A cornucopia of Thanksgiving week trains...

Train sightings on 11-20/23/24-10.

...and, in my opinion, none of them were considered turkeys. This random selection of sightings starts on November 20 with NS 64J taking the Royce Running track (LEHL MP 40) as it prepares to work the BRI facility in Bridgewater. Motive power was NS 9482 followed by NS 8705 and NS 9198 on this day.



NJT 4800 (ex-Amtrak 812; GE P40DC) is the leader for NJT train 5719 as it pulls into NJT's Raritan Valley Line (RVL) North Branch station on November 23 on time at 11:07. It has quite a newsworthy past. NJT 4800 served as one of the two engines on that initial southbound revenue run of ACES (Atlantic City Express Service) on February 6, 2009. On the February 12, 2010 ACES run, 4800 caught fire while running on the NEC in Falls Township (PA). The fire brought down an estimated quarter-mile of overhead catenary. This caused all train service between Wilmington DE and Trenton NJ on the NEC to be shut down for 2 hours as a result.



Next up is NS 20E, with NS 7610, NS 9970 and NS 9676, seen passing through the Main Street grade crossing in Three Bridges, NJ (LEHL; MP48) at 8:30 on November 24.



The final image is of NJT train 5725 heading west over the RVL after departing Whitehouse Station around 2:15 PM. This partial view is of 3,700 foot passing siding in Readington Township as seen from the Mountain Road overpass. Hope that these images provided a feast for your eyes and adds to your enjoyment of Thanksgiving...

Black Friday 2010 - Christmas Shopping at the Big Little Railroad Shop

Avoid the crowds at the malls by coming to the Big Little Railroad Shop in downtown Somerville on "Black Friday." We have all sorts of wonderful model railroad items from full sets to individual cars, locomotives, track, buildings, scenery supplies, etc. If you don't know exactly what to get your modeler, we have gift certificates. We also carry books, videos, and calendars. We have items in all the popular scales: G, O, HO, and N. And, if we don't have what you want in stock, we probably can order it for you.

In addition to a full line of model railroading "stuff," The Big Little Railroad Shop is now carrying plastic model kits for airplanes, ships, automobiles, and military vehicles. We also carry Ninco slot cars.

We are located at 63 West Main Street in Somerville, NJ. Phone: 908-685-8892.

Visit our web site at: http://www.biglittle.com/

For your holiday shopping convenience we are open the following hours through Christmas:

Tuesday - Wednesday 11AM - 7PM

Thursday - Friday 11AM -8PM

Saturday 11AM - 5PM

Sunday 12noon - 4PM

NS - Shipments Between Macon and Savannah Rerouted

Received the following via email on Monday, 11/22/10, from Norfolk Southern.

Shipments Between Macon and Savannah Rerouted
Some shipments normally moving on the line between Macon and Savannah, Georgia, are being rerouted due to a derailment at Midville, Georgia, and may encounter delays of 24 to 48 hours. Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact the National Customer Service Center.
Customer Service - - 800 635.5768

Customers with questions regarding local service should contact their Central Yard Operations Representative.
Central Yard Operations - - 800 898.4296

CNJ show in Dunellen

Received the following via email.

CNJ Night


Steam, Diesel, Marine, Wrecks, & Facilities

by

Frank Reilly

former CNJ official

Mon., Nov. 22, 2010

7:00pm

in the Arts Annex

corner N. Washington Ave. & Front St.

(former Elks Club building)

----- Dunellen -----

(Free parking on the streets)

It’s FREE and Everyone is Invited!!!

Sponsored by the

Dunellen Historical Society

NS CMO Seale to address Transportation and Industrials Conference

Received the following via email.

November 18, 2010

Norfolk Southern CMO Seale to address RBC Capital Markets' Transportation and Industrials Conference

NORFOLK, VA. - Donald W. Seale, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Norfolk Southern Corporation, will address the RBC Capital Markets' Transportation and Industrials Conference in Miami, Fla., at 8:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010.

Interested investors can listen via simultaneous webcast at http://www.wsw.com/webcast/rbc127/nsc/. After the webcast, the presentation will be posted at www.nscorp.com.

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

The Model Railroad Club - Holiday Show

The Model Railroad Club - Holiday Show
will be held at their headquarters at
295 Jefferson Ave., Union, NJ
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
November 26, through Dec. 12, 2010
Fridays 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturdays 10:00am to 8:00pm, Sundays 11:00am to 6:00pm

See the attached link at their web site for details and directions
http://www.tmrci.com/Show.html

NS named one of top 20 military friendly employers

Received the following via email.

November 12, 2010

Norfolk Southern named one of top 20 military friendly employers

NORFOLK, VA. -- Norfolk Southern Corporation has been named one of the nation's best employers for people with military experience.

G.I. Jobs magazine ranked Norfolk Southern among the top 20 companies in its America's Top 100 "Military Friendly Employers" list for 2011. The annual list recognizes companies that have made the greatest effort and had the greatest success in hiring military veterans, and that have the best policies for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve who are called to active duty. Norfolk Southern ranked 19th on the list. This is the sixth time Norfolk Southern has earned a spot on the list.

Norfolk Southern actively recruits people with military backgrounds for careers in railroad operations and management. During 2010, NS has recruited more than 270 veterans as new hires, 12 percent of all new employees.

"Military veterans bring valuable professional and technical skills to the workplace as well as an exceptional work ethic, leadership, experience, and a team-oriented attitude that are an excellent match for a career in the rail industry," said Cindy Earhart, NS vice president human resources.

A complete list of the Top 100 Military Friendly Employers is available on the G.I. Jobs Web site, http://www.gijobs.com/2011Top100.aspx?start=1&year=2011. To learn more about careers with Norfolk Southern, go to 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)

Holiday train display to benefit Milltown, NJ train depot

Following are excerpts from an article that appears on myCentralJersey.com. Full article can be found at: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20101104/NEWS/11040350
/Holiday+train+display+hopes+to+get+restoration+of+Milltown+depot+on+right+track

Three model-train enthusiasts are organizing a holiday train display that will take place at the Milltown Senior Citizen Center on Nov. 13-14.

The show will feature numerous operating toy-train layouts and more than 100 static displays of trains and accessories, as well as artifacts from the Raritan River Railroad. There will be several presentations, including "The Evolution of Toy Trains," "The History of the Raritan River Railroad" and "A Day in the Life of the Raritan River Railroad," as told by former engineer and fourth-generation railroader Kenneth Stockton.

The event is a fundraiser during which the Milltown Historical Society and the future Raritan River chapter of the National Railway Historical Society hope to raise money to move the Raritan River Railroad Freight Station, located near the tracks on Washington Avenue, to county-owned land across the street.

Here James Curren (top, center) owner of the property the station sits on opens up the building for Milltown Historical Society member Kathy Heilman (center) and local historian James Reid (right).

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Holiday train display
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 13; noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 14
WHERE: Milltown Senior Citizen Center, 60 Violet Terrace, Milltown, NJ
ADMISSION: $5 per person, children under 10 free, $12 for family of three or more
INFORMATION: 732-828-0249

Transportation seminar Friday evening in Bridgewater, NJ

Received the following via email.

THE REGIONAL CENTER
Bridgewater - Raritan - Somerville
A partnership for a better tomorrow
In Somerset County, NJ

SUMMIT 2010 - “ON THE MOVE”
THE IMPACT OF TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS ON THE REGIONAL CENTER

PROGRESS REPORT - REGIONAL CENTER MOBILITY ISSUES
Somerset County Freeholder Peter Palmer

TRANSPORTATION AS AN ECONOMIC GENERATOR
Jon Carnegie, Executive Director, Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center

MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT INITIATIVES
IN THE SOMERSET REGIONAL CENTER
Reports from Bridgewater, Raritan, & Somerville

THE REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Cliff Sobel, Deputy Executive Director Planning & Programming, NJTPA

Friday, November 5, 2010
7:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.
Bridgewater Marriott

700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, New Jersey

The 2010 Regional Center Summit is free. Pre-registration is requested and may be accomplished online at info@regionalcenterpartnership.org or by calling Jim Ruggieri at 908-231-7021.

www.regionalcenterpartnership.org

Trenton Line tragedy

From the Star-Ledger for Monday, 11-1-10.

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a train this evening in Hillsborough (NJ), according to a spokesman for rail company CSX Transportation.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim, who was struck near Homestead Road by a commercial train traveling from South Kearny to Philadelphia, said spokesman Gary Sease.

The collision was reported shortly before 6 p.m., he said.

Note: Homestead Road crosses the CSX Trenton Line on a highway bridge, not a grade crossing.

Two from this cloudy Sunday morning...

(Train sightings on 10-31-10.)

First, along the LEHL NS 11J is approaching Hillsborough's Valley Road grade crossing (MP 40) at 9:13 on this cloudy morning. Leader 8384 is ex-CR 6171 followed by NS 9235 and 57 autoracks.

Next stop is Belle Mead where CSX 439, with leader CSX 778, passes beneath the Route 206 bridge that is scheduled to be replaced. Work to replace the Route 206 overpass in Belle Mead (NJ) over CSX's Trenton Line has begun as evidenced by the clearing of the surrounding area. This project will demolish the existing 85-foot single-span bridge and replaced it with a new 138-foot single-span structure 200 feet south of the current bridge. A sidewalk in each direction will be included on the new span. The clearing of the trees has provided a photo location, albeit a temporary one, along a line that does not have many photo locations due to the trees adjacent to the ROW. This project also proposed to “Keep the historic element of the Delaware and Bound Brook Railroad Historic District and Belle Meade Railroad Station by designing the replacement bridge with the same characteristics of the existing bridge”.

Hunting for some autumn color...

(Train sightings on 10-30-10.)

In my quest to get some LEHL fall foliage shots, Saturday’s travels took me to a number of places in NJ. This day would start out in Pattenburg where Musconetcong Mountain had a wide swath of golden foliage made even brighter with ample sunshine. Alas, the one item needed to complete this scene, namely an eastbound train, never passed by my location. Two westbounders, NS 21M and NS 11J (with 89 autoracks) did pass by but my preference on this day was for an eastbound train. Following the sun east to Stanton Station, I finally managed to photograph some color along the ROW. Unfortunately it was a red fox that that I spotted and photographed as it crossed over the ballast.


Later in the day at Hillsborough’s Valley Road grade crossing (MP40), another “autumn color” appeared. This time it was the UP 7392’s amour yellow leading NS 212 as it headed east around 2:30.

NS 19G was holding on the Roycefield Runner siding until 212 cleared. As 19G pulled out on to the main, the trees color’s adjacent to the ROW were also bland and nothing to be whistled at.

Oh well, guess there is always next fall to try and capture that fall foliage image, eh?

NS COO Manion to address Stephens Inc. Fall Investment Conference

Received the following via email.

October 29, 2010

Norfolk Southern COO Manion to address Stephens Inc. Fall Investment Conference

NORFOLK, VA. - Mark D. Manion, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, will address the Stephens Inc. Fall Investment Conference in New York City at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010.

Interested investors can listen via simultaneous webcast at http://www.wsw.com/webcast/stph15/nsc/.

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.

Thomas Bright
Technical Project Manager
Norfolk Southern Corporation
3 Commercial Place
Norfolk, VA. 23510-0224
Phone: (757) 823-5525
Email: thomas.bright2@nscorp.com

NS reports third-quarter 2010 results

Received the following via email.

October 27, 2010

Norfolk Southern reports third-quarter 2010 results

For third-quarter 2010 vs. third-quarter 2009:

· Railway operating revenues increased 19 percent to $2.5 billion.
· Income from railway operations improved 33 percent to $746 million.
· Net income increased 47 percent to $445 million.
· Diluted earnings per share rose 47 percent to $1.19.
· The railway operating ratio improved by 3.2 percentage points to 69.6 percent.

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported third-quarter 2010 net income of $445 million, an increase of 47 percent, compared with $303 million for third-quarter 2009. Diluted earnings per share were $1.19, up 47 percent, compared with $0.81 per share in the third quarter of 2009.

"Norfolk Southern delivered strong financial results as we experienced a fifth consecutive quarter of increased volumes," said CEO Wick Moorman. "We continue to see an economy characterized by slow growth, but growth nonetheless. We remain confident that our focus on strengthening service, controlling costs, and investing in our rail infrastructure and equipment will drive long-term shareholder value."

Third-quarter railway operating revenues improved 19 percent to $2.5 billion, compared with the third quarter of 2009, primarily as the result of a 15 percent increase in traffic volume.

General merchandise revenues were $1.3 billion, 16 percent higher compared with third-quarter 2009 results. Coal revenues increased 24 percent, to $709 million, compared with the same period last year. Intermodal revenues were $464 million, 19 percent higher compared with the third quarter of 2009.

Railway operating expenses for the third quarter were $1.7 billion, an increase of 14 percent over the same period of 2009.

The railway operating ratio improved by 3.2 percentage points to 69.6 percent, compared with 72.8 percent during third-quarter 2009.

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.

Thomas Bright
Technical Project Manager
Norfolk Southern Corporation
3 Commercial Place
Norfolk, VA. 23510-0224
Phone: (757) 823-5525
Email: thomas.bright2@nscorp.com

NS CFO Squires to address Baird Industrial Conference

Received the following via email.

October 25, 2010

Norfolk Southern CFO Squires to address Baird Industrial Conference

NORFOLK, VA. - James A. Squires, executive vice president finance and chief financial officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, will address the Baird Industrial Conference in Chicago at 2:30 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010.

Interested investors can listen via simultaneous webcast at http://www.wsw.com/webcast/baird17/nsc/. After the webcast, the presentation 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.

Thomas Bright
Technical Project Manager
Norfolk Southern Corporation
3 Commercial Place
Norfolk, VA. 23510-0224
Phone: (757) 823-5525
Email: thomas.bright2@nscorp.com

MTH 2011 catalog, Vol. 1 now available

MTH 2011 catalog Volume 1 is now available at The Big Little Railroad Shop.

Stop in and checkout all the new offerings in the catalog.

Place an order for one of the new items by November 15, 2010 to receive 10% off the list price and a guaranteed reservation for that item.

We also have the latest Lionel Catalog, 2010 Vol II.

Norfolk Southern declares quarterly dividend

Received the following via email.

October 26, 2010

Norfolk Southern declares quarterly dividend

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced the regular quarterly dividend of 36 cents per share on its common stock, payable on Dec. 10, to stockholders of record on Nov. 5.

Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 113 consecutive quarters.

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.

Kent, Ohio and the Erie Railroad

Received a notice of the following event via email. This is a little far from our store, but this blog is read around the world.

From the Kent Historical Society web site ( http://www.kentohiohistory.org/ ).

Coming to the Kent Stage

175 East Main St.

Presented by the Kent Historical Society

Speaker Series

November 1, 2010 – 7:00 P.M.

Bruce Dzeda will speak on Kent and the Erie Railroad

His talk will be accompanied by historical images of Kent and the Erie Railroad

This event is free and open to the public.

Doors open at 6:30 P.M.

Railroad Town: Kent and the Erie Railroad

The Kent Historical Society is proud to announce the publication of our new book written by Bruce Dzeda. This profusely illustrated book traces the emergence of the Erie Railroad and the profound affect it had on the city of Kent. The book will be for sale in the lobby of the Kent Stage at Mr. Dzeda's presentation.

NS: Green and getting greener

Received the following via email.

October 21, 2010

Norfolk Southern: Green and getting greener

NORFOLK, VA. - For environmentalism in 2010, Norfolk Southern Corporation's score improved to 71.28 of 100 points, and its ranking improved to 233 among the 500 largest publicly traded companies in America, according to NEWSWEEK magazine.

The evaluation reflects NS' worldwide environmental footprint, based on more than 700 separate metrics; an assessment of the company's green initiatives; and a poll of CEOs, environmental officers, and other green experts, according to NEWSWEEK.

Companies measured in the report were included by virtue of their revenue, market capitalization, and number of employees.

The NS numbers compared with 67.61 points and 338 overall in 2009.

"A benchmark such as this gives us useful perspective," said F. Blair Wimbush, NS' vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer. "Customers and communities expect us to set the pace for sustainability in the rail transportation arena. The rankings help validate that our green performance is solid and improving."

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.

Thomas Bright
Technical Project Manager
Norfolk Southern Corporation
3 Commercial Place
Norfolk, VA. 23510-0224
Phone: (757) 823-5525
Email: thomas.bright2@nscorp.com

R&N 425 excursion, 10-17-10

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

R&N is the Reading and Northern RR, and this excursion ran from Port Clinton, PA to Jim Thorpe, PA roundtrip. For more information on the R&N, including future excursions, visit their web site. http://www.readingnorthern.com/

Spent a lazy October Sunday afternoon out following the 425 on its run from Jim Thorpe, PA to Port Clinton, PA on 10-17-2010.

R&N 425 at Zehners, PA

R&N 425 at Hecla, PA

R&N 425 at Marion Rd X-ing, Haucks, PA

R&N 425 at Molino, PA