Chasing NKP 765 and Two Heritage Units

[stlgevo51]

On Thursday, September 6th, NKP 765 arrived at the yard in Berkeley, MO, with NS 1070 and NS 1072 (the Wabash and Illinois Terminal heritage units) for a weekend of employee appreciation specials. Each day, the NKP 765 would lead the train 20 miles to St. Charles at 9 am and noon, and the diesels would pull the train back. On Saturday, I only had the chance to shoot the second half of the second run, but it was fun nonetheless. I will start there:

Stunning Sight by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Wabash on the Wabash Bridge by stlgevo51, on Flickr

NKP 765 on the Bridge by stlgevo51, on Flickr

NKP 765 Arriving at Berkeley by stlgevo51, on Flickr
After the engine arrived and the crowds lessened, we went to the yard to view the locomotive up close. It just so happened that the Google Street View car passed by! We had just chatted with the driver at a local gas station, and I never would have expected that he was going to see the steam train!

Thanks Google! by stlgevo51, on Flickr

We returned that night around 6 and stayed for 4 hours taking night shots. It was a blast and best of all, we had the whole place to ourselves!

Birthday Glint by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Follow the Blue Flag by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles by stlgevo51, on Flickr

NKP 765 by Night by stlgevo51, on Flickr

765 Slumber by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Sunday, September 9th, brought even more chasing. This time, I got to chase both excursions:

Steamy Show by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Fresh Paint by stlgevo51, on Flickr

765 on the Bridge by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Wabash and IT over the Bridge by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Wabash and IT at Elm by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Back to Berkeley by stlgevo51, on Flickr
The real treats of the noon trips were the two classic cars. The first is a 1947 Cadillac and the second is a 1911 Ford Model T.

Historic Vehicles #1 by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Historic Vehicles #2 by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Classic Car, Classic Paint by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Crossing the Missouri by stlgevo51, on Flickr

765 Up Above by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Crossing Over Lindbergh by stlgevo51, on Flickr

The next day, I went over to Luther Yard to catch the train leaving. A Dash 9 was assigned to lead the train over the Merchants Bridge to Madison, where the train would be turned. The 765 would then leave solo towards Decatur and Fort Wayne. I took forever to leave Madison, so we didn't chase past Lenox. Overall, it was a fun weekend of chasing!

Reverse Move by stlgevo51, on Flickr

NKP 765 on the Merchants by stlgevo51, on Flickr

765 Pounding the Diamond by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Thanks for looking!

 

[stlgevo51]

A week later, I got an early morning wake up call saying that NS 1070, the Wabash unit, was leading train 111 back through St. Louis from Kansas City. I ran out of the house and met my friend Mark at Mid Rivers to catch it, and then chased it to the Missouri River Bridge. The consist also included NS 8000 (NS' first AC Gevo) and a C40-8.

Wabash Heritage on 111 by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Wabash on the Wabash Bridge by stlgevo51, on Flickr

 

[papio]

Great stuff Sir! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

Stunning photos!!!!!

 

[Trainfanne54]

Awesome Pics!!!

 

[CGW101c]

Have you ever seen Peter Lik on the weather channel. He should retire and you should take his place. The night reflection shot is absolute genius. TZ

 

[MargaretSPfan]

Beautiful photos!! I agree: the glint reflection shot is awesome!
wow.......