Where is the Omaha Posse?

[CGW101c]

The late Amtrak 6 with the BNSF 6107 pulling. Due in Omaha at at 11:17 am today. 2 different crops not sure which one I like better. 21 degrees warmer than yesterday. 6 now. Always sounds funny when you say that.

 

[Bill Anderson]

I like the second photo better. The road in the foreground gives some context to the scene. I read that many trains out of Chicago have been canceled.

 

[CGW101c]

I love fog. About a 50 degree difference in temps from the other day. Oreapolis never fails. BNSF geep, UP, CN and a lease unit on the first train and a Santa Fe warbonnet on the 2nd train.

 

[CGW101c]

Sand train westbound at Dahlman Ave. and 36th St, in Omaha. Fog went away still about 45 deg.

 

[CGW101c]

Got an e-mail from a friend that Creston Sub was having many problems due to a loco running low on fuel. So I headed to Ashland. Saw about 10 trains. The 8553 had DPU problems and did some loco swaps. Saw it as light engine at Greenwood crossovers.

 

[CGW101c]

here are some more

 

[CGW101c]

Unless there is a steam locomotive going by, I am going to stay in and work on the model railroad. 3 degrees and snowing.

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Great photos Tom. Not sure I have ever seen a photo of the 36th Street underpass.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Unless there is a steam locomotive going by, I am going to stay in and work on the model railroad. 3 degrees and snowing.

On the positive side, it should be dry, fluffy powder, perfect for skiing.

 

[papio]

Found some prints I had done from a July 20 2003 trip we took from Denver to the Terry Buffalo Ranch (west of Cheyenne) on UP's Greeley Sub. Occasion was the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club's 50th Anniversary of one of their trips. Note that the 3985 was temporarily renumbered to match the loco used on the original trip. I rode in the cab from Denver to Greeley.

Somehow, I've lost the original files from that trip, so these photos>scans are what I had to work with.

 

[CGW101c]

Those a super Ed. I sure miss the Challenger. Cab rides on the big UP power are a once in a life time, unforgettable experience. Thanks for sharing.

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Wow, those are cool. Never knew the challengers had smoke lifters on them?

 

[papio]

Those a super Ed. I sure miss the Challenger. Cab rides on the big UP power are a once in a life time, unforgettable experience. Thanks for sharing.

Had no idea I'd get to ride in the cab. Had on shorts and tennis shoes--Steve didn't look happy about that

 

[Bill Anderson]

Wow, those are cool. Never knew the challengers had smoke lifters on them?

My copy of Sherman Hill (Ehernbrger & Gschwind, E&G Publications, 1973) has a photo dated 10-10-1951 of Challenger 3984 pulling 94 empty reefers and a caboose westbound past the shuttered station at Hermosa. The engine is equipped with smoke lifters, or "elephant ears" as they are sometimes called.

I could not find photos in the book of any other Challenger with smoke lifters. Maybe they were installed on this particular engine for passenger service. LIke the NP, the UP sometimes pressed Challengers into passenger service, especially for heavy troop trains during the Korean War.

 

[CGW101c]

From some info I have gathered, it appears that the 4-6-6-4's that were oil fired, mostly 3700's and a few 3900's, had smoke lifters. Although I'm sure there were exceptions.

 

[CGW101c]

6" of snow yesterday, 6 more tomorrow. But the sun came out, so I thought I better go see what's going on. 2 at Oreapolis. And while not as impressive as Itsed's kite, still a nice hawk flew over. And numbers for Bill, same numbers different order.

 

[Bill Anderson]

The hawk looks like the eastern variation of a juvenile red-tailed hawk.

 

[papio]

Two shots of the one train I saw today at Oreapolis NE.

 

[CGW101c]

Here is one I forgot from the other day. A mid train DPU on a stack train on the UP Fall City Sub. Unusual to see a stack train there much less with a mid train unit.

 

[CGW101c]

Windmill blades in the snow. Picture from the 10th Viaduct in Omaha. Viaduct? Vi not a chicken? Marx Brothers.