I came across (my father forwarded them to me) that artwork I created several years ago while trying to design the color scheme and decal specifications for the T&GN and NT&O paint schemes.  Today I added the Paint Scheme Art page under the Paint Shop Tab to display the considered schemes and variations that did not make the final cut.....

CMP

From: CMP
To: Photo Distribution List
Subject: Ringling Brothers Circus Train 
8-25-2008
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:58:38 -0500




The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus train passed through town yesterday.  It was handed off from the Union Pacific to the BNSF at North Yard in the late evening.
 
Two UP SD70Ms led the train into BNSF North Yard:

After a couple of job briefings and about 30 minutes, the UPRR power was removed and fresh BNSF power added.  The new lead unit is two-month-old ES44DC 7401:

BNSF SD45-2 6465 and Genset BNSF 1234 were working the north end of the yard:

With the sunlight rapidly disappearing, new BNSF EMD and GE power sits side-by-side at McElroy in Saginaw.  BNSF SD70ACe 9134 leads a coal train while BNSF ES44DC 7395 spots a grain train to the elevator:

An impressive train, even with no scenery and very little light, the Circus train finally departs North Yard.  This is BNSF train symbol U-FTWMLN1-25A beginning its journey from Fort Worth, TX to Moline, IL:

Updates have been made to the T&GN/NT&O Locomotive Roster page including the addition of information about the assembly of the fleet.  Also the GP10 and GP18 fleets were adjusted to reflect locomotives assimilated into the initial roster from the MidSouth Rail locomotive fleet.

CMP

From: CMP
To: Photo Distribution List
Subject: BNSF 6702 on Amtrak Train No. 506(16)
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 00:03:15 -0600




A chain reaction from the failure of a P42DC locomotive slated to take "Baby Builder" train No. 28(15) out of Portland resulted in a series of power moves that caused a BNSF freight locomotive to be on two of the trains I was scheduled to ride on this last trip.  What did Amtrak do when their locomotive for No. 28(15) crapped out at the last minute?
 
Well, they stole Amtrak F59PHI 457 from Amtrak Cascade Service train No. 508(15) and sent it to Spokane on No. 28(15).  Then Amtrak called the on-duty BNSF Manager of Passenger Train Operations and said, "Can we please, please, please have a BNSF freight engine at Portland for No. 508(15)?"  BNSF responded by supplying SD40-2 6702.  This unit operated to Seattle on No. 508(15) and then made a round trip between Seattle and Portland the next day on trains No. 500(16) and No. 506(16), both of which were on my itinerary.
 
Amtrak's plan to make things right in Cascade Land....At Spokane, the AMTK 457 was taken off No. 28(15)/8(15) and added to No. 7(14) and sent to Seattle.  At Seattle the AMTK 457 replaced the BNSF 6702 upon arrival of No. 506(16) and departed on No. 509(16).  BNSF 6702 was then made available for pickup by BNSF at King Street Station.
 
Here are some images taken from the BNSF 6702 on the rear of train No. 506(16) as we pull out of Portland Union Station.  The Cascades operate in push-pull service, normally with a locomotive at one end and a cab control car (rebuilt from an F40PH locomotive) at the other end.  With four cab control cars being bad-ordered and out of service at Seattle, Amtrak was forced to operate a number of these trains with two locomotives, one at each end, per FRA Talgo Waiver requirement for crash protection. 
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071499
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071498
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071496
 
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071502
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071501
 
A couple of shots at the Willamette River Draw Bridge:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071508
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071511
 
Being restricted to 40 MPH per FRA Talgo Waiver requiring that a freight engine used on a Talgo train must be on the head end in order for the train to operate over 40 MPH, we turned out train at the CTC Wye to Terminal 6 (T-6) at North Portland.  This 5-minute move would raise our maximum speed from 40 MPH to 70 MPH, the maximum speed engine BNSF 6702 is geared for.  This shot was taken in the yard at T-6 while the conductor and engineer were "swapping ends":
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071513
 
Having gone around the T-6 wye, we are operating with the BNSF 6702 in the lead as we meet Amtrak "Baby Builder" train No. 27(14) on the Oregon Slough Draw Bridge.  The next bridge in the distance is the Columbia River Draw Bridge:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071514
 
A little blur action as I play with the shutter speeds in a curve between Centralia and Plumb, WA:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071555
 
Meeting a southbound train led by B40-8W 579 just south of the Centennial Depot at Olympia-Lacey, WA:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071573
 
Passengers waiting for us at Olympia-Lacey:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071581
 
Meeting BNSF GEVO 7679 at Tacoma:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071585
 
More happy travelers wondering why a freight engine is pulling their train into the depot at Tacoma:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071586
 
All of the passenger work at Tacoma provided a chance to shoot this unusual consist in the depot:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071587
 
What a Talgo should look like - we meet AMTK 467 leading a southbound train just north of the Tacoma Depot:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071588
 
And having arrived at Seattle King Street Station, the BNSF 6702 poses next to the AMTK 457 that was just sent on a whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest form Portland to Spokane to Seattle.  Once the passengers were detrained, an Amtrak crew would uncouple the Amtrak equipment from the BNSF 6702, pull out onto the lead (Main Track 1), and then back the equipment on top of the AMTK 457 on the adjacent track.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1071589
 
Chris
 
 

From: CMP
To: Photo Distribution List
Subject: KCS Vicksburg West Local - 3-20-2010
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:22:21 -0500




Last weekend an excellent road trip was made to railfan the KCS “Meridian Speedway” out of Vicksburg.  Despite ominous reports of dismal traffic levels, tornadoes, and snow; we went anyway…and had a great time.  We photographed a total to 21 KCS trains, (17 on the Speedway between Shreveport, LA and Bolton, MS), plus some UPRR and shortline trains and equipment.

Perhaps the best power consist of the trip was a pair of Ex-CN GP40-2LWs being used in local service out of Vicksburg.

On Saturday morning, March 20, 2010, the pair heads back to Vicksburg after setting out and picking up grain hoppers at Delhi, LA.

Here the train crosses over Joe’s Bayou at Waverly, LA—about 5 miles east of Delhi:

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1989081

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1992398

The nice thing about railfanning the KCS Meridian Speedway is parallel I-20 allows one to get the same train in several locations.  The next stop was the Mississippi Welcome Center which offers a spectacular view of the Mississippi River Bridge.  Funny how many people were there getting ready for the shot:

And “THE Shot”…well three of them…

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1992412

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1992399

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1992413

The Grassy Knoll visible in the last shot above is strictly off limits.  The Department of Homeland Security has Declared it to be a “Secure Area” and has it guarded 24/7…….yet anyone who wants to, US Citizen or Not, can overlook the whole scene from the public welcome center.  Your tax dollars at work…..

Next we will re-wind to the pick up at Delhi where we had excellent sunlight:

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1992393

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1992396

http://railbaron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1992397

Chris

Check out the new MAPS page.  There is plenty more to add here but I did want to get something up quickly to help define how this railroad plugs into the North American rail network.

Ultimately I would like to have an interactive map with hyperlink features that will take you directly from a line-segment to timetable, schedule, and other local information.

If any of you have expertise with this and would like to help, please don't hesitate to contact me!

CMP

Tom Blackwell's account of a railfan adventure with my father and myself in New Orleans is now on display in the Library Car......Enjoy "A Day in the Big Easy"!

CMP

From: CMP
To: Photo Distribution List
Subject: Mudslide at Blue Ridge, WA
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:07:01 -0600

While in Seattle a few weeks ago I had an opportunity to check out the site of the most recent mudslides on the BNSF Scenic Subdivision – Blue Ridge/MP 9.6.  There are many locations on the Northwest Division where slide activity impacts train operations, however, so far this year that activity has been limited to Blue Ridge which is along Puget Sound between Seattle and Edmonds.

The area is really difficult to photograph.  Perhaps the best view is the aerial photograph KOMO news articles (links removed).  Because of the nature of the slide activity in the area, a slide that meets defined “blocking event” criteria triggers a moratorium on passenger train operations that usually lasts 48-hours. 

http://edmonds.komonews.com/content/north-sounder-service-back-business

Again, a difficult location to shoot.  Here are a few shots from the beach looking up at the BNSF work train which was supplying rip-rap (large rocks) to stabilize the hill side.  The large pile of trees and earth from the slide are clearly visible blocking the beach:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933524

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933521

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933526

Because of the remote location, power on each end of the work train—as well as hi-rail vehicles—was used to shuttle workers in and out of the site.  Here we see the engine on the south end of the train taking off to perform taxi service:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933529

What I really wanted to do was get a good photo of a passenger train going by the slide site.  I figured the best way to do this was actually from some distance so I headed up to MP 10 at Carkeek Park where the beach extends into Puget Sound enough to get the slide scene and a passenger train in the shot.

By this time Blair Kooistra had taken transfer and was the second shift Seattle Terminal Dispatcher.  He had brought light Rabanco garbage train power out of Interbay up to Blue Ridge on Main Track 2 where it would be passed by Sounder Train No. 1700.  After the Sounder passed, the light power would cross over to Main Track 1 to get around the work train at the slide site.

If I may say so myself, Blair put on quite a show!

Souder 1700 comes into view as it rounds the curve into Blue Ridge.  The garbage train power can be seen sitting at the northbound control signals.  I wonder how long before that house at the top ends up in the water?:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933543

And here is the best I could do to get the passenger train going by the slide.  1700 eases by the workers on Main Track 1:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933549

Sounder 1700 accelerates by Carkeek Park:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933565

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934006

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934008

Not missing a beat, Blair fits the garbage train power into the northward flow between Sounders 1700 and 1702 and Amtrak No. 8:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934012

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934019

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934307

From this vantage point, trains can be seen working their way along the sound for miles:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934308

With the work done for the day, the work train heads south for Interbay:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934325

This was such a great location that I fired off a few non-train photos.  For those of you who are interested:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934313

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934319

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934335

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934330

Chris

From: CMP
To: Photo Distribution List
Subject: NO&NE Action at Pearl River - 1988 - CMP
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 22:21:11 -0500

A roll of slides that I took in 1988 has some great memories of the NO&NE around Pearl River, MS.

Perhaps my favorite image is this pace-shot of Southern GP30 2602 mid-consist.  My how vivid is the memory of the sound of those little screaming EMD’s echoing through the tall pine trees:

And the leader, Southern 5003x:

White Flags flapping in the breeze, the Southbound SP run-through train storms through Pearl River:

NT&O C44-9W 1065 has been shopped by BradleyDCC.  A LokSound decoder as well as LED headlights and ditch lights have been installed.

The NT&O 1065 Stat Page has been updated with links to BradleyDCC's video of the unit as well as links his NT&O 1065 Page on his website.

As a matter of fact, I like the video so much that I found a spot for it on my home page!!!

Now I wonder where these units will turn up next???  Stay tuned!

CMP

U.P.S. delivered a new Athearn Genesis GP7u today.  Painted as ATSF 2233, this locomotive will be shopped and painted to become Y&MV 201.  This will be the first locomotive project since the creation of this web site so I will attempt to chronicle the progress on-line.

The Y&MV 201 page has been created and published today for this unit.

CMP

I just created and published a page for my Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad under the Operations Label.  This page give a brief synopsis of the railroad and has a list of train symbols.

Happy New Year!!!

CMP