This M train was working a bit of switching from the west end of Glendive while the signal bunch was working t'boot. Coordination rerquired! That M train started on 3 track, pulled west and backed in on 2 track. The coal train over on 1 track was actually leaving town eastbound as I took the pic.
Lady in green has her child along. Not completely lonely! BUT! It could be a very one sided conversation!! I feel for the young girl, standing at the very end of the car, by the kitchen entrance, holding her teddy bear, staring out the window.
Not sure what they're for. Could be holding other kitchen related stuff. Pots/pans, maybe silverware. Maybe leftover canned food stuff??
Caught this PV trio last weekend at Union Station VRIC 7 "Kitchi Gammi Club" 800708 "Mount Vernon" (ex-UP Pacific Island") 800971 "Pacific Home" (ex-UP "Pacific Home")
Some old photos of D&RG 2-8-2 s from the 70s. On my first visit to Colorado in 1971, I rode round trip from Durango to Silverton and back. Here we are on the "High Line" above the Animas River. Then in 1976 a friend and I back packed in from Wolf Creek Pass and flagged the train at Elk Park to ride back to Durango where we hitched a ride back to Wolf Creek pass where I had left my car. Then in 1977 I was with some other friends, again hiking in from Wolf Creek Pass.
Here's a photo of the shop built X3800 pulling a little Joe on the turntable at Deer Lodge, MT. This little guy was powered by an extension cord. The Milwaukee Road shops sure could come up with some interesting items. Guess you have to do what you have to so you can get the job done. I can remember seeing this little guy in action when I was a kid.
Cute little bugger... Powered by an extension cord? Did anyone tell the rookie not to use the shop's microwave while it's in service?
Yes. Extension cord. Some of those black marks on it's side were from errors while in use, and the cord was......
Apparently it's considered portable, but I don't see a hoist on the truck. Maybe it's "portable" like the old 25" CRT TVs that weighed over 60 pounds.
I assume if they grind down a flat spot on one wheel, they have to grind the other wheel by exactly the same amount. If not, the different circumferences would twist the axle, possibly causing it to fail over time.
This was at the Austin Steam Train Association yard. They contracted these guys to come dress up a bunch of wheels. They were basically using gauges and calipers to match the opposite wheels. I was busy all day today at the other end of the yard working on the New Braunfelds so did not see them load it up. But it was gone by the time I left this afternoon. Our two cars finally arrived after going round and round with Uncle Pete. I understand BNSF is a whole lot easier to deal with. UP required FRA wavers on the cars and dragged one of their inspectors out back in Houston before the move. He seemed about as frustrated as we were. Just going through the motions to placate the UP. Well anyway AST is happy to have the New Braunfelds to use. I may get to ride on it some day.
Russell, I'm envious of the pleasures you're enjoying through the effort you're allowed to contribute. I'd love to be able to join you. Thanks for letting us share, at least remotely.
Just wanted to post three photos of GRAFITTI FREE freight cars I saw today. Such cars have become very rare in this era and the woodchip hoppers are additionally artifacts from an earlier age. Federal Paperboard was bought by International Paper twenty years ago.
Did you happen to notice the BLT date on the Family Lines 5-door hopper? I suspect it easily could have been built for a pre-Family Lines road, possibly ACL or SAL, as they did far more lumber business than the L&N.
I just looked at my hi-rez file copy and the stencil area is just too faded and oxidized to read. I'll bet you're correct about its heritage. Speaking about cars serving the pulp and paper industry, I recall when up to 30 Years ago pulpwood (aka shortwood) cars were everywhere. Then, as the industry rapidly developed tree-length debarking, these cars virtually disappeared overnight. Debarking the entire tree avoided the expense of cutting the tree into shortwood lengths, placing each log in the car and raking them off into a flume at the paper mill. Railroad operational people were also happy to see shortwood cars go away, as trains with them in the consist were speed restricted on truss bridges, as if a log were to work loose and hit the bridge structure, results could be catastrophic. I still miss them though, with their wonderful fresh-cut wood aroma and old roadnames proudly displayed.
