Earlier this week, NS 111 departed Louisville KY with LeHigh Valley 8104 and Virginian 1069 leading. The train was out and on the move a lot earlier than normal.
I headed West before the sun was up, and made it to Waddy about 15 mins ahead of the train. I spent the rest of the day following them South, and managed to shoot them a grand total of 27 times (which would be a lot more impressive if the train had ever gotten above 20mph).. The Louisville District was congested and 111 played leap frog from siding to siding meeting trains, and then they got stabbed for over 2 hours in Danville, waiting in line for fuel. I finally let them go at Southfork and headed for home after spending over 8 hours with the train . The day was diverse as far as lighting goes..started out with heavy fog, then just cloudy and then it was another round of sucker hole roulette for the afternoon.
I came away with a lot more shots than anyone could ever need of 1 train, but culled it down to 15 favorites. Follow the link if you care to take a peek over on Pbase. >>>> http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/nsheritage_2013_eb (http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/nsheritage_2013_eb)
Here are a few teasers..
Just before 0800 at the West End of Waddy KY, as the LV 8104 came out of the fog like a apparition.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FLV8104_NS111_waddy_020513_2.sized.jpg&hash=c2e19d2753c4538f93a9e96bc772d1956343ece1)
LeHigh Valley 8104 in the early morning fog near Alton Station
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FLV8104_NS111_Alton_020513_1.sized.jpg&hash=8dbcb7347ed384f3ffc69fc41f5c33dc3e73a79a)
111 passes the block at East Harrodsburg in a brief moment of sunlight. You can see the shadows in the background, chasing the power towards me...Suckerholes would be the name of the game for the rest of the day.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FLV8104_NS111_Hogtown_020513_2.sized.jpg&hash=ae4b44203c3d82467f8c0a82301d166814fb5d12)
After a 2 hour wait for fuel at Danville yard, LV 8104 & VGN 1069 lead NS train 111 South through Junction City KY. Just ahead of the train is where the old L&N Leabon branch diamond used to cross the CNO&TP, and the lot to the left was the location of the old RR hotel.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FLV8104_NS111_Jctcity_020513_2.sized.jpg&hash=dbd2640e6cf21eef5af0586625584269c6eca863)
Southbound 111 roars across Single track at Southfork KY , getting a good run for the grade up to Kings Mountain
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FLV8104_NS111_southfork_020513.sized.jpg&hash=19a1e0ea2a6182a4218e39f86a9be815d0b5bb6d)
Looks like you did alright with that one Emmett. If I hadn't had to work that day I would have been with that one too regardless of the weather.
Thanks for posting pictures. These two were through my area (western IL) from Decatur to KC but it was late and I didn't make it back to see them. I cross the tracks on my way to work and back but didn't know they were coming until I got home. I was hoping for a return trip in the daylight - even had a plan to catch them in several places between the rivers but they went south.
I caught the two units on a 387 Knoxville to Andover train on Wednesday. Here are a couple of shots---both at Speers Ferry, VA. Both units have been on the Appalachia District before.
Thanks to Jacob Gwinn, a shot of the same train now appears on the East Tennessee Rail Group Facebook page!
Thanks guys..just another one of those lucky days!
Ron, I love that shot with the dark background..makes that red engine really pop!
Billy, Facebook over Jreb??
No, no, a million times no! I just need to figure out how to get JREB configured to stay logged on in my iPhone! Once I do, watch out!