From the initial 10000-series of RBOX cars I found this one, also in Barrington, IL probably in the summer of '75. Stencil reads "NEW 12-74"; an ACF build. I sure wish I'd have been shooting color film back then.
From onboard a dome car in August 2005, somewhere around Rock River, WY the Ogden trip from Cheyenne behind UP 3985. Freshly repainted Western Pacific caboose 484 trailed the canteens, enroute to Portola, CA's museum, if memory serves. UP 3985 used to be the star of the UP Steam fleet, until the "Largest Operational Steam Locomotive in the World" was supplanted by UP 4014.
Not only that, they stole some parts from 3985 to get 4014 running. Now, I'm not saying that's bad. 3985 was down, anyway. And I will never forget seeing 4014 run, in person! Doug
PC 4285 puts in a brief appearance as the third loco in the consist shown in the following video starting at about 7:15.
Great images. There are many places that are photogenic, but there is something special about coming down the front range. Out of the East Portal when the sun has risen, after a fresh blanket of powder, and seeing Denver so far below you, and knowing your bringing 12-15,000 tons down that grade. I been on trains after a foot or more snow has fallen, pushing snow with the plow on the lead unit, it is surreal, almost like your floating, very quiet, can barely feel or hear the rail joints. Another thing that always amazes me is how small a foot print a train leaves behind, I mean 100's of cars and locomotives fit in such a small "plate" in this case. I know it was a challenge for folks plowing the roads at crossings to see us effortlessly move a great amount of snow right back in their way.
Just spent an hour catching up, wow! Lots of awesome stuff going on! Got this gon on Sep 29 here at Glendive, This set was in the yard on the 30th of Sep, And the morning of Oct 1st I took a short walk over by the stockyard track and got the cab and the BN green,
We are near Dale, WY on #3 track in July 2003 on a steam excursion behind UP 3985 arranged by Sherman Hill Model Railroad Club of Cheyenne, WY. I had bought my first digital camera, a whopping 2 MP Kodak, and elected to stay on the train for one reason or another, and after stopping to drop off passengers for photo lines, we backed up a distance, and then the hogger opened up the throttle. The lines of railfans are just visible to the left. It's not very sharp (nearly full-resolution even at 1500 pixels wide), but I liked the reflection of the engine and sooty exhaust in the side of the passenger car. This was my first steam excursion, and I was not disappointed!
Since the EMD Es and Fs are monocoque, the side panels can be replaced like doors on a hood unit. I don't know if it was vandalism, but as panels rusted or became damaged, they could be removed and replaced. I imagine the porthole was a place for water to seep in, so either way, when the porthole-equipped panel needed replaced, they just put a blank one on in the shop to reduce the need for future repairs. Especially in the ailing Penn Central years, they probably did all they could to reduce costs. Those portholes were probably expensive and deemed unnecessary. If you look at Penn Central E-units, the portholes are all random, which seems to indicate the modifications were on an as-needed basis.
One of about 6-7 coal trains seen today, Oct 24, on weekend trip to Bill, WY. This, from the bridge leading to Progress Rail Services about 2 miles south of Bill, WY this morning. A balmy 26* at the time. Didn’t get much warmer! Sitting on guard rail, waiting for another southbound loaded coal train to arrive! Heard it for a while, but couldn’t see it until it got fairly close! Ditch lights NOT on at the time! Weather didn’t help either! A balmy 28* by now! Didn’t get any warmer than that!! And yes, other than my face freezing, I was nice and comfortable!!
You look like an Eskimo! Not so many coal trains nowadays!! Hopefully the crew did NOT get in trouble for no ditch lights! Bill WY not known for social life for sure! Thanks for the images!! THANK YOU!