In Search of Short Lines Day 2 part 2

Arrived Bruceton to find two of the G&W painted locos and 2 of the old KWT 
engines, Some CSXT, and a real find...A PURE L&N side dump car!!!  Not 
wishing to waste daylight, headed on to Dyersburg, TN and shot the TennKen 
at their shop as well as the GTW/CN unit that was the IC's switcher.  On to 
Blytheville, AR for the night.

Kermit

In Search of Short Lines Day 2 Part 1

Back at it bright and early to try and catch the Tennessee Southern.  After 
securing remission at Mt Pleasant and shooting some equipment around the 
shops, caught the in-bound train from Lawrenceburg with 3 ex ATSF GP-9's. 
Nice that the one honoring my birth year was on the point!!!  Headed over to 
the South Central Tennessee and wasted a couple of hours trying to find the 
train before finally throwing in the towel and headed for Dickson, TN...only 
to find the train tied down for the last 3 hours...shot the engine and 
headed west towards Bruceton and the KWT.  Shot CSXT 4 in a siding at 
Waverly, TN awaiting an opposing train.  It would be a long wait as I saw 
the eastbound about 30 miles west...

Kermit 

Speeders to East Stroudsburg and beyond!

On June 19th the Mid-Atlantic Motorcar Association ran a 'speeder' trip from Scranton to Point of Gap. In talking with one of the speeders owner, I was told there was thirty-one speeders signed up for this trip. According to the Association's description of this trip's route, it was described this way "... as we must leave by 8:00AM. We will head east on the D&L through beautiful countryside, along the river, through at least one tunnel, past many restored stations through places with names like Tobyhanna, Gouldsboro, Moscow as we head for the Delaware Water Gap. We will make a lunch stop at Stroudsburg, and have been told that the Stroudsburg Tower will be opened for us. We will make our turn at Point of Gap, and return again through the breathtaking Pennsylvania countryside traveling the route of the "Phoebe Snow". Truly a great day on the rails that awaits us!"

Photo 1: Shows some of the speeders passing through the Analomink Street grade crossing in East Stroudsburg. Here they will stop for lunch and have a 1:45 departure time for the next leg of their trip to Point of Gap where the speeders will be turned. 

Photo 2: One of the speeders showing the interior. This one had the markings of being a former CN Rail speeder.

Photo 3: Departing from East Stroudsburg, some of the speeders are seen passing beneath the I-80 overpass while others are approaching the Forge Road grade crossing.

In search of Shortlines day 1

In search of Short Lines....After attending the NS's Safety Train awareness 
training class at Oak Island,  went home, packed the vehicle, and left for 
parts unknown.  Driving I-81 south through blinding rain storms in Maryland 
and northern Virginia, the weather cleared to a beautiful day.  First stop 
was to check on the Franklin Mineral Industrial railroad...found one unit 
playing peek-a-boo at the loader and others buried deep in the compound. 
New owners discourage photography...take all the pictures you want....from 
outside the front gate. Oh well...  On to the Caney Fork & Western.  Found 
two units sunning themselves at the shops in McMinnville, TN.  Nice paint 
scheme, much different from what I had shot back in the 1980's.  Travelling 
through Tullahoma, TN found a CSX slug set, then on to the Walking Horse & 
Eastern.  Lots of stored hopper cars and this bedraggled F-unit.  Following 
the line , found a ex PRSL GP-38 at Wartrace, TN.  On to Columbia, TN for 
the night.   to be continued.

Kermit Geary, JR

MARC GP-39H-2 #70, Gaithersburg, MD

caught a photo of Marc r/n 70, not the usual locomotive expected, on a train at Gaithersburg, MD.

Choo Choo

CSX Corporation Announces Dates For Earnings Release and Second-Quarter Earnings Call

CSX Express

June 16, 2016

CSX Corporation Announces Dates For Earnings Release and Second-Quarter Earnings Call JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (June 16, 2016) – CSX Corporation (Nasdaq: CSX) will release second-quarter financial and operating results on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, after the market close. The company will host an earnings conference call from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 14, 2016 via teleconference and a live audio webcast. Those interested in participating via teleconference may dial 1-888-327-6279 (1-888-EARN-CSX) and ask for the CSX earnings call. Callers outside the U.S. dial 1-773-756-0199.  Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call. Presentation materials and access to the audio webcast will be available on the company’s website athttp://investors.csx.com. Following the earnings call, a webcast replay and an MP3 audio file will be archived on the company’s website.

Orange Juice on the Lehigh Line!

Due to Monday's derailment of CSX's Q373, a Philadelphia to Cumberland (MD) general merchandise train, in Baltimore's Howard Street Tunnel. It was reported that ten of Q373's 124 cars derailed in the tunnel. That resulted in some CSX trains being re-routed over NS's Lehigh Line. One such train was Tropicano's "Juice Train" seen here approaching the Kiceniuk Road grade crossing just west of Stanton Station around 6:12 on Tuesday. Definitely a different sight from what one normally sees traveling this line.

Still another CSX Re-route over NS's Lehigh Line

CSX’s Q034-13 is eastbound at Lehigh Line MP 68.8 in Bloomsbury (NJ) on June 15, 2016 at 8:35 AM. Motive power for this Jacksonville, FL to North Bergen, NJ intermodal was CSX 428 (AC44CW) and CSX 743 (ES44AC-H). CSX’s “Juice Train” also was re-routed over the Lehigh Line. These re-routes was the result of CSX’s Q373 derailment of thirteen cars of a 124 car Philadelphia (PA) to Cumberland (MD) freight train inside Baltimore’s (MD) Howard Street Tunnel at 5:45 AM on June 13.

NS Safety Train

was part of the consist on NS 18G as it passed through Hillsborough (NJ) at 8:47 on June 10. NS's Safety Train provides training for emergency responders in eighteen states to help communities across the NS network prepare for and safely respond to potential incidents involving rail transport of hazardous materials. These classes will be held at NS's Oak Island facility on June 14 through June 16. Seen here is NS 5642 (GP38-2), one of the three tank cars used in this educational program and one of the two boxcars that serves as a classroom for participants.

Norfolk Southern to present at Citi 2016 Industrials Conference on June 15

Norfolk Southern to present at Citi 2016 Industrials Conference on June 15

NORFOLK, Va., June 8, 2016 – Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Marta Stewart will make a presentation at the Citi 2016 Industrials Conference.

What:                  Citi 2016 Industrials Conference

When:                 Wednesday, June 15, 2 p.m. ET

Where:               Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Boston

Webcast URL:    http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/citigroup/industrials2016/84209295994.cfm

The presentation will be posted at www.norfolksouthern.com in the Investors section.

About Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Citi 2016 Industrials Conference

CSX Express

June 8, 2016

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Citi 2016 Industrials Conference JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – June 8, 2016 – Frank Lonegro, CSX Corporation (Nasdaq: CSX) executive vice president and chief financial officer, will address the Citi 2016 Industrials conference in Boston on Wednesday, June 15, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time. The webcast will be accessible through http://investors.csx.com. A replay and accompanying audio will be available following the conclusion of this event. This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company’s website athttp://investors.csx.com. About CSX and its Disclosures CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.

Invitation to Northeast Rail Scenes

NYSME will be hosting rail historian Victor Zolinsky as he comes to speak about rail operations in the Northeast. Victor will be showing slides of the New Haven, Boston and Albany, New York Central and other lines from New England. All photos were taken by Victor who started shooting photos in his youth in the 1940s. He continued his photography while actually working on the railroad.
Victor would be hired on as a towerman on the New Haven and worked his way up to trainmaster, working at Grand Central Terminal. This is the third time that Victor has come to present. 

All are astonished by the wealth of information that Victor is! Vic's encyclopedic knowledge of railroads and their operations make it quite a learning experience for all those who are in attendance. 
This event will take place at 

Rutherford Ambulance Corp second floor meeting room 

at 44 Ames Ave. Rutherford, NJ (One mile from MetLife Stadium)

This Friday June 10, 2016 Doors open at 7:30pm

As always, the event is FREE

All are welcome - Feel free to pass this on.

See our Facebook page for additional info and map

Northeast Rail Scenes from Years Past

Northeast Rail Scenes from Years Past

BR&W Steam Photo Freight and Night Photo Saturday June 25th

This Photo Freight will feature the BR&W #60, NJ’s oldest operating steam locomotive! The train will be made up of passenger equipment, freight cars & a caboose. 

The day's last scheduled train will head from Flemington to Three Bridges. We'll follow this train & be given the chance to take some very rare photos of #60 & the train.

After the train returns to Flemington we'll board for a trip to the end of in service track at Boss Road. All day the train will stop several times for photo run-bys.

An extra fee Night Photo session will be held in Ringoes. A variety of scenes will be set up featuring the #60. The night photo session tickets are limited to only 30 people.

You can choose to ride in coach for $40, Club Car for $60 or in the Caboose for $50. A Night Photo 'combo' ticket is $55 for coach, $65 for Caboose  & $75 for Club Car. 

Full information & Tickets: visit http://www.vratrips.org/brw-photo-freight-night-photo.html 

Mike O'Toole

Vratrips.org webmaster

Storytime Express & Summer Excursions

Storytime Express this Saturday!  Our first Storytime Express of 2016 will be this Saturday June 4, departing Ringoes Station at 10:45 AM! Tickets are now available - visit our website for details and tickets! This train features a magic act, singing, story-telling, and the kids get a book to take home! Geared towards our younger pre-school aged guests, this train is the perfect way to introduce them to BR&W. Share Share LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STORYTIME EXPRESS Introducing Locomotive #438  This weekend's Summer Excursions will feature locomotive #438! 438 is the first locomotive owned by BRRHT, and this will be her first full weekend of excursion service! This diesel-electric SW-9 locomotive was built by GM Electro-Motive in April 1952 and generates 1,200 horsepower. Since acquiring it, BRRHT has made several repairs and improvements to ensure the locomotive is in perfect operating condition for years to come! We need your help! Thanks to the support of our patrons and donors like you, our volunteers have been able to clear almost the entire line from Ringoes to Lambertville, and have rehabilitated over 1 mile of track! The photo above shows some of the results of our first track-work session of 2016 with our rebuilt tie-inserter. With your support we can get further faster and bring the train back to Lambertville! To learn more and donate today, visit us at www.lambertvillerail.com. By the way - this is the "before" view of that piece of railroad our volunteers just rebuilt this weekend! It's amazing what they can get done with your help! To learn more and donate today, visit us at www.lambertvillerail.com.

Polar Express Tickets 2016 On Sale

Tickets On Sale Now All Aboard" The Polar Express at the Delaware River Railroad Excursions operated by the non profit New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society.  Families have been traveling to ride this very special edition of The Polar Express from all over the world.These trips sell out fast, last year in under 15 minutes! Tickets will go on sale June 1st at midnight  ( 11:59 PM May 31st) Inspired by the run-away hit movie produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. and the award winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, this holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family take a ride on The Polar Express. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers will then be entertained by a reading of the Polar Express. Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own sleigh bell, just like in the movie, to those who BELIEVE. Experience the joy of singing songs with our roaming hobos, be amazed at our Juggling Chef and make your wishes in person to Santa himself! The Polar Express in Phillipsburg, New Jersey is sure to become an annual holiday tradition for the whole family. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join in on the magic of Christmas The Polar Express 2016 Nov. 25,26,27 Dec. 2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18 Fares Adult $39.00 Child $29.00 (ages 3 to 12) Lap Sitter $5.00 ( 2 and under- no child carriers allowed- child must sit in your lap) Our trips leave 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00PM & 8:00 PM on Sat, 2:00PM 4:00PM and 6:00PM on Sunday, 6:00PM & 8:00PM Friday! Feel free to wear your pajamas! All trips will be pulled by our historic antique diesel locomotive #1567 and consists of antique restored passenger cars from the 1950's.  POLAR EXPRESS WEB SITE

Train Show - Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters

Looking for something to do this weekend?

This is a GREAT Group of young modelers

who are building a large 40' x 60' modular railroad

Go and see the work these kids are doing.

It is our future.

Details in the LINK below-

Garden State Division

Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters spring show welcomes METCA and N. Y. Society of Model Engineers

			Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters spring show ... The Metropolitan Division of the Train Collectors Association (METCA) will also be in attendance at the Trainmasters event on both days.

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Deutsche Bank 2016 Global Industrials and Materials Summit

CSX Express

June 1, 2016

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Deutsche Bank 2016 Global Industrials and Materials Summit JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – June 1, 2016 – Frank Lonegro, CSX Corporation (Nasdaq: CSX) executive vice president and chief financial officer, will address the Deutsche Bank 2016 Global Industrials and Materials Summit in Chicago on Wednesday, June 8, at 8:40 a.m. Central time / 9:40 a.m. Eastern time. The webcast will be accessible through http://investors.csx.com. A replay and accompanying audio will be available following the conclusion of this event. This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company’s website at http://investors.csx.com. About CSX and its Disclosures CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com. CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information CSX posts on social media could be deemed to be material.