Milepost 21 is nearly the end of track in the United States for the Northgate branch. About a 1/4 mile north is the "Boundary Line":
Knowing how back fifty years ago, some branch lines were beaten apart by the SD7/9 engines, I keep wondering how well they are withstanding SD40-2 power.
Driving up to the Armadillo Ranch yesterday I paced a stack train with an old Santa Fe warbonnet on it. Bad sun angle but the best I could do.
And SD60Ms! And modern GE 6-axles! The entire Niobe Sub and the portion of the Crosby Sub from Berthold to Niobe is all 115# CWR. Beyond Biobe to Crosby ont he Crosby Sub, 6-axles are not allowed, per the 2007 BNSF Montana Div TT. The branch receives shuttle loaded grain trains from Ceres Ag just past the border in SK, and said unit grainers looks like every other earthworm train on BNSF.
As part of cleaning out my late mother's home, I'm scanning the family 35mm slides. From 1966 is this shot as taken by my Dad of a little tourist train that once ran through the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Ft. Lauderdale from around 1965 to the mid80s. I was young and my memory is hazy, but I seem to recall that the train ride was across the road from the beach. All this for just fifty cents!
My heart is always light when the SDs are in town. It amazes me that swapping electronics keeps these guys up to date enough to keep running.
When I follow your link I'm asked to login. Seems I have to register at Railwire, before they show me the pictures. Will try it. Thanks.
