Search results

After failing to catch NS's Penn Central Heritage Unit last week in a good spot for photography, I captured NS's N&W unit today in Columbia, SC! The skies were overcast, but this was to my benefit because the sun is in a tough spot at this location in the summer.

Thanks Chuck. If I someday buy a slide scanner, maybe I can post a few more shots on Saluda. I might have posted this low-rez scan here long ago, but I'm not sure. I took it in '84 at Big Sand Cut, about halfway down the grade. Back then, most trains came up in three sections.

Two other shots from today. Ivory hunters have been at work with attempts at stealing signal components. Too bad they can't just leave things be. There was once a phone in the concrete booth, used for crews to call the Dispatcher to confirm the status of moves on the mountain.

Stopped by Melrose, NC today at the foot of famous Saluda Grade, removed from service in late 2001. Nature is reclaiming the railroad, which is a sad sight. I posted the top photo here some years ago taken in 1986 and I'll repost it to contrast with today's picture. :(

Railfanning in the intense summer heat in the south is tough, so I don't do it as much. While waiting for the PC unit to appear, I caught NS inbound from Macon, GA. That's CSX to the left. There are some interlocking signals behind me, but I couldn't work them into the photo because there are...

While waiting, I caught a local switching a steel scrapper. I like the rural branchline feel of the photo matched with diesels built over 40 years ago.

NS's Penn Central "Heritage Unit" is in Columbia, SC today and despite my best efforts in the 95 Degree heat, I couldn't get close enough for a photo and the sun was in a poor spot. If it hangs around, maybe I'll be able to try again. All I was able to get were these:

My wife is well aware of my penchant for parking our vehicles in distant sections of parking lots to diminish door dents. She doesn't take it to my extremes, but does try for suitable parking places. So as to assuage my concerns, she sent me this cell phone picture a few minutes ago. This...

NS keeps its property secure, even locking its locks :confused: :

Okay Brent, I take back everything I wrote in the paragraph above. Waited today in high 90's trackside heat for a lousy backlit shot to see only this -- a 4000 HP locomotive toting an empty lumber rack. Must have been a VERY important empty. ;)

Taken today in Hendersonville, NC are a handful of shots. Unfortunately, this once busy spot no longer sees train service of any kind on the mainline or branchline which is also seen. Note that the block signals turned "field side" to affirm that they are out of service. Happily the depot...

A backlit shot taken this afternoon of CSX Train Q614 (New Orleans => Rocky Mount, NC) at Catawba, SC:

New Golf visits Amtrak station at Camden, SC:

Your 2-Door GTI is destined to become a rare ride, as VW recently quit manufacturing 2-Door MK7 Golfs, GTIs and Rs. I love the look. I've noticed a 2-Door MK6 GTI often parked at a local business. I should go inside and make the owner an offer he can't refuse. <g>

Out taking pictures of the new car, as parked by a coffee shop .... and a Norfolk Southern hi-railer speeds past in the background ....

A rear end picture of the new Golf. I added stainless steel exhaust tips on Saturday. I figure they'll add 10 HP at least. :eek:

Another shot of our new VW Golf, but in a better setting taken today.

I stood trackside yesterday on the former SOU main at Fairforest, SC excited to see the signals set for a northbound and happy to finally get a shot here in good light framed by the signal bridge. I was rewarded ...... with one unit rolling merrily along, as if its owner was testing it out. <g>

Several years ago, I managed this shot of NS's VGN unit with my Nissan truck. Locomotives sure outscale our vehicles don't they?

Took a quick shot of our new VW Golf Wolfsburg just delivered yesterday, ordered with a sweet 5 Speed Manual gearbox for its throwback owners.