Ever get so busy with projects, kids, soccer practice, working and such that you have forgotten what an underpowered general merchandise train starting out of town with an aging GP40-2 and an equally-abused SD70M sounds like? Doesn't it seem like getting in touch with an old friend? Doesn't the unburnt hydrocarbons, soot and fumes in the overworked engine's exhaust smell as good as fresh-baked bread does? Doesn't the vibration, the thundering assault on your body generated by the throbbing prime movers make you feel like heaven? If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, or haven't yet experienced it, you either A: Are not as rabid a railfan as I am, or B: Need to get out more! Amazing what 7 days of the wife being on doctor's orders for bedrest can do to make you stir-crazy... I managed to get out of the house tonight for a bit, and spent a few minutes on the west end of town near Uncle Pete's North Platte-Salt Lake City mainline in Cheyenne, WY.. Score for 10 minutes: 2 westbounds (last WB described above), and an eastbound train in heavy dynamics...
I'd love to hear, once again, the simple sound of a GP9. Switching a yard, or wound up and roaring past. The good old 567 had a sound of it's own. Or an NP Mike slogging along....... *Sigh* Long ago. Far away. Sounds like the wife is doing well! Boxcab E50
Ahhhh... when I lived in California and I wanted to clear my head, I'd go sit under the Rte 138 bridge and wait for those eastbound intermodals. Nothing like the fury of 12,000 hardworking horses reverberating from the concrete to sooth the nerves and straighten out the mind!
At the other and of the spectrum, I like to hang out and take walks along a local industrial spur, where this ratty old SW does the honors every day, faithfully (at least when I was looking )
I agree. It's been a while since I have heard the sound of overworked traction motors of a single GeeP pushing a cut of cars and it's low growl when it comes to a stop, signaling a pause of relief for the engine. Russ
The housatonic RR feeds our adiction about once a week, or so with their GP-35s or their GP-9. Seen here pausing behind the Danbury Railway Museum.
Peirce- Is that a spur track? Or the main line? A lot of weeds, so it must not see much use? Boxcab E50
William, I too have seen this gem working its spur. Unfortunately, I was working too and didn't get a chance for any photos or to watch it too long. Isn't that area great for train buffs? Eric
Peirce, I've always wanted to catch the Housatonic switching. Is it the same job every week or one of those "you never know" type deals? Where else would you be able to catch them? BTW, it's getting time for another visit to Dnabury for me once the weather get a tad warmer again! Russ
Well, I'll be- an ex-Frisco yard goat!!!!! That old red paint has come off enough to show the previous owner's paint job underneath. Wonder when it was retired & sent off to its new owner......... Thanks for the pic, William!
See, Frisco will not be defeated We modellers tend to strip paint before adding the new scheme, maybe we should just paint over the old colours, like the prototype does
Or seeing two old friends coming home even if they are on a flatcar sitting on blocks and looking like crap.
