Daily Uploads

[SD80MAC]

Worth the stop, Nathan. Those big EMDs looked so good with the white nose band.

[SD80MAC]

Engine Light to Ionia by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Mid Michigan #24 rolls into Ionia all by itself in preparation to pull an empty tank car from Gallagher's Fertilizer. This was one of the Grand Rapids Eastern's last trips to Ionia, and within 2 years the tracks here would be gone. 11/2/2007

Proctor Hill by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

IC #6255, CN #5337, and DMIR #405 are battling it out up the stiff grade from Duluth to Proctor with U716, a train of empty hoppers from the docks. Even these empty trains tax the veteran EMDs on a hill such as this. 6/8/2023

Pokey Transfer by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L512, the Pokegoma-Proctor transfer, is seen heading towards the former on the ex DMIR Spirit Lake branch. One of CN's four SD70ACes is third out. 6/9/2023

Tunnels @ Speed by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

My attempt at a pacing-pan shot of U718's trio of Tunnel Motors as they roll south along Highway 7 near Sax, MN. 6/8/2023

Toluca by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Five GEs hustle a long intermodal past these old Santa Fe relics at Toluca, IL. The old searchlights are now history. 5/20/2016

Railfan Rock by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

"Railfan Rock" provides a nice elevated view of Northshore Mining's 11 AM crude loads as they descend the grade towards Silver Bay. Would a trio or quartet of SD40-2s be cooler? Probably, but I certainly won't complain about a pair of nicely painted and relatively clean SD70ACes. 6/10/2023

AMTK B32-8PHW #518 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A can of Diet Pepsi sits in the coach yard at Amtrak's Chicago facility, seen from the window of train 370. The original Phase III air conditioner box was an interesting sight, that scheme having been gone from the Dash 8s for over 10 years by 2012. 3/15/2012

Successful Meet by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After meeting U792 and dropping off the SLE, U789's trio of Dash 8s gurgle to life as they urge the long train of taconite into motion once again at Allen Junction. 6/8/2023

Hinsdale Bullet by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of Metra F40s lead by a Baby Bullet pull into Hinsdale with an out-bound Dinky back in 2013. The slant-faced F40PHMs have always been my favorite Metra units. 7/21/2013

Midway ECOs by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of CPKC SD30C-ECOs pull into Minnesota Commercial's Midway Yard with the J15 (CPBN) job on a quiet Sunday morning. This was my first time seeing these unique rebuilds, of which only CPKC and CSX roster. 6/11/2023

American Cast Iron by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

D908 (D708 re-crew) backs into American Cast Iron to retrieve some empty pipe flats. Alto was served by D708 out of Lansing at this time. Iridescent-Yellow #2724, a former Conrail GP38-2, leads GP38-2S #6093. 5/26/2006

Drifting Into Two Harbors by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Steam rolls off the long train of taconite as U789 descends into Two Harbors behind a trio of ex CNW Dash 8s. These old GEs are currently on borrowed time, with rebuilt Dash 9s set to take their place sooner rather than later. 6/10/2023

Minntac Loads by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Three C40-8s lead U789 down the lead out of Minntac with a fresh load of taconite for Two Harbors. 6/9/2023

Notch It Up by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

N903 begins the long, slow climb up Saugatuck Hill through the curve at Fennville. Unseen is D802 on the rear of the train shoving with an AC6000 and an AC4400. It's all that 4 big 6 axle engines can do to get these 130 car coal trains up the hill. On the left is the remnants of an old spur where at one time a coal dealer was located. During this time, manned helpers were still the rule here. 7/13/2012

Work Train by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Once the latest-and-greatest, premier intermodal train power on the BNSF, the Dash 9s have since been demoted to more mundane takes. Warbonnet #773 is seen at University with USTAEDU5-10A, almost blocking our view of an out-bound grainer leaving Northtown Yard. 6/11/2023

Iron Junction by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

T-Bird shuttle U730 rolls south through the switches at Iron Junction with a train of crude ore bound for Utac. There's definitely something amusing about seeing century-old ore hoppers pulled by modern GE units. 6/9/2023

Buford by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of Norfolk Southern distinctive C40-9s leads a freight through Buford, GA, on the old Southern Railway. All have since been rebuilt into AC44C6Ms. 8/31/2013

Get Moving by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The engineer of empty train U792 is wasting no time getting his trio of Dash 8s back up to track speed after meeting U789 at Sparta. The Iron Range Subdivision, while not as busy as the Missabe Sub, was hopping that afternoon. 6/9/2023

North-Bound EMDs by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L567 hustles north on the Missabe Sub after meeting it's south-bound counterpart at Kelsey. The trailing IC GP40R would be swapped out for a GP38-2W at Keenan Yard. 6/10/2023

SOO Glad We Met by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Lake Superior Railroad Museum's well-kept Soo Line GP30 is seen wheeling an excursion train along the waterfront on a gray June day. 6/10/2023

Hey Wait A Minute by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

I was a bit surprised to see that Northtown Yard hosted not just one, but several SD45-2 carbody units as switchers. I had honestly forgotten that BNSF still rostered a small fleet of these former 20-cylinder brutes, now classified as SD40-2Rs. Here #1571 is going about its work while LUGO/LUBO units stand silent in the background. 6/10/2023

Fairbanks by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

U790 thunders through Fairbanks with a long train of taconite trailing the usual three-pack of Dash 8s. New signals and radio equipment stand ready but not yet in service, as CN works to extend CTC and PTC across the current TWC gap on the Iron Range Subdivision. 6/10/2023

Rice's Point by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CPKC's Rice's Point job rolls through the street after pulling a TBOX from one of the many customers on the point. 6/8/2023

The Way It Was by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

For quite a long time, Grand Rapids-Toledo freight Q334 always left the former in the evening. While the light for this east-bound usually sucked by that time of day, there were a few spots in town where one could find somewhat favorable sub. The GR Terminal Sub runs north-south along Buchanann Ave for close to a mile, and it was always a good show as the trains would be really digging into the grade leaving town. An SD50-2 and a C40-8 are shown pulling for all of their clapped-out worth with 334 on a warm July evening back in 2012. 7/2/2012

OMWRP-10 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Coke empties from the CN glide past the west end of the Minnesota Commercial's yard on a Sunday morning. 6/11/2023

Rescue 9-1-1 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CSX #911, the "Spirit Of Our First Responders", works through the curve at Snow Road with Grand Rapids-Detroit freight L303. Thankfully was able to fire off a few shots before the rain let loose. 7/26/2023

Rolling Along by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

U717 rolls south along Highway 7 with a C40-8, SD40u, and an SD40T-3 at the maximum allowed speed for the ancient little ore hoppers. While most of the remaining C40-8s stick to the Iron Range Sub, there are a handful that pop up on the Missabe Sub now and then. 6/8/2023

What'd you punks do to my bridge? by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Resplendent in fire engine red, CSX #911 leads L303 across the Thornapple River as storm clouds roll in. The recent graffiti on the bridge is unfortunate, covering up what little remained of the C&O donut logo. 7/26/2023

Spirit Of Our First Responders by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The conductor on L303 gives the small crowd who has gathered at Snow Ave a wave as the train tries to out-run the approaching storm. #911 really pops against the dark sky. 7/26/2023

South Alborn by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of SD40-2Ws are Proctor-bound with L568 at the south end of the siding at Alborn. 6/8/2023

See if it Fits by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of BNSF Geeps pulls ahead through the switch with about half of a unit grain train on the Superior waterfront. There was some speculation by the crew as to whether or not they could fit the entire train between the end of the track and the switch, but they made it with a few cars to spare. 6/9/2023

The East End by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Y193 (CSX 2755 and 9249) and Y103 (CSX 2801 and an unidentified second Geep) go about their work at the east end of CSX's Wyoming Yard. In the distance, X500 awaits a new crew in track E02. 8/28/2007

[SD80MAC]

Cannonball Power by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Mid Michigan #3836 and Grand Rapids Eastern #3839 rest at Michigan Shore's North Yard after bringing in the nightly Cannonball from Holland. These colorful GP38s were a staple of Michigan railroading for the better part of 2 decades, and I definitely miss shooting them. 7/24/2007

Dark Sky by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Minutes before a downpour, CSX #911 leads L303 around the curve at Snow Ave on the Plymouth Subdivision. 7/26/2023

Trunk Geeps by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Grand Trunk Western GP9R #4625 and GP38-2 #4907 rest between assignments at CN's Torrey Yard in Flint, shortly after sunrise back in September of 2007. The GP9R has since been sold to the Boundary Trail Railway. 9/15/2007

It's a Dash 8 Morning by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Minnesota Commercial's Belt Job is running with B39-8E #87 as the train works its way north through St Anthony. 6/11/2023

Highland by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

U790 rolls through the curve at Highland behind a 3 pack of Dash 8s on a gloomy spring morning. 6/10/2023

East End GEs by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

M326 has just cut away from its train in E02 and will now head down to the Sunnyside Wye to turn the engines for tomorrow's M327. In the distance, L303's pair of ES40DCs backs down the Old Even toward their train. 8/3/2023

Draper Taper by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An SD50F and an SD40-2W pull a long cut of intermodal out of Durand Yard, passing the station on the Holly Sub. The yard in Durand was still used for lots of block swapping back then, with nearly every CN train stopping here to pick up and set out. Those SD50Fs sure were cool! 9/15/2007

Chugging North by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Minnesota Commercial's Hugo Job heads north though Roseville behind a pair of chugging B23-7s. 6/11/2023

Inbound Q335 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With a pair of ex Conrail SDs up front, Q335 rolls up the Even Lead after completing its journey from Toledo. I don't remember what the red loads on the flatcars were. 3/1/2009

FRA Train by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

W009, consisting of a CW44AH and the two FRA Office of Safety cars, rolls west into Grand Rapids on the Plymouth Sub. 6/30/2023

Conrail Quality by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Q326 accelerates out of Grand Rapids, MI, with an ex Conrail CW40-8 leading an SD40-2 on July 17, 2007. These Conrail Dash 8s were seemingly everywhere, until they weren’t! 7/17/2007

Godfrey by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

M326's power has just turned on the Sunnyside Wye and is now headed back to the yard, passing under the cantilever at Godfrey Ave. I'm not sure how many 700 series ES44AHs got the shopping cart logo, but there can't have been many. 8/3/2023

DMIR #405 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

DMIR #405 is an EMD SD40-3 that was originally built as an SD45T-2 in 1972 for the Cotton Belt. The Missabe acquired 20 such machines in 1996-1997, rebuilt by VMV in Paducah for Helm Leasing and subsequently leased to the DMIR. While most of its brethren have been sold off or scrapped, #405 continues to work hard for the CN in limestone and taconite service. Trailing on U718 at Proctor with an SD40-2W and an IC SD40-3. Note the taconite on the roof! 6/8/2023

335, Fast & Low by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Q335 on this day was lead by an SD70AC and a CW40-9, seen working their way up the hill to Fox where they will meet Q326. YN2 MACs were so cool. 9/17/2008

[Tom49801]

Thank you for your picture uploads, I always enjoy viewing them. It was interesting to see the picture of CSXT engine #2724 working D908 on May 26th, 2006 - it is presently being used as the power for Y121 in Holland, Mi.

[SD80MAC]

Thank you for your picture uploads, I always enjoy viewing them. It was interesting to see the picture of CSXT engine #2724 working D908 on May 26th, 2006 - it is presently being used as the power for Y121 in Holland, Mi.

Funny how often the same engines have been up here over the years.

[SD80MAC]

Cloudy But Not So Common by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Of course, the clouds had to roll in right as an increasingly rare Dash 8 went by with L303. Word on the street is the latest round of SD70AC rebuilds might finally put the rest of the aging Dash 8 fleet out to pasture for good. 7/29/2023

J15 By The Pond by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of CPKC SD30C-ECOs are reflected in the water as the J15 job utilizes a bit of Minnesota Commercial's trackage to get back to home rails after interchanging. 6/11/2023

Pac-man 40 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

While X500 was usually a single GE in later years, on this day a classic Pac-man SD40-2 was in the lead. The trailing AC4400 had developed some kind of a problem between Chicago and Grand Rapids, necessitating its removal from the train. #5997 would then lead the train the rest of the way to Toronto solo. 10/15/2006

Colorful 303 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The Spirit of Our First Responders leads L303 east from Grand Rapids as a light rain falls. 7/26/2023

S_X by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of flared SD70MACs are rolling into the siding at Fox with Q335 from Toledo. The nose lettering on 4813 has been, um, modified, then hastily modified again. 5/28/2009

Iron Junction by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

U792 slowly makes its way around the curve leading up to Iron Junction. The train of empties will take the connection to the former DWP to head to the mine at Minorca for loading, but not before waiting on several south-bounds to clear. 6/9/2023

HESR B Boats by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Huron & Eastern 702 ("The Rocket") arrives in Durand from Bay City behind B30-7 #5492 and U23B #8903. Though the Central Michigan had technically been gone for almost 2 years, very little on the railroad had changed. 3/24/2007

Late Q148 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A slightly late-running Q148 afforded this view of the train (which I rarely saw back then due to it normally being through Michigan before sunrise) greeting the morning sun near Swartz Creek. With CN embarking on an ambitious rebuild program with Wabtec, it won't be long before these Teardrop-windowed Dash 9s are nothing but a memory. 9/16/2007

Three Five Two by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Amtrak 352 flies into Kalamazoo with a sampling of multiple generations of single level equipment trailing the standard Charger. 4/6/2023

Classic Elkhart by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The Elkhart I remember, with the diamond and the classic tri-lights. Other than maybe the intermodal cars and trailers, everything in this photo is now gone! I think this was the only time I ever saw a pair of NS C40-8s. This was train 23K. 11/1/2008

Kalamazoo River by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Detroit-Elkhart freight 39J is busy making a pick up at Botsford Yard in Kalamazoo as the train passes over the namesake river. NS at this time still fielded a pair of road freights between Elkhart and Detroit via the Michigan Line, a practice that would cease a couple of years later with the sale of the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids branches to Watco. An ex Conrail C40-8W and a BNSF ES44DC add some color to the otherwise brown late-winter landscape. 3/13/2007

Tunnels by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A nice three-pack of Tunnel Motors is seen rolling south near Zim with U718. These limestone empties are headed back to Proctor and ultimately the docks in Duluth for another load. 6/8/2023

[SD80MAC]

CSXT SD60I #8750 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

This was, at the time, the last Conrail blue SD60I on CSX. I missed it leading Q335 into town, but was able to run down to the yard on a quiet Saturday afternoon to find it sitting at the west end. 9/23/2007

Working Durand by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A490 works Durand Yard with an SD60F and an IC SD70. CN could put together some truly unique consists back then. 4/10/2010

Busy on the B&O by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

While not the most scenic of locales, the junction of CSX's former B&O and C&O mainlines with NS's former Nickel Plate in Fostoria has always been a busy spot, especially back then. West-bound intermodal Q135 lead by a former Conrail SD60M is bearing down on the NS diamonds as S386 rolls by on main 2. 9/18/2010

Evening 327 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Working its way through the dip between 36th and 32nd streets, Q327 arrives into Grand Rapids on a beautiful spring evening. 5/29/2009

Wobbly by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Most of the kids hating on the current crop of CSX Heritage Units are too young to have been around when UP unveiled theirs. People HATED these things. I always thought they were a fun take on a "new meets old" modern interpretation of the classic schemes. Here is my only photo of UP 1983, sandwiched in the middle of a UP freight at Nelson. UP #8008, the Boob Unit, was on the head end of this train and we were more excited to see that, because we are 12. 5/22/2016

The Curve at Palmer Lake by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of the most picturesque spots on the Joint Line (and there are many) is Palmer Lake. Here a south-bound coal train is seen heading into the curve behind an AC4400 and a 70MAC. 7/10/2010

New Glass by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

GLLX 1512 shows off its new cab glass as it and 921 warm up for a night of work. The little ex Trunk SW1200 also recently got a much-needed power washing. 8/17/2023

Here Comes The J by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Elgin, Joliet & Eastern SDM #804 ventures out of Kirk Yard and into Pine Yard to interchange with Norfolk Southern. The former Missabe SDMs were often seen working around Kirk either as switchers or hump power. 6/14/2006

Sprinkle Road by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Southern Pacific #4449 is seen from the Sprinkle road overpass in Kalamazoo as the train works its way east on the Michigan Line. The Daylight was nearing the end of its 2,000+ mile long journey from Portland, OR to Owosso, MI. 7/19/2009

Elkhart Inbound by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of now non-existent NS motors lead 17M into Elkhart yard and past my vantage point on a flat car at the National New York Central RR Museum. 10/2/2010

Crusty Leader by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Q326 is making its way east from Grand Rapids behind an SD40-2, SD50-3, and a 3GS21B. The Gensets were assigned to the Detroit area but always came to Grand Rapids for servicing. 3/19/2010

Ship 'em Out by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Pioneer power in the form of NW2 #100 and GP9 #908 sit at the west end of 35 track in Wyoming Yard under a gloomy winter sky. The vintage EMDs were in transit to new homes after the sale of the West Michigan RR to Hamilton Hartford Group. The #908 went to another Pioneer railroad down south, while #100 went to their shops in Illinois and has since been scrapped, I believe. 1/31/2016

Ex Con @ Pine by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A west-bound CSX freight approaches Pine Junction on the Barr Sub behind a CW40-8-SD70AC duo. 7/14/2006

Watching The Shove by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

M326's conductor protects the shove as the crew turns their pair of GEs on the Sunnyside Wye in Grand Rapids. 8/3/2023

Looking Down by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A trio of Union Pacific SD70Ms (the leader being an ex SP unit) wind their way along South Boulder Creek with a freight. The former Rio Grande "Mainline Through The Rockies" definitely lives up to its name through here. 7/19/2010

Ready for the Cannonball by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The crew is backing MMRR #3836 and GR #3839 down onto what will become that evening's Cannonball (Z627 on CSX) to Holland and back. At the time the Michigan Shore in Muskegon employed 2 daylight crews plus a night crew, and had 5 locomotives. Today 1 day crew handles everything with 2 locomotives. 7/24/2007

Milford Jct by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The old position lights still guarded the crossing of NS's Marion Branch with CSX's Garret Sub during this visit in the fall of 2011. Q147 is seen about to hit the diamond behind a pair of Dash 8s. These former Pennsy signals were transplanted from an abandoned line by Conrail in the 80s. 11/12/2011

Flange Squeal by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An SD70M-2 and a Dash 9 ease around the Hi Wye in Durand. The train will shortly back around the Port Huron Wye and into Durand Yard to do some work before coming around both wyes again to continue its journey west. With 3 wyes in town, trains can work Durand Yard from any direction, though these days only 1 CN train regularly does. 7/25/2009

A Remote Encounter by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

During our trip to the Twin Ports and Iron Range, my friends and I decided we would attempt to go after Cliffs Northshore Mining operation. Operating in some very remote territory and with limited public access to the line, this railroad has run in relative obscurity compared to the other ore haulers in the region. Armed with some solid intel as to when they would be running, we went to the MN 2 overpass, and we waited. And waited. It rained, it was foggy, and the mosquitos were out for blood. After about an hour and 45 minutes, we were starting to wonder if we had missed it. Finally, a distant horn, and a few moments later, the 11 AM crude ore loads came slowly into view. Simultaneously, the rain tapered off, and the sun showed itself for the first time in a few hours. It all added up to a very nice view of NSM's recently purchased SD70ACes, leaning into the curve with dynamics whining as the heavy train worked downhill towards Silver Bay. 6/10/2023

Adolph by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

U717 snakes through the switches at Adolph with a train full of taconite. 6/9/2023

Air & Rail by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A United Airlines Airbus is lined up on the approach to GRR as Q326 rumbles across the Thornapple River. 6/12/2010

Evening Reflections by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Mid Michigan #24 sits at the west end of the "yard" at Malta during a rare night run on the Grand Rapids Eastern. The crew had just arrived with 50 empty bethgons for storage, and were now formulating a plan on how to best get them shoved up to the end of the line. As one can see, every light on #24 worked. 6/23/2009

Pitt Junction by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

M371's conductor is about to climb aboard again as the train prepares to resume its journey north/west at Pitt. The trainmaster (who's Trailblazer is seen in the weeds) had given the conductor a ride during their work in Durand. The former BC Rail Dash 8 leader still had it's K5L at the time, and man did it sound good! 9/7/2012

Not Quite, CSX by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

GLLX #4428 sits on the West Michigan interchange in Hartford this past winter. The engine was specifically turned in Owosso so that it would be facing east upon its arrival in Hartford, but the crew on the train bringing it to Grand Rapids decided to spin their engines upon arrival, without setting out 4428. So the engine was picked up again the following day, brought back to GR, spun, and brought back to Hartford. It saw a brief return to service on the WMI before being sidelined again with generator problems. 3/2/2023

500 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A single ES44AC takes a typical X500 consisting of intermodal and autoracks east on the Plymouth Sub during the final year of the train's operation on CSX in Michigan. While the SOO SD60s and CP SD40-2s that showed up on this train occasionally were always great to see, but power like this was far more common. 3/19/2010

NS C39-8 #8212 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Time was just about up for NS's fleet of C39-8s when I saw this one trailing on an east-bound freight at Horseshoe Curve during the summer of 2006. NS wound up with the largest fleet of these distinctive hump-backed, round-roofed GEs, amassing a decent number of their own before getting more from the Conrail split. This was the only one I ever saw in Conrail blue. 7/23/2006

Tilting Target by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

LSRC #1177 tip-toes through Foss Junction, passing the old tilting target that guarded the diamond here. I believe this junction was originally Pere Marquette and Detroit & Mackinac, but I'm not certain. #1177 is now #4304. 9/9/2011

WSOR MP15AC #1505 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Freshly-acquired from Canadian Pacific, this former Milwaukee Road "Bandit" MP15AC was lettered for new owner Wisconsin & Southern at NRE's shop in Dixmoor, IL. 1/3/2008

Haskell by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

X397 approaches the Highway 421 crossing with a trio of EMDs as the train knocks down the signal at Haskell. 4/3/2022

Now It's All Gone by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The Michigan Shore crew is busy swapping empty boxcars for loaded ones at Sappi Fine Paper Co, viewed from the very end of the ex Pere Marquette South Horn branch. Today, the paper plant is demolished, and these tracks are being removed as of late summer 2023. 8/21/2008

Heritage in Flint by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

It's around 5 pm as Flint-Flat Rock local L508 is in the process of quadrupling up their train out of the south yard at CN's Bristol Yard in Flint. Two pairs of SD70M-2s have been in the regular rotation for L508 and its counterpart L507 as of late, one of which includes CN #8952, the GTW unit. Knowing the big blue 70 would be leading L508 this day, Mr. Hall and I made a special trip across the state to catch it on "home rails". 9/10/2023

CN SD40-2W #5340 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Looking a bit worse for the wear, veteran SD40-2W #5340 rests between assignments at CN's Bristol Yard in Flint. I always liked the short-lived North America scheme that many of these wore. Photo taken with permission. 9/10/2023

DC Trio by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

While not as common as they once were, CN's "newer" DC power continues to work off the revenue miles for the time being. Here we see a pair of SD70Is bracketing a Dash 9 on M399, working through the curve just west of Lapeer. 9/10/2023

[J T]

The Curve at Palmer Lake by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of the most picturesque spots on the Joint Line (and there are many) is Palmer Lake. Here a south-bound coal train is seen heading into the curve behind an AC4400 and a 70MAC. 7/10/2010

A view from high on the hill in the background.

BNSF9252-7552 by Jim Thias, on Flickr

[GP30M4216]

Tilting Target by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

LSRC #1177 tip-toes through Foss Junction, passing the old tilting target that guarded the diamond here. I believe this junction was originally Pere Marquette and Detroit & Mackinac, but I'm not certain. #1177 is now #4304. 9/9/2011


NS C39-8 #8212 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Time was just about up for NS's fleet of C39-8s when I saw this one trailing on an east-bound freight at Horseshoe Curve during the summer of 2006. NS wound up with the largest fleet of these distinctive hump-backed, round-roofed GEs, amassing a decent number of their own before getting more from the Conrail split. This was the only one I ever saw in Conrail blue. 7/23/2006

I always wanted to get a shot just like you did of a train passing the tilting target at Foss, and I somewhat regret a trip to the area when I chose to catch an LSRC train at a different, nearby location instead of here! I believe the tilting target, the last in the state, is now relegated to history books and railfan message boards.

*** also, super close inspection of the target via your hi-res version on Flickr yields that the target itself is just the 'RAILROAD' side of a crossbuck painted red

Great catch on the CR C39-8. That original factory paint job seems to have held up so well, and it never got the white sill stripe! Now I need to dig out my shots of one of these beasts at Elkhart are the same time period, although looking much worse for wear than yours did.

[GP30M4216]

What year is this, again? An aging ex-N&W high hood SD40-2 knuckles up with a Conrail boxcar as 1628 goes about switching chores during the golden hour at Oakwood Yard in Melvindale, April 13, 2023. For a full trip report with some other photos of the high hood, Conrail, end cab switchers, and more downriver scenes, check out this trip report: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=39417.

I don't get over to GLC territory often, so I was very pleasantly surprised to bump into them while on my way up to a work conference in northern Michigan, paralleling them at speed on US-131 south of Kalkaska. I had one chance to catch them before the road peels away from the tracks and I needed to continue to my final destination. May 10, 2023.

A westbound stacktrain cruises past the historic LS&MS depot at LaPorte, on the Water Level Route mainline on a sunny day in late February. The historic building on the right, which contains a grocery distributor, really caught my eye.

[SD80MAC]

Fullerton Station by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A south-bound Surfliner arrives at the station while a BNSF intermodal awaits a clear signal in Fullerton. 3/9/2011

Trunk @ East Durand by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The GTW heritage unit leads a sister SD70M-2 and 9000 feet of train on L508 as the train enters the doubletrack at East Durand. The train will shortly have to slow for the 10 mph Hi Wye to connect to the Holly Sub, which it will utilize to get to Detroit. 9/10/2023

Classic Local by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A nice looking little local consisting of a SOO GP38-2, 2 cars, and a SOO caboose heads west from Bensenville Yard shortly after sunrise. 1/4/2008

Shaftsburg by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

M396 knocks down the signal at the east end of the siding at Shaftsburg on a late-summer evening. 9/10/2023

Ws by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CN #5340 looks on as the R942 crew shoves a cut of freight into the north yard with #5286. Two of the worst-looking SD40-2Ws on CN were both based in Flint on this day. 9/10/2023

Over The Hump by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L303 crests the grade at Fox on a hot summer day in August. Fox is the first siding east of Grand Rapids, around 7000 feet in length. Leading the train is faded CW40-8 #7799, still hanging on for now. 8/16/2023

East Lansing by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With the typical big cut of casting sand on head end, an SD50 and an SD60M clatter across the CN diamonds and pass the west end of Trowbridge in East Lansing with Q334. 4/30/2010

Skirting The Yard by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Two SD70Is and a Dash 9 lead M399 around Bristol Yard on the main with a long train of freight from Canada. 9/10/2023

HESR GP38-2 #3526 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The Huron & Eastern's newest engine is this former MoPac GP38-2. Rebuilt by Helm with dynamic brakes, the orange Geep was enjoying a day off at Durand Yard. 9/10/2023

Home Rails by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CN #8952 is right at home on the Holly Sub as L508 works south, passing the junction with the Great Lakes Central at Pitt. The big, blue SD70M-2 was a regular on the L507/508 rotation for a few weeks, much to the delight of the local foam. 9/10/2023

Intermodal Dash 8s by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

C40-8Ws of Conrail and Santa Fe lineage lead 23Z over the joint NS-CN trackage through South Bend on November 1, 2008. The massive former Studebaker plant looms in the background. 11/1/2008

Smokin' 80 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

SD80MAC #4600 lifts Q326 out of the Thornapple River valley on a dreary fall day. One of the only times I ever caught an SD80MAC leading a train, glad I chased this one as far as I did. 9/24/2010

Rock Lights by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Tear drop windows, cab-mounted bells, ditch lights + rock lights, and distinctive K5L horns definitely made BC Rail's final group of Dash 9s stand out from the rest. Not a great photo by any means, but this was the only time I ever saw one of the "BC Blues" in the lead. PTC has since banished these from leading trains across the GTW. 9/11/2009

Quadrupling Up by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L508 is in the process of getting all four of their tracks together as they enter the thoroughfare at the west end of Bristol Yard. A pair of SD70M-2s, led by the GTW Heritage unit, are the power for the 9000 ft train today. 9/10/2023

UP on the BNSF by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Union Pacific's ORTPB swings around the curve to connect to BNSF's Lake Sub for the final miles of its journey to Superior. A freshly-rebuilt AC6000 is sandwiched by a pair of older AC4400s. 6/8/2023

Proctor Arrival by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Three SD40s of various lineages lead U716 into the yard at Proctor on a cool spring morning. If one is looking for an SD40 show on a Class 1, there is no better place than the former DM&IR. 6/8/2023

Railtex Sunrise by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

GR 3839 and MMRR 3836 catch a glint of the rising sun at Michigan Shore's North Yard. 12/14/2012

Switching by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Widenose SD40-2s everywhere as R942 shoves a cut of cars into the north side of Bristol Yard. 9/10/2023

CKRY GP7u #903 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Chicago Rail Link power in form of Central Kansas Railway GP7u #903 and LLPX SW1500 #176 idles outside of the CRL shops on a cold January morning in 2008. In true Omnitrax fashion, the CRL's locomotive roster has long been an eclectic mix of anything and everything. 1/3/2008

Heard You Liek Tunnels by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

North-bound limestone loads (U719) with a trio of Tunnel Motors lead by DMIR 404 meet a south-bound T-Bird (U730) just south of Iron Junction. The trio of ex SP units are bound for the Minorca mine on the DWP. 6/9/2023

Herzog by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Led by a pair of now-ubiquitous CN GEs, Herzog ballast train O491 takes Main 1 at East Durand. They would meet A492 just west of Durand. 9/10/2023

Back From The Falls by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of SD60s lead L568 into Proctor Yard on a cool June morning, having made the run overnight from International Falls. 6/9/2023

Carleton by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

It's a sunny spring evening as Q234 rolls north into Carleton behind an SD70AC and an SD40-2. The train consists of mostly auto frames and will be taking the Conrail Lincoln Secondary north into Detroit. 3/25/2011

Minnesota Highway by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

In the suuuuunnnnnshine. U717 rolls south along Highway 7 with a C40-8, SD40u, and an SD40T-3 at the maximum allowed speed for the ancient little ore hoppers. While most of the remaining C40-8s stick to the Iron Range Sub, there are a handful that pop up on the Missabe Sub now and then. 6/8/2023

That's Not a Heritage Unit by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CN #8007's ugly mug proves that #8952 is the only good-looking SD70M-2 without a nose logo on the CN as it wheels B791 north on the Missabe Sub. 6/9/2023

Autumn at Milford Jct by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of what was even considered old back then CW40-8s lead Q380 across the NS Marion District diamond at Milford Junction, back in November of 2011. 11/12/2011

Switching Power by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

For many years, CSX's Wyoming Yard was synonymous with MP15s and GE drones. Here we see regularly assigned MP15AC #1177 working with RCPHG4 #9249 on the Y193 switching job on the Old Even. The drones like #9249 contained the remote control equipment necessary for RC operation, making any locomotive they were paired with RC. Eventually CSX realized that maintaining the power-less drones was too expensive, and the RC equipment was moved to conventional locomotives instead. 3/17/2007

Talkin' Bout The Cottage Grove by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After a long wait, the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern's FWCH finally gets their route into Indiana Harbor Belt's Blue Island Yard. Three SD40-2s (CFE 3415, CFE 5597, and RCPE 3481) power the lengthy freight on this beautiful October day. 10/1/2023

Workin' Too Hard Can Give You A Heart Attack-ACC-ACC-ACC by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A short and fast east-bound NS intermodal finds a morning sucker hole just east of 465 on the Chicago Line. Leading the train is one of NS's SD70ACC rebuilds, which began life as SD70 #2544. 10/1/2023

The Imperial March by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Illinois Central SD70s are among the few things that get me legitimately excited on a Class 1 anymore. A pair of the classic Death Stars are seen rolling south on The J, crossing the IHB and CSX diamonds at Ivanhoe with L536 bound for Glenn Yard. 10/1/2023

End Of The Line by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

BNSF #2571 has reached the very end of the track as the crew takes all of the available head room to bring part of a grain train down to one of the elevators on the Superior waterfront. 6/9/2023

Kirk Humper by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Excluding the former DMIR, northwest Indiana is pretty much the place to be if you want to see a large concentration of older EMDs working on CN. The former EJ&E Kirk Yard is home to a multitude of SD38s, SD40s, SD70s, and a myriad of Geeps in local and switching service. The hump jobs typical have trios of SDs, and this one was no exception. CN SD40u (or SD40-2Q, depending on who you ask) #6001 leads GTW SD40-2 #5936 and (out of sight) EJ&E SD38-3 #674 as they shove a long string of cars over the hump at the requisite 2 mph. 10/1/2023

[GP30M4216]

Wow, I can't believe it - it's been just about 10 years since my last visit to California's Cajon Pass. It feels like a few days past yesterday! I was in Riverside for the ATRRM conference and had a couple opportunities to skip out to familiar haunts, including Fullerton and Cajon. Here are a few from October, 2013.

BNSF 4547 and friends keep everything in check as they roll down Cajon Pass around Sullivan's curve, as viewed from the Cajon Station vicinity. This was the only time I've ever visited the Pass during October (other visits were in January and March), and the greenery of the trees along he creek really stand out this time of year.

I'm getting some Santa Fe vibes as BNSF H2 colors lead a train down the triple track mainline near Swarthout Canyon Road.

UP 7961 and a couple EMD mates grind up the grade near the Swarthout Canyon Road crossing on the BNSF mainline. The UP's own Palmdale Cutoff line is out of view above and to the right.

[David Collins]

Backwards B16 by David R. Collins, on Flickr

The only train I saw in Ogden Dunes was this, well, different catch. NS B16 with one of NS' venerable SD70M-2's up front, but running long hood forward!

I can't recall the last time I saw a large 6 axle locomotive (excluding SD40's) running backwards. It looks really cool to railfans, but it certainly isn't cool for the crews.

I've been told by crews that running something long hood forward is like running a steam locomotive, with the entire engine in front of you. Add the large radiators on the side and the non-isolated cab that NS' M-2's are known for and you've got probably one very unhappy crew!

Rathke's Wrath by David R. Collins, on Flickr

The day before fall break started back at Ferris State, I sent a text message to Mr. Grapes of Rathke asking if he was going to be running anything on the Chicagoline during my break. He told me that he was going to be running 27G on Saturday and 22H on Sunday.

I attempted to catch him on the 27G on Saturday in Elkhart, Unfortunately, due to a disabled westbound manifest tying up M1, they ran him around on M2, so my attempt at shooting 27G with a whopping 4 units was scrapped.

Fast forward to Sunday morning, I got a text from Steve telling me he was about to leave Chicago running 22H with NS #1079 leading, I was going to be in South Bend and made him aware of that.

It was roughly around 1:30 PM when the crossings started going off around the South Bend Amtrak station, and it became apparent pretty quickly that he saw me on the platform, as there was some horn action to pass along and a nice wave.

Moments after I pressed the record button on my phone to stop recording when the train passed though, I heard someone unloading...oh lord...around maybe 10-15 bullets out of something Semi-Automatic (if I had to guess). It definitely scared the living hell out of me, but I decided to stick around once I saw around half a dozen cops absolutely hauling to where the shots were heard.

[GP30M4216]

Exactly 10 years ago today on Cajon Pass....

A quartet of various Armour Yellow locomotives bring a train down the ex-SP Palmdale Cutoff near the Route 138 overpass. I think these are the Mission Rocks in the distance.

IF there's any good looking UP power to be found, it's generally never leading the train. No matter, the 2nd unit out presented a good opportunity for a shot with the Southern Pacific lettering still visible on the Route 138 bridge.

And this one coming up on its 10 year anniversary. Except during the longest days of the year, an on-time ride on the Southwest Chief over Cajon is generally in darkness. Unless the train is several hours late! On this particular day, I hustled back to the Pass to capture the passage of Amtrak No. 3, the ghost of the Super Chief, descending into the San Bernardino Valley.

[SD80MAC]

South Shore Variety Pack by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

While shooting some IHB power nearby, the wail of a distant Leslie RS3L alerted us to an approaching South Shore freight. A short moment later, the PF-9 crew rolled into view at Burnham with CSS #2007 leading CSS #2010 and FURX #4223. 10/1/2023

Relic by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

M326 passes under the 1942-built coaling tower at New Buffalo. This structure was built by Robert’s & Schaefer Company for the Pere Marquette. All west-bound PM trains would stop here to fill the tenders of their steam locomotives with coal, assuring there would be enough to do a round trip between New Buffalo and Chicago. This also ensured that all PM steam locomotives received high-quality PM/C&O coal, rather than whatever questionable grade of black diamonds that could be obtained offline in the Windy City. Disused since 1952, the tower still stands today, straddling the mainline and the siding, a testament to how well it was constructed. 10/1/2023

Otis Morning by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Fresh ties await insertion as an east-bound NS freight works slowly up the hill at Otis. 10/1/2023

South Yamhill River by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Portland & Western's Mac Switcher brings the day's train north across the impressive trestle over the South Yamhill River near Whiteson, OR. The heavy train consisted of around 40 cars, by far the largest train I have ever seen come into McMinnville. 10/12/2023

The McGevo by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Iowa Interstate's BICB rolls past the McDonalds heritage unit outside the IAIS shops in South Amana. 5/21/2016

Clang Clang Clang by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of the main attractions in Astoria is taking a ride on the trolley along the Columbia Riverfront through town. The #300 was built in 1913 by the American Car Company in St. Louis, MO, and originally worked in Houston, TX. It has been lovingly restored by a group of local volunteers and offers hourly service throughout most of the year. Since there is no overhead wire, #300 pulls/pushes a generator around with it for power. Definitely worth the $1 fare to ride! Visit <a href="https://old300.org/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">old300.org/</a> for more info. 10/8/2023

Air Test by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After setting out a pair of GP38-2s for the Willamina job, the Mac Switcher crew performs an air test on the rest of the train with SD40-2 #3369. Shortly they will depart for McMinnville and eventually Newberg. 10/12/2023

WEPX by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of Union Pacific's SD70ACe-T4s leads a Wisconsin Electric empty coal train running as 553 on NS through Porter on a sunny October morning. 10/1/2023

Westsider Power by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Overnight, the Westsider journeyed up from Salem to Whiteson with SD40-2 #3369 and GP38-2s #3546 and #2155. At Whiteson, the Mac Switcher crew jumped on and set out the Geeps, as seen here. The Geeps will be used on the Wilemina job while the Mac crew takes #3369 and most of the train on to McMinnville. 10/12/2023

Burns Harbor by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Burns Harbor Railroad's BHS200 crew is busy drilling cars at the port as flames from one of the blast furnaces dance in the evening sky. The railroad currently employs a trio of leased GATX GP38-2s, which the employees have lettered for the company. 10/1/2023

MS Koningsdam by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Completed in 2016, Holland America Line's MS Koningsdam is 983 ft long and 99,863 gross registered tons. With accommodations for 2,650 passengers and 1,036 crew, the Koningsdam was the largest ship ever built for HAL up until that point. The big Dutch ship was in the process of turning around in the Columbia River before docking in Astoria, OR, on a cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii. 10/8/2023

NICD GP38-2 #1001 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Northern Indiana Transportation Commuter District (NICD) GP38-3 #1001 at Gary, IN. Built as an Illinois Central GP38AC. Working the car swap job as all service is still suspended between here and Dune Acres. 10/1/2023

McMinnville by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

#3369 is working hard as it muscles the biggest train I have personally ever seen come into McMinnville (over 40 cars) through town. 10/12/2023

As-Built 765 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Nickel Plate #765 is sporting its original appearance as it wheels a fall excursion north on the Great Lakes Central, passing the famous Carland Elevator. 10/15/2011

Clean & Mean by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

When CN purchased the fleet of ex CNW Dash 8s from UP, they wanted to get another 10 years out of them. They wound up getting all that and more, and found a good ore-hauling unit for the DMIR in the process. The writing is on the wall however, and the C40-8s are not long for the CN roster. In better times, 2012 to be exact, the 2102 leads M371 up the Holly Sub at Detroit, still looking good in fresh CN paint. 2/25/2012

Blue Island Yard by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern's FWCH arrives at Indiana Harbor Belt's Blue island yard on a pleasant fall afternoon. With new Dash 8s and Dash 9s arriving on the property, these trios of SD40-2s will soon be nothing but a memory. 10/1/2023

Fourties by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The engineer of Q326 backs his pair of SD40-2s down the Even Lead at CSX's Wyoming Yard. #8240 was built as L&N/Family Lines #3612 in 1977, and at some point was rebuilt without its nose headlight. This unit was later rebuilt into SD40-3 #4064. An ex UP Helm SD40-2 trails. 5/5/2007

Trunk @ Pitt by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CN #8952 is right at home on the Holly Sub as L508 works south, passing the junction with the Great Lakes Central at Pitt. The big, blue SD70M-2 was a regular on the L507/508 rotation for a few weeks, much to the delight of the local foam. 9/10/2023

Burdakin Blue by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

At long last, I was finally able to photo GTW #5936, the last blue SD40-2 on CN. While I obviously would've preferred it leading, I won't complain! Seen here working one of the hump jobs at Kirk Yard. 10/1/2023

Coo-Coo by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Eastern coal loads running as N914 spook some Mourning Doves as the train leaves Wyoming Yard for Consumer's JH Campbell plant in West Olive. 10/12/2008

Vriesland Dip by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An ex Conrail SD60I and an HLCX SD40-2 have empty windmill train K283 rolling through the dip between Vriesland and Zeeland along Chicago Drive. The codeline was still very much in service at this time, but would fall a little over a year later. 7/13/2012

Lots of Power by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of IC SD70s lead 4 other CN units and the consist of L515 south on the EJ&E at Ivanhoe. 10/1/2023

McMinnville Switching by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The Mac Switcher has just left a cut of gons in the siding and is now pulling ahead with their FBOX for Newberg. They will grab the balance of the train and take it a few more miles north before continuing on with the boxcar. 10/12/2023

The Harbor by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Indiana Harbor Belt #5629, an ex NS nee CR GP38-2, is hard at work drilling autoracks at the west end of the Harbor's Gibson Yard. 10/1/2023

Sunfield by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With a grain train already loading in Grand Ledge, this empty train was taken to Sunfield for staging until it could be brought back east for loading. A former Conrail C40-8W is the only power on this day. This was also the only time I ever photographed a train in the siding at Sunfield, which has since been torn out. 4/1/2010

Mini Cap by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A shadow of its former, pre-Covid self, Amtrak's tiny Capitol Limited rolls west through the morning mist at Pinola. 10/1/2023

Pug Nose by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Minnesota Commercial's Hugo Job is seen rocking slowly north in the Little Canada neighborhood of St Paul. 6/11/2023

Grand Trunk Legacy by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With only 7 units on the roster, CN's former Grand Trunk Western SD40-2s aren't exactly common power. So the last thing I expected to see in 2023 was a pair of them working the South Bend local! Here #5931 and #5934, both still in their "original" CN North America paint jobs (neither of these units ever wore GTW blue), are seen passing under US 31 heading west towards Kingsbury with L521. 11/4/2023

[SD80MAC]

McMinnville Depot by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The Mac Switcher rolls into town as the old SP Red Electric depot in McMinnville stands by, just as it has for over a century. Today it is used by G&W as a regional office. 10/12/2023

Four Ninety One by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Lead by one of CN's original SD70M-2s, A491 rolls past the depot in East Lansing. 11/5/2023

Candy Apple Finale by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

2010 was the last year of operation for X500 (CP 242) over the CSX in Michigan. A very backlit photo, but one of the last times I saw a SOO SD60 leading up here. 5/6/2010

Chewin' by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

To use a Chris Rengo phrase, a trio of Tunnel Motors are " chewin' " up Proctor Hill at Spirit Mountain with limestone loads from the docks. 6/9/2023

Tried And True by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of CN's aging-but-reliable SD75Is leads a Gevo past the East Lansing depot with Q116. 11/5/2023

L521 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of GTW SD40-2s are the power for L521 on this day as the train moves through Oliver's Yard after making a set out. Both units were originally built for Missouri Pacific and were purchased by the Trunk in 1990 after being returned to the leaser by Union Pacific. 11/4/2023

Another One by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Following immediately behind Q116 was A492, a Sarnia-bound freight behind Gevos from CN and CSX, respectively. 11/5/2023

South Shore Coal by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A UP coal train heads east under the wires of the South Shore mainline, headed ultimately for the power plant in Michigan City. Not often you get to see modern GEs under catenary! 10/1/2023

Plaster Creek by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Y195 waits to shove back over the plant at Plaster Creek with caboose 903101 leading the way. 8/27/2007

Evening 303 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Grand Elk 303 rolls south near Moline after working Nutrien AG. WAMX 4206 and 4190 were built for the CP and the C&O, respectively, and are 2 of the 7 SD40s currently roster by the Elk. 11/9/2023

A Nice Yellowstone by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Nicely preserved Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-8-4 #229 sits under a cover by the depot in Two Harbors. These massive beasts represented the very best of steam power on the Missabe, hauling ore until 1959. 6/10/2023

The South Bend Sub by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After negotiating the joint NS trackage through town, M399 is rolling along back on the Trunk behind two of the newest examples of CN DC motive power. 11/4/2023

Evening in Lydick by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A west-bound NS general freight finds the last little bit of sun as it rolls off the miles through Lydick. 11/4/2023

Buchanan by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A former Conrail SD70MAC provides a refreshing change from the endless parade of CSX GEs as L303 works its way east out of Grand Rapids. #4589 having lead L302 west into town the night before, it was likely to train on 303. Luck was on my side, though, as the 303 crew wyed the power after they went on duty so that the trailing SD40-3 would be facing the right direction for the Lansing locals when it was dropped off there, 50 miles later. 11/14/2023

[GP30M4216]

CSXT ES40DC 5381 leads the struggle up Saugatuck Hill with Q326 as viewed from the elevation of a well-placed ballast pile beside the 55th Street Crossing above New Richmond. 4/24/2021.

Coming up on a year ago, a refreshingly bright Union Pacific 7137 leads a daytime M327 through the Waverly Wye on the mainline at Holland. 11/25/2022.

It's easy to get down about rolling stock these days. Usually colored in graffiti or rust, or both, nameless train cars roll by day and night with reporting marks and that's about it. This Maine Central/Guilford car, even with its token graffiti, was still worth a photo on M326 back on 3/4/2023.

[AARR]

I've been seeing MC boxcars on HESR going into the thumb for I presume bean service

000650500007 MEC 20052 M326 Zeeland MI 3-04-2023 Done.jpg
It's easy to get down about rolling stock these days. Usually colored in graffiti or rust, or both, nameless train cars roll by day and night with reporting marks and that's about it. This Maine Central/Guilford car, even with its token graffiti, was still worth a photo on M326 back on 3/4/2023.

[DaveO]

I've been seeing MC boxcars on HESR going into the thumb for I presume bean service

maybe potatoes? maine and michigan are both up there.

[AARR]

That’s a good point DaveO and possible that they are in potato service although I’m not aware of anyone in the thumb handling potatoes.

I've been seeing MC boxcars on HESR going into the thumb for I presume bean service

maybe potatoes? maine and michigan are both up there.