Work trains and Storm Light

[E.M. Bell]

After NS 44A derailed 5 cars at the East End of the Waddy (Ky) siding on 07/16/06, track crews removed the East Switch there to open the main back up as quickly as possable. A new #15 switch was built in Roanoke VA and transported to Waddy last week, while the siding remained out of service. On Saturday 07/22/06, A curfew was in place on the Louisville District while track crews installed the new turnout and opened the siding back up to traffic.

Knowing that there would be a parade of trains after Mof W cleared, Caleb and myself headed that way around 1400 to see what we could catch. The new switch took longer to install than planned, and it was after 1700 before the trains started moving. Here are some shots of the action.  Click on the thumbnails for a bigger picture.

Shortly after we arrived, a 99T work train with a GMTX lease unit pulled the last of the rerailed covered hoppers off the siding and put them away at the Waddy house track.  Here, 99T slowly pulls the work train and crippled cars through the siding.



After the work train cleared up, the track crew finished tamping the new swtich and cleared the siding.





The 99T work train cleared up on the West end of the siding to allow MofW to use the main to reach the Waddy house track. Here, a NS hyrail dumptruck passed the GMTX motor at the West end.



Soon after the track crews cleared up, the Louisville Dispatcher started turning trains loose, and we would soon be treated to a Five train meet with Eastbound 23G and 111 meeting the work train, 375 and 287. Westbound 375 stalled out on the hill near the East switch, and had to be pushed by 287's power, further delaying things. While all of this was taking place, the skys started to darken as storms entered the area.

Here, NS 375 slowly creeps into the siding over the new switch while 23G holds the main.



375 stopped at Turtle Tree crossing to cut off the pusher just as the sun popped out, lighting up the dramatic sky to the East.



With 375 tucked away in the siding, 287 takes it't turn up the hill, once again with a stormy background.



287 again at Turtle Tree Crossing  



And 287 one last time as they creep up behind the stopped 375 near the Waddy Firehouse.



While all of this was going on, the 99T work train that had been waiting to go West started to get short on time. The DS instructed them to pull outof the siding and shove back on the main at the West end before they dogged. Soon after they clear up on the main, 375 gets moving West.

[Michael Knight]

Awesome color combinations in the storm light pictures!

[Hoydie17]

Turtle Tree Crossing?  Interesting name, how do you get a turtle in a tree anyways?  

Sean

[E.M. Bell]

Turtle Tree Crossing?  Interesting name, how do you get a turtle in a tree anyways?  

Sean

Well...see for your self.. Caleb did...