Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The most interesting common carrier frieght train in the USA.

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr.  Heading, text, photos, and captions are his. 

After seeing this train at various times and places along the Indian Harbor Belt Railroad, I was finally able to grab some decent shots of it. Leaves the Arcelor Mittal (old Inland Steel) facility in East Chicago, IN, then takes the IHB south to Gibson, heads west to Dolton IL, then leaves the IHB for NS rails up to the South Chicago, IL facility.  The frequency is two round-trips every 24 hours, seven days a week.  Number of bottle cars can vary from one to as many as six. (at least that was based on personal observations).  This train is literally the HOTTEST train on the system.  Speed limit is 10 MPH for loaded trains, 15 MPH for empty trains...and they do not stop for anything!

By far, this has to be the most interesting regularly scheduled, common carrier, freight train plying the nations rail system today. 


NS 7131's Steel Train at Gibson, IN

NS 7131 on the Steel Train at Gibson, IN

Arcelor Mittal 157 at Gibson, IN

Arcelor Mittal 204 at Gibson, IN