My last day living in Chicagoland Happened to be 20 years ago, the day so many things changed. The trip out west was surreal, listening to the aftermath on the radio, seeing far more people on the road than normal. People trying to get kids to college, or see family, and quiet from the railroads and airports. I was lucky to have very little personal impact from it. My very good friend worked in the WTC, but was running late to the office that day. Anyway.this is a thread for trains and I'm sure we've all had our opportunities to remember a lifetime ago already.
This critter at the GATX plant in Hearne, Texas has since been repainted and is still shifting tank cars around.
Crysler Park, next to Upper Canada Village, July 2010: Grand Trunk 1008, GTR Class E12 built by CLC in 1910, became CN Class E-10-a 910 in 1923, renumbered 88 in 1951, retired 1957. Grand Trunk wood baggage car 11562, built by Pullman 1923 for CN as 11562, renumbered 8851 in 1950, back to 11562 in 1953 (likely to make room for the expanding diesel switcher fleet), retired 1965. Though lettered for GTR, according to its history, it never saw service for Grand Trunk. It may have been ordered by GTR, but delivered to CN after the bankrupt GTR was folded into Canadian National in 1923. Grand Trunk 2074, wood coach built by Pullman in 1901, to CN 3474 in 1924, and retired in 1957. Aultsville depot: the town was originally names Charlesville. It was renamed Aultsville for one of its original founders, Samuel Ault. The Grand Trunk came to Aultsville in 1856, which soon more than tripled its population and started a period of growth and prosperity. In the 1950s, the station (and a few other select buildings) was moved and preserved ahead of the impending flooding of Aultsville to make way for the new St Lawrence Seaway. Aultsville is now one of the historical Lost Villages.
Back on the Huckleberry this week as No. 2 (ex Alaska RR 152) gets a roll on a train on the railroad's eastern reverse loop (There's a prototype for you folks with loop-to-loop layouts). At that time, resplendent in green tank and boiler jacket, she was midway through a metamorphosis. When the railroad was launched, she wore a very gaudy paint job with red pilot and wheels. After all. that was what tourists expected. Eventually, that scheme was replaced with this one, which is in considerably better taste. More recently, she has been returned to her original military trim and again received her old number, US 152 & D&RGW 464 (rrpicturearchives.net) but I have to admit to liking this livery just as well. It's attractive but still dignified.
Tuesday, 7 September's Amtrak #7 at East Glacier Park was running a couple of hours late. A collision with a vehicle had delayed it in the Minneapolis area. BNSF did its best to keep us entertained. This hopper train had a mix of CP and BNSF power head end and rear as it headed towards Marias Pass.
Bench made from very old RR wheels: Argh! It was upside down? Sorry, will get the correct photo after child care. (my wife told me) There are a few of the in Lincoln, NH. Made from logging equipment of a long gone era.
We do see some CP power on the High Line, usually at the head end. So a good catch being a bit unusual having CP on both ends. Where were you traveling? Or just staying at East Glacier?
We were on the return leg of our trip. We had finally got out for a visit to Glacier National Park, something I had wanted to do for many, many years. We flew into Seattle and rode #8 and #7 to and from East Glacier in a roomette. I'll have a bit more later in the week.
Hope that it was not too smoky for you. That has been an on and off issue for us all summer. At times the AQI has really started climbing. Fall colors have just begun, so perhaps you were able to see a bit of that event. Looking forward to more photos!
Now I can't even find the file. Here is another unusual photo, (for me). It was taken on October 30, 2020. Fall Storm aka Halloweeen Storm of 2020
I like this photo. I extracted it from a movie I took this afternoon while waiting for the grandson's bus. Very convient that the bus stop is right at the Blakemore bridge where this time of year I get a very narrow shot.
We were very fortunate, just one day of six was smoky. Another day started off cloudy with a bit of rain, but cleared. We had a third day where we smelled some smoke while waiting to transfer up at Rogers Pass, but the view wasn't seriously affected. During the last couple of days we did see the start of the autumn color change.
How were the crowds up there? Thinning out, I hope. There were so many visitors this year, they had a reservation/pass system in place for getting into the Park. Did you get to visit places such as Essex? One of my favorite places on Marias Pass. It can be quite interesting, when the helpers are there and busy.
It was still very busy along Going-to-the-Sun road. We used the park shuttle, even though they were making limited stops compared to prior years. The desk staff at Rising Sun where we were staying the second half of the trip were advising hikers to leave by 0630 if driving their own vehicle to Logan Pass, or wait until early afternoon. Hidden Lake trail, which we had wanted to try, was closed due to grizzly activity. We just drove by Essex this trip, wildlife was the primary focus.