stlgevo51
Steam Chaser
On Saturday, I stumbled upon some info (by using a bit of good luck) that Amtrak's Phase III heritage engine was on the westbound Missouri River Runner #313 after coming in from KC on train #314 earlier in the day. Without much time I headed out in hopes of catching the train at Pacific. I had no idea if I was ahead of it or not, and while driving along I-44, which parallels the UP mainline, imagine my surprise when I saw the 145 coming up from behind me! With no time to catch it in Pacific, I raced ahead and beat it to Gray Summit. Unfortunately, the clouds got in the way.
Phase III #145 on Amtrak 313 by stlgevo51, on Flickr
On Sunday, the 145 again made the same run, coming in in the morning and leaving at 4:00 pm for KC. With sunny skies I ventured out to downtown, where I saw the unit waiting patiently on the head of train #313. With 45 minutes to spare I headed down to the former Manufacturers Railway to see if FTRL's flashy new SW1500 (delivered the day before) was outside. It was buried in the shop, but luckily I was able to shoot 2 UP SD40-2s out back. I have no idea why these are here.
UP SD40-2s at the MRS by stlgevo51, on Flickr
Then I ventured a mile north to Lesperance Street Yard to track down the Cotton Belt GP60 I thought to be in the area. Low and behold, there she was, coupled with a UP GP38-2.
Cotton Belt GP60 by stlgevo51, on Flickr
By then it was almost time to chase Amtrak 145. I headed back to the Amtrak station, but I wasn't pleased with any of the photo angles. I decided to work my way west to find a good location, and I finally found one in Kirkwood, maybe a minute before the 145 came through!
Phase III in Sun by stlgevo51, on Flickr
I was going to shoot it from the road bridge while the train made its stop in Kirkwood, but since the unit was so far forward I didn't think it would make for a good shot. Looking back, it probably would have been okay. Instead, I opted to go west to shoot it from one of the road bridges, but I missed it by a few seconds. Still, I was pleased to have at least shot it once in sun!
Amtrak 145 at Kirkwood by stlgevo51, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Phase III #145 on Amtrak 313 by stlgevo51, on Flickr
On Sunday, the 145 again made the same run, coming in in the morning and leaving at 4:00 pm for KC. With sunny skies I ventured out to downtown, where I saw the unit waiting patiently on the head of train #313. With 45 minutes to spare I headed down to the former Manufacturers Railway to see if FTRL's flashy new SW1500 (delivered the day before) was outside. It was buried in the shop, but luckily I was able to shoot 2 UP SD40-2s out back. I have no idea why these are here.
UP SD40-2s at the MRS by stlgevo51, on Flickr
Then I ventured a mile north to Lesperance Street Yard to track down the Cotton Belt GP60 I thought to be in the area. Low and behold, there she was, coupled with a UP GP38-2.
Cotton Belt GP60 by stlgevo51, on Flickr
By then it was almost time to chase Amtrak 145. I headed back to the Amtrak station, but I wasn't pleased with any of the photo angles. I decided to work my way west to find a good location, and I finally found one in Kirkwood, maybe a minute before the 145 came through!
Phase III in Sun by stlgevo51, on Flickr
I was going to shoot it from the road bridge while the train made its stop in Kirkwood, but since the unit was so far forward I didn't think it would make for a good shot. Looking back, it probably would have been okay. Instead, I opted to go west to shoot it from one of the road bridges, but I missed it by a few seconds. Still, I was pleased to have at least shot it once in sun!
Amtrak 145 at Kirkwood by stlgevo51, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
