For the first year in three, hurricanes didn’t ravage the Gulf Coast. And I finally made it to Flomaton, Alabama, an intriguing CSX junction that I had been planning to videotape for the past three falls. But weather did play a large role in the trip as you will see. I left New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 11th, and as has been the plan for the past four fall trips, first headed to the Lexington Group meeting in the great railroad center of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As usual I got a chance to meet many historians and railroad officials and renew acquaintances with people whom I had met at past meetings. The highlights of the meeting were trips on the Iowa Northern and Iowa Interstate. Cedar Rapids is only 100 miles from where my mother and one of my sons and his family live, so after the meeting I spent several days there. The original plan was to first videotape at Galesburg, IL and I even had permission to videotape at night from a fan’s home next to Peck Park in Galesburg, but this will have to wait until next year. The weather forecast for Galesburg was terrible so I headed south to the ex-IC, now CN Yazoo Sub instead – a rail line that I had not planned on videotaping this year.
Wednesday, 10/18/06
MP #155, CN Yazoo Sub, 7 miles south of Gwin
C70571-17. 12:36 p.m. CN NB. BNSF 8929 – BNSF 9464 + BNSF 5896 on rear. 117 ALMX and NCUX empty coal hoppers from the Mississippi Power generating plant at Moss Point near Pascagoula on the Mississippi Export Railroad to BNSF in Memphis, turned over to CN at Evanston, MS.
MP #160, CN Yazoo Sub
Q194. 1:58 p.m. CN SB. 2716 – 2710. 28 cars; 3 E single platform DS, 15 DS (3 – 3 pack [1 single level], 7 single platform, 4 single level 5 – pack), 1 – 5 pack COFC (2 J. B. Hunt cons, 5 CN cons, 6 NACS cons, few MSC, Maersk, Hapag Lloyd cons, 2 chem cons), 8 – 5 pack TOFC, 1 – 3 pack TOFC (31 UPS vans, 1 J. B. Hunt van). ~6000 feet, Intermodal from New Orleans is only about 60% of pre-Katrina level. MIT – Markham to New Orleans.
MP #166, 3 miles north of Delta
G85491. 2:25 p.m. CN SB. WC 6928 – IC 6105. 99 CH of corn or soybeans from Kankakee, IL to Grain Zennoh in Helvetia, LA, 12755 tons. The grain transfer facilities on the lower Mississippi have been rebuilt and I believe are all open.
MP #154
M301. 2:53 p.m. CN NB. BNSF 4581 – WC 7527. 79 cars; 10 flats of lumber, 4 E CB flats, 1 gon, 1 steel coil, 27 CH (17 plastic, 2 empty cement, some E grain), 10 T (chem.), 26 boxes (2 HC paper). Baton rouge to Memphis.
Yazoo City, MP #175
M342. 5:05 p.m. CN SB. 1025 – 2715. 136 cars; 25 E autos for Nissan plant in Canton, MS (1 articulated), 2 flats of lbr., 4 steel coil, 2 E CB flats, 1 E BH flat, 2 flats cement forms, 1 E flat, 22 CH (~2 E plastic, 5 cement, 3 flour, many grain), 16 T (chem.), 61 boxes (8 HC paper, 1 IBT, some TOE). ~8900 feet. Symington Yard in Winnipeg to Jackson, MS.
North Valley, MP #180
M33571-18. 5:27 p.m. CN NB out siding. 5647 – WC 6004. 33 - 62 - 6046; 21 steel coil, 16 gons (~9 limestone, ~3 steel), 4 flats of lbr, 26 CH (7 plastic, many E grain), 17 T (2 CO2, rest chem.), 11 boxes. Jackson to Champaign.
Yazoo City
#58. 7:10 p.m. Amtrak NB City of New Orleans. P42DC. 7 Superliners.
G85371-18. 7:25 p.m. CN NB. WC 7530 – WC 7506. 141 E system, ADM, and private grain CH from ADM in Reserve to Champaign.
G81091-17. 8:45 p.m. CN SB. GTW 5956 – IC 6018. 86 ADM and private CH of grain from Gibson, IL to Cargill in Reserve, LA.
C70371-18. 9:13 p.m. CN NB. UP 6596 – SP206 + UP 5657 on rear. 129 cars; 24 boxes on head end, 105 empty CNFX rapid discharge coal hoppers from the Mississippi Power generating plant at Moss Point near Pascagoula on the Mississippi Export Railroad to UP at Memphis.
M30271-18. 10:34 p.m. CN SB. 2705 – 2714. Missed videotaping part of train. 90 cars; 8 E autos, ~20 E plastic CH, ~20 E chemical T, ~10 steel coil, ~15 grain, ~rest boxes. Memphis to Baton Rouge.
G84891-16. 11:24 p.m. CN SB. GCFX 6059 – 2702. 117 ADM, system, and private CH of soybeans from Neoga, IL to Remy near Baton Rouge.
G86571-18. 11:50 p.m. CN NB. UP 4267 – CSX 5308 – IC 1029. 139 empty system and private grain CH from Zennoh Grain in Helvetia to Decatur, IL.
Thursday, 10/19/06
M31971-18. 12:50 a.m. CN NB. IC 1018 – IC 1028. 101 – 32 – 13982, 7540 feet; 3 coke hoppers, 2 gons, 14 CH (13 plastic), 114 T (~16 E veg oil & corn syrup, rest chem.). Geismar to Champaign.
M34371-19. 2:28 a.m. CN NB. IC 1030 – IC 1035 – UP 8798 – 5267 – HLCX 7187. 134 cars; 1 auto, 1 E CB flat, 2 long flats, 2 steel coil, 1 flat steel, 16 coke hoppers, 5 gons (4 scrap), 16 CH (~10 plastic, 2 Na Chlorate, 2 – 2 bay), 25 T (~13 E edible oils & corn syrup, rest chem.), 65 boxes (18 KCS & TFM). Jackson to Winnipeg.
M334. 5:05 a.m. CN SB. IC 1001 – 2704 – GTW 5818 – GTW 5821. 81 cars; 1 flat of lbr., 2 gons of rip rap, 7 flats of steel, 8 gons of scrap, 26 CH (~1 plastic, ~rest grain & feed), 16 T (~4 veg oil, rest chem.), 21 boxes (5 HC paper). Champaign to Ferguson, LA.
C70171-18. 5:29 a.m. CN NB. 2709 – IC 1022 – UP 9465. 97 empty MBKX rapid discharge coal hoppers from the Port of Mobile to Galatia, IL.
E295. 7:01 a.m. CN NB. IC 1005 – UP 3824. 89 – 1 autos from the Nissan plant in Canton to Memphis (2 articulated).
North Valley MP #179
Q195. 8:33 a.m. CN NB. 2720 – IC 2462. 26 cars; 2 empty DS, 1 empty 5 – pack TOFC, 16 DS (1 – 3 pack, 12 single platform, 1 single level 5 – pack, 4 J. B. Hunt cons, 10 CN cons, 4 NACS cons, many MSC cons), 4 – 5 pack TOFC, 2 – 3 pack TOFC, 1 single platform TOFC (1 Schneider Nat. van, 17 UPS vans). New Orleans to MIT.
L590. 8:14 a.m. CN NB local out siding. GTW 5819. 8 cars; 7 grain hoppers, 1 T of chem.
Tinsley, MP #185
C70271-19. 9:44 a.m. CN SB. UP 6857 – UP 6379 + UP 7216 on rear. 105 coal in DEGX rapid discharge hoppers from UP at Memphis to the Mississippi Power generating plant at Moss Point near Pascagoula on the Mississippi Export Railroad.
#59. 10:45 a.m. Amtrak SB City of New Orleans. 92. 6 Superliners.
M320. 10:58 a.m. CN SB. IC 1002 – IC 1011. 95 cars; 9 gons of scrap, 43 CH (~8 E plastic, 35 grain & feed), 43 T (~4 edible oils, rest chem.). Memphis to Geismar.
Bentonia, MP #193
M301. 1:45 p.m. CN NB. IC 1012 – IC 1027. 72 – 39 – 9606; 2 flats of lbr., 7 flats of used ties, 3 steel coil, 7 gons (~1 steel), 26 CH (~16 plastic, 3 press flow, 1 – 2 bay, some E grain), 13 T (chem.), 53 boxes (18 HC paper, 1 IBT). Baton Rouge to Memphis.
The next northbound is an empty grain train by Bentonia at 2:10 p.m..
The next southbound will be Q194.
Southbound E294 with empty autos from Memphis to Canton runs as needed.
For nearly ten days it looked like I would not be able to get firm ID’s on most of the trains on the Yazoo Sub. A contact who had helped me in the past didn’t respond to an email and the Yahoo Groups didn’t provide any answers. Finally a contact of one of my contacts came through and I will be able to put out a video on the Yazoo Sub.
Next it was on to Flatonia and neighboring Atmore Alabama, east of Mobile. At Flomaton the CSX line from Jacksonville joins the main line from Nashville and Birmingham. At Atmore where we spent the night all trains except Pensacola to Birmingham Q520 and Q521 can be seen.
Friday, 10/20/06, times are Eastern Daylight time.
Flomaton, AL
Q579. 1:50 p.m. CSX SB. HLCX 6227 – GCFX 3074. 104 cars; 2 E CB flats, 2 flats pipe, 82 CH (~23 E plastic, 2 carbon black, 2 airslide, 28 cement), 7 T (chem.), 11 boxes (6 E wine – BNSF). Birmingham to New Orleans.
Q577-19. 2:09 p.m. CSX SB. 7787 – HLCX 5986. 63 cars; 9 gons (~4 scrap), 3 E flats (1 long), 13 CH (~1 plastic, many grain), 31 T (chem.), 7 boxes. Birmingham to Mobile.
Q145. 2:28 p.m. CSX SB. UP 3950 – 221. 44 cars; 4 Tropicana reefers, 38 DS (16 – 3 pack, 11 single platform, 2 single level 5 – pack), 2 COFC (34 CSX cons [includes STAX], 37 Pacer Stacktrain cons, many APL, Evergreen, China Shipping, few Matson, Hapag Lloyd, MOL, NOL, COSCO cons). Halsey Yard in Atlanta to New Orleans. ~7600 feet.
Q600-20. 3:12 p.m. CSX NB. HLCX 7203 – GCFX 3088 – 8735. 45 cars; 2 BH flats of steel, 19 CH (5 E cement, ~3 plastic, some E grain), 10 T (chem.), 14 boxes (8 NS). Mobile to Atlanta.
Q198. 4:20 p.m. CSX NB to EB. NS 9378 – NS 3557. 17 cars; 3 Tropicana reefers on rear, 14 DS (11 – 3 pack, 3 single platform, 50 CSX cons, 12 Pacer Stacktrain cons, few APL cons). Jacksonville to New Orleans, apparently runs once or twice a week replacing Q102.
Atmore, AL
Q572. 5:58 p.m. CSX NB. UP 4685 – UP 4382. 88 cars; 2 E long flats, 2 flats wallbd, 1 steel coil, 4 gons (3 steel coils), 1 long flat of wheels, 35 CH (~9 plastic, many chem. and grain), 33 T (5 LPG, rest chem.), 10 boxes. New Orleans to Birmingham.
K928. 7:17 p.m. CSX NB. 9025 – 7709 – 7928. 70 empty 2 – bay cement CH from New Orleans to Taft, Florida.
Q631. 7:27 p.m. CSX SB. 7613 – HLCX 6211 – 294. 56 cars; 1 E auto, 2 BH flats of steel, 8 gons (7 steel), 2 HC gons of scrap, 16 CH (~9 cement), 20 T (~3 E LPG, ~5 E anhydrous ammonia, rest chem.), 7 boxes. Waycross to Mobile.
Q605. 8:49 p.m. CSX SB. HLCX 7168 – UP 3973 – UP 2834. 121 cars; 7 flats of steel, 3 E flats (2 long), 7 coal (AEPX hoppers), 28 CH (~20 E plastic, 2 press flow), 58 T (~8 E anhydrous ammonia, ~5 E LPG, 2 edible oil, 1 – 8 axle used to transport ethylene glycol, rest chem.), 18 boxes (some UP). Waycross to New Orleans.
Q608-20. 10:34 p.m. CSX NB. 5352 – HLCX 8174 – 7491. 123 cars; 2 flats of lbr., 1 wood chip, 5 UP reefers, 2 HC gons of debris, 12 gons (2 steel slabs, many scrap), 3 flats of steel, 1 E BH flat, 31 CH (~2 E soda ash, ~19 E cement, some E grain), 42 T (~3 anhydrous ammonia, rest chem.), 24 boxes. Mobile to Waycross.
G507-19. 11:20 p.m. CSX NB. 5398 – 7342. 46 E grain CH from the Port of Mobile to Vincennes, IL.
Q617-20. 11:55 p.m. CSX SB. CEFX 3133 – GCFX 3055. 56 cars; 5 E long flats, 1 E CB flat, 1 E BH flat, 21 CH (~20 E plastic, 1 press flow), 28 T (~2 E anhydrous ammonia, rest chem.). Atlanta to New Orleans.
Saturday, 10/21/06
Q619-19. 1:24 a.m. CSX SB. HLCX 6090 – HLCX 6315. 32 cars; 1 gon scrap, 13 CH (~1 E plastic, 11 cement or sand), 11 T (chem.), 7 boxes. Hamlet to New Orleans.
Q602. 3:37 a.m. CSX NB. UP 3866 – GECX 8661 – CEFX 3146. 93 cars; 6 autos, 4 long flats of pipe, 3 E BH flats, 1 hopper, 1 flat transformer, 28 CH (~5 plastic, 7 E cement, some E grain & fertz, 2 press flow), 35 T (4 CO2, ~3 LPG, rest chem.), 15 boxes (some BNSF – 3 wine). New Orleans to Waycross.
Q520. 3:50 a.m. CSX NB from Goulding Yard in Pensacola to Birmingham by Flomaton.
Q618. 4:41 a.m. CSX NB. UP 3987 – HLCX 7200 – BNSF 7038. 112 cars; 25 autos (1 articulated), 2 E BH flats, 1 gon, 27 CH (~8 plastic, ~14 E cement, 3 press flow), 45 T (chem), 12 boxes. New Orleans to Hamlet.
Q609. 4:53 a.m. CSX SB. 7324 – 8583 – 533. 107 cars; 3 hoppers (coke or waste), 6 gons of steel, 2 gons steel coils, 1 flat of steel, 34 CH (~11 E plastic, rest mostly grain), 35 T (15 E sulfur, 2 E LPG, ~rest chem), 26 boxes (~17 E wine or canned goods for BNSF). Waycross to New Orleans.
U241. 5:33 a.m. CSX SB. 528 – 310. 99 system bathtub gons of coal from Blue Creek #4 mine near Birmingham to the Port of Mobile.
Q606-21. 5:52 a.m. CSX NB. UP 2190 – 7878 – TE 8586. 102 cars; 33 autos, 3 UP reefers, 1 gon, 12 E BH flats, 29 CH (~21 plastic, some chem.), 7 T (chem.), 17 boxes (1 IBT). New Orleans to Waycross.
Q601. 6:42 a.m. CSX SB. 731 – 8823. 60 cars; 5 flats of steel, 2 gons of steel, 1 E flat, 24 CH (~13 E plastic), 13 T (chem.), 15 boxes. Waycross to New Orleans.
Q614. 6:59 a.m. CSX NB. 90 – 4813. 69 cars; 1 long flat of steel, 7 E BH flats, 4 E flats (3 long), 2 gons (1 covered, 1 steel), 26 CH (16 plastic, some chem., 2 carbon black), 23 T (chem.), 6 boxes. New Orleans to Hamlet.
Q612. 8:22 a.m. CSX NB. 8567 – 8821 – 8317. 52 cars; 1 flat of lbr., 17 CH (~10 plastic, 1 – 2 bay), 19 T (chem.), 15 boxes (6 wine or canned goods from BNSF). New Orleans to Atlanta.
Q521 from Birmingham to Goulding left Flomaton about 7:00 a.m.
Flomaton
X101. 9:30 a.m. CSX WB to SB. UP 3931 – 641. 25 empty DS (1 – 4 pack, 16 – 3 pack, 6 single platform). Jacksonville to New Orleans.
Miles
X062. 9:50 a.m. CSX NB light engines. HLCX 5986 – 7787. Mobile to Birmingham.
Waubeek
K971. 10:33 a.m. CSX SB. 7779 – 4802 – 72. 66 CYDX, HCSX, AEX, CYXX hoppers of rock from Theodore, AL to Mobile.
North end Canoe siding
Q600. 11:05 a.m. CSX NB. 294 – HLCX 6211 – 7819. 65 cars; 4 gons, 3 E scrap hoppers, 1 E CB flat, 1 E coal gon, 22 CH (10 sand, many E grain), 26 T (4 E corn syrup, rest chem.), 8 boxes. Mobile to Atlanta.
North end Nokomis siding
Q102. 2:18 p.m. CSX NB. UP 4946 – SP 8579. 31 cars; 8 empty DS (2 – 3 pack, 2 single platform), 22 DS (11 – 3 pack [5 single level], 6 single platform), 1 COFC (5 CSX cons, many Maersk, few Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd, Evergreen, MOL, CMA CGM, Crowley, Horizon Lines, China Shipping, Yang Ming, COSCO cons, 8 refr. cons, 1 chem con). New Orleans to Jacksonville.
Q631. 2:38 a.m. CSX SB. 7300 – UP 4224. 61 cars; 2 flats of steel, 3 E CB flats, 16 gons of scrap, 2 HC gons of scrap, 13 CH (6 E plastic), 17 T (1 E LPG, 2 E anhydrous ammonia, rest chem.), 8 boxes. Waycross to Mobile.
MP #628.
E005. 3:51 p.m. CSX NB. 433 – 115. 91 empty system coal gons from the Port of Mobile to Birmingham.
The next southbounds will be Q577 and Q605. Intermodal trains Q144 and Q101 should also run I believe. If anyone knows what intermodal trains run through Flomaton on most days of the week I would appreciate any information on them.
Next I headed northeast to Greenwood, South Carolina, checking out several spots in Georgia along the way. Unfortunately Greenwood would be very difficult to do my type of video as all of the track traversed by both CSX lines in Greenwood is in yard limits and not that accessible. I gave up on Greenwood and drove north to the NS Washington to Atlanta main west of Greenville and chose the area around Clemson, South Carolina to videotape.
Tuesday, 10/24/06
NS MP #528, four miles south of Seneca, SC
#237. 7:59 a.m. NS SB. 7142 – SD40-2 – 9040. 34 cars; 3 autos (Mercedes), 29 DS (11 – 3 pack, 6 single platform, 1 single level 5 – pack), 1 – 5 pack COFC, 1 COFC (very many MSC, many Maersk, few OOCL, COSCO, Hyundai, NYC, MOL cons, 6 chem cons). Charleston to Atlanta – Inman.
Jason, MP #530.2
#204. 8:19 a.m. NS NB. 7113 – UP 5136 – 8342. 22 cars; 14 DS (8 – 3 pack [3 single level], 5 single platform), 1 – 5 pack COFC, 2 – 3 pack COFC, 1 COFC (4 J. B. Hunt cons, 2 Schneider Nat. cans, 42 EMP cons [3 Schneider Optimodal], 1 NACS con, 2 TDS [Thoroughbred Direct Service] cons, 12 Hub Group cons, 8 BNSF – Hub Group cons, 4 NS – Hub Group cons, couple marine cons), 1 – 5 pack TOFC, 3 – 3 pack TOFC (8 UPS vans, 3 U. S. Express vans, 1 Dart Transit van, 2 Stevens Refr. vans). Inman to Rutherford.
#212. 8:27 a.m. NS WB. 7106 – 3550 – 3556. 19 cars; 1 empty 5 – pack TOFC, 1 empty 3 – pack TOFC, 1 – 3 pack DS (3 EMP cons, 2 TDS cons), 2 – 5 pack TOFC, 3 – 3 pack TOFC, 11 TOFC (4 single platform, 20 UPS vans, 1 Schneider Nat. van, 2 U. S. Express Enterprises vans). Inman to Croxton.
Seneca, SC
#154. 11:30 a.m. NS NB. 9853 – 7506 – 9630 – 8956 – 8421 – 6697. 79 cars; DODX 39878 (nuclear waste cask on depressed center flat), 3 long empty DODX flats, 1 UP reefer, 4 flats wallbd, 3 flats of lbr., 1 flat steel, 5 gons, 3 E long flats, 1 wood chip, 1 coal hopper, 10 CH (4 plastic, some chem.), 8 T (chem.), 38 boxes (7 CSX), DOD caboose. Birmingham to Linwood.
#153. 11:40 a.m. NS SB. 7551 (primer) – 9842 – 9217 – 9218 – 7103. 30 cars; 1 wood chip, 9 CH (2 plastic, some chem.), 9 T (chem.), 11 boxes. Linwood to Birmingham.
Clemson
#213. 4:06 p.m. NS SB. C40-9W – BNSF C44-9W. 21 cars; 2 empty DS, 1 empty 5 – pack TOFC, 1 empty TOFC flat, 11 DS (8 – 3 pack [2 single level], 2 single platform), 1 – 3 pack COFC (22 EMP cons [1 Schneider Optimodal], 17 Hub Group cons, 6 NS – Hub Group cons, 7 BNSF – Hub Group cons, 1 Alliance Shippers dry con), 3 – 5 pack TOFC, 2 TOFC (~8 UPS vans, 1 J. B. Hunt van). Rutherford to Inman.
Central, SC, MP # 510
#222. 7:07 p.m. NS NB. 9832 – 9803 – UP 5158. 47 cars; 1 empty DS, 43 DS (19 – 3 pack [3 single level], 9 single platform, 2 single level 5 – pack), 2 – 3 pack COFC (51 J. B. Hunt cons, 3 Schneider Nat. cons, 50 EMP cons [7 Schneider Optimodal], 3 Hub Group cons, 5 BNSF-Hub Group cons, 5 NACS cons, many Evergreen, Hanjin, few OOCL, NYK, K-Line cons), 1 – 3 pack TOFC (12 chassis). Inman to Charlotte. ~9650 feet.
#118. 7:50 p.m. NS NB. 9517 – BNSF 7738 – 9324. 90 cars; 3 gons (2 scrap), 1 E CB flat, 3 E long flats, 45 CH (~42 kaolin, ~3 plastic), 16 T (~6 kaolin slurry, ~8 edible oil, rest chem.), 22 boxes. Macon to Linwood via Atlanta.
#75N. 8:32 p.m. NS WB. 9595 – 9232 – 9555. 79 empty FURX, HYWX, UCUX rapid discharge coal hoppers from Georgia Power at Wansley, GA to the Port of Charleston.
#914. 8:47 p.m. NS NB. BNSF 9218. 39 cars; 32 E rail flats, 5 flats rail train equipment, 1 box, 1 gon. Atlanta to New Bern, NC.
#238. 9:33 p.m. NS NB. 3527 – 7141 – 7142. 35 cars; 4 autos on head end (Mercedes), 30 DS (13 – 3 pack [1 single level], 6 single platform, 1 single level 5 – pack), 1 COFC (mostly Maersk, few Hyundai, K-Line, OOCL, Yang Ming, Hanjin, MOL cons, 7 refr. cons). Inman to Charleston.
#119. 10:02 p.m. NS SB. 8458 – 8675 – 5141. 80 cars; 20 E autos, 3 E CB flats, 2 gons, 1 wood chip, 33 CH (~29 E kaolin, 4 cement), 7 T (4 corn syrup, 3 non-haz), 14 boxes. Linwood to Macon.
#20. 10:46 p.m. Amtrak NB Crescent. 68 – 159. 1 bag, 8 passenger (2 Viewliner sleepers).
#173. 10:46 p.m. NS SB. 2548 – 8538 – 8205. 91 cars; 3 DS (2 – 3 pack, 1 single platform), 1 – 5 pack COFC, 1 COFC (5 EMP cons, few Maersk and MOL cons), 5 flats of lbr., 1 E CB flat, 1 ballast, 1 coke or coal hopper, 7 gons (~2 steel), 31 CH (~13 plastic, 1 carbon black), 28 T (8 E CO2, 5 non-haz, rest chem.), 12 boxes (1 KCS). Linwood to Sheffield.
#154. 11:52 p.m. NS NB. 3 units. 76 cars; 1 flat of lbr., 1 gon, 2 hoppers of coke, 5 steel coil, 6 CH, 17 T (9 clay slurry, 2 CO2, rest chem.), 44 boxes. Birmingham to Linwood.
Wednesday, 10/25/06
#214. 3:07 p.m. NS NB. 9682 – 7503. 25 cars; 1 empty 5 – pack TOFC, 1 empty 3 – pack TOFC, 19 DS (15 – 3 pack [3 single level], 4 single platform), 2 – 3 pack COFC (7 J. B. Hunt cons, 49 EMP cons [1 Schneider Optimodal], 10 Hub Group cons, 7 BNSF-Hub Group cons, 2 NS – Hub Group cons, 4 TDS cons, 1 NACS con, 4 Alliance Shippers refr. cons), 1 long runner, 1 – 3 pack TOFC. Inman to E-Rail.
#211. 3:25 a.m. NS SB. 7123 – 7130 – 7102. 26 cars; 2 empty DS (1 – 3 pack), 3 empty 5 – pack TOFC, 2 empty 3 – pack TOFC, 3 DS (2 – 3 pack [1 single level]), 3 – 5 pack COFC, 2 – 3 pack COFC (11 EMP cons [1 Schneider Optimodal], 3 Hub Group cons, 6 BNSF – Hub Group cons, many COSCO cons, couple Maersk cons), 5 – 5 pack TOFC, 2 long runners, 1 – 3 pack TOFC, 3 TOFC (1 single platform, 21 UPS vans, 1 Schneider Nat. van, 2 U. S. Express Enterprises vans, 4 Alliance Shippers refr. vans). Croxton to Inman.
#19. 6:54 a.m. Amtrak SB Crescent. 74 - 87. 9 cars; 1 bag., 2 Viewliner sleepers, 1 diner, 5 coaches.
#204. 7:49 a.m. 8975 – 8743. NS NB. 22 cars; 5 autos, 3 empty TOFC flats, 8 DS (6 – 3 pack [1 single level], 2 single platform), 2 – 5 pack COFC (2 J. B. Hunt cons, 1 Schneider Nat. con, 13 EMP cons, 5 Hub Group cons, 9 BNSF – Hub Group cons, 2 NS – Hub Group cons), 1 – 3 pack TOFC, 3 TOFC (8 UPS vans, 2 U. S. Express Enterprises vans). Inman to Rutherford.
#918. 7:54 a.m. NS SB. 9015 – 2636 – 9691. 60 ballast from Enka, NC to Macon, GA.
#203. 8:20 a.m. NS SB. BNSF 5196 – 3528 – 3536. 33 cars; 3 empty COFC flats (1 single platform), 15 DS (5 – 3 pack [1 single level], 10 single platform), 1 – 5 pack COFC, 2 – 3 pack COFC (10 J. B. Hunt cons, 3 Schneider Nat. cons, 34 EMP cons [4 Schneider Optimodal], 4 TDS cons, 6 Hub Group cons, 7 BNSF – Hub Group cons), 4 – 5 pack TOFC, 1 long runner, 5 – 3 pack TOFC, 2 TOFC (1 single platform, 23 UPS vans, 2 J. B. Hunt vans, 3 U. S. Express Enterprises vans). Rutherford to Inman.
One mile north of Central
#221. 8:19 a.m. NS SB. UP 5158 – 9803 – 9832. 40 cars; 32 DS (16 – 3 pack, 4 single platform), 3 – 5 pack COFC, 3 – 3 pack COFC, 2 COFC (52 J. B. Hunt cons, 1 Schneider Nat. con, 27 EMP cons [14 Schneider Optimodal], 4 BNSF – Hub Group cons, many Maersk, Hanjin, Evergreen, Hyundai, few MOL, NYC, Matson, YM, Hapag Lloyd cons). ~8450 feet. Charlotte to Inman.
#212. 9:36 a.m. NS NB. 8326 – 8264. 28 cars; 10 autos, 3 empty DS (2 – 3 pack), 1 empty 5 – pack TOFC, 1 empty TOFC, 4 – 5 pack TOFC, 1 long runner 5 – 3 pack TOFC, 3 TOFC (1 single platform, ~21 UPS vans, 1 TDS con, 3 U. S. Express Enterprises vans).
Norris, SC
#237. 9:56 a.m. NS SB. 7118 – 3556 – 9031. 57 cars; 3 autos, 7 empty DS (5 – 3 pack, 2 single platform), 1 empty COFC flat, 37 DS (11 – 3 pack [3 single level], 12 single platform, 1 single level 5 – pack), 2 – 5 pack COFC, 3 – 3 pack COFC, 4 COFC (many MSC, Maersk, Hanjin, few COSCO, OOCL, K-Line, NYC, Hyundai, MOL cons, 1 chem con). ~10,000 feet.
Easley, SC
#74T. 12:49 p.m. NS SB. 8765 – 6787 – 8441. 79 FURX, HYWX, NCUX, RWSX, HBWX rapid discharge hoppers of coal from the Port of Charleston to Plant Scherer north of Macon.
Six miles north of Toccoa.
#172. 6:20 p.m. NS NB. 3 C40-9W + 2 C40-9W in DPU mode 62 cars back. 111 cars; 2 gons (1 covered), 1 long flat of steel, 49 CH (6 carbon black, ~35 plastic), 40 T (3 anhydrous ammonia, ~rest chem.), 19 boxes. New Orleans to Linwood. #172 met southbounds #153 and #119 at Toccoa and #213 at Hunter.
After finishing videotaping along the NS, I headed back to the Atlanta area with plans to videotape at Dalton, Georgia and then along the NS line west of Austell the next four days. However the weather had other plans. The remnants of a Pacific Ocean hurricane were moving in, and after confirming that the weather was going to be lousy for the next two days I headed west again to Louisiana and the KCS Meridian Speedway between Monroe and Vicksburg. I had not planned to do the Speedway for at least one more year and was not prepared. Again it took a flurry of emails to come up with train ID’s after the KCS shoot.
Friday, 10/27/06.
One mile west of Shannon, LA.
Just before I was along the tracks, the new westbound Jackson, MS to Lazaro Cardenas intermodal train symboled IJALZ was by westbound about 7:00 a.m. with 1000 feet of Maersk containers for Lazaro Cardenas. I never did get to see the eastbound ILZJA which runs five days a week.
MSHMB-26. 8:39 a.m. KCS EB. TFM 1623 – TFM 1601 + TFM 1616 in DPU mode on the rear. 87 cars; 9 high cube auto parts cars on head end, 1 flat of lbr., 1 gon of wire, 3 wood chips, 1 CH (silica), 28 T (chem.), 44 boxes (many KCS, 4 CSX). Shreveport to the M&B at Meridian. The M&B connects with CSX giving a through route from the KCS to CSX at Montgomery.
MLCAR-26. 9:28 a.m. KCS EB. 634 – 6606 – 613. 24 cars; 2 CH of plastic, 16 T (chem.), 6 boxes. Lake Charles, LA to Artesia, MS.
IATNC-26. 9:45 a.m. KCS WB out siding. NS 9097 – NS 9028. 27 DS (11 – 3 pack, 11 single platform, 1 single level 5 – pack, 26 J. B. Hunt cons, 12 Schneider Nat. cons, 24 Hub Group cons, 16 BNSF-Hub Group cons, 3 NACS cons 3 Swift Transportation cons, many Maersk and Hyundai cons). Atlanta – NS to BNSF – Northern California via Meridian and Alliance.
East Magenta, MP #66
IATNC. 10:28 a.m. KCS WB by.
Mile Post #64
MCXSH-26. 11:05 a.m. KCS WB. EMDX 71 – 4505. 44 cars; 4 CH (2 plastic), 20 T (chem.), 20 boxes (10 HC paper – 3 IBT, 7 TBOX). M&B Meridian to Shreveport.
Rayville, LA
MJAMN. 12:15 p.m. KCS WB. 658 – 6617 – 7023 – 3205. 65 cars; 7 flats of pulpwood logs, 24 wood chips (5 KCS cars), 2 T (chem.), 5 CH (1 sand, 1 Na Chlorate), 27 boxes (1 CSX, many KCS, ATW, AOK). Jackson to Monroe
Milepost #45
LVB101. 12:33 p.m. KCS WB west local. 2912 – 2902. 23 cars; 1 gon, 5 boxes, 16 ballast cars of rip rap, I flat with a generator on it. Vicksburg to Monroe turn.
Tallulah, LA
MMNJA. 2:30 p.m. KCS EB. 4585 – TFM 1416. 36 cars; 2 DS (1 – 3 pack, 1 single platform, all Maersk cons – may be ILZJA’s cars), 3 CH (2 plastic), 22 T (~10 liquid butane, rest chem.), 9 boxes (mostly KCS). Monroe to Jackson.
MJAMX-27. 2:36 p.m. KCS WB out siding. 641 – 6602 – 654. 83 cars; 3 HC AP, 1 E auto, 5 steel coil, 3 gons (1 steel, 2 steel coils), 3 flats of steel, 1 E BH flat, 7 CH (~5 plastic), 22 T (~4 corn syrup, ~5 LPG, rest chem.), 38 boxes (19 CN – 3 HC paper, few KCS). Jackson to Laredo.
Tendal, MP #27.7
ISBAT2-26. 5:39 p.m. KCS EB. 4309 – BNSF 4722. 41 DS (27 – 3 pack, 14 single platform, 156 J. B. Hunt cons, 12 Schneider Nat. cons, 8 Hub Group cons,7 BNSF – Hub Group cons, 2 NS – Hub Group cons, 6 NACS cons, 1 KCS con). San Bernardino on BNSF to Atlanta on NS. ~6350 feet. Pretty impressive train!
Delhi
IDAAT-27. 5:57 p.m. KCS EB. NS 9484 – BNSF 4053. 28 cars; 15 DS (11 – 3 pack [1 single level], 3 single platform), 4 – 5 pack COFC, 1 – 3 pack COFC (4 J. B. Hunt cons, 1 Schneider Nat. con, 4 NACS cons, 2 KCS cons, 79 EMP cons [2 Schneider Optimodal], few Maersk, K-Line, Evergreen cons), 5 – 5 pack TOFC, 1 – 3 pack TOFC, 2 TOFC (3 UPS vans, 5 J. B. Hunt vans, 7 Schneider Nat. vans, 4 U. S. Express Enterprises vans, 3 Lance Snack Food vans, 1 Dart Transit van, 1 FFE refr. van). Dallas to NS – Atlanta.
MNSSH-26. 9:30 p.m. KCS WB. 4027 – 4604 – TFM 1649 – TFM 1633 – 4620. 98 cars; 1 flat of lbr., 9 E CB flats, 5 E BH flats, 1 E GSNX coal gon, 1 coal hopper, 2 gons, 26 CH (14 – 2 bay – cement or sand [1 WC]), 18 T (2 Omya, 6 CO2, rest chem.), 35 boxes (1 CSX, 5 AOK HC paper, 1 IBT, 2 CN, 4 NOKL HC paper). NS – Meridian to Shreveport.
IATDA-27. 11:49 p.m. KCS WB. NS 9301 – NS 9083. 22 cars; 8 DS (6 – 3 pack), 3 – 5 pack COFC, 2 – 3 pack COFC (14 J. B. Hunt cons, 2 Schneider Nat. cons, 41 EMP cons [2 Schneider Optimodal], 4 NACS cons, few Maersk and Hapag Lloyd cons), 6 – 5 pack TOFC, 1 – 3 pack TOFC, 2 TOFC (1 single platform, 10 UPS vans, 2 J. B. Hunt vans, 3 Schneider Nat. vans, 2 U. S. Express Ent. vans, 1 FFE refr. van). NS - Atlanta to Dallas.
Saturday, 10/28/06
IATLA-27. 12:12 a.m. KCS WB. BNSF 991 – BNSF 4319. 39 DS (25 – 3 pack, 12 single platform, 1 single level 5 – pack, 109 J. B. Hunt cons, 7 Schneider Nat. cons, 7 Swift Transportation cons, 10 Hub Group cons, 4 BNSF – Hub Group cons, 1 KCS con, 1 NACS con – all members logos on it, few Maersk, Hyundai, OOCL, NYK, Yang Ming cons). NS Atlanta to Los Angeles – BNSF.
GUNKC. 12:50 a.m. KCS WB. 4617 – 4618. 74 E grain (system and private cars) from Union, MS to Kansas City.
ILAAT-27. 1:12 a.m. KCS EB. BNSF 5238 – UP 4210. 28 DS (10 – 3 pack, 7 single platform, very many Maersk & Hyundai cons, many OOCL and Yang Ming cons, few NYK cons, 2 refr. cons). Los Angeles to Atlanta – NS.
MARLC-27. 3:33 a.m. KCS WB. 3235 – TFM 1510 – 672 – TFM SD40-2. 119 cars; 1 flat of lbr., 1 gon steel, 2 flats of steel, 57 CH (~34 plastic – mostly empties, 2 carbon black, 8 – 2 bay, 4 Na Chlorate, some E grain), 22 T (chem.), 36 boxes (many KCS, no CSX or NS). Artesia to Lake Charles.
HSHUN-27. 3:56 a.m. KCS EB. 6046 – 708 – 620. 18 – 65 – 4699, 5400 feet; 21 E wood chips, 18 T (13 E CO2, 3 chem), 1 flat of lbr., 16 E M of W flats, 4 hoppers of silica, 1 E flat, 1 E gon, 4 CH (1 plastic, 1 corn, 1 cement), 17 boxes (2 fiberboard). Only partially blocked. Shreveport to Union.
MSHMB-27. 4:27 a.m. KCS EB. TFM 1615 – TFM 1672 – CSX 7769. 71 cars; 3 flats of wallbd., 13 CH (~3 plastic, 3 – 2 bay, some grain), 19 T (chem.), 36 boxes (1 NS, 1 CSX, 10 IBT – HC for paper). Shreveport to M&B at Meridian.
MSHNS-27. 6:12 a.m. KCS EB. TFM 1629 – TFM 1665 – NS 6557. 79 cars; 3 flats of lbr., 9 flats of wallbd., 10 CH (4 – 2 bay [NS], 2 plastic), 30 T (6 E kaolin slurry, rest chem.), 27 boxes (3 NS, 2 CSX). Shreveport to NS – Meridian.
MMNJA. 6:53 a.m. KCS EB. 603 – 710 – 658. 39 cars; 2 press flow CH, 14 T (3 E kaolin slurry, rest chem.), 23 boxes (3 CN, 3 HC paper). Monroe to Jackson.
Tendal
MNSSH-27. 8:04 a.m. KCS WB. 4607 – NS 8850 – KCS SD40 (white). 77 cars; 6 hoppers, 1 flat of lbr., 2 E CB flats, 7 E BH flats, 1 flat steel, 16 CH (~4 plastic, 7 – 2 bay [~4 cement]), 26 T (4 CO2, ~3 corn syrup, rest chem.), 18 boxes (3 IBT).
Milepost #24
HUNSH-27. 8:28 a.m. KCS WB. EMLX 8528 – EMLX 8539 (both are ex-UP SD90MACS with the 6000 horsepower “H” series engine). 57 cars; 6 flats of lbr., 12 flats of pulpwood, 4 wood chips, 1 E ballast hopper, 3 CH, 10 T (chem.), 21 boxes. Old HMESH. Union, MS to Shreveport.
East Bovay
MMXJA-24. 10:11 a.m. KCS EB. EMLX 8527 – EMLX 8534 – 3138 – 600. 91 cars; 1 E lbr. Flat, 13 PLWX hoppers of coal or coke, 4 steel coil, 20 CH (~8 plastic, 3 Na Chlorate, some grain), 26 T (~2 E corn syrup, 3 LPG, rest chem.), 27 boxes (15 CN, 1 IBT). Laredo to Jackson.
West Bovay
MJAMX-28. 11:52 a.m. KCS WB. TFM 1616 – TFM 1414 – 6610. 65 cars; 14 HC AP, 5 gons (1 steel, 3 covered – TFM cars), 1 coke hopper, 13 CH (~3 sand, ~5 plastic, ~some grain), 18 T (2 corn syrup, rest chem.), 14 boxes (9 CN). Jackson to Laredo.
Vicksburg, MS
MCXSH-27. 1:38 p.m. KCS WB. CSXT 526 – TFM 1637 – leased SD40T-2 - SD40-2 – 649. 66 cars; 4 E BH flats, 2 gons (1 steel), 9 CH (~6 cement), 32 T (chem.), 19 boxes (2 IBT, 6 HC – paper). M&B – Meridian to Shreveport.
The next westbounds will be IATDA out Vicksburg 8:35 p.m. and IJALZ out Vicksburg 8:41 p.m.
The next eastbounds will be ICLAT from Clovis, NM arriving Vicksburg 2:47 p.m., IDAAT arriving Vicksburg 5:57 p.m. and HSHUN-28 out Vicksburg 7:21 p.m.
After finishing up on the KCS, I headed towards home. I only made it to the Memphis area on the 28th before finding a room. These days, a room with internet access is a near necessity after being away from the internet for a couple of days as I am now averaging 150 to 200 spam messages a day. The plan for the next day was to check out the area around Ashland, Kentucky (ex-C&O, now CSX) again and if I found a place to shoot at night to begin videotaping. However I didn’t make to the Ashland area until about a half an hour before dark and quickly gave up, driving another two hours before finding a room. The next morning I checked the weather forecast and the next 24 hours were supposed to be rain free, a change from the day before, so I backtracked to Ashland. The two and three main track line that I followed between the west end of Russell Yard and the junction at NJ Cabin near Siloam where the tracks divide to Cincinnati and Columbus once was the busiest part and certainly the heart of the C&O system. The old C&O line to Chicago east of Cincinnati has been severed and most through manifest trains including intermodal traffic taken off and much of the coal traffic is gone, but this line is still pretty busy. I will let the trains tell the story of this once proud line.
Monday, 10-30-06
Greenup, KY, MP #351
V377-27. 10:18 a.m. CSX WB. 95 – 509. 100 empty DKPX bathtub coal gons from Terrel, NC to Loveridge, WV.
K170. 10:39 a.m. CSX EB. 316 – 285. 104 CSX hoppers of taconite from Toledo Dock to AK Steel Ashland Works.
K170. 10:51 a.m. CSX EB arrive west end of Russell Yard, MP #528.
Wurtland, MP #529
Q310. 11:13 a.m. CSX EB. 8443 – HLCX 5999. 87 cars; 2 flats of lbr., 1 long flat of wheels, 1 long flat of rail, 6 E coal hoppers, 26 CH (~4 E plastic, 14 press flow – chem., some grain, 3 – 2 bay), 30 T (1 limestone slurry, 11 E LPG, rest chem.), 21 boxes (5 HC paper [ 4 BNSF]). Avon Yard in Indianapolis to Russell Yard.
West side of Greenup - Little Sandy River Bridge
K895. 1:34 p.m. CSX WB. 211 – 100. 70 empty sulfur tanks from Lee Creek, VA to Chicago – CP.
K895. 2:13 p.m. CSX WB by NJ Cabin.
West side of Greenup
Q303. 2:42 p.m. CSX WB. 4753 – 7858. 60 cars; 20 coal, 2 HC gons of waste, 5 gons, 1 steel coil, 16 CH (~1 plastic, few chem., many E grain), 7 T (chem.), 9 boxes (2 HC paper). Richmond, VA to Cincinnati.
E492. 2:53 p.m. CSX EB. 8614 – HLCX 6078. 69 E system coal hoppers from Miller, IN to Russell.
Greenup, MP 532
Where I ended up at night was the parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Greenup with permission from the pastor. However there were homes close by and I thought that I might have problems due to the lights and noise of the generator. Fortunately the home directly across the tracks from me was up for sale and no one was living in it. A couple of neighbors kept peering out of their windows wondering what was going on. One even stopped by the next morning to ask what I was doing even though he could easily see the camcorder.
G6028. 4:16 p.m. CSX WB. 7328 – 7676. 62 E grain CH from Russell to Toledo.
E752. 4:47 p.m. CSX EB. NS 2717 – NS 7510. 143 empty system coal hoppers and bathtub gons from Lurgan, PA (interchange with NS) to Russell via Cumberland, Willard, and Columbus.
Q634. 5:15 p.m. CSX WB. 8443 – HLCX 5999 – HLCX 6083 – NREX 3109. 128 cars; 64 coal, 1 E CB flat, 1 E BH flat, 14 CH (some chem. & E grain), 27 T (5 LPG, rest chem), 21 boxes. Russell to Willard.
N552. 8:23 p.m. CSX WB. 739 – 571. 79 MBKX & CEFX rapid discharge hoppers of coal from Kohlsaat, WV to Danville WV – Bull Run train to Edgemoor, south of corbin..
K170. 9:04 p.m. CSX WB. 285 – 316. 122 E taconite hoppers from AK Steel in Ashland to Toledo.
Q302. 9:32 p.m. CSX EB. 8487 – 6481 – 2276. 45 cars; 2 E BH flats, 2 steel coil, 1 gon, 21 CH (~4 plastic, 1 – 2 bay, 2 press flow, some grain), 15 T (~2 veg oil, rest chem.), 4 boxes. Cincinnati to Richmond.
G908. 10:03 p.m. CSX EB. 8533 – 7780. 62 CH of grain (mostly system cars) from Harpster, OH to Privateer, SC.
G884. 10:42 p.m. CSX EB. HLCX 6319 - 8553. 66 private CH of grain from Harpster, OH to Rocky Mount.
K586. 11:05 p.m. CSX EB. 279 – 383. 74 cars; 12 steel coil, 5 gons of scrap, 57 E steel slab flats. AK Steel in Middletown, OH to AK Steel in Ashland.
K587. 11:26 p.m. CSX WB. 293 – 263. 73 flats of steel slabs from AK Steel in Ashland to AK Steel in Middletown, OH
Tuesday, 10/31/06
E407. 12:14 a.m. CSX EB. 45 – 584. 97 E system coal hoppers from Maysville, KY to Russell.
H705. 12:19 a.m. CSX WB local. 6090 – 2511. 21 cars; 2 E coal hoppers, 2 CH of plastic, 17 T (2 anhydrous ammonia, 7 LPG, rest chem).
Q302 left Russell about 1:30 a.m.
W042. 1:25 a.m. CSX WB. 8954. 27 empty hoppers, ballast cars, and rock gondolas for ballast loading at Carey, OH from Augusta, GA.
Q319. 3:04 a.m. CSX WB. 8140 – HLCX 2804 – 2721. 53 cars; 1 long flat of steel slabs, 6 gons of scrap, 4 hoppers of scrap, 2 gons of steel, 10 CH (1 sand, 1 carbon black, 2 press flow, some E grain), 17 T (chem), 13 boxes. Russell to Cincinnati.
H705. 3:04 a.m. CSX EB local. 2511 – 6090. 21 cars; 2 E coal hoppers, 2 Ch of plastic, 17 T (6 LPG, rest chem). To Vanceburg and return.
N824. 4:55 a.m. CSX EB. NS 2676 – 19. 129 empty DEEX bathtub coal gons from Detroit Edison at Monroe, MI to Myra, KY turned over to CSX by CN at Lang Yard in Toledo.
Q311. 5:30 a.m. CSX WB. HLCX 6237 – HLCX 6078. 43 cars; 4 gons, 2 steel coil, 3 coke, 4 flats of pulpwood, 5 CH (2 plastic, 1 – 2 bay, 1 chem), 20 T (chem), 5 boxes. Russell to Avon Yard in Indianapolis.
Milepost #534
T907. 8:23 a.m. CSX WB. 91 – 168. 123 coal. Not videotaped. From Damon Fork, KY to Miller, IN.
E494. 8:28 a.m. CSX EB. 466. 75 empty system bathtub coal gons from Curtis, IN – EJE to Russell. Not videotaped.
Q635. 9:26 a.m. CSX EB. UP 4592! 123 cars; 15 E pulpwood flats, 1 flat of lbr., 1 gon, 5 E coke, 21 E coal gons, 28 CH (~15 E plastic, ~7 grain, 3 – 2 bay), 35 T (~16 E anhydrous ammonia, rest chem.), 17 boxes. This guy was only doing about 25 on the level.
Lloyd, MP #536
T801. 10:28 a.m. CSX WB. 514. 75 hoppers and bathtub gons of coal from Marfolk, WV to AK Steel in Middletown, OH.
E490. 10:46 a.m. CSX EB. 8714 – FURX 3004. 96 empty CSXT, HMJX, INLX, HPJX coal hoppers from IHB-Blue Island to Russell.
Q320. 10:48 a.m. CSX EB. 7858 – 4753 – 302 – 1508 – 2281 – 6495. 127 cars; 11 long flats of pulpwood, 11 empty coal hoppers, 18 hoppers of coke, 1 UP reefer, 2 flats of wheels (1 long), 7 steel coil, 12 gons (6 scrap, 2 ties), 5 flats of steel, 24 CH (~18 plastic, 3 carbon black, 1 – 2 bay), 27 T (1 LPG, ~rest chem.), 9 boxes. Cincinnati to Russell.
Q320 by West Greenup at 11:07 a.m.
Sciotoville, OH (north side of massive CSX Ohio River bridge on Columbus line)
Q310. 1:14 p.m. CSX EB. FURX 3045 – 8157 – 7519. 70 cars; 9 gons, 1 flat of lbr., 27 CH (~11 E plastic, 8 – 2 bay, 2 carbon black, some grain, 2 press flow), 25 T (15 E LPG, rest chem), 2 HC gons of scrap, 6 boxes (2 WC). Avon Yard to Russell.
Just as the tail end of Q310 passed by on the mighty bridge over the Ohio River, raindrops began falling, a fitting end to this trip. I started towards home, but only made it about 150 miles before I pulled into a rest area for some much needed sleep. At this writing on 12/12/06, the trip looks to have been quite successful and I certainly got to see several neat places. When I dumped off a copy of the footage onto VHS tape after getting home, the VHS copy looked awful in many places. It seems that the heads on the camcorder were going but the original footage seemed to be okay when put into the computer through the digital deck instead of the camcorder. I won’t know for sure until I begin editing these programs next year.
Dick Eisfeller
12/12/06
