Cool Stuff Before Frustration

[stlgevo51]

Well, here is some stuff from Thursday. The morning didn't go as planned. I got up early to chase the local from downtown STL to Pacific, about 40 miles west, with a patched SSW unit, and they didn't put it on. We caught the train in Tuxedo Park (first shot) and they wandered for a few hours. Nothing went right. Lots of movement, nothing to shoot. Around 11 I watched the Respondek Railroad and then got a tour of NS' Luther Yard at noon. After the tour, things started to improve. So here are the pictures.

First shot of the day in Tuxedo Park. Where is that SSW! Three tries, ZERO shots.

UP LSE59 by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Look! Something to shoot! After wandering aimlessly for some time, I finally came across a good shot. The one and only MK-rebuilt Alco S4 (with an EMD prime mover) and an EMD SW1500 congregate at the River's Edge Industrial Park. Both are ex-Manufacturers Railway units.

FTRL Switchers by stlgevo51, on Flickr

With the tour over with, I could see a nice consist coming off the Merchants Bridge. But before that train, a short NS had to clear.

NS Autos at SH by stlgevo51, on Flickr

You want warbonnets leading Ferromex, I got it. This one is for you Ken!

Cool Combination by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Lots of stuff going on here! Former TRRA, now Afton Trucking, SW1500 1516 (haven't seen a TRRA end cab switcher in Madison Yard for over a year!) undergoes a 92 day inspection as the FXE-Warbonnet consist pulls in. In the background, a new CIT switcher awaits delivery to the Central Midland Railroad.

The Old and the New by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Afton Trucking's ex-TRRA switcher belches out some smoke!

Afton Trucking Smoking it Up by stlgevo51, on Flickr

I saw this guy a few hours earlier but I was disappointed that I couldn't shoot it. Luckily it sat for 3 hours after its crew change, leaving just in time for me to get a shot. This is NS O55, with new Caterpillars from Peoria. The first few cars are carrying new dump trucks.

NS Cat Train by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Then, one from Sunday. Before attending a Rams game (they lost, but they put up a good fight for once!) I caught the westbound BNSF Madison Turn with 3 CSX motors and some M-1 tanks under the St. Louis Arch.

CSX, Army Tanks, and a Monument by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Stay tuned for the "frustration" part of the thread! That installment should be up tomorrow.

 

[papio]

You got some really interesting power and some great shots!

 

[kenw]

these are super! I love the warbonnet of course but the shot with The Arch is awesome. Happy New Year to you and yours.

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

Stunning Shots!!

 

[B_Kosanda]

I always like the shots under the arch! Nice.

Bill

 

[Pat]

Very nice. Where is Tuxedo Park?

 

[Gary38]

Very nice shot's there.

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Great shots. I like the high angle of a bunch of them!

 

[stlgevo51]

Thanks guys!

Pat- Tuxedo Park is just west of Maplewood, about 10 miles out of downtown St. Louis. The tracks head almost straight south at the location, making morning shots of westbounds possible. About 3 or so more miles west and the tracks are in Webster Groves.

Part 2- Frustration: http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=306929&posted=1#post306929

 

[Pat]

Ah, Tuxedo Blvd and Glen Road. I've been out through Webster Groves, Kirkwood and Pacific, but never went past Tuxedo Park.

Check this out. In the first link to Google Maps there is a train. Zoom in once (the second one)...no train.

http://g.co/maps/j2g87

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=st+lo...375&vpsrc=6&hnear=St+Louis,+Missouri&t=h&z=18


Like the Arch shot.

 

[stlgevo51]

Thanks Allan! The cabooses are rebuilds (within the last 15 years). Since the TRRA has a few moves where they have to back up, the cabooses are used often. I would estimate that they have 5+ in their fleet.