Well today was just CRAPPY!! Very unhappy with todays results..one reason for the crappy day and that was my camera. I went to my favorite Railfan spot in Harrisburg not far from where i live. About 5 mins in a car plus about 5 mins of walking to get to the tracks. Got there and my camera showed that my batteries had half of there life still in them. So I waited and just like everyday the Amtrak Piedmont #74 came rolling through about 15 mins after its departure from Charlotte. I was ready,camera in hand. It came around the curve heading North and I snapped a shot..It was still a little ways off as you will see. Then when it got right to me I went to take another and POW..Batteries EXHAUSTED!! Man I got aggravated..VERY fustrating. My digital camera eats batteries for lunch and I usually buy a pack of 48 AA batteries but I had used them all in Raleigh but the last 2 from that trip were in the camera(the ones that died). Anyway I walked 5 mins to a gas staion right across a field and got 4 batteries..I always get cheapo's but I guess these were just to cheap because they wouldn't even RUN my camera...now I was really about to start fuming ...so I walked back to the car..drove to the drug store and bought a back of 16 and they worked...FINALLY!!! . Now just keep this in mind..While I was gone on this 10 mins excursion to get the batteries..."two" trains went by so I missed them..I could hear them though but was in the store. Then I get back to the parking lot..get out and guess what I hear? A whistle..and then its gone.... . So then I got back to the tracks....sit there 15 mins..nothing...about 15 more..still nothing...FINALLY after around 45 to 50 mins a NS pulling a UP came rolling by!! . Heres the pics. I might try again tomorrow. Amtrak Piedmont #74..this was the picture I took of it right as it was coming out of the curve..then my batteries died . For those that know the Harrisburg Area this picture is looking Northbound and that crossing past the signals is Shamrock RD which comes right out at Hwy 49 to the left. Piece of an old section of rail laying beside the track..wonder what did that damage to it?? Anyone have an idea?
NS 8805 Heading Southbound toward Charlotte just past the Shamrock RD crossing with a Union Pacific tucked in behind it. NS 8805 with Union Pacific power Like I said I might go back tomorrow and get some shots a few other spots.
I am also still trying to find a NS Freight train sechdule so when I go up to the tracks to take pictures I have an idea when they are coming but I couldn't find anything online. I'll keep looking.
Matt, Tough break on the batteries Have you thought about rechargable AA batteries for you camera? I have a set of Everyready NiMH that I use in my scanner and they last a long time and recharge very fast. For a camera, I would suggest higher capacity like 2500mAh. Another thing to remember, with the oppressive heat we have had in these parts (90+ all month ), it tends to run batteries down, especially if you leave them in a hot car. Harold
I have a copy of NS Timetable # 12 (5/12/90) for the eastern division, which covers "our" area. It does NOT list any freight train schedules, only passenger. It does, however, list many of the mileposts and names given to these locations. (According to this timetable, Salisbury and points south towards Charlotte was in the Piedmont division) Salisbury station is an easy milepost to remember: 333.3 ! harold Good luck!
Harold,I do have Rechargable batteries and have used them alot over the last year and they have finally got to the point that they don't recharge fully and run down after maybe 5 pictures or so. I need to grab another pack though.
The best think I have learned when taking photos on the NS is to bring along a scanner. NS trains talk over the scanner everytime they approach a clear signal. For example: Engineer says, "NS #111 approach clear signal at MP 55.6" So if you are at a certain milepost, then you hear a train do this, you will be ready to set up your camera. That is if you know which train is going what direction. Just a little input from me, hope it helps.
Walgreens - Energizer NiMH battery recharger and 4 AA batteries - $14.99. Energizer NiMH AA or AAA 2 pack $5.99 - at least that's what the flyer in todays paper up here in Michigan says!
Tim,I will check out walgreens!! That doesn't seem like a bad price..the CVS and Eckerds seem to charge out the you know what for everything they have..I don't get to walgreens much since there isn't one in my immediate area but I will check it out! Thanks a bunch. My dad bought the last set of rechargable batteries actually ...my turn this time. TRNBUF, Wheres a good place to get these scanners? That would help alot. In the pictures above those signals are pretty much right by mile marker sign 363 so if I heard that I would be ready. In concord I go to Haydock sometimes and there is a signal bridge directly at mile marker 360 which is 4 miles south of where the above pictures were taken.
Scanner used with a timetable is very helpful.... Yes, NS generally calls the signals upon approach, however, if you they call a "location" instead of a milepost, then you are SOL. On NS in North Carolina, there are a lot of "locations" that do not correspond to a town. Foe example, Duke and Lee are outside of Linwood Yard and neither is on a state highway map. The same goes for Reid and Majelloca outside of Salisbury. Also, the scanner will allow you to hear conversations between the Dispatcher, yards, and train. These help you pinpoint the existence, location, and other helpful items about trains. Harold
You can pick up a police scanner at Radio Shack or Walmart from $100 on up to $400, depending on how many channels you get. Then all you need are the frequencies for your area, type them in and you are set. Someone on here should be able to give you some frequencies for you. All I know are the ones for Illinois. Good Luck and have fun!!!
Generally, any scanner capable of picking up frequwncies from 161.00 to 161.60 will pick up RR transmissions... Newer EOT do transmit on a 457 frequency. Harold
Harold, Have you ever been to Rocky Mount,NC to railfan?? I thought about taking the Amtrak up past Raleigh to Rocky Mount in a couple weeks. If you have been there are there any good railfan spots around the station?
Matt, Yes I have been to Rocky Mount "a few" times. If you walk a little South past the station, you will find the north end of the yard at a junction named "Charlie Baker"... This is also at the sight of the old CSX freight station. This is also a jct. that combines the trackage that goes eastbound into eastern North Carolina. The yard expands south from the station a couple of miles ... the yard tower is visible from public property. Most legal good stuff is visible from the station area. Harold
