Post your Train shots!
- Thread starter Rick M
- Start date
Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
Yes this is really a nice photo. But I still miss the old steam engines, the multiple painted railroad and shippers freight cars, and cabooses! 
Last edited:
Yes this is really a nice photo. But I still miss the old steam engines, the multiple painted railroad and shippers freight cars, and cabooses!
Well said Brent, so do I, though I was born a bit too late to remember steam. I also miss the pre-graffiti era when freight cars were clean. Some fans love the stuff, but I find it hard to admire vandalism.
I treasure rare shots of clean equipment, like this new Canadian Pacific covered hopper I found last month.
Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
Well I was a pretty young boy at the end of Steam Engines. My grandfather (mothers father) worked on the steamers for the Denver and Rio-grande at the Salt Lake City yard. I am pretty sure this is how I got my love for the steamers.
I continue to find some fun stuff in my black and white negatives that I scanned years ago and never looked at, like this one from October 1977 at Knoxville, TN. The 2707 is a former Savannah & Atlanta GP-35 on Alco trucks. Not sure what the story is there. No doubt, the Southern Rwy. struck an awesome pose wherever it was found. [Nikkormat FTn, Plus-X, home darkrooom processing]
Come to think of it, you're right about the long hood forward. Yes, Alco trucks ended up under various EMDs. While Alco didn't hit a high note with reliability, we can guess that their trucks were good.
Soo GP-30 on Alco trucks at Mundelein, IL, 08/19/1978.
What are the advantages or disadvantages of this, other than maybe in a head on collision?
I think it was perceived to be safer. My thought is since it makes visibility worse making it less safe.
I'm thinking that highway grade crossing protection is the primary reason. Disadvantages are reduced visibility for the crew.
The N&W preferred long hood forward too. NS no longer recognizes the long hood end as the front, as confirmed by the little F by the nose of the 1111. Modern locomotives are far better engineered to survive damage and protect the crew.
Fun Fact: The 1111 is called the "Barcode Unit" by fans.
(A good shot of it has eluded my viewfinder; this shot is the only one I have of it.)
