KCS Haulage Trains

Background
One of the more interesting sights in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area are the KCS haulage trains that are brought in by the BNSF. Though these are only grain trains they do provide a nice break from the monotony of UP yellow and grey. Currently these KCS trains run on the BNSF even though the KCS has a haulage agreement on the UP into Omaha/Council Bluffs for 199 years that was awarded as part of the 1988 UP- MKT merger. The BNSF agreement is also a result of concessions that were awarded for the 1995 ATSF-BN merger. 


Customers Served
There are currently three customers served by these haulage trains. 

• Cargill at 2401 South 37th St., Council Bluffs, IA.
• 108 Car capacity
• Bartlett Grain Co. (North House) at 1030 Ave L, Council Bluffs, IA.
• 81 Car capacity
• Bartlett Grain Co. (South House) at 2600 S. 4th St., Council Bluffs, IA.



KCS Haulage train departing Lincoln, NE east on the BNSF Creston  Sub

• 85 Car capcity

Operations (Area Map)
The haulage trains are not operated on a set schedule. They can and do operate into and out of the area any day of the week.Typically the Bartlett elevators will receive and load at least two trains a week each while the Cargill elevator will load one train a week.A good indication that a train is about to be loaded at one of the Bartlett elevators is an increase in grain truck traffic unloading grain.

While the  BNSF operates these trains with BNSF crews and symbols they are almost always composed of  KCS family locomotives and grain hoppers. If there is a road failure of one of the KCS units BNSF will add a BNSF unit to the consist. A typical train is composed of two AC traction units and around 80 cars. It is rare to see a TFM or KCSdM locomotive but grain hoppers are always a good mix of KCS, TFM, Ferrosur or leaser names.

Routings

A KCS haulage train is taking the Amtrak connector from the BNSF to the UP in Omaha, NE.

Empties grain trains are typically routed on the St Joe sub from KC to Lincoln. The Creston Sub from Lincoln to Ashland, NE and then the Omaha Sub from Ashland to the Amtrak Depot in Omaha, NE. From the Amtrak connector to BN Jct they use UP trackage rights to gain access to the Council Bluffs Sub and South House or continue to the North House on the UP Omaha Sub. Loaded trains ( from all three customers) are routed down the BNSF Council Bluffs sub to Pacific Jct, IA then west on the Creston Sub to Lincoln, NE and then back down the St Joe sub to KC.

Cargill Elevator
Those trains that are destined to the Cargill elevator take the normal routing into the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. At the Amtrak connector they take the UP bridge into the UP yard and then down the western most yard elevator track. About 3/4 of the way down is the connector switch to the Cargill lead (see map). Trains must roll through the yard and out across S 16th St and around the Chrysler auto unloading ramp to clear this switch. Once they have cleared the switch they will back up the mile or so to the Cargill elevator where they will fit the train into the various tracks for loading.

Cargill uses a ex Amtrak GP10 and a SW1 to move cars through the loader. Since this is not a loop or flood loader, it typically takes a couple of days to load an 80 car train. The KCS locomotives are parked in the UP service area while a train is being loaded, though it is possible that the units maybe parked on one of the yard elevator tracks during this time frame.

KCS 3916 passes the 12th st line in Council Bluffs on its way to the North House.

Once a train is loaded it is routed back out the same way it was brought in. When the train has cleared the Cargill lead switch it is backed out of the yard onto the UP mainline and then pulls down the Omaha Sub to BN Jct where a BNSF crew boards and takes the train down the Council Bluffs Sub to Pacific Jct. , IA.

Bartlett - North House
North House trains follow the typical routing into Council Bluffs but continue on the UP Omaha Sub to the north house. Once they have arrived outside the elevator these trains pull north through the north yard cross overs and are shoved back into the elevator tracks from the southbound the main. The north house elevator trains are only 79 cars inbound or 81 cars total with the two locomotives. Its a very tight fit on the elevator leads for these trains.

ex KCS NW2 at the North House

The north house employs a ex KCS NW2 switcher to position cars under the elevator load outs. This unit is still painted in KCS white but is missing the two exhaust stacks giving it a unique look.The unit is keep inside the load building until needed. When a train is being loaded it will work the load outs from the south end pushing cars toward the north end of the complex. 

The KCS power for the north house trains are parked on the north end of the elevator complex and are easily observed form Mynster Springs Rd. They can be photographed in the mornings, but the best lighting is in the evenings. NOTE - They are parked next to an active mainline and you will have to trespass to photograph with the sun. This area is marked as No Trespassing and you will be confronted by BNSF and UP Special Agents if seen trespassing.

Loaded trains are given a inspection and have there air hoses laced by the UP car department. Bad orders are identified and tagged for set out on the materials salvage lead. A UP extra crew is called and they assemble the train from the north end occupying the southbound main during this process.Once assembled they make a reverse move across Council Bluffs until they clear the BN Jct switch. BNSF crews will then board the train and proceed down the Council Bluffs sub to Pacific Jct., IA.

A north house train is curving through Council Bluffs and crossing the IAIS 

Bartlett - South House
South House trains follow the typical routing into Council Bluffs and take the switch at BN Jct to enter the Council Bluffs Sub. This part of the Council Bluffs sub contains a number of railroad crossings with the UP 12th St line being the first. The IAIS crossings are located just south of 16th St near the ex CRIP depot.

South house trains are pulled down to the elevator and then the train is positioned under the two loading shoots for loading. The south house uses two older shuttle wagons to handle the movement of the cars through the load outs. The road power is typically parked with the BNSF Council Bluffs switcher in the old yard south of 16th St. On occasion this power is "borrowed" and is used to pull a train over to the BNSF S. Omaha Gibson yard. The units can  also be parked in the old Milwaukee Road yard on occasion.

Late afternoons and evenings are the best for photographing the units while they are parked in the BNSF yard. NOTE - If you trespass to get close up photos of the units expect a visit from BNSF Special Agents. There is no need to trespass as photos can be taken from a public road.

A south house train being assembled.

Once the elevator has loaded a train the BNSF car department inspects the train and laces the air hoses. A switch crew from Gibson will then perform the process of assembling the train. The cars are pulled from the north end of the elevator and are parked on the new main. Not all cars will fit on the new main and the road crew will double over a short cut of cars once they have boarded the train.

Once assembled the road crew will take it down the Council Bluffs sub to Pacific Jct., IA to travel west on the Creston Sub.

Occasionally the switch crew will take a train down to Pacific Jct., IA and park it north of town. A road crew will then take the train west later as crews become available.

KCS haulage train awaiting a road crew at Pacific Jct. IA.

The last couple of Fridays

The new year hasn't presented me with too many opportunities for outings but I was able to venture out the last couple of Fridays for some quick train watching in Council Bluffs, IA.

February 24, 2012
An interesting snow squall came into the area during the mid afternoon which was followed by a brilliantly sunny late afternoon.  This low bright lighting convinced me to head out the door and see what was going on over in Council Bluffs.

Before heading across the river, I stopped along I-80 to get a quick grab shot of the DDA40X and Big Boy basking in the sun at Kennefick Park. It is interesting to think of what it took to get these locomotives up there. I wasn't living in the area when these where moved to the park, so I've only been able to see a few pictures of the moves.

Heading back across the river into Iowa and getting off at the Lake Manawa exit, I found the local BNSF switcher with BNSF 2702  parked at the south Bartlett elevator with a short train. There wan't a KCS grain train at this elevator so after a quick stop at Casey's for some gas a run to the north side of town was in order.

The CN had GT 5858 parked along side their yard office. Fridays is not a day that the local comes all the way into Council Bluffs so no road power was found in the yard. The CN of today is a very far cry from the ICG/CCP/IC days that I remeber when I was younger. I sure do miss those orange and white geeps that where the symbol of the ICG and CCP for me..

The old CNW yard or north yard as its called by the UP is still an fairly busy place. Through trains swap blocks, make set outs and pick-ups here and a switch job takes these cars cars back and forth between the original UP yard. A daily monster train (typically >180 cars and 6+ units) comes into Council Bluffs in the afternoons is the MNPCBB (double B as the crews call it) which uses the north yard. This train is broken into two trains; MCBVP and MCBSS for movement to their final terminals. MNPCBB-23 pulled into the yard with 5992-6284-7921-6540-5663-6541 and over 150 cars.

The north Bartlett elevator was busy loading a  KCS grain train. KCS 4621 and 4047 were parked along N.8th st. while the Bartlett ex KCS NW2 4222 was pushing cars through the loader.

The mainline out of the north yard was occupied by two trains. The head end of both of these trains was parked just south of the Beano's crossing at Musical Hills Ln. A northbound empty grain train with UP 5795-5802-8558 was on track one while a mixed freight was on track two with the UP 6718 leading another unknown unit. It is typical to find one train waiting for a southbound to clear before heading north, but with two trains holding there may have been MOW work somewhere between Missouri Valley and here.

With the sun setting I grabbed a burrito and headed over to MP 0.0 to sit and eat while the UP sent me some trains. First up was the MNPCH with UP 7644-4928 which was followed by a eastbound coal load with UP 5975-6381 and DPU 6001.

Since it was now dark, it was time to head for home.

March 2, 2012
Two brilliant Friday afternoons in a row are rare in this area for this time of year.Being able to spend some time out in sun is even rarer for me.

After work I was off to see what was going on and was rewarded with two clean KCS belles relaxing in the sun as a UP grain train was heading down the BNSF Council Bluffs sub to the Bunge bean plant. This is the first time I have seen three SD70Ms handling a UP grain train since I'd moved back to the midwest. Typically AC4400CW and SD90MACs are dragging these trains around. KCS 4779 and 4777 were the units parked in the BNSF yard while UP 4971-4364-3991 had the UP grain train in tow.

The CN switcher was still GT 5858 and since it was Friday no road power was in town.

UP YCB64 job was lined up on the south end of the north yard waiting for permission to head out onto the main, to cross over to track two and then head down the 12th st line. While this was going on the MPRCB was holding at ave G waiting for the yard job to make its movement west.

Once YCB64 was given permission to make its movement UP 826- 586 dragged their cars down the 12th st line and into the Pool yard.

The MRPCB did not have its typical all EMD power lashup.UP 5663-8084 were leading the PR  into Council Bluffs today. Besides having a GE in the consist the PR was about 8 hours late getting into the Bluffs, also. Typically the MPRCB gets into CB in the morning unless it has experienced issues across Iowa. As typical with the PR she will pull down the 12th st. line and head into the Pool yard to call it a day.

While the YCB64 job was making its movement across town the MNPCB-01 pulled up to 9th Ave to begin it preparations for pulling into the north yard. Since this train is so large it is often held at 9th Ave until it can get a straight shot into the yard. Any issues with it pulling into the yard will block all the crossings in Council Bluffs except for the Ave G and Broadway Ave over crossings. This tends to anger most of the town when this occurs.The MNPCBB was pulled by UP 6700-6208-5776-7034-6237-6292 and had over 175 cars to be setout on three tracks in the north yard.

With the double B tying up the town I headed over to the Durham Museum in Omaha to investigate the train that had dies on hours of service there. A dog catch crew had been sent over earlier but had not been able to continue east as the MNPCBB was blocking the mains during its movement into the yard. This train was powered by UP 4800-4885-unknown SD70M-2367.

After grabbing a shot of the train strung out into the setting sun it was time to head for home.

Posts and their content

My most recent post was linked to a members only site. Only after asking the webmaster of that site to remove the link and having been ignored did I lock this site down.

Yes this blog is on the wide open net and may or may not contain information that some would like to review, but by placing the link to it behind a password protected site it is no longer free to everyone.

I will continue to monitor the sources of traffic to this blog and will take any actions necessary to ensure that the content and comments (good or bad) remain free to all. If I have to pay to join or register for any forum that this blog has been linked to without my knowledge, I will shut the site down again. Sharing of information is only effective when it is free and accessible to all.

Blair Sub Changes

This past Saturday, I spent some time along the Blair Sub to document the changes that are occurring as the second track is going in. For the a quick reference I have included a map (Blair Sub Changes) of the sub and the changes that have been observed.

Missouri Valley, IA
The current alignments where the Omaha Sub joins the Boone Sub and Blair sub will be dramatically changed.The Omaha to Boone sub transition will occur on the east side of Missouri Valley with the east side of the wye being extended eastward on a new track to a point around where the grain elevator is currently. Signal boxes and signal bases were observed being moved for this new alignment.

On the west side of the wye where the Omaha and Blair subs join the change will not be so dramatic. The ROW appears to being prepared for the track to be repositioned slightly further to the west and the connecting switch to be closer to the bridges over the creek on the west side of downtown Missouri Valley.

Allen Creek to California Jct., IA.
Late last year the sub grade was completed for both the new second track and the third track. With winter now occurring, track work was stopped in mid November. But some work has been occurring for signaling and onsite switch building.

On the ROW for track 2 the cross-over switch has been laid out just east of Italy Ave. While on the north side the concrete ties have been positioned for the switch to the third main.

One change that was noted was the closing of Grover Ave about a mile east of California Jct. This road is also now marked as a private road on the south side of the ROW.

On the east side of California Jct, signal crews were noted working on signal cables and junction boxes.A cross over switch on the new main is also being constructed on the ROW.

California Jct, IA to Corning Ave.
The news here is grading has started from Fremont Ave to east of Corning Ave.The face of California Jct has been changed now but will result in more active once this is completed.








East of Austin Ave., heavy excavating machinery was parked and being serviced for next weeks work.

West of Austin Ave, the grading of the new ROW has started but is not as far along as the section between Fremont and Austin Aves.

It does not appear that the grading has progressed up to the slough. On the west side of the slough up to Corning Ave, new survey stakes were noted but no active grading was seen.

Corning Ave to Hwy 92 Blair, NE
No activity was noted between these two points. The beginning of the new double track is just south west of the Hwy 92 crossing.

Hwy 92 Blair to Kennard, NE
The old CTC signals are now gone. A couple of weeks ago they were still in place but the heads had been turned toward the mains.

East Kennard Siding to West Kennard Siding
The old Kennard siding has been disassembled and is in the process of being rebuilt from the grown up and will be shifted closer to Hwy 30 (based on the survey flags).

Along the hill that old Co Rd 32 runs on there are survey flags from the guard rail that blocks the old crossing down to were Co Rd 25 joins Co Rd 32. This appears to indicate that the side of the hill will be excavated to allow for the new track to be shifted south buy about 6-10 feet. This also may be the end of this old road.

The first creek crossing south of Co Rd 25 is being reworked with a fill and culvert are being built. This maybe a new bridge or a temp crossing of the creek to allow excavating equipment access to the area. Further down to the west end of the old Kennard siding, the other creek bridge area is also being worked. It is unknown if these two bridges will be replaced of if the work is to allow excavators access.





West Kennard to Co Rd 21
Trees and vegetation has been removed on the south side of the ROW between these two points. Additionally culvert work was seen for the drainage under the ROW west of the Hwy 30 over crossing.

The new ROW has been staked out between these two points but no active grading was observed.


CO Rd 21 to Co Rd 19

There is a major change in the works for the curve to the west of the Co Rd 21 crossing. Excavators were busy contouring the side of the hill and dumping this dirt on the side of the hill next to Co rd 21. Its unknown if this dirt will be reused later in the project of if the farmer who owns this land will be getting a bonus of new farm land.

Co Rd 19 to Co Rd P34
This area is is away from the road and a bit harder to observe. At the Co Rd 19 crossing the ROW west is staked out and there was a truck mounted drill and pipes observed on the south side of the crossing.








Co Rd P34 to Co Rd 15
Arlington Hill will definitely be change by this construction. The area just southwest of the P34 crossing is almost unrecognizable now and the excavating has not even started.

The trees and vegetation on the south side of the ROW have been removed and the area is being prepped for excavation work.



View from the P34 grade crossing showing how much of the hill will be trimmed back.

Looking east from the crossing this curve will see some changes also.

Co Rd 15 area
This area will also experience a dramatic change. From the way the survey flags are laid out the line should cut across the existing track and straighten out the s-curve to the west of the crossing. It should be interesting to see how this will all occur as the line has some housing close to the ROW.








Looking west from the crossing the prep work for the elimination of the s-curves has already started.

No other work was observed toward Arlington with the except of tree and vegetation removal.

A trip around the triangle

Saturday was supposed to be a decent day so I decided to head out and see what was going on with the Blair Sub double tracking project. The day started out with a stop in Council Bluffs, IA to see what was going on. Unfortunately there was a lack of traffic which foreshadowed what the day was going to be like.

Council Bluffs, IA
The new track on the southeast side of the yard was being readied for installation. A front end loader was distributing the new ties along the ROW and the switch at 16th Ave was built and ready for installation.


UP MCBNC was pumping air on its train
4529-5006-3920

BNSF local switcher
503

IAIS yard job
601-650

IAIS CBBI power
505-501

The CN was heard on the scanner asking the UP for permission to make a move on the UP in N. Omaha and there was no CN road power to be seen in the yard. The UP north yard was nearly empty with only the north yard switcher working. Both the MCBSS and MCBVP had left and the MKCVP was late into Council Bluffs.

Missouri Valley, IA
On the drive north to Mo Valley there wasn't any activity spotted on the UP until the Loveland exit. The MSXCB was spotted rolling under the CN fly-over but the power was on the other side of the incline and could not be identified. At Canal St. the MPRCB was caught heading off the Boone Sub onto the Omaha Sub.

UP MPRCB
4072-4333-5474-7397

UP ETOH train in the yard
6602-7192

Missouri Valley to Blair
There was no movements on the Blair Sub and radio traffic was non-existent. At Italy Ave new ribbon rail was seen on both sides of the existing main heading west ready for installation on new ties once they are laid out. The PCI staging area was also pretty empty as all the heavy equipment was gone.

Just east of California Jct the hardware for the new switches has been distributed for the track crews to build the switch from.From the looks of the activity the UP may start laying track in March or April between Allen Creek and east California Jct. As a side note the UP has Grover Ave barricaded and closed at the crossing.

West from Fremont Ave at California Jct. the UP had been doing preliminary prep work on the new ROW. Piles of old ties were spotted at Fremont Ave and Austin Ave. From Austin Ave west to Corning Ave some activities has been occurring on the new ROW (no building/grading) by trucks.

From Corning Ave west to the Missouri River no activity or signs of recent activity were seen. A port-a-potty was seen under the UP Missouri River bridge. I'm not sure why its there as no activity was spotted in that area.

Blair to Kennard
No activity was spotted in Blair until the area around CP Duffy. Lots of MOW crews where seen in the area but no actual work was noted. Driving along the line all the old signals have been deactivated and the heads turned toward the ROW. No train activity was spotted along this stretch either

Kennard to East Fremont
Lots of MOW crews where noted on the southwest side of Kennard with a flagman spotted resting in his pickup in the field on the north side of the ROW near the bridge.

Kennard siding was in a state of disassembly with stick rail having been pulled and laid inside the gauge. The mid siding signal was also dead with the head turned toward the ROW. At the south end of the old Kennard siding a new access road is being build for heavy equipment to use for access off of Hwy 30. The area around the south switch has also been graded and leveled for vehicles.

South of the Hwy 30 bridge to the top of Arlington Hill the south side of the main is being cleared of vegetation. This clearing has changed the look of the area around the County Rd P34 crossing. The greatest change is the removal of the giant Oak tree just to the southwest of the crossing.

On the western slope of Arlington Hill no activity was spotted with the exception of a worker placing survey flags behind the tree farm. The area at the top of the hill looks like it will be changed significantly based on where these flags were being placed.

On the east side of Arlington the survey stakes have reappeared west of S 8th st. If I followed them correctly there appears to be a house that will have to be removed for the new ROW. The old Elkhorn ROW is still being used as an access road  in Arlington and as a curious note the current UP bridge over the creek on the east side of Arlington has bridge piers wide enough for a second bridge.

No activity was noted from the west side of the Elkhorn River to East Fremont.

Fremont, NE
Fremont was quite, even scanner traffic was at a minimum. The BNSF had a bit of power tied down on some spurs to the west of the depot but no activity. At the diamonds a UP MOW crew was performing welding on the frogs. Due to this a UP train was tied down for a crew change west of N. Pierce St. This train would end up have some excitement on the east side of Fremont as a car of butter caught fire.

UP switcher
510

UP QNPEL
5131-4547-4373

BNSF local power
2751-GP38-3R
2702

BNSF short southbound train tied down
6157

Fremont to Omaha

The QNPEL was stopped short of Hills Farm Rd for a car of butter that was smoking heavily. Radio chatter was heavy as the UP managers where communicating with the conductor to find out what was in the car and the adjacent car. Once it was determined that there were no haz-mat materials in either car the the order to the crew to vacate was rescinded. Fire crews from Fremont Rural Fire Department arrived on scene and began to assess the situation. I was able to observe flames coming out of the car, but it was mostly smoke that was observed.

Since the main was shutdown no trains were seen on the way into Omaha.

Friday Jan 20th

With 5+ weeks of PTO banked, I took Friday off to head north to my parents house. Along the way the UP was active north of Mondamin to Sioux City. With the following spotted along the way.

River Sioux, IA 

MCBVP+MCBSX combined train

Blencoe, IA

MSXCB

Onawa, IA

Pt. Neal Coal load

Salix, IA - MVPNP

Sgt. Bluff, IA 

UP Pt. Neal local

Sioux City, IA

CN Sioux City - Ft. Dodge local

CN 2697-2432

CN local switcher

EJ&E 665

UP local power

502

UP unit in yard

6617

UP yard switcher

UP 50-2100

UP MCBSX

UP 3830-4965-821

power and train was left behind by the MCBVP

UP light power laying over from a grain train at Sloan, IA

UP 6705-6499-6913

BNSF MWILKCK

BNSF 4416-777-702

BNSF south end witcher

BNSF 2793-2859

BNSF north end switcher

BNSF 3429-1538

Council Bluffs, IA

CN switcher

EJ&E 673

UP MSXCB

UP 9357-2351

Held at Ave C for permission to head down the 12th st line.

UP eb freight

UP 7169-7313

Jan 14th, 2011

Some may have noticed that my postings have been reduced since the first of the year. One reason is I have been cutting back on my railfan activities. After 35 years of railfanning I have come to the conclusion that I really do not enjoy it as much as I did many years ago. Many factors are contributing to this decline in personal satisfaction; rabidly idiotic railfans, the hostle environment that the industry has toward railfans and  not having my son with me to railfan with are some of the major reason for my scaling back. I'm not sure if I will return to the levels of active railfanning that I had engaged in during the past, only time will really tell.

Saturday Jan 14th
The day started out with some thick overcast but this did burn away around 11 am to become a fairly nice day. I spent a couple of hours checking out the action in Council Bluffs but there really was not that much going on.

IAIS
I could find no evidence that the BICB had came into town. The yard was nearly empty and no road power other that the typical stored power was seen. IAIS 601 & 650 were active in the yard and were seen over in the UP pool yard later in the morning pulling a cut of stack cars for the IAIS ramp.

BNSF
The Bayard turn was seen pulling into Council Bluffs after its overnight run from Bayard. The power appeared to be a ratty ex ATSF B40-8W and three Geeps.

Council Bluffs switcher
503

CN/IC
The inbound CB local can in with three CN units with a SD75I being cut off to replace the IC SD40-2 that had been in town since they reopened the line.

Ft Dodge to CB local
2413-2635-5692

Local switcher
IC 6206

Union Pacific
The UP was providing the most action even though there was not a lot of though trains. It was also noted that the UP has started to install the new by-pass track in between 16th Ave and S 16th St.This new track will allow train to enter or leave the yard without interfering with switch crews.

MCBPR
5769-7117 DPU 8178

UP coal load
7118-6216 DPU 5824

Both of these trains where brought into Council Bluffs on Friday night as the MNPCBB and were split up in the UP (ex CNW) north yard.

MCBSS
6629-6613-5925

MCBVP
5931-6452-6455

MNPCB
6679-6176-547-816

A short weekend

I only engaged in one day of train watching this past weekend which was Sunday. As is typical the sky was a milky overcast with high sun occasionally peaking through, so photography was not the best.

Sunday Jan 8th 
I only ventured out to Council Bluffs and train traffic was light. Only 3 trains where seen moving during the 3 hours I was out which is sort of unusual for even a Sunday.

KCS grain shuttle at the north Bartlett elevator
BNSF 6078- BNSF 6108

It unsual to see BNSF power on these KCS grain shuttles unless there has been an issue with the power since its left KC. Typically when this occurs the BNSF tacks on an additional unit to get it over the road.

UP North Yard switcher
581-513

UP MKCVP
4150-7360-503

CN/IC local switcher
IC 6202

UP Pool yard switcher
UPY 584-HLCX 3839

UP MCBDMX
4693-8465

UP local power
571-521

IAIS CBBI
513 DPU 502

UP Mid America coal load
8208 DPU 5783

BNSF Island Park local
793-6840

New Years Weekend

Even though it was a three day weekend, I did not spend much time out doing any railfanning. The time I did spend out and about was productive though.

Saturday Dec 31st
Saturday was sort of a interesting day weather wise. It started out with filtered sunshine but quickly became overcast with sun returning late in the day. In many ways it was sorta like how the year was for me.

Council Bluffs
UP QNPEL
4845-4440-9567

UP MCBCO
2363-2267-6260-4212-510

KCS grain train at south Bartlett elevator
4025-4614

BNSF CB switcher
503

IAIS BICB
512-500

UP power parked on the Q transfer
7132-7290-7242

KCS grain train at north Bartlett elevator
4020-4699

UP north yard switcher
1209-536

CN/IC

6100 brought in road train
6202 local switch engine

UP MKCVP
4100-9518

UP MCBDM
5087-4553-2337

BNSF Island Park local
4183-4854

Pacific Junction, IA
BNSF coal load parked on the old yard siding
9616-5721 DPU 9354

Oreapolis, NE
BNSF coal empty
KCS 4771-BNSF 9663

UP MKCCP
I was not able to see the power for this train

Sunday Jan 1st, 2012
Sunday was a better sun day but was a very windy and cold start to the new year. Not much was running as the railroads where in a shutdown state, so it was just a quick trip to Council Bluffs to see what was laying over.

BNSF Bayard Local
1533-3004-2871-549-520

BNSF empty grain train on the IAIS
6794-1019-4903

IAIS BICB
511-506

UP MCBDM
4815-9740-4507

UP MCBPR
UP 6689-KCS 4109-UP 9795

CN/IC local switcher
IC 6202

UP coal load
6844-7273 DPU 6998

Christmas Weekend

I got a early start on the weekend's railfanning with a couple of hours on Friday afternoon, but really did not engage in much more than some light train watching for the rest of the weekend.

Friday Dec23rd
I headed over to CB to hunt for the CN/IC but had no luck in finding them in town.

Council Bluffs, IA
Locos laying over in the UP Pool yard
UP 3783-FMX 4082-FMX 4049-UP 4950

KCS grain train at north Bartlett elevator
4582-4580

UP MKCVP
8469-7467

UP eb coal load
7218-5846 DPU 7088

BNSF Council Bluffs switcher
503

UP north yard switcher
UP 586-UPY 591

UP eb stack train
7402-4962-3827-5071-4941-8518

UP MCBDM
7475-9110-8181

UP eb empty grain train
5953-5869-6652

UP MNPCBB
5994-6625-6395-5572-6011-5948

Saturday Dec 23rd
For a change of pace I ventured over to Lincoln and returned to Omaha via Louisville, NE.

Havelock, NE
BNSF power laying over
2660-2770

BNSF switcher
BNSF 2273-EMDX 789

Lincoln, NE
wb coal empty
6416-5655

eb coal load
9841-9406 DPU 9363

AGP Mill
AGPX 1644

Waverly, NE
wb coal empty
5803-6279 DPU-5801

Ashland, NE
wb coal empty
8927-9557 DPU 6261

local tied down in the yard
2024-2751

wb coal empty
6344-9321

South Bend, NE
eb coal load
9204-6226

Sunday Dec 25th
Christmas day was a trip home to Sioux City. The BNSF was running trains but was mostly closed while the UP had a couple of trains during the day.

Sioux City, IA
CN/IC
Inbound Ft Dodge local power
BCR 4614-IC 1000

Local switcher
CN 2413

UP MKCVP
5612-8198

BNSF MLINNTN
8226-5321

BNSF Sioux Falls local

2051-2280-2984

BNSF Core Line local
3008-3033

BNSF switcher power sets
2859-3407 and 2802-3429

BNSF MNTNKCK
8168-8115-913

BNSF MKCKNTN
BNSF 7903-BNSF 686-BNSF 4830-CSX 8068-EMDX 9022

DAIR Hudson local
2513-2512

Monday Dec 26th
I made another attempt at finding the CN in Council Bluffs as the embargo was to be lifted on the 26th and the local switch job was to be reestablished. I only ventured out for about an hour and there was no activity to mention.

Council Bluffs, IA
BNSF Potash empty
8960-8940

IAIS BICB
510

KCS grain train at the south Bartlett elevator
4043-4058