That will all depend on oil. When the price goes back up some and the on-ramp gets finished up in Circle, then unit trains of oil will be going up there. Plans were in the works and stuff was being set up before the drop. I figure that when that happens then the elevator will build it's loop and maybe even the coal will start to get mined, well if we get some sense again.
Got enough caught up to 'fan a bit today and last week. This set was getting a wait til the load went by so they could go east and then back down on their eastbound freight. And this empty power was doing some work on the west end. They cut out the 'bad' power and put the lead pair back on the train.
And here's a bit of new track being laid down for a siding. It is next to the pipeyard and tank farm on the way up to the gravel pit on the Circle/Redwater branch. They've been working this all summer, widening the cut, building the grade and now setting the ties.
And yes, deferring cosmetic maintenance is getting more and more prevelaent. If it becomes a safety issue, well then they get into it, like that really grubby unit I posted pics of earlier. Check out the unit I just posted in this weekends proto fun thread. Also got lucky seeing this train waiting for something on Thursday morning.
A couple more videos. Caught the Sidney local about a mile out of Glendive last Sunday and a bit of MOW going on in the yard. It's rare that they empty the yard, and it is usually just for maintenance. There is a UP unit hiding in amongst all the BNSF stuff.
Saw this set sitting outside of the west end of the roundhouse with the test car along for the ride, Am trying to find out more about why it is/was here.
I had never heard of these, but I hardly keep up anyway. I do remember the serts in the 90's with the green tankers betwixt them, but this set is new to me.
Interesting assortment of photos. That second one, it looks like the engineer is taking a photo of you!
Hadn't noticed that! Was a quick stop, step around the van, snap and go. Got home, upload , post and g'nite! Now I guess I had better look a little closer.....
I guess I like the way snow and winter works for making rail photography interesting, I seem to do it a lot! Saturday was a foggy and frosty morning, so I thought I would try this.....
Got a good pic of this eastbound grain train with yellow power on iy just east of town, And the other morning this guy was sitting in the yard with one of them 'pink' n silver loco's in the set. And I eveb got a close shot of it for you poor, demented SF fans.......
badlanddnp, thanks for the great pictures and background info on BNSF. I now live in NM where BNSF has quite a bit of traffic and I'm attempting to learn about the line this helps fill in some of the gaps since my neighbors that work for them aren't very forthcoming.
