RailRoadFan.com

Downeaster by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of the many daily Amtrak Downeasters arrives at the station in Portland, ME about 10 minutes later than the advertised. As I would come to find out, the Portland Amtrak station is a "dead end", requiring both north and south-bound trains to either back in or back out. 6/13/2022

SD60s by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

SD60s of two different types from two different railroads sit at the west end of CSX's Wyoming Yard during a muggy summer evening in 2006. 6/9/2006

Downeast Scenic RR by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Former Portland Terminal Alco S4 #1055 stands ready to leave with the 1:30 PM train at the Downeast Scenic RR depot at Washington Junction. The old Alco, wearing a Maine Central-inspired paint job, was purchased from the Conway Scenic in 2009. 6/18/2022

Wiscasset, ME by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Waiting in line for one hell of a good lobster roll at Red’s Eats, I was surprised to hear a train coming on the former Maine Eastern line through Wiscasset. Armed with only my iPhone, I got this backlit shot of a Canadian Pacific GP38-2 heading north with a string of 2 bay covered hoppers in tow. CP began operating this line after acquiring the Central Maine & Quebec, who had acquired this line from the now defunct Maine Eastern. With how rusty the rails were through here, I was certain my chances of seeing a train were zero. I like being wrong! 6/16/2022

Sometimes it is better to be lucky than to be good and you had good luck catching that train.

That unit is from one of the last batches of GP38-2's built. The vast majority of 38-2's built are still in service.

I think those covered hoppers are for a local cement plant.

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:04 am

Wiscasset, ME by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Waiting in line for one hell of a good lobster roll at Red’s Eats, I was surprised to hear a train coming on the former Maine Eastern line through Wiscasset. Armed with only my iPhone, I got this backlit shot of a Canadian Pacific GP38-2 heading north with a string of 2 bay covered hoppers in tow. CP began operating this line after acquiring the Central Maine & Quebec, who had acquired this line from the now defunct Maine Eastern. With how rusty the rails were through here, I was certain my chances of seeing a train were zero. I like being wrong! 6/16/2022

That's correct, Don. The cement plant is allegedly going to shut down soon, don't know what that will mean for service on this branch.

Hancock, ME by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Passengers prepare to board the Downeast Scenic's 1:30 PM train at the railroad's headquarters in tiny Hancock, ME. The hour and 45 minute ride includes turning the train on a wye, a runaround, and a brief shove move before heading back to Hancock. 6/18/2022

WMI Power by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

GLLX GP18 #921 "Miss Scarlet" and MP15AC #1397 leave some cars on the CSX interchange in Hartford. #921 was recently brought back to life after a nearly 5 year slumber. 6/5/2022

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:26 am

That's correct, Don. The cement plant is allegedly going to shut down soon, don't know what that will mean for service on this branch.

I don't believe they are shutting down the Thomaston plant, however, they did shut down the rail to barge terminal in Rockland which is a major blow to that branch.
This is why Finger Lakes Railway paused its plans for taking over the line last year. They have the lease until 2025, but CP is still operating the branch.
https://railfan.com/finger-lakes-railwa ... expansion/
https://knox.villagesoup.com/2022/01/14 ... south-end/

I really miss the Maine Eastern. Morristown & Erie did a great job with the branch, and it is a shame the State of Maine did not renew their contract in 2015. So glad I was able to ride the train when I was younger, just wish I had taken more pictures.

The Holland Local, CSX job Y121, works Zeeland Lumber on the Grand Rapids Subdivision. They've just spotted a loaded centerbeam in the lumberyard and are now returning to the MJ lead, to grab the rest of their Fremont Subdivison bound train and head back to Holland. April 27, 2022.

Perhaps recalling fond memories for Michigan 90's kids, Amtrak Metroliner cab #9640 holds down a Springfield Shuttle assignment at Springfield, Massachusetts on June 6, 2022. A small fleet of these former Metroliner cabs were regularly assigned to Michigan Line operations for much of the late 1980s through the mid 1990s, and the "bumblebee" front ends were certainly not something to miss! Today, Metroliners are regularly assigned to Springfield Shuttles and the Kaystone trains in Pennsylvania.

CLOUDS by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Can't win them all, I guess. L303 works east by the signal at CH 146 with 2 AC4400s leading an SD50-3. 6/2/2022

Sappi-Bound by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Grand Rapids Eastern #3839 has the usual train of clay slurry tanks and 50' boxcars in tow as the crew makes their way down to the Sappi Paper mill at the end of the South Horn branch. As of 2022, Michigan Shore and CSX have filed to abandon this line, which has been dormant for about 10 years now after the mill closed. 8/21/2008

GP30M4216 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:17 pm

000149680011.jpg
The Holland Local, CSX job Y121, works Zeeland Lumber on the Grand Rapids Subdivision. They've just spotted a loaded centerbeam in the lumberyard and are now returning to the MJ lead, to grab the rest of their Fremont Subdivison bound train and head back to Holland. April 27, 2022.

Nice picture the surroundings look really familiar. lol

I did not report on Y121- 27 at this location although
GP30M4216 did here’s his report from the CSX TLU thread.

Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:21 am

09:15 Y121 just dropped a lumber load at Zeeland Lumber and is hanging tight in Zeeland on the main before they head out. They have their caboose and 3 boxcars with them, so if they haven’t been up to Stow on the Fremont Branch yet, I’d guess that’s their next destination. CSXT 6461 for power.

GR H & C wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:50 pm

GP30M4216 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:17 pm

000149680011.jpg
The Holland Local, CSX job Y121, works Zeeland Lumber on the Grand Rapids Subdivision. They've just spotted a loaded centerbeam in the lumberyard and are now returning to the MJ lead, to grab the rest of their Fremont Subdivison bound train and head back to Holland. April 27, 2022.

D78823F6-0748-4155-A755-7B44CDFE68CA.jpeg
Nice picture the surroundings look really familiar. lol

I did not report on Y121- 27 at this location although
GP30M4216 did here’s his report from the CSX TLU thread.

Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:21 am

09:15 Y121 just dropped a lumber load at Zeeland Lumber and is hanging tight in Zeeland on the main before they head out. They have their caboose and 3 boxcars with them, so if they haven’t been up to Stow on the Fremont Branch yet, I’d guess that’s their next destination. CSXT 6461 for power.

GP30M4216 is the one who posted the picture, too...

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:14 pm

GR H & C wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:50 pm

GP30M4216 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:17 pm

000149680011.jpg
The Holland Local, CSX job Y121, works Zeeland Lumber on the Grand Rapids Subdivision. They've just spotted a loaded centerbeam in the lumberyard and are now returning to the MJ lead, to grab the rest of their Fremont Subdivison bound train and head back to Holland. April 27, 2022.



GP30M4216 is the one who posted the picture, too...

Wow I guess I should’ve looked a little closer at who posted the original pic. I guess I just assumed you’re the one who posted it. Maybe because I was checking out a lot of your other nice pics.

SORRY GP30M4216

Portland Waterfront by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

About a mile of the former Grand Trunk Railway line along waterfront in Portland, ME has been converted to 2 foot narrow gauge. Operated by the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum, the little railroad takes visitors on a scenic ride along the water in vintage Maine 2 Footer equipment. Here 25 Ton GE #1 sits with the train at the end of the line, with the old swing bridge that once carried the tracks over Back Cove in the distance. 6/15/2022

Edelstein by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of BNSF Geeps have a local in tow as they're about to duck under Highway 40 in Edelstein. 5/20/2016

Rainy Day Belles by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Empty KCS grain train GBVKC rolls north through a steady rain near Goodman, MO. 5/3/2019

CN Interchange by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Great Lakes Central GP35 #392 has 6 cars for the CN as it hustles south on Huron & Eastern rails in Vernon. 1/14/2011

Clarke Road by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A South Shore freight running as Z502 on CSX's Barr Sub rolls through busy Pine Junction. A CSX yard job prepares to head around the connection to CN's Kirk Yard in the distance. 3/12/2013

Laying Over by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Amtrak 40th Anniversary P42 #145 lays over with a Downeaster trainset in Portland. 6/13/2022

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 24, 2022 9:50 am

CN Interchange by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Great Lakes Central GP35 #392 has 6 cars for the CN as it hustles south on Huron & Eastern rails in Vernon. 1/14/2011

The first car looks like a refrigerated box car. I think Cherry Growers stopped shipping by 2009 so I must be mistaken. It could be a regular box car from the bean plant in Ithaca.

AARR wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:51 am

The first car looks like a refrigerated box car. I think Cherry Growers stopped shipping by 2009 so I must be mistaken. It could be a regular box car from the bean plant in Ithaca.

Pretty sure that's an empty lumber box from Acme. Ithaca bean plant didn't exist in 2011.

Thank you. That makes sense too.

They don't get many box cars at Amerhart. Mostly center beams.

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 25, 2022 11:08 am

AARR wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:51 am

The first car looks like a refrigerated box car. I think Cherry Growers stopped shipping by 2009 so I must be mistaken. It could be a regular box car from the bean plant in Ithaca.

Pretty sure that's an empty lumber box from Acme. Ithaca bean plant didn't exist in 2011.

Conrail Anniversary by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

In a fitting tribute to Big Blue, 3 former Conrail locomotives battle up the hill at Fox with Grand Rapids-Toledo freight Q334 on the 35th Anniversary of Conrail's inception. 04/01/2011

Rolling into Lowell by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Mid Michigan #24 leads a 9 car train around the curve near the west side of Lowell on a gray winter day. 12/30/2009

Turning @ Yuma by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A Lake Central Rail Tours Fall Color excursion has just arrived at the end of the former Ann Arbor mainline in Yuma. The engineer has just switched ends and shortly the train will depart back for Cadillac and ultimately Owosso. I had the opportunity to ride in the cab of #385 during this trip, and it was an experience I will always remember fondly! The line to Yuma has been out of service now for almost 5 years. 10/27/2007

Sun & Rail by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The sun is shining on the Sun Rail as another one of their many daily trains arrives at the station in Winter Park, FL. 4/28/2022

L303 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

YN2 AC4400s aren't dead on CSX yet, but their ranks are rapidly thinning due to repaints and the CM44AC rebuild project. #461, still wearing its as-delivered colors, leads L303 east out of Grand Rapids with an even older AC4400 trailing. 5/21/2022

SD40 Through the Windshield by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Indiana Northern SD40-2 #3084 sits on the siding out of the way, seen through the windshield of the INER's other SD40-2, #3125. 2 crews were hard at work loading a grain train at the elevator in Reading on this day, about 7 cars at a time. 12/13/2020

Gallitzin by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A westbound stack train exits the tunnel at Gallitzin, PA behind a former Conrail C40-8W. 7/3/2006

Standard Fare by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

It seemed like for a long time, the "typical" CSX power consist would involve at least one EMD SD50 and one GE Dash 8. Q387 is seen heading west near Kimmel, IN behind one of each. 8579 has since been retired, and 7867 has been in storage for the last few years. 11/12/2011

Thank you for the information. I wondered how many cars they could load at a time. I didn't realize it was only seven.

SD80MAC wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:54 am

SD40 Through the Windshield by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Indiana Northern SD40-2 #3084 sits on the siding out of the way, seen through the windshield of the INER's other SD40-2, #3125. 2 crews were hard at work loading a grain train at the elevator in Reading on this day, about 7 cars at a time. 12/13/2020