Union Pacific locomotives lead a Norfolk Southern train at Blythewood, SC in June 2022. With the nearest Union Pacific tracks over 600 miles away, this was a fun sight, including even a red Canadian Pacific locomotive third back. North American railroads often lend locomotives to assist railroads in need or to eliminate locomotive changes when long distance trains operate over lines owned by different companies. [D5100]
Post your Train shots!
- Thread starter Rick M
- Start date
Taken 37 years ago today in 1988 at Georgiana AL, a caboose brings up the rear on a coal train. Cabooses were beginning to disappear at the time and today, even coal trains are an increasingly rare sight. A branchline to Anddalusia, AL and beyond departs the mainline at left. [Nikon N2020, Kodachrome]
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Like to watch them in operation!Track maintenance machines like the one you found often look like Rube Goldberg creations, don't they?
Silversnapper
Senior Member
I've no doubt that it is machine designed to do one job and do it perfectly. 
Browncoat
Senior Member
Been a long time since I've done any railfanning, so weather permitting, I'm heading to one of the best places in the country this weekend - Fostoria, OH. I haven't been there since they built Iron Triangle Rail Park, so definitely looking forward to that.
Any of you guys been there? Any tips/tricks/need to bring items?
Any of you guys been there? Any tips/tricks/need to bring items?
I was last there in September 1997. It remains a busy area; the rail park should be great.
F Tower was still manned when I was there. From what I read, it still stands, but was closed in March 2015. [Nikon N2020, Kodachrome]
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Probably so, then there are CN and CP with their extensive U.S. holdings that they'll want to protect. It took 2-1/2 years of expensive litigation for CR's situation to be settled and I'm guessing this final round of transcontinental mergers will take at least that long. It boggles the mind to think of the resulting line sales, trackage rights, shared switching districts, municipal challenges, organized labor concerns, regulatory review and additional mergers that will be in play.
Browncoat
Senior Member
A few shots from the Iron Triangle Rail Park in Fostoria, OH this morning.
This place is nuts - the intersection of three double main lines (2 CSX, 1 NS). I even saw a CN train, but sadly I couldn't make it over there in time to get a photo. 80+ trains pass through here every day.
The park itself is nice. I mean, how can you not love a dedicated railfanning area? There was ample parking, a covered/elevated platform, nice restrooms, and a B&O caboose you can walk through. They even have speakers in the platform area tuned into the nearby tower radio so you have some idea of what's coming down which track.
The people on the other hand...some were nice, chatty railroad nerds. But there was also a mix of jerks and vagrants just wandering around and getting in the way. We only stayed for a couple of hours. Unfortunately, having a nice place that attracts people - is that some people suck.
You came away with some really nice shots @Browncoat , even capturing CSX's WM Emblem unit in the first photo.
Yeah, ya never know who you're going to meet when you arrive at a spot. Some people and kind and well informed, and others are, um, less so.
Yeah, ya never know who you're going to meet when you arrive at a spot. Some people and kind and well informed, and others are, um, less so.