I like this picture, but if it weren't for the identification at the bottom, it might make you wonder! It is actually a CSX train being lead south down the departure tracks out of Hamlet yard. Not a CSX loco on the train! Harold
Man, I'm sure glad I don't work in the CSX Accounting Department responsible for billing out "Power-By-The-Hour". Great photo, though. Thanks Harold
Welcome to 21st Centuty railfanning, where you're liable to see just about anything on the point of freight trains. Good pic, BTW
Yes, that is what makes CSX especially interesting around here... I have spent a couple of hours and seen nothing but solid foreign and lease power trains out of Hamlet. It is always a surprise! Harold
Harold, GREAT PIC! I love the great mix of power that is always on CSX. Make railfanning a lot more interesting.
You will usually see CSX power on locals They do run a lot of foreign and lease power, so yet, railfanning is always interesting! Harold
Only one of those units can definately be called a "power-by-the-hour" leaser. The two Union Pacific units are from a run-through agreement and and probably got pulled for an assignment on CSX when they finished their original run onto the property. This is very common, especially in Indiana and Ohio where a number of run-through trains operate off BNSF and UP every day. The green FURX/GCFX unit is on long-term lease to CSX and can't be lumped in with the "rent-a-wrecks" from other leasors. The second unit appears to be an ex-QNS&L SD40 from the HLEX (Helm Leasing) fleet. This unit fits the power-by-the-hour short-term lease model. The last unit isn't clear enough to identify for sure, but it's most likely an ex-BNSF SD40 now in the Helm lease fleet. As I said this isn't definate and this may in fact be an actual BNSF unit with a run-through power agreement like the UP units. [ 07. February 2005, 21:25: Message edited by: BrianS ]
On a related note, I'd like to add how frustrating I find it to be trackside on CSX. As demonstrated in the post anything can show up at anytime which has led to more than one spoiled photo opprotunity for me. I do wish for the days when you could consistantly photography CSX equipment on its home road. I spent this past weekend trackside on CSX in northwest Ohio and was constantly screwed over with lease and run-through power. If anyone knows where I can photography CSX on CSX I'd sure like to know!
CSX even shows up running North& Southbound here in Guthrie, OK. Often in a lashup with NS. Sometimes see them headed eastbound to Cherokee yard coming through Perry, OK
