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.