Random Railfan Prototype Photos For All

Hardcoaler Mar 26, 2015

  1. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Just figured to start a thread where anyone can randomly post their photographs from any region. I'll start with these:

    June 2013 Asheville, NC. Westbound freight arrives with Erie Heritage Unit trailing.

    [​IMG]

    October 2013 Columbia, SC. Chip train arrives with PRR and N&W Heritage Units trailing. Do we see a theme here? :rats:

    [​IMG]

    Hardcoaler
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I certainly agree! After going to the trouble of painting all those units, I seem to see more photos of them trailing than leading.
     
  3. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Hardcoaler, thanks for those! That's what this forum is all about, railfan photos.
     
  4. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks guys. I enjoy photography a bunch, though as we know, sometimes things don't quite turn out as hoped in railfanning. When Kodak quit making Kodachrome in 2009, I almost gave up taking pictures until I bought my first digital camera about 3-1/2 years ago. I've really enjoyed the switch to digital.
     
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  5. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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  6. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

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    Great photos, everyone. That steam is sweet, looks like it was shot back in the 1970s, judging by the cars.
     
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  7. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Mike, IIRC, that was shot in Gulfport, MS in the late 70s as 203 was returning from a minor overhaul in Mobile, AL. She was sold shortly after. I haven't found where she ended up, but I think she's still in steam somewhere in the northeast US.

    Edit - I think I found 203 on the Washington & Lincolnton Railroad in Knoxville, TN.

    http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/wl203

    http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?railroad=Washington%20%26%20Lincolnton
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 27, 2015
  8. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Went out this morning in search of well-lit southbound NS 157, but backlit 156 showed up instead. Oh well, it was a beautiful morning in Simpson, SC.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Hytec. The convoy of chasers is so typical of these scenes. My wife and I participated in some of the highway madness when N&W 611 and 1218 were in operation, though I want to add that we rode a number of trips too to support the sponsoring clubs.

    Is the second car a canteen to supply the 203? I think canteens are neat. I have an old N Scale Bachmann tender that I bought for cheap at a show that I hope to convert to a canteen for use with my Bachmann 2-8-0.
     
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Some days it just feels good to get out and about. Even if the railfanning is not quite as hoped....
     
  11. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Old Fort, NC, taken on a lovely 12/26/2013

    [​IMG]
     
  12. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    If not for those trees, I'd swear this was another time of year!
     
  13. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, it was a "canteen", though I also heard it called a "water buffalo".....?

    Here's a better shot of the whole train as it was exiting the Bay St. Louis (MS) trestle.

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It is beautiful. Also, quite modern. You can get deep into the wilds, with a comparatively short drive. Then be back amidst the big box stores in no time at all. But you need to ALWAYS travel prepared. We can and do see wild weather swings. It may be a wonderful, sunny 72 degree morning as you set off for a day with nature or railfanning, and an hour later you are in big trouble with wildlife, or weather issues.

    We've had snow in the forecast since Saturday. But aren't getting any precipitation. Yet....
     
  16. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Caught the Blue Ridge Southern this morning arriving in Asheville, NC with their turn from the paper mill in Canton, NC. This is a new operation resulting from NS's recent sale of the branch to BLU. Those vintage units sounded great, working hard on the last shot at Murphy Jct.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

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  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    By chance is there a map on line which I might view, to gain a better understanding of this operation?
     
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  18. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Sure thing. Here's BLU's system map:

    http://www.watcocompanies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Blue-Ridge-File.pdf

    The line below East Flat Rock continues on to the famous Saluda Grade, which NS has not used in a decade and which will likely be removed. The line from Hendersonville to Pisgah Forest is also likely to be removed and made into a hiking trail. BLU's bread and butter lines are from Asheville to Hendersonville which has a coal-fired power plant at Skyland and some industry, and the Murphy Jct. line west which serves a paper mill at Canton. At Dillsboro the line connects with the tourist-hauling Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
     
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  19. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

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    Wow... you don't see a string of SD45s like that very often! And all those eighty cylinders must have sounded awesome as they opened up their throttles...

    @Hytec - sweet shot of that steam!
     
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  20. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Westbound freight deep in the mountains at Ridgecrest, NC:

    [​IMG]
     
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