Ugly power, ugly signals and a lone SD60 on the CNO&TP

[E.M. Bell]

Yesterday, I shared some updates on the double track project on the CNO&TP around Burnside from Saturday 08/17/13. Gage and myself spent a couple of hours shooting that, and also got a  bunch of other trains on the 2nd district while we where out. 

We got a pretty late start, not even leaving Danville until after Noon, but the way traffic on the CNO&TP has been running the past few months, that worked out well.  The morning hours had been fairly slow, but the afternoon turned out busy with the usual Southbound parade, plus several Northbounds. Between Noon and 2100, we managed to shoot or see 20+ moves, and believe it or not, that is a SLOW day!  While the downturn in coal and other traffic has severly hurt other areas of the RR, the CNO&TP and Louisville Districts are as busy as ever, and sometimes it seems like there is never enough crews or capacity to run all of the trains. 

The majority of the power was caught was less than acceptable, with all but 1 train having a GE of some color leading. Between that and the signal changes, it was somewhat frustrating to say the least ;D

Below are a few samples, and the entire set from the day (17 new images) have been added to my 2nd district gallery on Pbase. Feel free to check all of those out at this link >>>  http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/cs2nd13eb

The first train of the day was Northbound 116 with a pair of crusty CP Beaver Boats leading, seen here at Bowen Ky. The searchlights are still up and on the job here, but the invaders are being installed.


We eased on down to Gradison Ky to get into place for 117, which we knew had a good ol EMD leading. While waiting, we bagged Northbound 114 coming out of the big swag there. 


After 114 cleared, we hardly had time to get South of the signals at Gradison before 117 was on top of us. In this view, a trusty spartan cab SD60 brings the train through the "roller coaster" at one of my favorite spots to get out the big glass.


117 made a quick trip on into Burnside with us in hot pursuit. While the train made a crew change, we ventured down to Antioch cut to get into position for another shot. I kept my feet planted firmly on the pavement while Gage went for a little elevation.


With a fresh Southend crew on board, 117 departs Burnside. If we had known this was the only decent power we would see all day, I might have went on South with them....oh well.


After spending the next couple of hours shooting the construction project, we started to head back North late in the afternoon. The Southbound trains where still pumping out of Danville, and we caught what we could. Here is 143 passing under the new signals at "Southern States", about half way down Norwood Hill on the North side of Somerset KY.  This is my first shot here since the old signals came down....Ugly CSX power, Ugly new signals...


We backroaded it on North towards Waynesburg, where we met up with Aaron (Nsgelocos) to shoot a few more.  Here is train 23G topping over the hill at Waynesburg KY after a long, slow climb out of the Green River Valley. The searchlights are still up here, but those ugly new beanpoles have sprouted up and it wont be long now.


While the young guys went for the more traditional view of 168 at Jacobs Loop (just North of Waynesburg) I tried something a bit different. With yet another GE leading, I came up with this fishy reflection shot.


Aaron rolls video as 168 passes us at Jacobs Loop...anyone besides me see a dragon in this shot??


The day ended back in Danville, with a nice sunset over Perryville Road...one of the better things we saw all day!

[nsgelocos]

The photos turned out great! When I get access to better internet (When I return to Lexington) I will upload the video from that day. The HD turned out pretty good too.