Chasing Warbonnets in southwest Missouri

dave n Jun 16, 2015

  1. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    We were in the Springfield MO (ex Frisco) area over the weekend to visit family, and when we go there I usually try to sneak in some railfanning since the relatives live 2mi from the BNSF mainline. Running an errand w/ my daughter on Friday we saw a military train w/ a leading warbonnet -- unfortunately it was heading the wrong way light-wise, and I didn't have my camera :(. Here's a couple iphone shots:

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    We ran our errand, and I committed to getting up early to at least try to get a train headed the right direction into the sun. I drove about 20 miles west to Aurora, and saw that the approach siding signal was flashing red, so I waited for what I assumed was an eastbound coming my way. Sure enough, headlights in the distance, and...geez, it looks like it may be red?....sure enough, another warbonnet. And this time, heading the right way, into the nice morning sun:

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    Being a transplanted Californian living in Ohio now, seeing a nice clean warbonnet on the point in 2015 made my trip!
     
  2. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    How can you not chase this train? Here it is east of Aurora, after holding for a westbound stacker. There was a long string of scrap metal gondolas behind the locomotives:
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    Approaching Billings, MO - the clouds got in the way a little bit here:
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    And approaching the east switch at Republic, MO:
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    And finally, heading into Springfield yard, where it switched out the string of metal gons:
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    I felt like I was back in 1995 in California for a few hours over the weekend. Gotta love the old Santa Fe.
     
  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Great shots Dave! As an easterner, I'm amazed that clean warbonnets are still out there to be found. A timeless and beautiful scheme.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nice to catch such variety. That is definitely the most scrap I have ever seen in any train. I wonder what was the source?
     
  5. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

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    Beautiful photos, especially that overhead yard shot.:)

    While the photo of the armored vehicles was loading, I had this flashback of a movie called Damnation Alley, with George Peppard. Now you know what's going on in my brain...:wideeyes:
     
  6. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Nice shots indeed. ;) But I guess that's more difficult to find pristine Warbonnets still wearing Santa Fe markings, am I right ?...

    Dom
     

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