The Gulfport (MS) Branch has been assigned two recently re-painted Belles. Today's northbound train lost power in Saucier, MS about 1/2 mile from my house, so I took the opportunity to get photos of our Belles. The crew is awaiting a mechanic to come up from Gulfport about 20 miles south. In the meantime they are getting kinda warm in the 90 degree heat.
I doubt if 2911 has an A/C unit. She was originally a CN unit, new in '74. I don't believe Canadians thought they needed such luxury features with so few hot summer days. :tb-wink: Then again I was in Montreal when the temp was 93F in early June, and I was HOT! :tb-hissyfit:
Wow. Look at that clean and beautifully dressed ballast. Is this part of the work mentioned a while back? Boxcab E50
Nope, what you see is the "before" condition, the "after" has yet to happen. Though when you watch a long string of loaded Titanium Dioxide hoppers and Chlorine tankers rocking back and forth at only 10mph, you quickly understand the need for the speed restriction, and the upgrade...also wonder why the heck you parked so close to the tracks for photos. :tb-ooh: