05/11/13
Today was One of those days that just worked out well. I was up early to head into work for awhile, and got what needed doing done and was gone by Noon. With the prior knowledge that the Virginian 1069 was leading 142 North, I took the camera to work with me, figuring I might be able to run North and get a shot or Two..
As luck would have it, the train was running a lot later than normal, and when I left work it was just getting into Burnside. I made a quick hour and a half drive South in the rain, and arrived at Southfork about 5 minutes before the train did. The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to stay dry and get a few shots of the 142 and a few others.. Southbound traffic was steady, and the 1069 made a fairly slow trip on into Danville with several meets.
The cloudy, foggy day once again helped out, as most of the places I shot at would have not even been worth trying in the sun (for a Northbound), and the One place that would have been good on a sunny day...well...I got a 30 second sucker hole at just the right time. Thanks to Alex for the initial heads up on this, and everyone else that kept track of it throughout the day....We have an awesome group of folks here on the Central Div, and by working together, I think everyone came away with some good stuff.
Here are a few of my good ones from the afternoon, including a couple of other trains besides the 142. You can see all of these and more in their original size at this link. >>>> http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/nsheritage_2013_eb
NS 704, a Southbound loaded coal train, struggles up the stiff grade at Kings Mountain in the fog and drizzle.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2Fns704_Kingsmnt_051113_2.sized.jpg&hash=3e8dc9d0c51fe29959eb551066f28f7fa1338bfb)
My first shot of 142 was at Southfork KY, and for the first time in 2 days, the sun came out..briefly. A nice 30 second sucker hole puts a little light on the 1069 as the train came off the mountain. The light was gone again before the head end was past me..
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FNS142_Vgn1069_Southfork_051113_1.sized.jpg&hash=253b8126f94661dcb0b496dc162de63dc6946be4)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FNS142_Vgn1069_Southfork_051113_2.sized.jpg&hash=012baecec543fa39d598adacaff2f81fe9632f20)
142 would get delayed at Palm to meet a pair of Southbound intermodals. Here, train 229 sprints down the valley..
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2Fns229_palm_051113.sized.jpg&hash=6c45deade16b6c96971019e6c304d39c155f4961)
VGN 1069 gets 142 back on the move at Palm.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FNS142_Vgn1069_palm051113_2W.sized.jpg&hash=ab78ecf824c6ff56d34554fa9e83e4f3f6228753)
The searchlights at Junction City are still standing tall as 142 passes underneath.
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FNS142_Vgn1069_JctCity051113.sized.jpg&hash=e7fc00a7bd1948cc49a336c42a89d93c15271f10)
After waiting for a work train to clear up, 142 eases up the North main through the yard at Danville Ky
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FNS142_Vgn1069_Danville051113.sized.jpg&hash=c6a8d58306e5eadfbc4ac6b2403354868320b2ca)
The engineer on 215 salutes the crew of the 1069 at the Two trans meet at North Wye (just North of Danville Ky)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FNS142_Vgn1069_Nwye051113_2.sized.jpg&hash=c4c21315fefb0173bb86179babab3a8d7a4441c2)
As always... beautiful pics EM! I like the 704 pic for the fact that you can see how the hot exhaust gases are bending the light from the signals and making them look like two different red colors. Dan
I like the 704 shot also ya can just hear the GE chanting chugs ! All great shot
Thanks guys... Hindsight aint worth a hoot, but now I wish I had shot that coal train from the bridge at Kings Mountain...The cut was plum full of fog, but I am happy with what I got..
Just goes to show, dont be afraid of the bad weather..it can really add to your shots. I have a bunch of stuff to share from the Louisville district the day after derby in the rain...I will get around to processing those sometime this week.