSFrailfan - aka Allen Love, Jr. trespassing on the CN bridge over the UP convinced me to head further east with the Arion Ia area as a potential spot to setup. I wasn't in the mood for a UP popo encounter.<br />
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Checking the UP GPS tracking map showed that 844 was stopped near Carroll IA so I continued to head east until Denison, IA. I was thinking of going even further east but decided to stop and setup near the old CNW depot. After about 20-30 minutes of waiting, 844's whistle could be heard approaching from the east but ominously so could a air horn coming from the west. When I setup I was concerned about getting stuck on the wrong side if an eastbound came through and this thought kept getting louder as the steam whistle and the air horn keep getting closer to me. Well luck was on my side as 844 came into view before the eastbound did.<br />
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I packed up and headed west out of Denison to eventually catch up with the 844 as she made the servicing stop in Dunlap. By Arion I had caught the pace crowd who had Hwy 30 all gummed up while they paced the steamer. I absolutely hate these people especially on 2 lane roads that have impatient local drivers and foamers all mixed together. Its only a sneeze away from a big chain reaction wreck.<br />
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I was able to pass the line east of Dow City and get ahead of the chasers to setup at the Boyer River crossing west of Dunlap. I was the second person there and setup on the north side of the tracks to hopefully prevent getting blocked by another eastbound. In the 20 or so minutes I was waiting a couple of others showed up including a woman who was determined to stand on or near the tracks with her back pointed toward eastbound traffic. I was convinced she would be the next Darwin award winner as no matter what, she was going to get that shot where she wanted to stand.<br />
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844 got the highball at 1730 and the track and time was released allowing eastbounds to proceed which meant there was a good possibility of a meet at the bridge. Unfortunately this did occur and blocked a couple of people who had setup on the south side of the tracks.<br />
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After the stack train passed, I packed up and headed west to see if I could get one more setup for the day. The bridge construction on Hwy 30 east of Woodbine put an end to that though as all westbound traffic has to hold for a green signal to cross the single lane bridge. We were able to follow her into Missouri Valley and was stopped at the Loveland IA crossing by the train before heading for home.<br />
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All in all a nice way to spend an Sunday afternoon.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-9090971515597266532012-09-03T10:19:00.000-07:002012-09-03T10:19:45.386-07:00August HappeningsAugust was a month to forget with the loss of a close friend and a work schedule that was less than conductive to a good life/work balance. Even with these challenges I was able to get out in the local area and capture some action.<br />
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With the month almost half over I was able to get in the first outing of the month. The late afternoon is a good time to catch the MCBDM out of Council Bluffs and its sometimes interesting power. The 14th brought some old friends in the form of two old Sierra dupes. These units followed me from California to be placed in the pool out of North Platte. Showing the scars of operating in the tunnels of Donner Pass, the flags have long ago faded into the soot and oil covering they wore for the entire time they worked the pass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIW4mjNj1uo/UETWrgau6ZI/AAAAAAAADew/BAaUr22avWw/s1600/up_5577_5564_081412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIW4mjNj1uo/UETWrgau6ZI/AAAAAAAADew/BAaUr22avWw/s320/up_5577_5564_081412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 5577 & 5564 head north out of Beno's along a field that was 10+ feet under water this time last year.</td></tr>
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The MNPCCB or as the yard master likes to call it the double B is a late afternoon arrival into the Council Bluffs terminal area.The double B is actually two complete trains that runs into CB as one long monster (typically 180+ cars) from North Platte. From this train the MCBVP and MCBSS trains are created when the double B is split up in the old CNW north yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5QZYcqJ-R4/UETWqvv7NBI/AAAAAAAADec/56tWOUb8YtA/s1600/up_3958_6580_081412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5QZYcqJ-R4/UETWqvv7NBI/AAAAAAAADec/56tWOUb8YtA/s320/up_3958_6580_081412.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 3958 & 6580 pause on the Big Lake under crossing in CB as the MNPCBB is broken up into its two trains.</td></tr>
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Last years flooding and the wash out of the CN/IC line into Council Bluffs changed the schedule and make up of the three times a week CB local when the line was restored last winter. Traffic appears to have recovered but the trains are now handled by single hp units were they used to be two units.<br />
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The North Omaha CN/IC switch job and interchange with the BNSF and UP still generates a fair amount of traffic The job was pushing over 30 cars down the UP main to the CN/IC connector switch on the 14th.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1UhUDhzvow/UETWp02EBwI/AAAAAAAADeU/fZnXuriO180/s1600/ic_1025_081412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1UhUDhzvow/UETWp02EBwI/AAAAAAAADeU/fZnXuriO180/s320/ic_1025_081412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IC 1025 is pushing hard on a large interchange cut.</td></tr>
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The UP Ak-Sar-Ben special is a August fixture and this year the Union Pacific used the E-units to power this train. On the 16th the units were run light over to Heritage Park to be positioned on the next days special.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wXWMkIMFaA0/UETWr90dlkI/AAAAAAAADfA/KPJnbNMOhuA/s1600/up_949_081612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wXWMkIMFaA0/UETWr90dlkI/AAAAAAAADfA/KPJnbNMOhuA/s320/up_949_081612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slowly heading down the switch off the main into Heritage Park.</td></tr>
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I hadn't know about this movement, so I was surprised to see them round the curve heading to B0.0 for the run across town to the old CNW yard.<br />
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On the 21st I discovered that the IC SD70 had been replaced by the CN 2108. This old CNW C40 is in eye shot of the old GE shop at the CB CNW roundhouse where she and her sisters were maintained.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WMC9wTWVkQk/UETWp-4EFRI/AAAAAAAADeM/pK6nkl0QX3s/s1600/cn_2108_082112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WMC9wTWVkQk/UETWp-4EFRI/AAAAAAAADeM/pK6nkl0QX3s/s320/cn_2108_082112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old is new on the CN.</td></tr>
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Having just pushed her interchange cars into the old IC yard the crew is adding them to the evening outbound train.<br />
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Typically the QNPSK is a late morning, early afternoon train but today she must have encountered delays west of Council Bluffs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-buNT_7I10/UETWrLPDvHI/AAAAAAAADeo/CfEFQlH6hGg/s1600/up_5120_082112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-buNT_7I10/UETWrLPDvHI/AAAAAAAADeo/CfEFQlH6hGg/s320/up_5120_082112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 5120 leads two CSX units at Beno's</td></tr>
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UP 5120 provides needed ATS/CSS controls for the two CSX units as they leave the congested CB/Omaha terminal area.<br />
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With Berkshire Hathaway owning both Mid America and the BNSF the sight of an empty UP coaler from the CBEC complex may be rare in a couple of years. The contracts are currently being negotiated for haulage of the coal to the various Mid American plants and it will be interesting to see if its keep in the family of continues to be hauled by the competition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHd_vKxlYZU/UETWrktWG8I/AAAAAAAADe0/_SEzoySD224/s1600/up_7251_02812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHd_vKxlYZU/UETWrktWG8I/AAAAAAAADe0/_SEzoySD224/s320/up_7251_02812.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 7251 leads the empty Mid America coaler past the CRI&P depot in Council Bluffs, IA.</td></tr>
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The BNSF interchange train between the BNSF Gibson Omaha yard and the UP CB yard often occurs late in the afternoon and typically uses what ever is available in the yard to drag it over to the UP.<br />
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The interchange run on the 28th used the Bayard turn power in the form of two warbonnet B40-8W's and a GP 39-2. BNSF 517 is one of the best looking warbonnets I've seen in a very long time. An interesting note is the side says BNSF while the cigar ban on the nose says Santa Fe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuYAG-ZRsxs/UETWp7RwNUI/AAAAAAAADeI/V_3NoOfAXKU/s1600/bnsf_517_082812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuYAG-ZRsxs/UETWp7RwNUI/AAAAAAAADeI/V_3NoOfAXKU/s320/bnsf_517_082812.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backing through the yard the BNSF interchange train is heading up track 9 the yard to pick up its cars from the UP.</td></tr>
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This train ended my month of observationsrailfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-36391855765346591972012-08-26T10:12:00.000-07:002012-08-26T10:12:45.471-07:00August Blair Sub UpdateAfter a really busy month I was able to get out and explore what has taken place along the sub. Since most work appears to be concentrated on the west end, I started this trip from the Fremont side of the sub.<br />
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<b>Fremont to Arlington</b><br />
From the current end of double track at East Fremont to S 8th St in Arlington there has been no work started. With the Elkhorn River being down to a trickle with this summers drought I had anticipated crews starting work on the new Elkhorn bridge. Since the new alignment is to run through a couple of fields it looks like the UP may not start this segment until they are harvested.<br />
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<b>Arlington to Kennard</b><br />
On my last trip through Arlington crews had started to begin the grading of the new row. In the last month they have completed this and laid down the sub base fines that the new track will be installed on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOMI5RA9wHfwipaTNcUoxBHKa73L11CwKlYmvwsDy44mfDfaf3ygTEvwNSKx3ol-KcQWTW-AErjG0cb-DPUe8qRpxLsFvDkqFwFFyniZG6At8c8emD1_6MOLZ7cid6P9Wnzsn/s1600/DSC_1729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOMI5RA9wHfwipaTNcUoxBHKa73L11CwKlYmvwsDy44mfDfaf3ygTEvwNSKx3ol-KcQWTW-AErjG0cb-DPUe8qRpxLsFvDkqFwFFyniZG6At8c8emD1_6MOLZ7cid6P9Wnzsn/s320/DSC_1729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North side of row at S 8th St Arlington, NE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDv4IaRPDVA/UDl5KAINMeI/AAAAAAAADd4/TRz39-JSKT0/s1600/DSC_1730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDv4IaRPDVA/UDl5KAINMeI/AAAAAAAADd4/TRz39-JSKT0/s320/DSC_1730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northeast up the new row toward the LPG tanks in Arlington, NE</td></tr>
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The grading has been completed up to the S 8th St crossing on the southeast side of Arlington. The row will be located on the south side of the main where an old siding was once located.Somewhere near the grain elevator the row will be shifted to the south on a new alignment, It will be interesting to see if the LPG facility along the new alignment will be relocated. Any derailment on the new row would result in a direct hit of the tanks.<br />
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CR P11 was the end of the grading last month but since then the row has been completed and an access road created on the south side of the row heading east toward CR 15. West of P11 the UP contractors have brought in a crane to start the building of the bridge over the creek on the east side of Arlington.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHLbNkY5wPc/UDl5KEGTmdI/AAAAAAAADd4/M1uG8uwv-Kg/s1600/DSC_1731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHLbNkY5wPc/UDl5KEGTmdI/AAAAAAAADd4/M1uG8uwv-Kg/s320/DSC_1731.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east from co rd P11. New row on the left access road on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lDQCK7D85s/UDl5LO8lLfI/AAAAAAAADd4/UsZddPHuEBg/s1600/DSC_1732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lDQCK7D85s/UDl5LO8lLfI/AAAAAAAADd4/UsZddPHuEBg/s320/DSC_1732.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west from P11 toward the creek and the crane that will build the new bridge.</td></tr>
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From P11 to CR 15 the row is not accessible without trespassing on the new railroad access roads. Glimpses of the new row can be seen from Hwy 30 and from those glimpses it appears that the row is nearly completed.<br />
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CR 15 area is still being worked on and will be where a dramatic shift in the row will occur. The new alignment will be shifted to the north about 20 feet and the s-curve to the west eliminated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mf5MtNnMaEA/UDl5LDSY97I/AAAAAAAADd4/pua-3tpXDcE/s1600/DSC_1734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mf5MtNnMaEA/UDl5LDSY97I/AAAAAAAADd4/pua-3tpXDcE/s320/DSC_1734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west from co rd 15 at new row.</td></tr>
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There is a short section of new row between the road and were the existing track curves away from the new row that still needs to be worked on. Stakes are visible were grading work will occur along with some railroad equipment that will have to be relocated. On the east side of the co rd 15 crossing the new row has been completed up to about 30 feet from the area where the new crossing will be.<br />
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The row at the top of Arlington hill is completed. Stabilization work was in progress on the new drainage areas to prevent brown water run off. Looking east the row is completed with sub base fines having been laid down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXhMP7643qg/UDl5LSfKvqI/AAAAAAAADd4/PosFC2pi668/s1600/DSC_1735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXhMP7643qg/UDl5LSfKvqI/AAAAAAAADd4/PosFC2pi668/s320/DSC_1735.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east down Arlington Hill.</td></tr>
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The interesting note from this location is the name the UP has printed on the signal box indicating the crossing is named New Road.<br />
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Between New Road and CR 19 the row appears to be completed and ready for track installation. At the CR 19 crossing a tandem dump truck was observed dumping fines to be used when the road is cut and the row. The truck was working with a grader to distribute the fines on both sides of the crossing.<br />
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One of the benefits of this work is CR 19 has been rebuilt and widened from Hwy 30 to the UP crossing to allow these heavy gravel trucks a road capable of supporting there weight and allow them to pass each other.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZzVWcoqAQM/UDl5L72ysYI/AAAAAAAADd4/tV_Fl-d1sgw/s1600/DSC_1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZzVWcoqAQM/UDl5L72ysYI/AAAAAAAADd4/tV_Fl-d1sgw/s320/DSC_1737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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East of CR 19 crews where noted working on the new bridge that is about half way between CR 19 and CR 21. No other work was noted between these two crossing except for a crew mowing the weeds along the row.<br />
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At the Hwy 30 over crossing at west Kennard a crew was observed installing a new concrete retaining wall to shore up the embankment under Hwy 30. This embankment was cut back to allow the new row to fit under the over crossing. The storage area at west Kennard also had large sections of a concrete bridge deck stacked up for future installation. I do not know if these are the sections for the new Elkhorn bridge of the new Missouri bridge.<br />
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From west Kennard siding to the location of the old east Kennard siding switch no work was observed. Since my last time at east Kennard there has been a section of track installed on the new/rebuilt row. I'm not sure how far west this section is installed as I didn't explore the area around the old CR 32 crossing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UabmFM8jWUg/UDl5MVeg1_I/AAAAAAAADd4/a-M1WjDMlG8/s1600/DSC_1739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UabmFM8jWUg/UDl5MVeg1_I/AAAAAAAADd4/a-M1WjDMlG8/s320/DSC_1739.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New section of track installed at old east Kennard.</td></tr>
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<b>Kennard to Blair</b><br />
This area has been completed and been in use since earlier this year.<br />
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<b>Blair to Missouri Valley</b><br />
From CP Duffy to about 1 mile east of the Missouri River bridge no work was been done. I also did not note any survey stakes or utility line relocation markings in this area. This will probably be the last section to be worked on as the new row will involve a lot of work within the city limits of Blair.<br />
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About a mile east of the Missouri River bridge the new fill and row work is in place from California Jct to this point. Crossing over the river on the Hwy 30 bridge the new row can be seen briefly. Since it is being built on the north side of the existing row it is not a section that can easily be observed.<br />
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Significant progress has been done at the Corning ave crossing area. The new row appears to be completed and a new access road has also been installed. Crews have also installed a new fence along the south side of the row to separate the row from the existing fields.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV5xVlc3mFozIqN0e8Mx_6jTssT1r9zGQZWZlQQzZ9hyOpTtZsJiE3-iUWcLZUSaBN7Z4lIPGW5dMHxh00ZB7RS6c15CW_HTKWIMZ-T7GK3k1xM4I0lZnPvtE4SB8MkJhlR2o/s1600/DSC_1741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV5xVlc3mFozIqN0e8Mx_6jTssT1r9zGQZWZlQQzZ9hyOpTtZsJiE3-iUWcLZUSaBN7Z4lIPGW5dMHxh00ZB7RS6c15CW_HTKWIMZ-T7GK3k1xM4I0lZnPvtE4SB8MkJhlR2o/s320/DSC_1741.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west at MP 338 at the new row and access road at Corning Ave.</td></tr>
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At Austin Road the highway has been cut and asphalt placed in the section where the new crossing will be installed. There was a lot of activity will graders and gravel trucks laying fines for the new crossing in piles on either side of the crossing.<br />
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At California Jct, the area looks dramatically different. The old CNW search light signals are now completed gone with the new signals that control the jct to the Sioux City sub moved about 1/2 east of Fremont Ave. The only signals that are still in the area of the wye are from the Sioux City sub to the Blair Sub.<br />
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The last area to explore was the Italy Ave crossing. When approaching the Italy Ave signs where up indicating the road was closed. From a distance it could be seen that the UP was working on the crossing. Without not being able to directly see what was occurring I can only assume that crews where cutting in the crossing for the third main.<br />
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Until next report.<br />
<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-64683937746883075762012-08-09T17:59:00.000-07:002012-08-09T17:59:13.103-07:00The passing of a friendAs me grow older there are certain events that are inevitable and the lose of a friend is just one of those events. Very early this morning I lost one of the few people I have considered a friend.<br />
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I first met Mark back in 1981 when I was a first being introduced to the world of model railroading and railfaning. Though we became separated by my leaving the area, getting married and raising a family we still stayed in touch and remained friends for over 30 years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWoOrulk4zA/UCRVqzRLGPI/AAAAAAAADZA/t4naMCJU_Jg/s1600/milw_559_558_557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWoOrulk4zA/UCRVqzRLGPI/AAAAAAAADZA/t4naMCJU_Jg/s320/milw_559_558_557.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark with Milw SD10's March 1986</td></tr>
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Mark was a very skilled model railroader and amateur photographer with a love a fare with the Milwaukee Road. His pseudo home town of Sioux City, IA lost the Milwaukee in 1980 but during the 80's we often made trips to Sheldon, IA for a rare glimpse of his railroad. Those trips were always full of adventure and camaraderie.<br />
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Mark shared many diverse interests with others in his life. I am glad I got to share his interest in trains, model railroading and local history. His knowledge will be sorely missed in these areas.<br />
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In late summer 2011 Mark was diagnosed with lung cancer. It looked like he had it licked in October but had a set back with pneumonia in December and a relapse early this year. Unfortunately he wasn't able to recover and was quite frail from this. In the end the cancer did not claim him as it has so many others. Unfortunately a simple accident was to blame. He said the cancer wouldn't get him and with a bit of irony he was right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GqJRonX2tlFMwQqcziH-1W3vblPhy9cpeUG3KRG1GDJUrcHbvZYRfbf1lyXhu2FsH2ENkDDe9ZYvYQx1FQ3uPWAx0AbOdrEJg0QuTJONoSBGObbTJU5g4b0Nta0vsg_9DqPx/s1600/mark_milw_f7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GqJRonX2tlFMwQqcziH-1W3vblPhy9cpeUG3KRG1GDJUrcHbvZYRfbf1lyXhu2FsH2ENkDDe9ZYvYQx1FQ3uPWAx0AbOdrEJg0QuTJONoSBGObbTJU5g4b0Nta0vsg_9DqPx/s320/mark_milw_f7a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark sitting in the engineer seat of a Milw F7 fall of 1986.</td></tr>
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You will be missed my friend. You pain is over and you can enjoy a well deserved rest. Your memories will live with me forever. Until we meet again, good bye ole friend sleep well.<br />
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<br />railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-23494541116680570902012-07-21T16:19:00.000-07:002012-07-21T16:19:27.158-07:00Blair Sub Construction UpdateOver the past couple of weeks I have been able to get out and explore the work being done on the new double track the UP is building on the Blair Sub. Since my last report there has been some significant progress made on the Iowa side as well as the area from Kennard to Arlington, NE.<br />
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On the 7th I as able to do some exploring on the Iowa side of the project. At that time the new second main had been ballasted and the new cross over switch east of Italy Ave had been installed installed. The main had been extended as far as Allen Creek but had not been cut into the existing second main. Westbound movements still had to take the switch at Allen Creek to access the single track sub.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTtfNz90rEo/UAoOzajeJoI/AAAAAAAADU8/nLq7A89d7lM/s1600/DSC_1611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTtfNz90rEo/UAoOzajeJoI/AAAAAAAADU8/nLq7A89d7lM/s320/DSC_1611.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MKCVP passing through Allen Creek by the end of the new double track.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1tfWXB81_I/UAoOygLXd-I/AAAAAAAADUo/pgH_yeuWXtM/s1600/DSC_1607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1tfWXB81_I/UAoOygLXd-I/AAAAAAAADUo/pgH_yeuWXtM/s320/DSC_1607.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New second main looking west toward California Jct., IA</td></tr>
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On the 14th one of the areas infamous mentally and socially unstable super foamers reported that the new double track section from Allen Creek to just east of California Jct was now open. Interestingly (probably telling of his status) no one replied to his notice.<br />
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During my trip to this area on the 20th it was observed that the new second main was indeed completed and being used. While looking over the area west from Italy Ave, I noticed that the old main had a MOW mobile welding truck on it and the third main contained around 20 ballast cars parked on it. A curious observation on the third main is that the eastern most 20 feet of track had been cut and stacked on top of the continuous track.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUCcnWLlfxg/UAoOz1o639I/AAAAAAAADVY/rvBxz0OxyUk/s1600/DSC_1638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUCcnWLlfxg/UAoOz1o639I/AAAAAAAADVY/rvBxz0OxyUk/s320/DSC_1638.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP 6747 leads a eb empty auto rack train on the new second main at Italy Ave west of Missouri Valley, IA.</td></tr>
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At California Jct., IA the old CNW search light signals have been retired and pointed away from the main in favor of the new UP Darth Vader signals. Track sub grade work has stopped short of the west Fremont Ave crossing. Utility poles are being installed that will clear the new ROW both horizontally and vertically. Once this is completed the little bit of remaining ROW work should be finished rather quickly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GnYdB5MzsQ/UAoOzp1vOhI/AAAAAAAADVE/QdMQ9xBoXCk/s1600/DSC_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GnYdB5MzsQ/UAoOzp1vOhI/AAAAAAAADVE/QdMQ9xBoXCk/s320/DSC_1618.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west from Fremont Ave at California Jct., IA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaWTfAQUSx4/UAoOzpHIF6I/AAAAAAAADVI/ooEai9SAA5Q/s1600/DSC_1619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaWTfAQUSx4/UAoOzpHIF6I/AAAAAAAADVI/ooEai9SAA5Q/s320/DSC_1619.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Current junction for the end of double track east of California Jct., IA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNnsVdk6eNM/UAoO0NJAkuI/AAAAAAAADVg/ZDhMsflJ_vw/s1600/DSC_1641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNnsVdk6eNM/UAoO0NJAkuI/AAAAAAAADVg/ZDhMsflJ_vw/s320/DSC_1641.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old CNW search lights have been replaced by new signals at California Jct., IA.</td></tr>
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On both sides of the Austin Ave crossing I noted that the UP had laid down asphalt on top of the sub grade fines. I had only seen this done once before by the BNSF in western TX on the double tracking of the transcon. I am guessing this was done to add more stability to the row as this is old river bottom land and can get water logged during wet times.<br />
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Another interesting item was noted on the east side of the Austin Ave crossing. Four corrugated pipes around 12 inches in diameter are sticking up about a foot out of the ground in a square grid pattern. I'm not sure what these are for and can only assume its for signals.
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The bridge over the slough between Austin and Corning Avenues is completed and ready for ties and track to be laid. The row is also completed up to the Corning Ave from the east.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LVX_kgFilkI/UAoO0pDEzHI/AAAAAAAADVo/E0WMz5FetXI/s1600/DSC_1642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LVX_kgFilkI/UAoO0pDEzHI/AAAAAAAADVo/E0WMz5FetXI/s320/DSC_1642.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asphalt sub base west of Austin ave crossing.</td></tr>
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West of Corning Ave there has been another dramatic change in the past two weeks. On the 7th I noted that grading of the new row toward the river had started. On the 20th this work had progressed to the point were the new row has the sub base fines laid down. On the north side of the existing row grading is occurring and trucks hauling in dirt were noted dumping there loads about half way up the incline to the Missouri River bridge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-364bPlO38/UAoO0gm4dYI/AAAAAAAADVs/ibIr8wPQXus/s1600/DSC_1645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-364bPlO38/UAoO0gm4dYI/AAAAAAAADVs/ibIr8wPQXus/s320/DSC_1645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look out sits on the freshly built row as grading continues on the northwest side of the Corning Ave crossing.</td></tr>
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It is difficult to see what is actually occurring on the north side of the row west from Corning Ave as roads are not readily available. There is a county road that does go under the Hwy 30 bridge to the north side but is it closed except to construction crews. A grader and trucks dropping loads were seen across the fields along the southwestern running tangent but no real detail could be seen.<br />
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From the Blair, NE side of the river I could not see any activity on the Iowa side. I did notice that there is excavation work and pilings be positioned just north of the public boat ramp. I do not know if this is work being done by the city or part of the UP project. A curious note is this work does line up with the old SC&P row that lead to the river ferries back in the late 1880's.<br />
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West from Blair no other work was noted until Kennard, NE. The bridge work that had been reported previously is now completed on the old Kennard siding. The old row has been regraded and sub base fines laid down and compacted. Ribbon rail has been laid next to the new row and the row is being prepped for ties and the rail to be installed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAtC42RZWPY/UAoO1PgfrMI/AAAAAAAADWA/BYZJ6PJskn4/s1600/DSC_1646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAtC42RZWPY/UAoO1PgfrMI/AAAAAAAADWA/BYZJ6PJskn4/s320/DSC_1646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west along the old Kennard siding.</td></tr>
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From the area of the old West Kennard siding to Co Rd 21, the row grading has been completed and the sub base fines laid down. Culvert and bridge work is also completed and the row is nearly ready for ties and rail to be installed. Looking west from the Co Rd 21 crossing the new row is clearly visible with the white rock sub grade laid down. It appears that the existing track will deviate into the new cut and the new track will cross the existing line. When the time comes for this cut over it will result in the line being shut down while for awhile. These typically occurs on Mondays when traffic on the sub is low.</div>
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Looking west from Co Rd 21 at new row.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Je20ylfnfY/UAoO1S12pWI/AAAAAAAADWE/TIxJSuiN9D4/s1600/DSC_1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Je20ylfnfY/UAoO1S12pWI/AAAAAAAADWE/TIxJSuiN9D4/s320/DSC_1651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east toward Kennard from Co Rd 21.</td></tr>
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On both sides of the Co Rd 19 crossing the row grading is completed and the sub base fines have been installed. At the top of Arlington Hill the excavation work on the cutting back of the hill to the east has been completed along with the installation of the bridge east of the hill. Grading and sub base fines have been laid and the row is nearing completion for ties and rail to be installed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up grade west from Co Rd 19.</td></tr>
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The area around Co Rd 15 is still under construction. It is here where the line will be dramatically changed, The s-curve west of the crossing will be removed and the line shifted to the north from its present location at the crossing. Some of the sub grade has been completed west of Co Rd 15 heading down grade toward Arlington, but this section is not complete.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The s-curve west of Co Rd 15 that will be eliminated.</td></tr>
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At Co Rd P11 heavy equipment was seen working the new row up to the creek. West from the creek up to the grain elevator on the east side of Arlington, NE, row work has started. </div>
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From Arlington west to Fremont no work has begun.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy equipment working west of Co Rd P11.</td></tr>
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</div>railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482427.post-43427391741881727082012-07-08T10:31:00.001-07:002012-07-08T10:57:46.096-07:00BNSF Plattsmouth bridge updateOn Friday June 29th, I ventured over to the Pacific Jct, IA - Plattsmouth, NE area to check on the progress of the BNSF's new Missouri River bridge. Due to some issues this will be my last report on this construction project.<br />
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Starting in Pacific Jct we headed west on old Hwy 34 toward Plattsmouth. The first stop was the crossing on 190th st to take a look at what the BNSF has been doing. Looking east from the crossing crews are working on the ROW preparing it for the second main.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east toward Pacific Jct from 190th st.</td></tr>
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This area had been built up last year to protect the line from the Missouri River flooding. The ROW is now about 6 feet taller than before the flooding, but the extra levees that were built on both sides of the elevated main have been removed. Looking west from the crossing the extra dirt appears to have been leveled and used for the second main ROW.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View west from 190th st toward NE.</td></tr>
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From 190th st I turned left on Kane Ave which parallels the main on the north side for about a minle. At the creek crossing I noticed a new double track bridge had been installed since last year. A review of Google earth shows the bridge was under construction on the 03/07/12 imagery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6ikei8N6iE/T_Cqu8JWrpI/AAAAAAAADQA/tIN2qCRAfXY/s1600/DSC_1587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6ikei8N6iE/T_Cqu8JWrpI/AAAAAAAADQA/tIN2qCRAfXY/s320/DSC_1587.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New double track concrete bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east toward the new bridge from 180th st. There is an usual kink in the track closer to the bridge.</td></tr>
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Kane Ave is closed at 18th st and to get back to the tracks I turned south. At the 180th st crossing crushed rock and dirt trucks are entering the ROW and making dumping runs toward the new bridge. There was a construction contractor staging the trucks and taking their paperwork at the crossing. He was more concerned about the trucks that me which as we will see is not always the case.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_A8yCvMSXk/T_CqvzDHb-I/AAAAAAAADQc/wgie5LpxbE8/s1600/DSC_1589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_A8yCvMSXk/T_CqvzDHb-I/AAAAAAAADQc/wgie5LpxbE8/s320/DSC_1589.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock truck heading to the current rock dumping spot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29SR0H2N4CE/T_CqwOH-HwI/AAAAAAAADQk/qwmbFGui2v4/s1600/DSC_1595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29SR0H2N4CE/T_CqwOH-HwI/AAAAAAAADQk/qwmbFGui2v4/s320/DSC_1595.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elevation of the new fill is nicely shown in this shot from Hwy 34</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rock truck that has come off the fill to head west across the river.</td></tr>
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Back on Hwy 34 I headed over to the east end of the Plattsmouth toll bridge and parked on the south shoulder of the road. Taking a look at the amount of progress that is occurring there must be a bonus if the construction companies complete this project ahead of time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iowa side work area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iowa side bridge footing and pier area.</td></tr>
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The earth work on the NE side is still ongoing and I was not able to see to what level the work was at other than dust and truck activity. What was a nice suprise was the completion of the west side bridge footing and first pier. The first spans were also noted having been installed on the west side. The east side of the river showed that the piers where being built or closed to being finished but there was no indication that the peir that will be in the river was being constructed yet.<br />
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The other contractor.<br />
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As soon as I stepped out of my vehicle this individual jumps out of his truck and wants to know what he can do to help me. I replied nothing and that I was taking pictures. His immediate reply was that the BNSF does not want or allow anyone to take photos of this construction project. I was determined to get my photos and to stand my ground as I am on a public highway, so I asked him since when did the BNSF but Hwy34. His short reply was that its illegal to take photos and that I was trespassing and to leave the area immediately. Hmmm...nope not going to happen. I continued to take my photos while the contractor was taking video and photos of me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF Contractor </td></tr>
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The contractor followed me across the bridge and when I parked in the parking area across from the toll booth to get some more photos, he was observed having an animated conversation with the toll booth collector. As I return to my vehicle the toll booth operate runs out of the tool booth shouting and swearing for all he was worth that i was to get off the public road and get out of there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZMz31crbGc/T_CqxI5xqgI/AAAAAAAADRI/XPXhQZukEW0/s1600/DSC_1602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZMz31crbGc/T_CqxI5xqgI/AAAAAAAADRI/XPXhQZukEW0/s320/DSC_1602.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contractor at the tool booth</td></tr>
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The short version of the ensuing conversation and threats from the tool booth operator was the BNSF did not want me there and that I was trespassing; on a public highway. Well the individual finally disengaged from me and I proceeded into Plattsmouth. As I was driving into the town, the contractor was observer following me until I turned into the area were the county law enforcement center is. Needless to say the day ended with me filing out a police report for harassment and sharing my photos with the county sheriff and my girlfriend being less than impressed with the whole situation.<br />
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As I indicated above this is my last report on this construction project.railfanrails.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848960382266763682noreply@blogger.com