"A sure sign it's finally spring... " -that's what the owner of my favorite breakfast place in greater Buffalo said when I walked in the door. between lingering winter weather, an early Easter weekend (which involved chasing) and travelling for work, I had to wait to get back to the rail hub of western NY. The wait was worth it- beautiful weather and 5 RRs to shoot!
We will begin at Buffalo Creek Junction. A high nose SD40-2 (ex-Southern?) was working the NS yard.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC06870_zps60efa7df.jpg&hash=62c9d55cd1ecdaffaf7e4b14e8bc516a9e6caecf) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC06870_zps60efa7df.jpg.html)
Once the switching was done, NS local H0A moved out onto the former NKP main. Amtrak's eastbound Lake Shore Limited is on CSX's Chicago Line in the background.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC06877_zps4c513bfb.jpg&hash=71236f0070ea79dc57a5e46fdb398ce02e9d7ac2) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC06877_zps4c513bfb.jpg.html)
NS local H0A drops off a few cars for the Buffalo & Pittsburgh.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC06894_zps5020eefb.jpg&hash=b425345a47148a0079106f35303f982a72d8be91) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC06894_zps5020eefb.jpg.html)
Now, local H0A is back on the old NKP, as the Buffalo Southern local (led by their MLW RS18) arrives at Buffalo Creek Junction.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC06921_zps9017abe4.jpg&hash=90b4b3248ba00ab0f8d601044cd61f5219ebca6e) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC06921_zps9017abe4.jpg.html)
The B&P local, pwered by a pair of SW1500s, arrives at Buffalo Creek Junction via the old South Buffalo mainline.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC06934_zpsff5c0c87.jpg&hash=aad3338c974bf649a9714dbffff35431ad58a3d0) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC06934_zpsff5c0c87.jpg.html)
Westbound NS auto rack train 287 came through Buffalo Creek Junction around mid-morning.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC06951_zps7adc689a.jpg&hash=dd6988739cde27fd4553e6e7b2820bd07622c807) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC06951_zps7adc689a.jpg.html)
An eastbound CSX intermodal freight passes by on the Chicago Line as NS 287 heads west on the old Nickel Plate main.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC06958_zps830af7c4.jpg&hash=1e0445ed185a3146537d58baae776133c18c6b02) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC06958_zps830af7c4.jpg.html)
NS 3202 returns as a light engine move after dropping off the consist of H0A a few miles away.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC07047_zpsce539ad1.jpg&hash=51a87d9423736611f1f1fd3c9b78859fca47a8de) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC07047_zpsce539ad1.jpg.html)
NS local H0A works at Buffalo Creek Junction, while the Buffalo Southern local prrpeares to depart.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520Buffalo%2520Creek%2520Jct%2FDSC07058_zps8c37adbc.jpg&hash=193448d9015f145b392a996c873281c392621436) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20Buffalo%20Creek%20Jct/DSC07058_zps8c37adbc.jpg.html)
All photos in this post were taken by me Friday 4/26/2013 in Buffalo, NY.
By the time the action at Buffalo Creek Junction quieted down, it was early afternoon. I headed over to Lake Avenue and caught a couple trains at GB diamond.
Westbound NS 309 was the first train to arrive in Blasdell.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM1%2520Blasdell%2520NY%2FDSC07070_zps32389d77.jpg&hash=2241301a46eaaa31f99b8f4602e6cac4a75d7475) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM1%20Blasdell%20NY/DSC07070_zps32389d77.jpg.html)
NS 309 clears Lake Avenue in Blasdell. The train was headed for Bellevue, OH.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM1%2520Blasdell%2520NY%2FDSC07077_zps80f335b3.jpg&hash=591abe2d35991a3f8678298e07f1fe768b1ebb43) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM1%20Blasdell%20NY/DSC07077_zps80f335b3.jpg.html)
The Buffalo Southern local arrives at GB diamond in Blasdell.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM1%2520Blasdell%2520NY%2FDSC07094_zpsd60ec0ae.jpg&hash=1bd8b08cec68812a523ca96c2ed04817cae17fb1) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM1%20Blasdell%20NY/DSC07094_zpsd60ec0ae.jpg.html)
Later in the afternoon i headed over to Bison Yard. Nroflk Southern 14M was sitting on the Bison Runner in Buffalo.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM3%2520Bison%2520Yard%2520and%2520Runner%2FDSC07120_zpsd10ff5de.jpg&hash=e5a141771568c2ad389beb65e4e263b0c236c6a8) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM3%20Bison%20Yard%20and%20Runner/DSC07120_zpsd10ff5de.jpg.html)
NS 14M pulls into Bison Yard in Cheektowaga.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM3%2520Bison%2520Yard%2520and%2520Runner%2FDSC07133_zpsbd47c86b.jpg&hash=c36f52e59c18eaa796eba7ad3f0afeea2eaa9880) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM3%20Bison%20Yard%20and%20Runner/DSC07133_zpsbd47c86b.jpg.html)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM3%2520Bison%2520Yard%2520and%2520Runner%2FDSC07140_zps4d302b55.jpg&hash=83054130f17f99fddd8e175d82c24c7d3aede348) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM3%20Bison%20Yard%20and%20Runner/DSC07140_zps4d302b55.jpg.html)
Bison Yard was otherwise quiet. We are looking east in Cheektowaga, NY. I did like the assortment of parked, older EMD power.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM3%2520Bison%2520Yard%2520and%2520Runner%2FDSC07144_zpsdef2f602.jpg&hash=b9c1ec249b72f3e281037470f06cdfa5c526765d) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM3%20Bison%20Yard%20and%20Runner/DSC07144_zpsdef2f602.jpg.html)
All photos in this post were taken by me Friday 4/26/2013 in Erie County, NY.
After dinner, I worked my way east on the Southern Tier Mainline. Eastbound NS 206 passes me at Erie Road in Darien Center:
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM4%2520Darien%2520Center%2520NY%2FDSC07152_zpsbfedcb70.jpg&hash=a579458d3caf8e74fe41efb9073ec8cf2901f4a5) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM4%20Darien%20Center%20NY/DSC07152_zpsbfedcb70.jpg.html)
NS has changed 206 of late- it is now mostly auto racks, but some intermodal can be added ot the end of the consist. Again, this was in Darien Center.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM4%2520Darien%2520Center%2520NY%2FDSC07161_zpseea2d33f.jpg&hash=36b4d528ff86c7c4ee75a70f665b951a8ab9a661) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM4%20Darien%20Center%20NY/DSC07161_zpseea2d33f.jpg.html)
Finally, I wound up at Dale Road in... Dale. My finally sighting (just before sunset) was a rare treat- NS eastbound intermodal 22K. The double stacks just behind the engines will be unloaded in Mechanicville.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM5%2520Dale%2520NY%2FDSC07169_zps6f90ce37.jpg&hash=a3029d6d2af18de44397e4264fa3b7aae0a47a0e) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM5%20Dale%20NY/DSC07169_zps6f90ce37.jpg.html)
This train is not often seen in daylight. The tail end of 22K passes thru Dale.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi857.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab139%2FErielackawanna%2F2013%2FApr%25202013%2F0426%2520PM5%2520Dale%2520NY%2FDSC07182_zps50738b67.jpg&hash=7b7efc503cfa3583e5b688445412eb3d5d4a8799) (http://s857.photobucket.com/user/Erielackawanna/media/2013/Apr%202013/0426%20PM5%20Dale%20NY/DSC07182_zps50738b67.jpg.html)
All photos in this post were taken by me Friday 4/26/2013 in western NY. It was a long, fun day. I would gladly do it all over again, and I hope y'all have enjoyed my adventure.
Looks like a great trip, nice shots!
Dan
Great pics! I am going to have to get up that way. DE Dan.
Thanx, guys! The key locations on my trips to Buffalo are the Tifft Street bridge (which overlooks Buffalo Creek Junction), Bison Yard and GB Diamond. I normally start at Tifft Street, unless I know the Buffalo Southern is running. On this occasion, I wasn't sure if BSOR was going to head up to Buffalo Creek Junction, but it worked out well anyway.