|
| Title: |
The California Livestock |
| Description: |
Hot on the heels of the westbound van trains came the CLS with its head end block of hogs - business which lasted until the mid-nineties. The train would be stopping out west of Rawlins to pick up additional hog traffic that came up off the Greeley Sub and was set-out online for the CLS later in the evening. There are a couple fast forties augmenting the imposing DD-40AX and the train will really roll across the high plains. |
| Photo Date: |
2/1/1980 Upload Date: 2/10/2013 3:55:39 PM |
| Location: |
Cheyenne, WY |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 6927(DDA40X) |
| Views: |
719 Comments: 1 |
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|
| Title: |
Recrew on P-2. |
| Description: |
Centennials generally showed up on general manifest in an eastward direction as power was excessed back toward North Platte, however, one would occasionally be consisted in a westbound freight as is the case on this outfit recrewing at Cheyenne. |
| Photo Date: |
2/1/1980 Upload Date: 2/10/2013 3:59:23 PM |
| Location: |
Cheyenne, WY |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 6914(DDA40X) |
| Views: |
553 Comments: 0 |
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|
| Title: |
UP 8044 West |
| Description: |
The grade begins right in town and here a westbound van outfit with a snoot fast forty accelerates into Sherman Hill and a fast trip to Rawlins. |
| Photo Date: |
5/1/1980 Upload Date: 2/10/2013 4:13:30 PM |
| Location: |
Cheyenne, WY |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 8044(SD40-2) |
| Views: |
586 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Christmas Day 1979 |
| Description: |
UP 6925 has a westbound hotshot rolling through Borie, WY where the grade over Sherman Hill stiffens appreciably. I decided not to crop out my 1978 Pontiac Grand-Am parked nearby. Christmas notwithstanding, the railroad is running trains and I would likely be going to work later that night. |
| Photo Date: |
12/25/1979 Upload Date: 2/10/2013 3:35:46 PM |
| Location: |
Borie, WY |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 6925(DDA40X) |
| Views: |
861 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
The right moment |
| Description: |
A little bit of sunlight at the right moment contrasted with a dramatic sky makes for an appealing view of NS 7698 East. |
| Photo Date: |
10/20/2012 Upload Date: 11/1/2012 10:55:05 AM |
| Location: |
Horningford, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 7698(ES40DC) |
| Views: |
342 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Nailing it |
| Description: |
I really like this shot! The proverbial sucker hole of sunlight at an opportune moment makes the NS 6908 stand out against a dramatic sky as it brings an eastbound manifest past the former PRR block station at Huntingdon, PA. Highball! |
| Photo Date: |
10/20/2012 Upload Date: 11/1/2012 10:14:13 AM |
| Location: |
Huntingdon, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 6908(SD60E) |
| Views: |
481 Comments: 2 |
|
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|
| Title: |
West Coast Clipper |
| Description: |
Harsimus Cove to Conway symbol freight NWC-1 - the "West Coast Clipper" (Chicago connections from Conway) passed McVeytown, PA on a rainy morning in May of 1968 - Penn-Central being 3 months old at the time. |
| Photo Date: |
5/12/1968 Upload Date: 10/11/2012 1:16:11 PM |
| Location: |
McVeytown, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
PRR 4366(FP7A) PRR 3546B(F7B) PRR 1477(F7A) PRR 2404(RS27) |
| Views: |
2816 Comments: 1 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Snapping the First Class |
| Description: |
No.25 - The Duquesne - with a pair of U25C helpers and three E units with 22 cars and healthy head-end traffic is coming out of Scotch Run Curve at MP 241 on this first day of September, 1966 at a time when renumbering of locomotives had begun for the pending Penn-Central merger. PRR helpers on the point were referred to as "snappers". Note the lead E unit still has its trainphone antennas. |
| Photo Date: |
9/1/1966 Upload Date: 10/11/2012 12:47:54 PM |
| Location: |
ALTOONA (HORSESHOE CURVE), PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
PRR 6514(U25C) PRR 6516(U25C) PRR 4206(E7A) PRR 4117B(E7B) PRR 4276(E8A) |
| Views: |
2692 Comments: 2 |
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|
| Title: |
The idyllic Middle Division |
| Description: |
Symbol freight PMC-3 follows the placid waters of the Juniata River as it rounds the bend at old Tuscarora Station near MP 148 with 78 cars. Check those Katy gons on the point. |
| Photo Date: |
8/12/1968 Upload Date: 10/11/2012 1:25:25 PM |
| Location: |
Tuscarora, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
PRR 6076(SD40) PRR 6057(SD40) |
| Views: |
1701 Comments: 2 |
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|
| Title: |
BNSF 4505 |
| Description: |
Dropping down the grade towards Mojave, BNSF 4505 passes beneath the endangered signal bridge at MP 377. |
| Photo Date: |
5/3/2012 Upload Date: 7/13/2012 11:56:38 PM |
| Location: |
Mojave, CA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 4505(C44-9W) |
| Views: |
426 Comments: 4 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Making their Nebraska debut |
| Description: |
Thats right. NS 1067 & NS 8104 in glorious RDG & LV colors are on the point of a Laurel, MT-bound manifest just out of Lincoln this Hot Sunday evening. What a treat! |
| Photo Date: |
7/15/2012 Upload Date: 7/16/2012 1:56:33 AM |
| Location: |
Denton, NE |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 1067(SD70ACe) NS 8104(ES44AC) BNSF 6198(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
683 Comments: 3 |
|
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|
| Title: |
NS 1067 and NS 8104 |
| Description: |
Two of NSs fine heritage program units are on the point of a Laurel, MT-bound manifest a short distance west of Lincoln. I spent much of my youth along the Reading Company and visiting its fine employees in the Philly area, thus the appearance of the 1067 on the point was more than satisfying. |
| Photo Date: |
7/15/2012 Upload Date: 7/17/2012 1:54:57 AM |
| Location: |
Denton, NE |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 1067(SD70ACe) NS 8104(ES44AC) BNSF 6198(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
623 Comments: 4 |
|
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|
| Title: |
The Shiloh Limited |
| Description: |
Celebrating Union Pacifics 150th year, UP 844 is enroute from Cheyenne to Council Bluffs to pick up more equipment, thence toward Marion, AR. Its a nearly immaculate locomotive at this stage of the journey. |
| Photo Date: |
3/23/2012 Upload Date: 3/24/2012 2:14:33 AM |
| Location: |
Missouri Valley, IA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Steam,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 844(4-8-4) |
| Views: |
1862 Comments: 7 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Classic UP |
| Description: |
From the armour yellow and wings to the signals and communications line, no doubt about it. |
| Photo Date: |
8/21/2011 Upload Date: 2/2/2012 4:21:11 PM |
| Location: |
King Hill, ID |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 5627(AC44CWCTE) |
| Views: |
1012 Comments: 8 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Just right |
| Description: |
I rode from Sandpoint, ID (huge run of trains after dark) over to Rock Island, WA to see the trestle within a trestle but came up snake eyes on trains. So I headed for the Columbia gorge around Wishram and spent the night at one of the better motel bargains - Dintys for some $42 a night, clean and right near the UP. Next morning I am sipping coffee, marveling at how good the lighting is for a train, if one were to show. Voila! here comes UP 7353 East to start off a good morning of activity. |
| Photo Date: |
8/18/2011 Upload Date: 2/2/2012 3:21:19 PM |
| Location: |
Biggs, OR |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 7353(AC45CCTE) UP 9766(C44-9W) UP 5077(SD70M) |
| Views: |
577 Comments: 4 |
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| Title: |
A vista of contrasts |
| Description: |
Not long behind a manifest comes UP 7839 with double-stacks. What a marvelous content of contrasts such as the blue river, parched canyon walls, high plains and Mt. Hood - with a railroad running right down the center of the scene. |
| Photo Date: |
8/18/2011 Upload Date: 2/2/2012 3:23:09 PM |
| Location: |
Biggs, OR |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 7839(AC45CCTE) |
| Views: |
438 Comments: 7 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Welcome to the mountains |
| Description: |
BNSF 4313 gets underway for Marias Pass with an eastbound freight train. |
| Photo Date: |
8/14/2011 Upload Date: 1/27/2012 1:42:05 AM |
| Location: |
Essex, MT |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 4313(C44-9W) BNSF 4915(C44-9W) |
| Views: |
480 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Into the foothills of the Rockies |
| Description: |
BNSF 5380 between Browning and Spotted Robe past the wind fence. I suspect the wind can really swoop down in this area. Winds were (& are) always a big pain along the UP between Cheyenne and Laramie with intermodal equipment. |
| Photo Date: |
8/13/2011 Upload Date: 1/27/2012 1:39:14 AM |
| Location: |
Browning, MT |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 5380(C44-9W) BNSF 4867(C44-9W) |
| Views: |
582 Comments: 2 |
|
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|
| Title: |
BNSF 5380 drags a manifest off the high plains |
| Description: |
I rode hard from Livingston for the Hi Line. Running ahead of time, I was going to try for a shot at the Cut Bank trestle. Went to start the Harley after gassing up and nothing. The battery was cooked. Fortunately, a couple townfolk - a gentleman from Glacier Auto and a wheat farmer - lent a hand as they are riders also. So they found a battery for the bike on a Saturday afternoon. I had a room reserved in Essex and was on my way into the sundown, running late now. Of course, lots of trains while I am laid up. But I caught up to this slow-moving westbound approaching Browning so everything worked out okay. That's a big sun visor on the fireman's side! |
| Photo Date: |
8/13/2011 Upload Date: 1/27/2012 1:34:30 AM |
| Location: |
Browning, MT |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 5380(C44-9W) BNSF 4867(C44-9W) |
| Views: |
694 Comments: 2 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Tehachapi Morning |
| Description: |
BNSF 7555 leads a southbound intermodal outfit through the Loop. |
| Photo Date: |
4/23/2011 Upload Date: 1/25/2012 4:28:07 PM |
| Location: |
Walong, CA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 7555(ES44DC) |
| Views: |
869 Comments: 7 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Mountain grade |
| Description: |
BNSF 7283 noses through the control point at South Walong, and past the classic searchlights. Rather than impediments, the code line now provides a classic flavor to the scene. |
| Photo Date: |
4/23/2011 Upload Date: 1/25/2012 4:45:49 PM |
| Location: |
Walong, CA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 7283(ES44DC) |
| Views: |
458 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
At long last |
| Description: |
It is getting quite overgrown along the right of way at Mapleton making a shot with the signal bridge impossible from much of a distance. Eventually that will not matter as the remaining signal bridges are on borrowed time now. After patiently waiting with ears at attention (they sneak up pretty quick here) a telltale rumble announced the approach of an eastbound and, enjoyably, a manifest at that! Here the 9544 scoots through the sweeping curve and down the valley toward Jacks Narrows. |
| Photo Date: |
9/18/2011 Upload Date: 9/21/2011 4:00:06 PM |
| Location: |
Mapleton, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Signal |
| Locomotives: |
NS 9544(C40-9W) |
| Views: |
415 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
A charging horse with sunset herald, a wave of the hand and a hearty roar of traction motors |
| Description: |
The SP heritage ACe, a pleasing combination of black widow and daylight schemes, rides again - charging through Bealville with a West Colton-bound manifest. |
| Photo Date: |
4/22/2011 Upload Date: 9/27/2011 2:56:11 PM |
| Location: |
Bealville, CA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 1996(SD70ACe) UP 5374(AC45CCTE) UP 5451(AC45CCTE) |
| Views: |
665 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Three views of BNSF 7704-III |
| Description: |
If I wind up in heaven I hope there are some tracks close by. Heaven on earth here and the roar of power better than harps. |
| Photo Date: |
4/23/2011 Upload Date: 10/8/2011 1:26:05 PM |
| Location: |
Walong, CA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 7704(ES44DC) BNSF 7762(ES44DC) CSX 122(AC44CW) BNSF 1017(C44-9W) |
| Views: |
547 Comments: 1 |
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|
| Title: |
Yampai Afternoon-I |
| Description: |
The spirits of trainwatching smiled this afternoon as activity at Yampai was fairly steady. In the days of 251 (current of traffic) dispatching , the speed trains made over hills was valuable information in determining their future location in relation to following hotshots. On UP we would use their speed over Creston to determine speed over Tipton and, later, on the climb from Spring Valley to Altamont. BNSF 5279 comes chugging up the grade from Pica to Yampai. Dispatchers would use information about speed on the hill here to determine what a train would do climbing west from Needles. |
| Photo Date: |
4/20/2011 Upload Date: 9/23/2011 12:58:32 PM |
| Location: |
Yampai, AZ |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 5279(C44-9W) BNSF 7786(ES44DC) BNSF 8280(SD75I) |
| Views: |
673 Comments: 1 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Felicity at Forge |
| Description: |
Sipping coffee, enjoying a Tasty Pie and how pleasant for a nice eastbound manifest to show on a pleasant autumn morning. Forge Block Station used to sit on the opposite side of the tracks near the radio antenna, and was an interlocking where the railroad opened up to a four-track mainline once more after a constricted triple track segment through Spruce Creek valley. |
| Photo Date: |
10/23/2010 Upload Date: 11/9/2010 11:54:49 AM |
| Location: |
Tyrone Forge, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 9637(C40-9W) |
| Views: |
336 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Cold Curve |
| Description: |
The 9598 leans into the tight arc of Cold Curve on the final couple miles of the ascent toward Gallitzin. |
| Photo Date: |
10/16/2010 Upload Date: 11/5/2010 2:04:08 PM |
| Location: |
Allegrippus, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 9598(C40-9W) NS 8314(C40-8W) |
| Views: |
398 Comments: 1 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Mountain Railroading |
| Description: |
The essence. As late as 1951, there were some 54 first class schedules, twenty four of which passed MG between 11pm and 6am. Ten years later, the schedules were more than cut in half. That one time volume with all of the freight traffic and helper movements associated therewith accounts for the necessity of an interlocking mid-grade on the east slope of The Mountain, hence the presence of this architecturally superb block station deep in the Allegheny forest. |
| Photo Date: |
10/16/2010 Upload Date: 11/5/2010 12:16:50 PM |
| Location: |
MG Tower, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 6327(SD40E) |
| Views: |
610 Comments: 1 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Old habits |
| Description: |
You gotta be real careful along the right of way and I find my old Pennsy brakeman instincts serve me well over the years insofar as keeping alert. The old electric motors were silent and could creep up on you with little warning; and newer diesels are so well muffled that they may also sneak up upon one. Traffic moves briskly and relatively silently through the narrows between Mifflin and Lewistown. The slope of Shade Mountain has allowed the setting sun to illuminate the depths of the gorge at Hawstone as NS 7500 races west with empty hoppers - scattering the leaves. |
| Photo Date: |
10/21/2010 Upload Date: 11/8/2010 10:43:38 AM |
| Location: |
Hawstone, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 7500(ES40DC) |
| Views: |
531 Comments: 3 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Three Views of NS 9886 Part III |
| Description: |
What a gorgeous sky with the clouds. I couldnt believe my fortune that the sun stayed dominant during the passage of three trains here. |
| Photo Date: |
10/21/2010 Upload Date: 11/8/2010 9:32:21 AM |
| Location: |
Newport, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 9886(C40-9W) NS 8851(C40-9) NS 9739(C40-9W) |
| Views: |
402 Comments: 1 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Timelines |
| Description: |
The lengthy shadows from a low mid-October sun are, in effect, timelines of distance from the age of steam when cinders kept the trackside foliage at bay. Here former CR 5571 leads empty hoppers from No.3 to No.2 track and past the eastward home signals for MG amidst autumn splendor. |
| Photo Date: |
10/16/2010 Upload Date: 11/5/2010 11:49:45 AM |
| Location: |
MG Tower, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 6804(SD60M) NS 8763(C40-8) |
| Views: |
419 Comments: 1 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Autumn Serenade |
| Description: |
Ahhh, the exquisite pleasure of hearing locomotives smoothly assaulting the grade amidst the piquant air and eye-candy surroundings of autumn foliage. A helper set is coupled ahead of the lone road unit to snap a hopper train up the grade. |
| Photo Date: |
10/16/2010 Upload Date: 11/5/2010 11:35:19 AM |
| Location: |
MG Tower, PA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 6312(SD40E) NS 6325(SD40E) NS 2724(SD70M-2) |
| Views: |
500 Comments: 2 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Eastbound in the late afternoon |
| Description: |
Coming out of the 150 degree arc at Austin, the railroad reverses direction to gain altitude. This affords nice opportunity to catch an eastbound in good light at 6pm. But that will be all for daylight. Time to head up to the Marysville House for a killer good T-Bone. |
| Photo Date: |
10/2/2010 Upload Date: 10/12/2010 3:16:25 AM |
| Location: |
Austin, MT |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 796(C44-9W) BNSF 4426(C44-9W) BNSF 4582(C44-9W) MRL 255(SD40-2XR) |
| Views: |
674 Comments: 1 |
|
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| Title: |
Hi Line Vista |
| Description: |
BNSF 7841 West clings to the edge of the mountain as it negotiates a tight curve between Sheds 8 and 7 west of Blacktail on the descent from Marias Pass toward the Flathead river valley. From the look of some of those boulders, it appears the slide fence has been useful over time. |
| Photo Date: |
9/30/2010 Upload Date: 10/9/2010 11:23:43 AM |
| Location: |
Blacktail, MT |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 7841(ES44DC) BNSF 1109(C44-9W) |
| Views: |
976 Comments: 7 |
|
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|
| Title: |
UP 7920 |
| Description: |
Amidst the sunflowers of September and the backdrop of the huge grain elevator at Troxel, NE, just west of Fremont, the 7920 appears lonely on the point of a westbound double-stack outfit, with another unit mid-train. |
| Photo Date: |
9/7/2010 Upload Date: 9/8/2010 2:20:08 AM |
| Location: |
Troxel, NE |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 7920(AC45CCTE) |
| Views: |
425 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Out of a summers afternoon |
| Description: |
UP3903 leads an automobile train down the Boyer River valley between Logan and Missouri Valley, IA |
| Photo Date: |
8/25/2010 Upload Date: 8/31/2010 8:29:13 AM |
| Location: |
Logan, IA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 3903(SD70M) UP 4659(SD70M) |
| Views: |
480 Comments: 1 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Manifest on an idyllic summer afternoon |
| Description: |
UP 4654 in on the tail of the UP 3883 with another eastbound manifest, heading compass north between Council Bluffs and Missouri Valley. |
| Photo Date: |
6/29/2010 Upload Date: 7/3/2010 11:47:19 AM |
| Location: |
Loveland, IA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 4654(SD70M) |
| Views: |
475 Comments: 0 |
|
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|
| Title: |
Heartland Classic |
| Description: |
UP 3883 hustles an eastbound manifest through Loveland, IA on a mild June afternoon. |
| Photo Date: |
6/29/2010 Upload Date: 7/3/2010 11:37:27 AM |
| Location: |
Loveland, IA |
| Author: |
Rick Erben |
| Categories: |
|
| Locomotives: |
UP 3883(SD70M) |
| Views: |
561 Comments: 7 |
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