More FEC units

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his.
Also see our posting from yesterday.

As requested, here are some more FEC power!!

CITX 141 at Jacksonville, FL

FEC 107 at Jacksonville, FL

FEC 419 - 422- 107 - 100 at Jacksonville, FL

FEC 449 at Jacksonville, FL

FEC 710, 104, 103 at Jacksonville, FL

A Floridian Send-off

Received the following from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his.

Greetings one and all...I know it has been a while since I have bombarded your in-box with photos.!! It has been an interesting couple of weeks. Tested on the Georgia Florida Railnet, then headed to Miami and tested the Miami-Dade Transit Line (at night) and now heading north to test the Trans-Terminal Inc (TTI ) in Paris, KY. Then off to Paducah and the P&L. WHEW!!!!

Figured on making the trip out of Florida interesting by following the FEC to Jacksonville....soon found out it was no fun dealing with all the blue-hairs on US Route 1. YIKES...If I ever start driving that badly, SHOOT ME!!!!

Wound up visiting the shops at New Smyrna Beach, FL and shooting the stored units there, then headed to Jacksonville, (Bowden YD). Heard Train 101 doubling and doing air-tests, so found me a nice open area and waited. Shortly FEC 101 on train 101 came through. Sure was nice to see the new SD70-2 on the point.

Into Bowden Yd. The Railroad is friendly enough to allow photography from the paved parking lot between the engine terminal and the Yard Office. Afternoon is best for pictures and luckily that is when I was there!

PRLX 3001 at Bowden Yd, Jacksonville, FL

FEC sign at Bowden Yd, Jacksonville, FL

FEC 100 at Bowden Yd, Jacksonville, FL

FEC 101 leads train 101 south out of Jacksonville, FL

FEC 101 leads train 101 south out of Jacksonville, FL (2)

CSX U18B in MOW orange - HO scale

(picture goes here)

A Big Little Railroad Shop Exclusive

In association with Intermountain Railway Co., The Big Little Railroad Shop is proud to announce this HO scale, exclusive, extremely limited production run of CSX Transportation GE U18B locomotive 9507 in the Maintenance of Way ORANGE paint scheme.

Production is limited to just 100 total models.

MSRP is $219.95 for sound equipped and $139.95 without sound.

The model features:

• Fully assembled


• NMRA 8 pin socket


• QSI sound (sound version)


• DCC compatible


• Etched metal details


• Formed wire details


• Smooth powerful drive


• Correct sideframes

You can reserve yours by mail or phone.

The Big Little Railroad Shop
63 W. Main Street
Somerville, NJ 08876

Phone: 908-685-8892, ask for Jan

A $20.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your model.

Delivery is expected in August or September 2010.

A picture of the prototype can be found at the following web site:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1255269

NS first-quarter earnings conference call

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern to host first-quarter earnings conference call

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) will present its first-quarter 2010 earnings on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. EDT via teleconference and live Internet webcast. The company will issue its earnings results shortly after market close on April 27.

Those interested in participating via teleconference may dial 877-869-3847 several minutes prior to the call. An audio replay will be available until May 3, 2010, following the live broadcast by dialing 877-660-6853 using PIN 2861 and replay number 346845.

In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible, and presentation materials will be posted on the company's Web site at www.nscorp.com under the Investors section. Following the earnings call, an Internet replay of the presentation will be archived on the company's Web site. In addition, the replay will be available for download to a portable audio player or computer as an MP3 - or podcast - file. Both the replay and MP3 file can be found at www.nscorp.com in the Investors section.

For electronic notification of earnings events, subscribe to NSInvest, Norfolk Southern's e-mail distribution list for news releases on earnings and issues pertaining to the financial performance of Norfolk Southern Corporation. To subscribe, follow directions on our Web site under the Investors tab.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 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 and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Frank Brown 757-629-2710 fsbrown@nscorp.com
Investors Leanne Marilley 757-629-2861 leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

It has been one busy morning...

(Train sightings on 4-4-10.)

...as this westbound mixed freight makes it past BROOK Tower and the Pattenburg freight station. Some of the loggers clearing the junction go about their work while others pause to watch this train roll slowly by. On the loading dock, the manager is yelling at his co-worker to be careful as the train approaches. Even though it is Easter, work goes on. Hope that your Easter is all relaxation and enjoy this day...

An NS Saturday morning...

(Train sightings on 4-3-10.)

...because they would be the only trains I saw today while trackside. The first NS train was 214. It came through Bridgewater around 8 AM with NS 9068, NS 9620 and NS 6684 for power.



Heading over to Manville, I waited for NS 21M to head west at 8:49 with a power consist of NS 9659, NS 8419 and NS 9791. 21M would be instructed to take the siding at MP 51 for 22V and 212. At 9:35, NS 22V came through with NS 9841 and NS 8366. Stenciled beneath 8366's number of the cab's side was "CRCX". More on what this designates later. About 20 minutes later, NS 212 would come through with NS 8446, NS 8974 and NS 7599. Beneath 8974 cab's number was "PRRX" I would later learn that if a diesel has CRCX, that indicates the locomotive is a former CR unit leased by NS. PRRX means the locomotive is a former CR unit now owned by NS. As to why NS did this, I have no idea.



My final train of the morning would be NS empty autorack train 11J. It's motive power consisted of NS 9669 and NS 9029 was nothing be to whistled at.



Had a very amusing incident take place while waiting for 11J. A van pulled up alongside my location and the man on the passenger side asked me if I was a train buff or photographer. My response was "Both!" With that, he said he had something for me and getting out of the van, He handed me a button that said "I Luv RR". I thought that was very nice of them and thanked them. That button now is pinned to my camera bag. Not a bad way to end this morning, eh?

UP locomotive 2010 tribute to the Boy Scouts of America

Following is a news release from Union Pacific.



Union Pacific Railroad Unveils No. 2010 Boy Scouts of America Commemorative Locomotive

Special Locomotive Celebrates Scouting’s 100-year History

Houston, Texas, March 31, 2010 – Union Pacific Railroad today unveiled the UP No. 2010 Boy Scouts of America Locomotive, created as a tribute to the organization's centennial celebration. The UP No. 2010 honors Scouting's 100-year impact on the nation and the many Scouting enthusiasts in Union Pacific's work force and communities.

"Union Pacific and the Boy Scouts of America have played leadership roles in shaping America's history. With the UP No. 2010, we are proud to celebrate 100 years of Scouting, progress and patriotism," said Robert W. Turner, Union Pacific senior vice president-Corporate Relations.

"We are deeply honored by the tribute Union Pacific has given to Scouting through the creation of the commemorative locomotive," said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. "We also owe a great deal of gratitude to our UP employee Scouting alumni base, which has spearheaded the movement to create the UP No. 2010. Their efforts mean that for years to come, the locomotive will serve as a reminder of the impact millions of Scouts have had on this country for 100 years."

A very rare honor, Union Pacific has created only 14 commemorative locomotives in its nearly 150-year history. The Boy Scouts-themed locomotive is decorated with a series of four distinct graphics:

• The national Boy Scouts of America logo;
• The BSA's 100th Anniversary logo;
• The words "100 Years of Scouting; and,
• Ten emblems representing stages of Scouting and an 11th emblem for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree

The UP No. 2010 locomotive will celebrate the BSA's centennial as it hauls the freight that supports America across Union Pacific's 32,000-mile, 7,000-community network. Because it is one of the newest and most fuel-efficient locomotives, the UP No. 2010 likely will carry service-sensitive consists such as automotive and intermodal trains.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and provides Americans with a fuel-efficient, environmentally responsible and safe mode of freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad emphasizes excellent customer service and offers competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.

About The Boy Scouts of America

The Scouting movement is composed of 2.8 million young people between the ages of 7 and 20 and 1.1 million volunteers in more than 290 local councils throughout the United States and its territories. The Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit http://www.scouting.org/.

More information about 100 Years of Scouting can be found at www.scouting.org/100years

Media contacts:
Raquel Espinoza, 713-962-8155 or respinoza@up.com (UP)
Virginia Starr, 214-665-1330 or virginia.starr@fleishman.com (BSA)

BiCentennial GG1's are here

The O-scale, brass GG1's are in the shop. Stop in and check them out.

These exclusive run locos were described in our blog posting on Friday, February 05, 2010.

Finally got trackside after a long hiatus...

(Train sightings on 3-23-10 and 3-27-10.)

Finally got a chance to spend some time trackside after what seemed like an eternity for me in being away from them. The combination of weekend work and weather seemed to prove an effective deterrent from going there. With longer hours of daylight now and no weekend work for the time being, I was able to take advantage to see what was running along NJ Transit’s RVL and Lehigh Line within this past week. First stop was along NJT’s RVL near MP 37 on March 23rd. Train 5733 is seen heading into the Raritan yard at CP BRAD after completing its daily run.



With 5733 now clear of the main, NJT 5737 splits the signals at MP 37 after departing Raritan’s station around 6:23. Back on February 10th, which was when I last visited this location, there was almost seven inches of snow on the ground! Not the case on this fine spring day.



Saturday morning (3/27) finds CSX mixed freight 438 coming off the Trenton Line and on to CR’s Shared Assets LEHL at the waterworks grade crossing in Bridgewater. Motive power was CSX 5282 and CSX 7302 (ex-CR 6054) for this consist of mixed freight.



Next train to be seen on the LEHL was NS 212, seen here passing the Roycefield Road grade crossing. The "No Whistling" sign, seen off to the right, emphasizes to NS crews that they are now entering a “quiet zone” grade crossing. Might make a unique sign for a train layout, wouldn't it? Motive power for this train was NS 9075, NS 2551 and NS 9045. Not a bad day I must say…

20th Annual NJ Railroad & Transportation Symposium

Just received the following announcement via email.

This event is happening today!
Saturday, March 27, 2010!

20th Annual NJ Railroad & Transportation Symposium

Saturday, March 27, 2010 9 AM - 5 PM Drew University - Madison NJ

This day long public event features 16 fast moving, informative, illustrated presentations on a variety of railroad, trolley, motor coach, and railroad-maritime canal topics as well as up-dates on the statewide effort to create a home for the NJ Transportation Heritage Center. You will be able to ask questions, learn, benefit and participate....

HIGHLIGHTS

HERITAGE CENTER UPDATE: Accomplishments, current status, and future plans of our initiative in various NJ locations.

PRESERVATION & RESTORATION: See the successes of Friends, United RR Historical Society & others around the state.

EXPLORING NEW JERSEY's TRANSPORTATION HERITAGE: Presentations will cover NJ railroads, buses, trucks, canals, trolleys and ferries including planned looks at:
- Our Possible Future at Liberty State Park;
- Central RR of NJ Car Restoration of the Jersey Coast;
- Red & Tan Bus Co.;
- The Lincoln Highway in NJ;
- Rails Along the Delaware & Raritan Canal;
- Lehigh Valley RR's Pleasure Spot - Packers Island;
- Reliving the exciting life as an employee of the Central RR of NJ;
- Phillipsburg Railroad Historian's Centerville & Southwestern Railroad;
- Transporting NJ Agriculture;
- Edison 1896 -1906 Railroad films;
- and some surprises.

The day will conclude with an AUCTION of Railroad and Transport Artifacts, Publications, Memorabilia, and Model Railroad items. All proceeds go to the Heritage Center.

Attendees will receive a free packet of magazines and other printed material.

EXHIBITS, SHOW & TELL ITEMS, FREE LITERATURE: On display will be artifacts, models, brochures, handouts, literature, flyers of future events, samples of publications from your nonprofit organization, and anything else focusing on NJ transportation.

HISTORIC RAILROAD & TRANSPORTATION ENTERTAINMENT (100% NJ): Guaranteed to educate and to be enjoyable as well as rewarding, plus there will be an information packet for each attendee.

LUNCH PLUS MORNING & AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS ARE INCLUDED in your Low Registration Fee!

Sponsored by the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center.

The public is invited - bring your friends! Nearly 150 attended last year!

LOCATION: Drew University, Hall of Science Auditorium, Route 124 (Madison Ave./Main St.) Madison , just west of the town center, within a very easy walk from the NJ Transit - Madison Railroad Station. (The Hall is located at the east side of the campus - closest to the NJT station.)

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOT CANCELED IN EVENT OF BAD WEATHER!

DIRECTIONS: Drew University, Hall of Science Auditorium, Route 124 (Madison Ave./Main St.) Madison - just west of the center of town, within walking distance of the NJ Transit Madison Railroad Station. (The Hall is located at the east side of the campus - closest to the NJT station.)

Individuals needing special assistance should contact "Friends" @ (908) 464-9335 and we will notify Drew University.

Admission with Lunch for Friends members: $30.00 each at the door.
Admission with Lunch plus Friends 2010 individual membership*: $50.00 at the door.
*(Membership categories are:
- Individual $20;
- Family $25;
- Organization $50;
- Supporting $100; and
- Benefactor $500

Please make check payable to "F of NJ THC"

Toyota recognizes Norfolk Southern with logistics award

Received the following via email.

March 26, 2010

Toyota recognizes Norfolk Southern with logistics award

NORFOLK, VA. - Toyota Logistics Services has awarded Norfolk Southern Corporation the 2009 President's Award for overall logistics excellence among rail carriers, its highest award given to a logistics provider.

The award is based on overall performance in customer service, on-time performance, and quality. Norfolk Southern has received the President's Award seven times since the program began in 1996.

"Norfolk Southern is proud to have been a strong logistics partner with Toyota for more than two decades," said Richard Kiley, NS group vice president - automotive. "We remain committed to continue meeting Toyota's high standards for excellence by providing safe, damage-free, on-time service."

Norfolk Southern transported approximately one-half million Toyota vehicles in 2009, including those originating from NS-served plants in Georgetown, Ky., Lafayette, Ind., and Princeton, Ind.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 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 and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Robin Chapman, 757-629-2713 (robin.chapman@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Leanne Marilley, 757-629-2861 (leanne.marilley@nscorp.com)

South Jersey Railroad Museum @Tuckahoe ... Closed !

We just found out that the South Jersey Railroad Museum @Tuckahoe has closed for good.

From their web site:

"This closing comes after nearly 12 years of operations and interactions with the surrounding communities, as well as, most of the United States, Canada, South America and European visitors.

The simple facts are, with the economy failing all over, our visitation numbers fell to a mere 3% of the normal over the past 24 months, and dwindling memberships and associates, we struggled to meet the operation costs."

More information at their web site: http://www.sjrails.net/index.php?pr=Home_Page

F-units' March Madness!!

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

Finished the tests on the Alabama & Tennessee River and heading for the Georgia & Florida in Albany GA. With a few days between tests, Troy is heading for Louisiana...and we needed some place to stash the truck. He wanted to leave it in Montgomery, AL, I voted for Meridian, MS. I WON!!! Boy are we glad we did that!!! Just as we got into town, the KCS ran their executive train!!!! Seems like they brought the new Base Commander for the Coast Guard Base in from Shreveport, LA! Sure was nice to see the F's and the passenger train.

KCS 1 & train passes Amtrak in Meridian, MS

KCS 1 at Meridian, MS

KCS 2 preparing to depart Meridian, MS

KCS 2 westbound at Meridian, MS headed for Shreveport, LA

Norfolk Southern CEO notes positive momentum in 2009 Annual Report

Received the following via email.

March 18, 2010

Norfolk Southern CEO notes positive momentum in 2009 Annual Report message to stockholders

NORFOLK, Va. - In his message to stockholders in the 2009 Annual Report, posted online today, Norfolk Southern Corporation CEO Wick Moorman (NYSE: NSC) says the company "withstood the economic shocks of 2009 to produce good economic results, and I go into 2010 with a sense of optimism for our future prospects."

Compared to a year ago, Moorman said, "we have a much clearer picture of our own economic outlook and can act accordingly." He cited the company's strides in safety and service, along with disciplined cost control, continued investment in key projects, and aggressive pursuit of new business opportunities, as important indicators.

"Even in the face of the recession," Moorman said, "we made significant gains in each of these areas, and these same strategies will drive our continuing success in 2010 and beyond. While the short-term economic outlook remains somewhat uncertain, the longer-term prospects for Norfolk Southern and the railroad industry remain very bright.

"We go into the new year with positive momentum. Our traffic levels increased sequentially in both the third and fourth quarters of 2009, and we're confident many of the cost efficiencies we achieved in 2009 will remain in place as we see rail traffic continue to increase," Moorman said.

The annual report is available on the company's Web site at www.nscorp.com. Some 200,000 copies are distributed to stockholders, the financial community, news media, and libraries. Norfolk Southern's annual report is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes environmentally responsible printing standards. To request a copy, call 800-531-6757, e-mail annualreport@nscorp.com, or write to Norfolk Southern Corp., Corporate Communications Department, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, Va. 23510-9217.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 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 and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Rick Harris 757-629-2718 rick.harris@nscorp.com
Investors Leanne Marilley 757-629-2861 leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Trains and snow at Boundbrook, NJ

Received the following via email back in December, and it got lost in the Inbox.

Jan, I took these Sunday afternoon 12/20/09 at the BB station. IT WAS COLD! but I had to take a pic of a train with the snow flying. The engineers are warm but the cars are frozen.. lol

NS at Boundbrook, NJ on 12-20-09

NJT at Boundbrook, NJ on 12-20-09

Easter Bunny Train Rides, March 27 & 28, 2010

Received the following via email. These rides are on NJ Transit, March 27 in Morris/Passaic county and March 28 in Bergen county. See web site given below for more information.


Tickets are going fast & will sell out. Don’t delay, order now!

Tickets: $9 for children under 12 and $13 for everyone else. Online save 50 cents per ticket.

http://www.easterbunnytrain.com/

March 27th - Rt23 Transit Center, Wayne: 9:30am, 12noon & 2:30pm.

March 28th - Glen Rock Boro Hall station: 9:30 am, 12:00 & 2:30 pm.

During the 90 minute ride the Easter Bunny will visit each child and give them a special gift. Bring your camera to take a picture of your children with the bunny! Other cartoon characters will be on board too, making it a great day!

Ticket office: Volunteer Railroaders Association80 Royal Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ
(open Tuesday & Thursday from 6 - 9 pm)
(973) 238-0555, major credit cards are accepted.

PS: I realize that this event may not be on topic for this group. But many of us have families & have need for rail related activities that are fun for the rest of the family, not just the rail buff!

Mike O'Toole - Webmaster
Volunteer Railroaders Association

Circus Train Today - 3/8/10

Received the following via email. Text and pictures are by Rich Taylor.

The Ringling Bros Circus will be at IZOD Center in East Rutherford 3/10 to 3/14.
Their Circus Train arrived today, 3/8/10.
They left the dormitory cars at Croxton, and proceeded with the animal (stock) cars and flats to East Rutherford . The train used the new Meadowlands Station trackage to access the center.

The train ran past SPORT to west of Broad Street Carlstadt, then backed past PLANK onto the PB connecting track to BERRY and east. The flats were left on the tangent paralleling Paterson Plank Road by the race track. The stock cars were brought forward, crossed over from the north track to the south track at BERRY and backed to just short of the Meadowlands station.

The animals were unloaded about 3:30 per an unimpeachable source, as I had to leave.

Georgia Industrials

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

After an all to brief trip to the Sunshine State (Florida) , heading north a bit to Alabama to test the Alabama & Tennessee River RR out of Gadsden, AL. Spent the day following the NS line north out of Valdosta and found these two rock transfer yards with clean, well painted locos. Both operations were friendly and allowed total access to their units!

RMPX 8122 at Lenox, GA

DLSX 1254 (4038-17) at Lenox, GA

Reames & Son no# (5521-9) at Sparks, GA (3)

Reames & Son no# (5521-9) at Sparks, GA (4)

Orange you happy?

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

Mosaic was interesting...the locos were not. Came across the CSXT (CR) unit on a tie train in Homeland, FL and as the title infers, lots of trucks loaded with ORANGES!!!

LLPX 2274 - 2268 at Mosaic Phosphates, South Ft Meade, FL

Mosaic Phosphates

Oranges

CSXT 2497 at Homeland, FL

Mother Seton Train Show 2010

Train Show on Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Jersey Central Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will be hosting their annual Train Show on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM at Mother Seton High School in Clark NJ. Mother Seton is located on Valley Road at the Clark traffic circle, Exit 135 just off the Garden State Parkway.

For additional details see:

http://jcrhs.org/rrshow.html

Railroad fatality in Bound Brook, NJ

Following news article is from nj.com

Man is struck, killed by train in Bound Brook

By Jennifer Golson/The Star-Ledger
March 01, 2010, 4:43PM

BOUND BROOK -- Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found today on railroad tracks in Bound Brook, days after detectives believe he was accidentally struck by train, authorities said.

The body was on the east bound tracks, off Vosseller Avenue, when an employee of a nearby business notified police at about 11 a.m. today, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said.
The prosecutor’s Crime Scene Investigation and Forensics Unit responded, along with NJ Transit Police, and investigators from CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad lines and the Regional Medical Examiners Office. Detectives believe the death was accidental, Forrest said. The man’s identity is being withheld until the family is notified.

The victim is a Hispanic man, between 40 and 45 years old. He is 5-feet, 5-inches tall and about 160 pounds. He was struck by a freight or cargo train probably during the evening hours of Feb. 24, Forrest said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bound Brook police at (732) 356-0800, the prosecutor’s office at (908) 231-7100 or Crime Stoppers of Somerset County at (888) 577-TIPS (8477). Citizens can also go online to http://www.888577tips.org/ and click "Give Tips" or http://www.scpo.net/ and click "Tips Hotline."

Georgia on my mind

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

The trouble with shortlines is that the nicer painted units are always around the office or switching in the yards...the ugliest, grungiest units are out on the road freights! This was the case with the Georgia & Florida in Albany, GA...The HATX 500 is for you, Eric!!!!

The Valdosta RR was done running for the day....unit 1284 is the loco of choice when running...waiting for the G&W paint brush to arrive here also!

HATX 500 (Georgia & Florida Leasing Pride) at Camilla, GA

Valdosta RR 1284 & 8371 at Clyattville

CSXT 5355 bangs across the NS diamonds in Cordele, GA

Georgia & Florida Railway 9459 at Albany, GA

A sunny warm day in Georgia!!

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

Been railfanning during the run down to Mosaic Phosphates...the test doesn't start till Monday. Visited some shortlines and the CSX/ NS operations en-route. Stopped by the St Mary's West in Waresboro, GA...shot 2 switchers towards the sun & behind fences, but was able to snag about 20 Progress Rail hulks in storage there....they must have 200 or more stored there. Was surprised to see the KCS / ex TFM SDP-40 there. Waycross was filled with stored CSXT units...3-4 tracks full. Many B30/36-7's there, as well as two future slugs from GP-30's...one ex READING! Ended the day at the Folkson Funnel....had a train about every 20 minutes or so....busy, busy, busy!!!

At Baldwin, FL tonight, Should make it to Barstow/ Mulberry area tomorrow (Sat)

CSXT 2375 & 2376 future road slugs at Waycross, GA

CSXT 7363 southbound thru Folkston, GA Q-441 I think

KCS 3057 at Waresboro, GA

PRSX 7486 ex Savage, CSXT, CR at Waycross, GA

A break from shoveling snow...

(Train sightings on 2-26-10.)

with the third driveway of Friday morning finally cleared of six inches of wet snow here in Manville along the LEHL, it was time for a much needed break with a cup of coffee trackside. NS 11J was kicking up the snow as it passed by my vantage point headed west approaching Manville's 13th Street grade crossing. After 11J had passed, time to dig in and shovel out of this storm. Only 22 days until spring arrives officially marking the end to a very snowy winter...

NS CIO to address J. P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference

Received the following via email.

February 26, 2010

Norfolk Southern Chief Information Officer Butler to address
J. P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference

NORFOLK, VA. - Deb Butler, executive vice president planning and chief information officer for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC), will address the J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference on March 10.

J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation & Defense Conference
Wednesday, March 10, 9 a.m. EST
J.P. Morgan Conference Center
383 Madison Ave, New York City
Webcast URL: http://bit.ly/9i8xHf

Interested investors can listen via simultaneous webcast. After the webcast, the presentations will be posted at www.nscorp.com.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 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 and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Leanne Marilley, 757-629-2861 (leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Tribute Series of my Father's Photos #1

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text and captions are his. Photos are by his father, Kermit Geary, Sr.
Our condolences to Kermit Jr. and his family.

Greetings all: It has been a rough couple of weeks...My father, Kermit SR, passed away suddenly on 2/10/10. Sperry allows a 3 day "bereavement leave" after which you got to return to work. So here I am in Kentucky waiting at a coalmine for a train to be pulled to test their trackage. Then it is off to Florida and a test at Mosaic Phosphates next week.

As both a healing processes for me and and a chance to finally showcase some of my Father's work, I will be sending out some retro-photos that Dad liked...I do not have dates for these yet...they are recorded somewhere, tho. I hope you all enjoy them as much as he enjoyed taking and viewing them.

C&NW 1119 - a 4-6-0

Cleveland Transit System 4116

CN 3532 - a 2-8-2 at Vegreville

CP 3525 mounting loco tire

D&H 302 - a 4-8-4 & D&H 4017 - an RS-2

Dansville & Mt. Morris 565 taking water

It was worthwhile being trackside on Saturday morning...

(Train sightings on 2-20-10.)

Pattenburg:

NS 11J @ 8:43-would have NS 9745 and NS 8884 for one loooong train of autoracks. By my count, there were 120 autoracks. 11J would take the long siding on the tunnel's west side for 21M to pass.

NS 21M @ 9:00-had NS 9412, NS 9251 and NS 9460 as its motive power.

Three Bridges:

NS 22V @ 10:35-would have NS 9524 and NS 8339.

NS 68Q @ 11:20-had NS 9715 and NS 7671 bringing eighty tank cars of ethanol along with two buffer cars east.

NS 214 @ 11:30-this was the train I was waiting for! 214 would have UP 4009, UP 3966 and NS 9735.

Once 214 had passed, I chose not to see what BR&W's power was for shuffling cars on their tracks and decided heading for home was the best option now that I got the image I set out for.