I took an Amtrak to Springfield, IL on Thursday, and just drove back home today with my grandparents. On the train ride, I saw lots of CP action on the Hiawatha from Mil. to Chi. Saw BNSF, Amtrak, and UP on the Anne Rutledge(Chi. to KC train) Also, around McLean, IL, I saw a "net like" grade crossing. Instead of the gates, there was a net that was lowered, and blocked both lanes of the road to prevent driving around the gates. (I thought that was interesting) In Springfield, while looking for a Hobby Shop, my grandpa and I saw a NS auto train in the distance. It was stopped by a red, and we decided to get a little closer. After driving down a maze of side streets, we found a dead end that got right next to the tracks. The NS auto started to move as I hopped out of the car. I looked down the tracks and saw another NS train coming my way. It was a hot stack train, with two NS locos in the lead, one of which was an old Conrail unit. As the last car of that train speeded towards the setting sun, I hopped back in the car, and we drove to a grade crossing just in time to hear the wistles blow, and see the auto train roll by. Two trains Then we finally went ot the hobby shop, where my grandpa bought me a BNSF TRAINLINE GP15. (I was just running it on the the layout tonight ) Today, as we were driving out of Springfield, we saw another NS auto train. This too had an old Conrail unit, and a NS unit. Finally we saw the Anne Rutledge on its way to Springfield. It was cool to see the freeway form inside the train, then on the way back home, see the train from the freeway Well, thar's my story. I saw lots of NS this weekend, and had a great trip. Now it's tiome for some well needed sleep The turkey was good too ------------------ Drew What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go!
Way to Go, CPRailfan!! Gonn'a have any photos of the new Trainmaster on your layout? ------------------ Watash
I hope to get my own camera for Christmas. I'll have plenty of layout shots and shots of trains around the Milwaukee area. I'll send some to you watash, and I'll try to put some of them on Trainboard. talk soon..
Glad you had a good trip and saw some of the trains we have down here. If you want to read an interesting thread that deals with the NET GATES at McLean, IL. and the track speed limit, go to the Amtrak forum and click on all topics. I don't remember the name of it, but it talks about a grade crossing accident there while the gates were turned off. ------------------ Brent Tidaback, Member #234 BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot! Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners! The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
well if you get time and want to see the ns yard operations drive west on i-72 and come to decatur.it has the largest flat switching yard on the ns system.also trains leave in all directions.it has definately been pretty busy here.they also have a bridge that goes over the west end of the yard and everything is visible from there.you can also see the cn/ic and csx yards in town. ------------------ ed pinkley home of the pinkley taurus
I'll put that on my "things to do" list. Thanks Ed! ------------------ Drew What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go!
