Commentary on a Warbonnet

Check out the graffiti written just behind the cab on this BNSF, ex Santa Fe 662 as it basks in the sun passing through Vancouver, Wa. in Sept. 2005, still relatively unfaded.

Off the bridge

One of the common methods of moving power from Barstow, where BNSF has a major shop, to the Pacific Northwest, is to add units to the BARPAS or BARVAW.  These trains from 2005 show the type of power BNSF was using at the time including GP7s, SD40-2s, GP10s and MRL SD40-2s. 

Train of many colors

With Mt. Hood as a background, eastbound multi-colored Union Pacific train with a CEFX SD9043MAC, a standard Union Pacific AC4400 and a renumbered Southern Pacific AC4400 passes under the rock wall near The Dalles in May of 2005. This CP Rail grain empties is also passing under the Columbia Gorge Discover Center, location of Gorge Rail each year.

CEFX on the BNSF

In May 2005, Union Pacific was running so heavy on trains and track work that it sent several empties on BNSF over the Fallbridge Sub.  Headed by the commonly used at the time CEFX SD9043MACs this detour was captured at Wishram with the Celilo Bridge in the background. Behind the two CEFX units were additional CP Rail units.

Eastbound intermodal

Eastbound BNSF intermodal splits the signals at Maryhill siding in May 2006.

Near Curtin

On May 5, 2006, northbound Central Oregon & Pacific train using Union Pacific power passes one of the last remaining sets of semaphore signals on the CORP near Curtin, Ore.

Known as cadillacs

In 2002, BNSF still used many of its SD9 as yard goats.  Photographed in Vancouver, the 6221 was enroute either to Eastern Washington or to Interbay for servicing.

Something so majestic

A photo trip up the Columbia Gorge seems to always include a photo with Mt. Hood in the background, especially when clouds and haze obscured it most of the day.  There is just something so majestic, so grand, that the mountain begs to be include.  LVWSPO eastbound at Rowland Lake about 7:30 a.m. July 22.

The glint of steel

Grain loads roll westbound through Cooks June 22 about noon.  As each car passed, the turning wheels caught just a small glint of sun, making the cars look like each had a small light attached.

Before & after

I started going to Vancouver, Wash. depot in the early 1990s.  Port of Vancouver had two of these GE 45-ton units stored in a shed next to Fruit Valley Road.  When Vancouver Plywood was demolished, the two were put back into service and one unit, I believe the 613, was sold to a place in Oklahoma.  The 614 by Great Western Malting until about 2-3 years ago.  It was parked for a time, retired and sold by the Port of Vancouver, purchased by Great Western, repainted and modified to allow remote control and now operates as shown below.

Sunset at Commerce

Sunset at Commerce, Calif. Photo was taken at the passenger station directly across from the BNSF engine facility in May 2006.

Near Daggett

Westbound intermodal nears the signal bridge at Daggett, CA in May 2006 into the gleams of a setting sun. Dagget is where the Union Pacific joins BNSF for entry into Barstow and down Cajon Pass.

SD9 with wig wag

Going through old photos recently I came across this shot from probably 1992.  At first I thought the wig wag was in Banks, but after checking my records, I now think this was from McMinnville.  Did Mac have wig wags? 

Whole new meaning

Maybe there's a whole new meaning to the term garbage train (note refuse stacked on nose of switcher.).  Photo taken at Vancouver, Wa. in 2003.

Near Lyle

Westbound grain loads pass the bridge at Lyle, Wa. in 2006 under a somewhat overcast sky with just a peek of sun.

Like models

 BNSF westbound intermodal nears the vehicle overpass in Lyle, Wa. in April 2006 while grain cars in storage sit on the yard tracks.

BNSF detour

BNSF was running detours, two trains each direction each day, over the Union Pacific's Cascade route on Sept. 19, 2000, when these Super Chief warbonnet units crossed Salt Creek trestle.

And so it ends

Last photo of the my 11-day trip in mid-May trip shows a Belt Railway of Chicago 3G21B switcher resting in a yard near a grain elevator near the Whiting, Indiana, industrial area. 

NS local in Indiana Harbor

Norfolk Southern GP50 high nose and a GP60 act as local switching power near Burns Harbor, Indiana. This area contains many steel mills with a rich American heritage.

Hot rail, main 2

Southbound Cascades AMTK501 with unit 468 as power on the north end of the train cruises into Vancouver Amtrak station July 11 on main 2 while a work crew prepares to move machinery after inserting ties on main 1.

Fuel tower near Michigan City

Over the CSX main running between Chicago and Grand Rapids, MI, in the town of Michigan City, Indiana, this old coaling tower still stands.

CN at Schoolcraft



Canadian National runs on the old Grand Trunk Western route from Chicago up through Schoolcraft, MI, through Durand and back down into Detroit.  This eastbound featured an Illinois Central SD70 narrow nose unit.



Soo near Goshen



Two SOO SD60s wait south of Elkhart for track work to be finished so they can continue pulling Canadian Pacific train east toward Detroit on the Norfolk Southern line.



Coaster

NCTD3002, one of San Diego's Coaster units, was attached as the last unit on a cut on cars in the Vancouver, WA, B Yard July 7 about 1600.

Switching Goshen

Norfolk Southern GP38-2 switches industry in Goshen, Indiana, just south of Elkhart.

CP intermodal

Canadian Pacific uses traffic rights on the Norfolk Southern main across northern Ohio to get to Detroit, MI from Chicago.  This shot was captured at Ligonier, Indiana.

Peek a boo



Norfolk Southern operates a double track main across Northern Ohio. Here, east-bound intermodal plays peek-a-boo with westbound intermodal near Ligonier, Indiana.  



NS caboose

This is the only Norfolk Southern caboose, (now mostly known as riding platforms) I've ever photographed or even seen.  This almost pure black unit was parked at the NS New Haven Yard.

Maumee & Western

Maumee & Western GP10 #16, a former Illinois Central unit, sits in the company's small yard in Definance, Ohio.

Indiana & Ohio shortline

Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the home to Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad, a RailAmerican line.  RA also operates the Indiana & Ohio shortline that sports this colorful paint scheme.

Crossing the diamond

Moving away from Fostoria to Deshler, CSX has another diamond-wye with crossing east-west & north-south lines.  Here, CSX817, an eastbound, pounds the diamonds.  There is a small park set up especially for railfans on the south side of the depot and the crossing.