(Girl) & Train Watching w/ Dick Tinder
Plus a CNW unit on the IMRL
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AMTK running late again... (Girl) & Train Watching w/ Dick Tinder Plus a CNW unit on the IMRL |
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PHOTO |
NOTES |
| Whether they call themselves club members, "photo journalists," or college professors, watching trains with a friend is always ten times more fun than not. On this day, Dick Tinder and I decided to head south on the BNSF to see what was up. The day was already off to an unusual start when we heard that the south main near Albia was closed for track work, calling for a "pusher" for all coal loads that would have to take the steeper north main. At Melrose, the first eastbound that would need a helper arrives. | |
| The set of helpers included this Oakway, EMD 9078, and another "cream and green" 9580. Here, the helpers fly by the signal at Halpin. Plenty of independent was used shortly after, as the consist was stopped only seconds after this shot was taken | |
| The eastbound coal train waited west of the signal as the helpers pulled up on the north main. The EB would then cross over the the north main in front of the helpers, and the helpers attached themselves to the rear of the train. | |
| This is a view of the helpers at Albia crawling toward the back of the train. The conductor is getting ready... | |
| BNSF 9416 at Albia | Here's the coal train, now with four engines, pulling up the grade at Albia. They were cruising at a smooth ten miles per hour. |
| IMRL 222 | After we caught the pusher train, we decided to see if there was anything going on at the IMRL in Moravia, the next town south of Albia. We had heard a westbound get a warrant to proceed west, and doubted there would be much to see. Luckily, it had just started moving when we arrived! |
| ex-CNW IMRL 367 | Wouldn't you know, the third unit was an ex-CNW SD45 still in safety yellow!! It was a surprise to both of us, and of course, the slow auto-focus gave you, the viewer, a nice chunk of concrete from the bridge free of charge! |
| IMRL 367 back view | Here's a shot of the ex-CNW SD45 from the back angle. I can't make out the old number, or evidence of the unit's pre-CNW heritage. Anyone know what the CNW number was? |
| Pumpkins at Iowa Southern Utilities | After some sight-seeing, it was back up to the BNSF to catch Number Six. Dick's friend Richard was at the helm today, so we had hoped to catch them in Ottumwa. The first train we caught was this WB at the ISU (that's not "Iowa State University!!" ) coal plant. This pumpkin pulled right next to another one idling on the side track. |
| BNSF 8853 | It was really hot out, so we decided to head east instead of waiting for more trains. My poison ivy from the previous trip was festering up, making things really itchy. It was a relief to be in the shade at the platforms in Ottumwa. The structures provide for some interesting backdrops for trains like this one, being led by BNSF 8853 |
| DT finds a new hobby... | Soon, DT's interest in trains shifted to this nice passenger at the platforms. As she sunned her legs next to the railroad tracks, I noticed our distinguished college professor sneaking a couple of shots in her direction. However, with my undying devotion to my girlfriend Jennifer, I decided to make sure Amtrak was clearly in the shot before I took my photo of her. |
| AMTK 63 | Here's a shot of the train with the Ottumwa platforms clearly in view. There was plenty of sunshine, and plenty of squished bugs on the front of that Amtrak train! |
| CSX 7641 | It was lunch time after we met with Rich and his girlfriend. (DT photo) BK was in order today, and then it was off to Indianola. Not without seeing a couple trains on the way back, like this CSX-led Racks-n-Coal train. |
| BNSF 8913 | Our last train of the day was this westbound coal empty led by "Pumpkin" BNSF 8913 at Steven's forest. |
| LAST WEEK'S UPDATE | 6/29/02: Chasing warbonnets on the Albia branch, all-CNW meet in Des Moines, and IAIS action at Short Line Yard. |
