A Blue Beast at Martins Creek, PA

Pictures below are of a GP-10 locomotive spotted at Martins Creek, PA on 9/17 and 9/18 by Alpha Cement buildings. It is a former Conrail unit now owned by the ConAgra facility in Martins Creek, PA ( note the MC above the number board ). The bank of lights on the side of the cab indicate that the unit has been modified for remote R/C operations. ( Note: the Raritan Center Railway also has a GP10. )

Trainscape: Installation Art for Model Railroads

And now for something completely different. Currently on display at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts is something they call Trainscape. (Lincoln is just west of Boston, outside the I95 loop.) This is not really a model railroad, but a series of installation art works linked together by an operating O-scale train. The train is an integral part of the art, but it is "not an attempt to represent reality at a miniature scale as in traditional model railroading." The link below is for the museum web site page for this exhibit. On that web page is a link for downloading a train-cam video of the exhibit. I personally don't think the train-cam shows the exhibit very well.

http://www.decordova.org/decordova/exhibit/2007/trainscape/trainscape.html

Union Pacific High Bridge Announced ($43 million project)

The following is a news release copied from the Union Pacific RR web site:
www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/capital_investment/2007/0907_boone.shtml

Union Pacific Building $43 Million High Bridge in Boone, Iowa
New facility expected to generate strong economic development for the area

Omaha, Neb., September 07, 2007 – Today, Union Pacific announced that construction is underway on the $43 million double-track high bridge. When the 2,550-foot long and 190-foot high structure is completed, it will be one of the highest double-track railroad bridges in North America. The new bridge will improve operational efficiency in anticipation of expected growth in our customers’ businesses and increased freight volumes.

"The new Boone High Bridge is a modern-day engineering feat that will enhance our long-term ability to improve operational efficiency and customer service," said Bill Wimmer, vice president - Engineering. "This is the type of major investment in replacement infrastructure that railroads must make, but will be able to afford only if they can obtain adequate revenues."

OCCI, Inc. based in Fulton, Missouri, is the contractor that was awarded the project and Omaha-based HDR Engineering Inc., provided the engineering, drawings and obtained the necessary permits for the construction of the bridge.

Construction on the bridge began in March and is scheduled to be completed by November 2008.

This posting is thanks to info in an email from Nathan S. Clark, Jr., who included the following comment and links.

"I do not know what implications this new structure will have for thelong-term future of the historic and famous Kate Shelley bridge, nearby."

http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/railroad/Ames/kateshelley.html

http://faculty.simpson.edu/dick.tinder/www/111001HighBridge/UP7575a.jpeg
http://faculty.simpson.edu/dick.tinder/www/111001HighBridge/wholetrain.jpeg

These links have pictures of the Kate Shelley bridge, and the first one has some description of the bridge. Kate Shelley was a real Iowa railroading heroine, and you can read more about her at any of numerous web sites by doing a search on "Kate Shelley Iowa". I think you will find her story interesting.

Saturday's varied sightings...

(Train sightings on 9-8-07.)

along the Lehigh Line in Manville, NJ. Today's lineup had it all-municipal waste, shipping containers and trailers all carrying a wide array of merchandise and raw materials. I have to say that what passed by my location demonstrated the wide range of cargo America's railroads carry. In time sequence, the trains that carried that freight was as follows:

NS 24Z @ 7:40 Power unknown was holding on the siding at CP Bound Brook. Evidently 24Z was being held for a short time due to track construction.

NS 64J @ 7:58 NS 2633 (SD70M) and NS 2694 (SD70M-2) would be bringing back this train of empty municipal waste containers to Kearny, NJ from Ohio for refills.

CSX Q300 @ 8:28 had CSX 8456 (SD40-2) and CSX 9048 (C44-9W) for motive power. After finishing work in Manville yard, it took the passing siding to wait for NS 21M to pass.

NS 21M @ 8:35 would have NS 7503 (ES40DC), NS 8813 (C40-9) and NS 9951 (C40-9W) in charge of a train whose length "... was just under 7,000 feet."

CSX Q707 (Oak Island, NJ to Philadelphia, PA) @ 9:10 was a relatively short trash train powered by NYC 4448 (GP40-2, ex-CR 3391) and CSX 8072 (SD40-2, ex-L&N 8072).

NS 24V @ 9:50 an intermodal whose power consist would be two C40-9Ws, NS 9393 and NS 9143. For the modelers reading this, two roster shots are included for reference purposes.

NS 213 @ 10:35 after a short delay in the track construction area, 213 was on the move west with NS 9105 (C40-9W) and NS 6642 (SD60) in charge.

CP Rail to acquire DM&E Railroad

(Received the following via email)

"The 'gravitational pull' of Wyoming (Powder River Basin) coal was evidently just too great, and it even reached across the northern border and 'pulled in' another big one. On one hand, this would mean that the DM&E will never expand to become the 'next Class I'. On the other, it will likely result in a new avenue deep into the Northeast for PRB coal via a single rail carrier (if the proposed DM&E coal extension is still built/upgraded). This will also probably bode well for the former D&H routes."---Nathan S. Clark, Jr.

From: CPR Communications
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:30 AM
Subject: Special Edition: Canadian Pacific announces agreement to acquire DM&E Railroad, Tuesday, September 04, 2007

This a very exciting time: CP has just announced an agreement to acquire the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern, the largest regional railroad in the United States for US$1.48 billion.

On many occasions over the past several years, you have heard me comment about our ability and our intent to grow our franchise. Through the implementation of our strategy, we have consistently delivered on our operating and financial commitments. We have become a high performance organization and we are positioned to grow.

Today's announcement and the recently announced Alberta Industrial Heartland strategy both signal the evolution of our company from a high performance organization to a high performance growth-oriented organization. We are growing to expand the reach of our franchise. But we are only able to make these significant moves because of our proven ability to deliver on our financial commitments.

click the link below for the full story

http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/Media/News/General/2007/CP+announces+agreement+to+acquire+DM+and+E+Railroad.htm

Fred Green, President and CEO

Dedication Ceremony to be Held at Former CNJ Terminal

(Received the following via email, original source unknown.)

" Dedication ceremony of a monument to all employees of Central Railroad of New Jersey will be held on Thursday, September 20th at 11:00 am. The ceremony will take place on the main concourse of the former CNJ station in Jersey City, now Liberty State Park. The monument is mounted between tracks# 10 and 11.

Please note that as this event is open to the public, the primary purpose is to offer recognition to all former employees who attend; therefore, preferred seating will be held for these employees."
For a little bit more information, follow this link:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,1465428

What was cooking...

(Train sightings on 9/3/07)

on this Labor day morning along the Lehigh Line in Manville, NJ? I would say quite a variety of activity in a relatively short span of time. In sequence by time, the trains observed were as follows:

8:45 CSX Q300: would have CSX 167 (AC44CW) and CSX 9018 (C44-9W) on this very long train (estimated 143 cars and 550 axles).

8:58 CP 38T: this was the pleasant surprise of my morning! Power would consist of four SD40-2s, CP 5727, CP 6045, CP 5709 and CP 6055. It would hold for Q300 at Port Readingh Jct before proceeding east on the Lehigh Line.


9:15 NS 212: Two C40-9Ws, NS 9965 and NS 9936, provided the motive power for a train consisting of all autoracks and one COFC.

9:24 MA1: would head out of Manville yard with CSX 6071 (GP40-2, ex-B&O 4172) in charge of two boxcars. MA1 would then hold for two eastbound NS intermodals at CP Bound Brook.

9:33 NS 20?: would have NS 2747 (SD70M-2) and NS 7555 (ES40DC) for power.

9:40 NS 24Z: or could it have been 24V since it was tough to decipher over the scanner? Power was NS 7592 (ES40DC) and NS 9897 (C40-9W).

A good way to start this Labor Day weekend...

(Train sightings on 9/1/07)

was to take advantage of the nice weather and head trackside near Manville (NJ). Didn't know what to expect since Lehigh Line construction in Bound Brook might limit what trains would be seen. In time sequence, the trains observed were as follows:

8:30 NS 21M: would have NS 9341 (C40-9W), NS 8666 (C39-8E) and NS 6780 (SD60M, ex-CR 5530) for motive power.

9:30 NS M8G: would take the passing siding to go around around NS 11J. M8G's power consisted of NS 9849 (C40-9W) and PRR 6777 (SD60M, ex-CR 5526). Once M8G cleared, NS 11J then proceeded west. NS 9366 (C40-9W) and NS 2550 SD70) would be in charge of seventy-three autoracks.

9:45 CSX Q300: with its work complete in Manville yard, CSX 7624 (C40-8) and CSX 8743 (SD60I, ex-CR 5630) would take its train of mixed freight east.


10:00 CSX Q418: would follow shortly behind Q300. CSX 7794 (C40-8W) ande CSX 5395 (ES44DC) would be in charge of this train of mixed freight.


Hope that the start of your holiday weekend was just as enjoyable...

The Camden & Amboy Railroad Symposium

Received the following information via email.

Want to make you aware of the initial announcement concerning the C&A RHG-sponsored symposium on November 10 in Bordentown. Noted rail historians Bill Withuhn (Smithsonian), Chris Baer (Hagley), Kurt Bell (RRMofPa), as well as several well-known local rail historians, will be making presentations. See attached flyer for preliminary details.
(Note: As per flyer, you must contact us to get the registration form, which will be sent to you via "E" mail!)

The Camden & Amboy Railroad Symposium
Saturday, November 10th, 2007
Bordentown, New Jersey

Presented by the Camden & Amboy Railroad Historical Group

PLAN TO ATTEND A DAY-LONG SYMPOSIUM TO BE HELD IN
COMMEMORATION OF THE 175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST
RUN OF THE JOHN BULL LOCOMOTIVE

Presentations will include discussions on the following topics:
! the railroad’s construction and early operations
! the role of the Stevens family in the technological development of
railroads in New Jersey
! the history of the “John Bull”- the world’s oldest operational
railroad locomotive
! the creation of the “Joint Company” and the maintenance of their
monopoly
! the relationship of the railroad to the Delaware & Raritan Canal
and the City of Bordentown
! a commemorative ceremony, linking past to present, is also planned

FARE:
$15.00 C&ARHG MEMBERS/$30.00 NON-MEMBERS*
( Fare includes registration fee and luncheon )
*Includes one year membership in the C&A Railroad Historical Group

For more information or to request a registration form contact Mark Liss,
Symposium Coordinator at (609) 443-4000 ext.210 (daytime) or
(215) 757-6631(evenings) or via e-mail at mbliss2@verizon.net

The C&A Railroad Historical Group is a non-profit educational organization and a chapter of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society (PRRT&HS).

Big Little Railroad Shop at the ball park

Monday evening, 8/27/07, was Thomas the Tank Engine night at the Somerset Patriots game against the Long Island Ducks; and the Big little Railroad Shop had a table there where we were running Thomas the Tank engine in O scale. We also had a large display board from Operation Lifesaver - always eXpect a train.

The Black River and Western Historic Trust was also at the game with a table telling all about their organization and railroad.

The pictures below show the scoreboard at the 7th inning stretch and our table.

By the way, the Patriots lost 3 - 2 in 12 innings.

Fly the Flag on 9/11

Received the following via email. It isn't about trains or model railroading, but we thought it important enough to post. Please feel free to copy it into your own email and pass it along.

Please join us in this FLY THE FLAG campaign and PLEASE forward this email immediately to everyone in your address book asking them to also forward it. We have a little less than two weeks and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America. If you forward this email to least 11 people and each of those people do the same...you get the idea.

THE PROGRAM IS THIS:

On Tuesday, September 11th, 2007, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this anniversary of our country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

Action Plan: So, here's what we need you to do...

(1) Forward this email to everyone you know (at least 11 people). Please don't be the one to break this chain. Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.

(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11.

Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation.
God Bless You and God Bless America

Orlando's Disney World monorail system...

on a recent trip to Orlando, Florida's Disney World, I didn't forget to pack my railfanning interest in the suitcase for this trip. One of the most interesting aspects to moving people around the park's Epcot and Magic Kingdom resorts in a efficent manner would be Disney's monorail system. This 13.6 mile monorail system will carry over 150,000 guests to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot parks on an average day. At Epcot's World Showcase German pavilion, there is also a well designed and attractive garden layout that can be seen.


The current model of monorail began operation in 1990, with the full fleet of 12 in service by early 1991. The Mark VI has a higher passenger capacity as well as improved air conditioning, door systems and improved safety features. Each Mark VI train consists of six cars. The overall length is 203 feet with a capacity of 365 passengers. A quick glance at some of the cars initially lead this causal observer to believe that some cars were vandalized with grafitti! I later saw that these are Disney-themed designs on these cars.

The track consists of 26 inch wide, pre-cast concrete beams supported by concrete columns which are approximately 50 feet apart. Each monorail travels on rubber tires and is powered by a 600 volt DC propulsion system which includes eight DC motors rated at 112 HP each, with the power emanating from each side of the beam. The track's construction gives passengers a very smooth ride that also makes them feel as if they are gliding in air along the elevated track

Texting and Trains Don’t Mix

Following article is from the Cincinnati Enquirer for Monday, 8/20/07.

Text-messager hit by train

ELMWOOD PLACE -- A man walking across the Township Avenue railroad crossing was struck and thrown 50 feet by a Norfolk Southern train this morning.

A witness, Mike Billups, of Deer Park said the man was text-messaging on his cell phone at the crossing just before the accident, which occurred about 10 a.m.

Billups said the man waited for a southbound CSX train to pass. After it cleared the crossing, the man walked forward and was struck by a northbound train.

The man may have been distracted and unaware that a second train was coming in the other direction, Billups said.

Col. William Peskin of the Elmwood Place Police Department said he also had heard that the man was text-messaging and possibly distracted. The crossing is maintained by Norfolk Southern and had all gates and lights in working order.

The unidentified man, who is in his 20s, was taken to University Hospital by St. Bernard rescue. Elmwood Place Mayor Richard Ellison, who went to the scene, said the man appeared “a little roughed up” with a nose bleed, bump on the head and some scratches but appears as if he will be OK.

Ellison received a call about the man being hit by a train and immediately went to the area.

“There were five witnesses. I talked to three of them myself,” Ellison said.

The witnesses told the mayor they saw the man wait in front of the double gate for a southbound train to pass before crossing the tracks while text messaging on his cell phone. That’s when he was hit by the northbound train.

“The horn was blowing like mad and the kid was text messaging,” Ellison said. “The kid apparently was just daydreaming.

Added Ellison: “The only way the train could have missed him was if it could make a turn.”

The railroad crossing has had “practically no” incidents in the past, Ellison said.


Additional information from the Associated Press.

Aug 20, 11:47 PM EDT

Zachariah Smith, 18, waited around 10 a.m. for a southbound train operated by Jacksonville, Fla.-based CSX Corp. to pass. He then walked around a gate and onto the tracks, apparently unaware that a Norfolk Southern Corp. train was coming from the other direction, said witness Mike Billups.

"The horn was blowing like mad and the kid was text messaging," said Mayor Richard Ellison, who went to the scene and talked to several witnesses after hearing of the accident. "The kid apparently was just daydreaming."

Smith was knocked out by the collision, Billups said.

After regaining consciousness, Smith was taken by paramedics to nearby University Hospital in Cincinnati with undisclosed injuries. He was listed in serious condition Monday night.

It was not clear how fast the train was traveling.

Gates and lights at the crossing, which is maintained by Norfolk, Va.-based Norfolk Southern, were in working order, said Elmwood Place police Col. William Peskin.

Saturday sightings...

(Train sightings on 8/18/07.)

were certainly sparse along the Lehigh Line near Manville (NJ) on this Saturday morning. Four trains, three NS and one CSX, was all that was seen during my time track side. Those trains were:

NS 11J @ 8:20- would have NS 9883 (C40-9W) and NS 2659 (SD70M-2) for power to bring ninety-six auto racks west.

MA-1 @ 9:16- headed east out of Manville yard with thirteen coil cars behind PRR 3048 (GP40-2, ex-CR 3364) and CSX 6109. PRR 3048 certainly looked like it had seen better days of service! Another interesting sight was the appearance of a CR CoilShield car mixed in amongst the CSX Coil cars.

CSX Q300 @ 10:05- would take its ninety-one cars of mixed freight east after finishing work at the Manville yard. Motive power would be two C40-8Ws, CSX 7888 and CSX 7780.

NS 212 @ 10:35- looked more like NS 18N with all of those auto racks! NS 9404 (C40-9W), NS 2532 (SD70) and NS 8311 (C40-8) would comprise the power consist.

Falling into the "heard about but not seen" category was NS I4V and an NS westbound power move.

Somerset 4H Trainmasters group photo

Here is a picture of the Somerset 4H trainmasters at the end of the Somerset County 4H Fair. See posting below for more information.

Somerset 4-H Trainmasters at 2007 Somerset County 4-H Fair

The Somerset 4-H Trainmasters Model Railroad Club is once again at the Somerset County 4-H Fair. The Fair runs from Wednesday, 8/15 through Friday 8/17, 2007, and it is located in North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater. The club currently has 23 members ranging in age from 10 to 16. Their display is located in the pavalion at the rear of all the tents, between the cows and goats. Come see the great modeling work of the members and watch the trains run. If you are interested in joining, or you know someone who might be interested, please ask the folks at the display. You can also visit the club web site at: http://home1.gte.net/vzeo5q9u/

Before going to cut the grass...

(Train sightings on 8-11-07)

decided that this would be a good morning to spend some time trackside in Manville, NJ. After the previous week's roller coaster ride of varying weather conditions, it was time for me to take advantage Saturday's enjoyable weather. As for the trains that passed by my vantage point, they were:

8:12 NS 212-had a quartet of GP60s for power, NS 7135, NS 7146, NS 7123 and NS 7141. Considering the inordinate amount of autoracks to be seen, this train could have easily been mistaken for NS 18N.

8:30 MA1-would have NS 5620 (GP38-2) taking ten CSX coil cars east.


9:30 NS 11J-NS 9297 (C40-9W) and NS 8821 (C40-9) had thirty-seven autoracks in tow as it headed west past my vantage point.

9:41-CSX Q300-was finally given permission by the dispatcher to proceed east along the Lehigh Line. Today's train had a number of garbage container flats in its consist of eighty-five cars that it reminded me of CSX's K206. Motive power would be CSX 8752 (SD60I, ex-CR 5647) and BNSF 1097 (C44-9W).


Hope that your morning was just as enjoyable!

Erie E8 at Port Jervis

Pictures below are of the recently repainted Erie E8A on the turntable at Port Jervis, NY taken on 7-29-07. (See also posting below about this locomotive.) The E8A belongs to Jimmy Wilson, New York and Greenwood Lake RR. It was repainted at Ringoes, NJ and towed to Port Jervis by NS. New York and Greenwood Lake RR plan to put up an enclosure at the turntable area in Port Jervis which would encompass the E8A, the Alco(?), the GP9m(?) and two pieces of Private Varnish that have been refurbished and become a tourist attraction. They also plan to do passenger car restoration at this location.

Restored Erie E8 #833 to be Displayed in Port Jervis

(Gathered the following information from emails and the web.)

The recently restored Erie E8 #833 along with other former Erie RR equipment will be on display in Port Jervis, NY this weekend, 8/28 and 8/29, as part of the Port Jervis Centennial Celebration. It will probably be located somewhere in the vicinity of the train station.

The 833 was restored in Ringoes, NJ by Star Trak, Inc., and will be moved to Port Jervis some time this week. It must be inspected by NS first, and then it will be picked up from the Black River & Western RR at their interchange with NS in Three Bridges. From there to Port Jervis, but I don't know the route. Hopefully not by way of Conway yard.

From an email by Jim Wilson last week:

"The 833 is supposed to move out this Sunday to the familiar territory of Port Jervis.

1267, 935, the Chestnut Hill and Pride of the Delaware will all be moving east out of Lackawaxen to PO sometime next week.

The Erie RR celebrated PO's 50th anniversary by displaying it's modern equipment, well, 50 yrs later it's back (see Erie RR mag Oct., 1957) .

You're all invited to dejavu all over again next weekend in PO. The EL dining car society will be hosting open house on NYGL equipment on Sat and Sun, July 28 & 29th with a store & refreshments set up on one of the cars."

Here are some pictures and text from Star Trak, Inc.'s web site.

"Star Trak has recently completed a full exterior restoration of Erie E8 #833. This included the removal of exterior fiberglass panels, repair of structural members, rust mitigation, re-assembly, sheet metal and body surface preparation, and paint. This unit is truly unique in that it was the last E8 built for the Erie Railroad as well as the last known surviving unit of it's kind assigned to the Erie."

To see more pictures of the restored #833, follow this link:

http://www.startrakinc.com/833A/Default.htm

To see pictures of the progress of the restoration work, follow this link:

http://www.startrakinc.com/833A/workinprogress.htm

Finally, to visit the home page for Star Trak, Inc., follow this link:

http://www.startrakinc.com/

Bad News about the PRR K-4s project

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

It's probably apropos that this news would come on Friday the 13th: the K4s#1361 restoration project is reportedly dead.

According to a very reliable source, as of next Friday (July 20) the project is shut down and all paid people will be laid off. Two factors have been mentioned: 1) Funding has been cut off and bills have not been paid, and 2) According to an engineering report, the firebox doesn't and *never did*conform to specifications (!). In a way, is that testament to how well these engines were maintained over their long lives...and maybe how 'forgiving' the specs. may have been? Who would have suspected she and her sisters had had a 'congenital defect', as she sat triumphantly up on The Curve all those decades, after all those millions of miles of service?Reportedly, the parts will be placed in secure storage. There is now an almost-new tender, nearly complete, with no engine to pull it...

Awful glad I made the effort to go and photograph her when she actually ran!!!!

PRR 1361 arriving Bellefonte, PA 10-25-1987

PRR 1361 at Gladfelters, PA 8-27-1988

PRR 1361 highballing through Julian, PA 10-25-1987

PRR 1361 street-running in York, PA 8-27-1988

A different kind of day trackside...

(Train sightings on 7-14-07)

In that this Saturday was devoted to being a tour guide for my friend from Virginia. I first met Bill back in April, 2005 at Stanton Station (NJ) while we awaited the arrival of RB&BB’s circus train. During this wait, our conversation focused on the Lehigh Line. I offered him an invitation that if he our schedules coincided, I would serve as a guide to some of the significant locations along this stretch of track.

Two years and two months later, we were able to get together for a day of rail fanning. The first train spotted was an eastbound NS intermodal, symbol unknown, at West Portal around 8 AM. NS 19G (Oak Island, NJ to Pittsburgh, PA) was holding the siding at CP 67 until this train passed and would then be on its way west. A little while later at Pattenburg, another NS eastbound intermodal loaded with COFCs was seen, possibly 24V.

After talking about the tunnel’s history, we drove over to Lansdowne Junction. I showed him what remained of the LVRR's roadbed to Pittstown and explained about the history associated with that spur. The sound of NS 18G (Pittsburgh, PA to Oak Island, NJ) approaching would be reason enough to momentarily halt our conversation and watch it pass by. Motive power was PRR 8378 (C40-8W, ex-CR 6159) and NS 9882 (C40-9W) bringing this load of mixed freight east.

Next stop would be Three Bridges to see if NS was running any trains through here. The signal at MP 48 was green over red but no NS trains would be seen. Black River & Western was busy though, switching cars for NS H76’s Sunday pickup and we went over there to watch them work. For both of us, seeing BR&W 8159 (SW1200, ex-CP 8159) still wearing the CP paint scheme was a nice surprise.

The final stop of the day would be Manville. CSX Q300 (Philadelphia, PA to Oak Island, NJ), led by CSX 7533 (C40-8) and an unidentified second unit, would finish working Manville yard and head east with fifty-eight cars at 12:35. A little while later, CSX Q438 (Hamlet, NC to Selkirk, NY), with CSX 5335 (ES44AC) leading a second unidentified diesel and seventy-five cars of mixed freight would head east.

While there were lulls seeing trains, there never was a lull when it came to talking about them. Bill would reminiscence about trips on Amtrak, his favorite railroads such as the D&H, Bangor & Aroostook and CSX. I would counter with my historical knowledge of the Lehigh Line, trips to Shenandoah Jct. and Kingman (AZ). As you can imagine our conversation covered a variety of railroading, non-railroading topics and geography.

Could not have asked for any better weather than what we had on this Saturday. Seeing at least one train at each stop was a bonus. At day’s end, this all added up to an enjoyable day to be trackside. Hope your day was just as nice.

Ssssssafety Alert - July 2007

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. These are his photos.

Hi All: It is never too early ...or late to offer a bit of rail safety advice! ALWAYS LOOK AT THE RAIL BEFORE WORKING AROUND IT WHEN TESTING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN !!!!!Found this friendly critter along the Delaware River today...testing the Central New York's line from Lordsville, NY to Susquehanna, PA. Should finish off tomorrow in Binghamton and then head North to Syracuse, NY...From there onwards to the RBMN!

Kermit Geary, Jr.
SRS 813

Additional email comments from Nathan S. Clark, Jr.

Well, it sometimes CAN be too late to offer the advice, like when you're telling it to some poor bloke who is staring down at the two blood-red pinholes in his hand!

Nice, healthy timber rattler specimen. Armed and dangerous. I'd guess a female, based on size. Just trying to get warm in the morning. She(?) will soon be off to look for rodents. You leave it alone and it will leave you alone, etc.

When changing out rail, track crews in snake country do a 'snake patrol' first, so no one goes to the hospital. Copperheads, unfortunately, are more inclined to stay put, and also blend in with rusty rail bases better.

Thanks for sharing these shots from along the former Erie RR. GREAT photos of a very beautiful creature, Kermit.---NSC

BLRRS Customer and Sons Make the Front Page

Big Little Railroad Shop customer Steve Jones took his sons to Altoona RailFest on July 7th and the wound up on the front page of The Altoona Mirror (picture below). The highlight of RailFest was a passenger train excursion around Horseshoe Curve. You can read the newspaper story that accompanied the photo at the following link:

http://www.altoonamirror.com/articles.asp?articleID=13349

Photo and caption from The Altoona Mirror.

Donald (bottom left) and Corey Jones of New Jersey try on Gary Clare’s (right) conductor hat. Jordan (second from right) and his father, Steve, traveled with the family from New Jersey for RailFest and the excursion around the Horseshoe Curve.

To view more photos, visit cu.altoonamirror.com and click on the We CU tab.

(Mirror photo by Jason Sipes)

A smattering of Saturday's sightings...

(Train sightings on 7/7/07)

along the Lehigh Line at Manville (NJ)...

7:05- NS Intermodal, unknown symbol, had NS 9643 (C40-9W) and NS 2729 (SD70M-2) as its power. NS 64R was holding on the passing siding at CP Bound Brook before getting its orders to proceed down the Port Reading Secondary at 7:34.

7:45- NS 11J's power consist of NS 7640 (ES40DC) and NS 9793 (C40-9W) would have fifty-four autoracks in tow.

8:00- NS 21M's power consisted of NS 9786 (C40-9W), NS 2670 (SD70M-2) and NS 9907 (C40-9W).

8:25- MA-1 would have two GP38-2s, NS 5615 (ex-SOU 2828) and NS 5620 (ex-SOU 2871), bringing seven coil cars east.


8:45- NS 24V power's would be NS 9812 (C40-9W) and NS 7609 (ES40DC).

9:35- NS, unknown symbol, would have NS 7511 (ES40DC) and NS 9237 (C40-9W) bringing three empty autoracks east.

10:03- CSX Q300 finished working the Manville yard and would head east on the passing siding and hold CP Bound Brook to wait on a westbound NS train. The first ten cars were garbage container cars (PU!) followed by sixty-six cars of mixed freight. Motive power was CSX 4745 (SD70MAC) and CSX 5347 (ES44DC).



All in all, not a bad day to be trackside here in New Jersey. Hope your morning was as enjoyable wherever you are...

Watching trains or baseball?

The Somerset Patriots are playing the Lancaster Barnstormers in a game at Commerce Bank ballpark on Monday (July 2nd). The Patriots would eventually win by a score of 7 to 6 in 12 innings. But wait, those fans out in right field are not watching the action on the field. Could they be watching NJT 4202 depart from the Bridgewater station on this night? You be the judge...

Jersey Central History Question

The Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) had a branch line in New Jersey from Somerville thru Three Bridges to Flemington. The section from Three Bridges to Flemington is extant and operated by the Black River & Western Railroad. The history question is:

When was the South Branch of the CNJ (Somerville - Three Bridges) abandoned?

Stop in the store and give us your answer. We would love to see you.

Five trains and one 4 legged train-watcher...

(Train sightings on 6/23/07)

In three hours trackside along the Lehigh Line in Bloomsbury (NJ) and Flemington Jct, I would see five trains and one red fox. I had hoped to catch the NS OCS but that it had gone through while I was driving out to Bloomsbury. Oh well, a person can't be in two places at once, eh? Would have been nice to see the OCS. I was told it waited at Flemington Junction around 6:30 for a westbounder. The trains were as follows:

19G @ 7:15 passing through Bloomsbury with 138 cars of mixed freight. Motive power would be NS 7565 (ES40DC) and NS 9199 (C40-9W).

212 @ 7:55 would have NS 8720 (C40-8) and NS 9126 (C40-9W).


23M @ 8:07 would leave the controlled siding at MP 67 and head west with its cargo of mostly K Line containers after 212 passed by. NS 9964 (C40-9W), NS 7138 (GP60) and NS 7141 (GP60) provided the power.

At Flemington Junction, NS 11J, with NS 7522 (ES40DC) and NS 2712 (SD70M-2), would head west with eighty-six autoracks.

24Z @ 10:20 would have two SD70M-2s, NS 2760 and NS 2766, as its power on this day.

Hope your day was just as enjoyable....

Somerville Street Fair

Photos below are from the Somerville Street Fair held on Sunday, 6/2/07. We had a small train layout set up in the street in front of the store. We also had a couple of RC tanks running in the street. The kids all had a good time.

In the last photo, note the young man's T-shirt for the Somerset County 4H Trainmasters. We support this club, and if you contact us we can tell you more about them.

Next Somerville Street Fair will be on Sunday, 10/7/07. Come on down!

New GE Evolution Locomotive

Received the following via email.

Photo of the new GE Evolution Series Hybrid at Chicago, IL
Pic taken on 6/1/07 by KC Tweed.

Norfolk Southern proposes new Louisiana-N.J. rail corridor

Received the following via email. From a Virginia news article found at the following link:
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=126138&ran=6981

Norfolk Southern proposes new Louisiana-N.J. rail corridor

By GREGORY RICHARDS, The Virginian-Pilot June 6, 2007

Norfolk Southern Corp. announced today plans for a $2 billion rail corridor to speed shipments of cargo containers between the central Southeast and the Northeast.

The project, dubbed the Crescent Corridor, involves upgrading and expanding the Norfolk-based railroad's rail network along a route stretching from Louisiana to New Jersey, purchasing new locomotives and railcars, and building new terminals in Maryland and Tennessee.

It is even more ambitious than the $309 million Heartland Corridor project that is being built to shorten train ships between the port of Hampton Roads and the Midwest.

Like the Heartland Corridor, Norfolk Southern plans to rely heavily on public dollars. The project would divert much truck traffic from highways, producing such public benefits as reduced highway congestion and vehicle emissions, Mike McClellan, Norfolk Southern's vice president of intermodal and automotive marketing, told a Wall Street conference today. Public bodies should pay for those benefits, he said.

Already, Virginia has committed $40 million for the project, which would run along Interstate 81, a main truck route, McClellan said.

If the financing comes together, construction on the Crescent Corridor would begin in 2008, with the first part being completed by 2009. he said. The project would be finished by 2013.

Is it summer yet?

(Train sightings on 5/31/07)

as being trackside along the Lehigh Line in Manville (NJ) with the three H's (heat, haze and humidity) certainly made it feel like summer on this Thursday morning. Here was the rundown of what passed by my vantage point.

NS 21M @ 7:20; had a trio of C40-9Ws for power. They were NS 9977, NS 9978 and NS 9398. NS 212 @ 8:07; had two C40-9Ws, NS 9407 and NS 9059, for power.

NS 18G @ 9:15; had NS 9954 (C40-9W) as the leader, NS 2690 (SD70M-2) and NS 3376 (SD40-2, ex-CR 6438) for power on this mixed freight.


NS 11J @ 9:22; would proceed to head west after holding on the passing siding for 18G to pass. Motive power would be NS 7620 (ES40DC) and NS 8813 (C40-9). Behind them were sixty-three autoracks.

CSX Q300 @ 9:54; After dropping off six cars at the Manville yard, Q300 would head east with CSX 7538 (C40-8), CSX 709 (SD70MAC) and CSX 5228 (ES44DC).


As to when the calendar declares summer officially arrives, that will happen on June 21st.