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Photo and Video => Trip Reports and Photo Sharing => Topic started by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 06:48:49 PM

Title: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 06:48:49 PM
The first week of spring was downright balmy up here in the Northeast. It was sunny with temps ranging from the low 70s to almost 80 degrees. That is not a joke or a misprint! it felt like summer actually came early this year. As luck would have it, I had already chosen the final day of nice weather to head out to Buffalo.

My day started at the Tifft Street bridge. A high nose GP38-2 had brought local H0A to Buffalo Creek Junction.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05147.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.   
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 06:50:37 PM
The crew of H0A has pulled up the train to the interchange track and is preparing to shove it back onto the Buffalo & Pittsburgh RR.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05150.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.   
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 06:51:51 PM
H0A backs up from the former NKP mainline onto the former B&O 4th Sub.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05155.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 06:57:05 PM
High nose Geep #5113 is a former Southern unit. It was nice to see the old beast up in the Northeast.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05163.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 06:58:42 PM
NS #5113 shuffles cars in the B&P's Buffalo Creek Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05167.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 06:59:50 PM
As an added bonus, a B&P local was also working in the yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05172.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.  
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:01:43 PM
Number 5113 returns the NS yard via a light engine move.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05177.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:02:56 PM
The B&P local performed switching moves while #5113 headed up the ex-NKP.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05181.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.  
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:04:39 PM
The Geep was heading up to a small cut of cars.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05190.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:05:46 PM
H0A departs Buffalo Creek Junction with a 3 car consist.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05207.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:07:53 PM
As H0A departed, another train appeared in the distance on the Buffalo Southern RR.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05212.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:12:20 PM
I'm pretty sure the inbound train was NS 14M.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05215.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:13:48 PM
At the same time, Amtrak's eastbound Lake Shore Limited (on CSX rails) passed 14M.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05226.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:21:12 PM
14M heads up the BSOR (an ex-Erie/EL branchline) slowly, while Amtrak passes by. According to a fellow railfan, the CP unit was brand new and would be dropped off in nearby SK Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05232.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.

Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:22:24 PM
14M also had coil cars in the consist- something I don't see very often.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05236.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:25:01 PM
The tail end of 14M heads eastward the Buffalo Southern. NS uses this end of BSOR as a bypass when the ex-NKP main is in use.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05240.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:27:07 PM
This Norfolk Southern hi-rail MOW truck also passed through Buffalo Creek Junction.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05289.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:28:12 PM
The NS MOW truck got off the rails and left the yard via an access road.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05292.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:30:02 PM
Number 5113 returned alone after dropping off the consist of H0A a few miles way in Hamburg.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05299.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:31:47 PM
At the same time, NS 287 made its daily appearance.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05303.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:33:20 PM
Number 5113 has passed under Tifft Street and is about to pick-up a few more cars.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05308.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:35:30 PM
Norfolk Southern 287 passes H0A at Buffalo Creek Junction.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05318.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:37:05 PM
As Ed Fury recently observed, Norfolk Southern apparently isn't shy about using standard cabs as leading power on auto rack trains.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05322.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:39:37 PM
After picking up a few cars, H0A runs along side 287 as the latter departs Buffalo Creek Junction heading westbound.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05326.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:41:15 PM
Now y'all can see why Tifft Street is one of my favorite destinations- it's a great spot to see several trains working at once.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05327.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:43:38 PM
NS H0A shuffles cars as 287 passes.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05329.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:46:22 PM
NS H0A works near the Tifft Street Bridge while westbound 287 passes underneath it.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05346.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:47:25 PM
The tail end of 287 passes GP38-2 #5113 at Buffalo Creek Junction.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05353.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:49:00 PM
NS 5113 idles at Buffalo Creek Junction with a lone boxcar. I didn't know it at the time, but I'd see the Geep a few hours later.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05358.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:50:52 PM
The action at Buffalo Creek Junction was incredible. Among other things, the B&P was working the entire time I was there that morning.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05363.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 02, 2012, 07:53:49 PM
This was my final shot of the B&P local before a fellow railfan decided to give me a quick tour of some local photo locations I hadn't seen before.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05388.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. When I resume this series, we'll take a look at a couple of new places (for me) in the area,
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:14:06 PM
After departing Tifft Street/Buffalo Creek Junction, my fellow railfan Brian led me to Bayview Road, which is ideally suited for catching both CSX and NS action. As for the latter, 23K arrived around mid-day.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05443.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Hamburg, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:15:13 PM
This was the furthest west I have seen 23K to date.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05446.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Hamburg, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:16:47 PM
NS 23K approaches Bayview Road.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05447.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Hamburg, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:18:51 PM
I really liked the Bayview Road crossing and will probably spend more time here during future visits to Buffalo.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05449.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Hamburg, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:20:36 PM
As 23K sped off into the distance, I noticed the connecting track that  diverges from the former NKP and connects with the ex-NYC Water Level Route (which is now operated by CSX).

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05457.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Hamburg, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:22:43 PM
After 23K passed, Brian and I went back to Tifft Street and caught a second Buffalo & Pittsburgh local working at Buffalo Creek Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05459.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:25:57 PM
The 2nd B&P local departs Buffalo Creek Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05464.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. As a point of clarification, NS refers to this area as Buffalo Creek Junction ( a term that dates back to the Nickel Plate), while the B&P uses Buffalo Creek Yard.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:28:29 PM
The 2nd B&P local passes over Norfolk Southern, the Buffalo Southern RR and CSX on a former South Buffalo RR bridge.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05482.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:32:27 PM
On Brian's advice, I checked out the tracks next to a street called Ohwan Place. We found #5113 idling there.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05487.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:33:54 PM
H0A basks in the sunshine of an unusually warm March day. 

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05488.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:37:19 PM
Red Jacket River Front Park is around the corner from Ohwan Place. Among other things, there are murals painted on the bridge abuttments of the former Lackawanna passenger main.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05504.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:38:26 PM
This is one of several paintings on the opposite abuttment.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05509.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:40:54 PM
The murals on the abuttments all depict places and/or people from the Buffalo area. Park personnel perform occasional "touch-up" work on the paintings if they've been tagged with graffiti.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05512.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.   
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:46:49 PM
Red Jacket River Front Park is a good location for catching both NS and CSX action, since they share the tracks at CP Draw. A westbound NS hopper train (possibly 8888) crosses the bridge.  

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05518.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:48:40 PM
The tail end of the NS hopper train crosses CP Draw.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05522.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:50:46 PM
Some of the former Lackawanna embankment sits within the park, so I was able to stand where the legendary Phoebe Snow travelled back in the day.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05526.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.   
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:52:52 PM
At the east end of the embankment, we could look down to the NS and CSX tracks... where this MOW critter was parked.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05528.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:55:57 PM
CP Draw and the former NKP bridge can also be seen from the former Lackawanna. N&W stopped using the latter bridge in the early '80s and began sharing the former Buffalo Creek bridge with Conrail. The ex-NKP bridge is actually welded to remain in an "up" position permanently.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05530.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY.   
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:57:13 PM
H0A could also be seen underneath the South Park Avenue bridge.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05537.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Buffalo, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 07:59:05 PM
After we left the park, Brian and I split up. I headed over to one of my traditional haunts- Bison Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05548.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Cheektowaga, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 08:00:06 PM
Bison Yard was kinda quiet- alot of power which wasn't moving.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05549.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Cheektowaga, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 08:00:54 PM
This is where auto racks are unloaded on the north side of Bison Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05553.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Cheektowaga, NY.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 08:03:09 PM
I did catch a little action- an eastbound manifest freight (possibly NS 310?) arrived on the Bison Runner.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05557.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Cheektowaga, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 08:03:51 PM
The eastbound manifest freight pulls into Bison Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05559.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Cheektowaga, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 08:06:12 PM
The reason I think this train may have been 310 is the ROW material in the gondola, which may have been headed for a rehab project on the Southern Tier Mainline.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05569.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Cheektowaga, NY. 
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 08:07:54 PM
The tail end of the manifest freight rolls through Bison Yard.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05571.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Cheektowaga, NY.  The yard quieted after the train arrived, so I headed off to dinner.
Title: Re: My first day trackside in the spring of 2012
Post by: Matt L on April 03, 2012, 08:10:33 PM
I ended the day back at Lake Avenue, where I caught some CSX action framed against a nice sunset.

(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/Amtrak_Matt/March%202012/DSC05576.jpg)

Photo taken by me Friday 3/23/2012 in Blasdell, NY. I hope everyone has enjoyed the shots of my most recent adventures in Buffalo as much as I enjoyed taking them. 
Text only | Text with Images