Teardrop by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
Teardrop EMDs are becoming more and more common on CSX as the railroad works to rebuild its nearly 200 unit fleet of SD70ACs. While still a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands of GE road units, 70s like #4554 make running out to shoot L303 on a gloomy day worth it. 3/10/2024
New Buffalo Meet by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
An empty coal train has taken the siding at New Buffalo for Q326, which is seen flying down the main behind CW40-8 #7891. Straddling the main and siding the distance is the large coaling tower dating back to the Pere Marquette days. 3/4/2018
The SIND by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
Southern Indiana Railway S2M #103 passes by the railroad's small shop in Sellersburg, IN. Time was almost up for this unique little short line, which operated on former interurban trackage with some incredibly sharp and winding curves. The railroad has since shut down as their only customer, a large cement plant in Speed, quit operations a few years ago. 5/1/2019
Chessie Sunrise by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
ES40DC #5437 leads Grand Rapids-Detroit freight Q328 over the Chessie-adorned bridge in Grand Rapids, located at Fox on the Plymouth Subdivision. Originally a grade crossing, this bridge was installed in the late 80s due to the frequent meets that happened at Fox back then. Even though CSX had been the corporate brand for a few years at that point, "Chessie" was snuck into the design proposal by local management and engineers and was approved, as a final middle finger to the Seaboard System. Over 30 years later, Chessie is still looking good. 1/31/2018
Once Upon A Time @ Godfrey by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
Marquette Rail's Z151 is being lead by flagship SD40-2 GLLX #3001 on this day as the train rolls west on the Sunnyside Lead in the late November sun at Godfrey. Much has changed here since I shot this in 2012. The code line (along with the classic C&O cantilever) is gone, with the signal system having been upgraded in 2013. The overgrown and derelict buildings at the right have also since been cleared out, and the spot is now occupied by Beacon Recycling, a very active CSX customer. The spur to Gelock Heavy Movers at left, dormant for over 20 years, is also now active again as a lumber transload. And of course, #3001 is now G&W orange MQT #3389. 11/16/2012
Almost There by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
U790's trio of C40-8s have almost reached the end of their journey, nearing Two Harbors on a rainy spring morning at Waldo. In-bound trains like U790 take the northern-most line into town, descending a steep grade with the aid of their dynamics and straight air. Empty trains leave Two Harbors on the southern and easier grade, which is in the foreground here. 6/10/2023
Get 'Em While You Can by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
One of the dwindling number of AC4400s on CSX leads a very short L303 east at Cascade. With Wabtec and CSX planning to rebuild the entire fleet, time is short for these 90s wide bodies. 3/11/2024
Approaching Wellsboro by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
An ES44AC and 3 ET44ACs lead a west-bound CN freight along the South Bend Sub, passing the Wellsboro set out track. 3/4/2018
LSRC C425M-AC #181 by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
By the Fall of 2009, Lake State Railway’s once mighty fleet of Alco and MLW products was down to just a token force. EMD replacements had gradually been sidelining them one by one as they failed and were usually not repaired. C425M-AC #181 was parked on one of the finger tracks around the turntable at the roundhouse in Saginaw on this day. The fall grain rush saw C425 #281, C425M-AC #1280, M420 #3504, and one other unit (might’ve been #181, can’t remember) resurrected for one last hurrah. 1280 and 3504 were last two to be retired in very early 2010. 1280 and 181 were converted to AC traction by the LSRC in I believe the late 90s. The four C425s were acquired by the D&M in 1980 and 1981 and were former PRR units rebuilt at Hornell. They were scrapped in Saginaw in 2010. 10/16/2009
Hullo by
Jonathon Leese, on Flickr
Reflecto Man does his signature wave as X500 gets underway from Grand Rapids behind CP SD40-2 #6029 and an AC4400. East-bound coke empties await a new crew on the Service Track at left. This was one of the last times I lensed a Pacman 40 in Grand Rapids. 2/7/2009