I tried to change my own front brakes for the first time today....frozen and stripped lug nut meant I didnt' even get the wheel off until 5pm and $50 in tools I didn't need to change brake pads. On the plus side, I finally had time to chase some trains his week. A massive lumber train makes it's way south from Oregon headed for Roseville. This is Binney Junction in Marysville Ca.. It's crossing the former Western Pacific To the left the tracks head to the Feather River Canyon, to the right the WP to Sacramento. All those loads of Lumber and Steel, a literal gold mine. But no Pinkertons in site.
I used to work for Pinkerton as a security guard about 1988-1994. While we're on the subject of treasure, I was rummaging through my pirate cache of train photos (arrrr) when I came upon this lovely beastie: CN 5550, a K-2-b Pacific type in nice shape at Exporail back in 2013. I added the inset showing this same engine back in 1975 on my very first visit there as a kid. Someone did a nice job of at least cosmetically restoring her. Main photo by myself, inset extracted from a photo by my Dad.
As usual, passing through Bay City on my way up north this week, I swung by Wenona yard where I shot this row of pumpkins. From left, Mid Michigan RR 2169 joins Huron and Eastern 3038 and 2026. I have to admit that at first I wasn't enthused about the orange invasion, but it has sorta grown on me.
The MoW train that has been parked outside of the Sebring Model Railroad Club has finally moved on to a new siding farther down the mainline. But, in it's place is this well decorated, aging Conrail gondola. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk
An ex-Army Alco MRS-1, built 1953, adjustable gauge. The EMD version has a peaked instead of a round cab roof, and the short hood is also peaked instead of flat.
Yes, it is an mrs-1. They use it when the 2-8-0 isn't available. I believe orange empire also has one... Unless it's the same unit and they just traded it.
I've always wanted to visit Railtown, but haven't gotten there so far. That's a very nice shot of No. 28 and the diesels (or is that little Plymouth gasoline powered?) are all very interesting. Is anyone familiar with the production numbers for the army diesel? Could make nice shortline power in the right time period. Looks like No. 3 is in for some maintenance but has been doing some movie work recently. All very nice photos. Thanks for posting.
Mike, Other than the all weather cab, this looks similar to the GTW 5000 series Pacifics. Do you know if that is the case? Those operated on the old PO&N through Clifford- about five miles west of here- into the early 1960's. It's interesting the way locomotive numbering and classifications worked between CN and GTW- something I only became aware of a few years ago and am still trying to wrap my head around. I haven't even considered delving into where the GT in New England, Central Vermont and Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific might fit into the whole scheme of things.
I'm not sure, but there's a Cummins Diesel out in the roundhouse area that I shot a couple of photos of. There's also what looks like a ex Army GE 44 Tonner and something that looks similar but has side rods.
I'm not a real expert on old industrial critters, but the siderod beast could be a Whitcomb or some such thing. They've got a lot of really interesting equipment there without a doubt. Thanks for posting.
GTW had classes K-4-a and K-4-b, in the 5600s. 5627-5631 were built by Alco, while 5632-5634 were built by Baldwin. GTW 5629 was preserved and restored to operating condition in the 60s, and used in excursion service for a while. They were pretty close to the CN K-2s, except for the all-weather cabs (a must when running on the old National Transcontinental that made a beeline from Quebec City to Winnipeg - AKA Winterpeg - through some of the remotest and coldest woodlands in Quebec and Ontario... brrr...). For loco numbering, they grouped them in similar wheel arrangements when possible. 4-8-2s and 4-8-4s were in the 6000s. The 7000s seemed to be reserved to steam switchers, and the Mikados were in the 3000-3999 range. The CN system kept a similar system with diesel numbering, once all the steam was retired. They're grouped mostly by builder, except for passenger power, which took up the 6000s with all builders included (MLW, GMD, CLC). For example, MLW/Alco four-axle freight was in the 3000s (the M420s were exceptions in the 2500s), while GMD/EMD four-axle freight held the 4000s (especially the system's 434 GP9s). When six-axle power became widespread, MLW/Alco 6-axles were in the 2000s (after the FM/CLC engines were all retired) and GMD/EMD took up the 5000s (and eventually 6000s after VIA took over all passenger duties). Now GE occupies the former MLW/Alco 2000s and 3000s. It was interesting the the 1950s, when diesel purchases increased, and steam retirements made room. Some locos changed numbers three times!
This weekend my wife, daughter, and myself journeyed to the Strasburg Railroad to ride on their Wine and Cheese Train. This one was pulled by N&W #611. First time I have seen #611 in person since the 1987 NRHS Convention. The photos aren't the greatest as the weather was lousy and the platform at the station isn't the greatest for photos.
