Sunday storms and Southern Heritage on the CNO&TP

[E.M. Bell]

Sunday 07/21/13, NS 8099, the Southern Heritage unit, was the leader on Southbound train 197, marking only the 2nd time it has lead a train through KY on the CNO&TP.   

We had gotten word of the train late Saturday afternoon as it departed Fort Wayne Indiana, and it quickly became clear that it was probably going to make the trip out of Cincinnati and down the CNO&TP well before the sun was up that morning. The train arrived in Cinncy just before Midnight, and was already well South of Danville KY by 0430 that morning. I had tried to get a little sleep, hoping that it would get delayed, but when I got up about 0500 and found out it was already South of me, I pretty much wrote it off..

About 0830, I got a text from a buddy down South saying the train was still in Burnside, and would not have a South end crew until 1030. I quickly got dressed, grabbed the camera, made a quick stop in Danville to pick up Gage and we headed South. By the time we got down to Burnside, the outbound crew was on the train and ready to go...talk about timing! We had been closley watching the weather all morning, as the forecast was calling for bad storms and rain, and almost as soon as the wheels on the 8099 started turning, the rain started falling.

We got a couple of shots at Tateville and Garlands Bend, and got back ahead of the train for a shot at Parkers Lake KY. While waiting for the train to meet a Northbound, the light rain turned into a full blown storm with strong wind and some of the most persistent and heavy rain I have seen in a long time. I really enjoy shooting in bad weather and will usually not miss a beat no matter what its doing. We both got soaked to the bone at Parkers Lake, and again at Revilo. By the time we got to the TN state line, highway 27 had standing water several inches deep, and the train quickly got ahead of us, and that was that. Figuring there was no way we could safely catch back up to them, I decided to let them go and try to get back North towards home before we got washed away.. I rarely give up because of the weather, but it was just that bad! 

We drove about 250 miles round trip, and only got them 4 times, but I was pleased with the results. Below are a few samples, and you can find the full sized, high res version at this link >>>>>>  http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/nsheritage_2013_eb

Southbound traffic jam at Burnside.... 197 is departing out of the #2 yard track at CP General (Just South of Burnside KY) with Two more Southbounds tied down, waiting on crews. This was the last time for the rest of the day that it would not be raining.


My favorite Two from the day. The storm was really pounding us with wind and rain as we stood on the bridge at Parkers Lake, Ky, but it was well worth the trouble.




The storm was still getting stronger as 197 crossed over at Revilo Ky to get around Northbound 174. The CNO&TP was a mess with a lot of trains tied down in various places waiting on crews, and 197 was bobbing and weaving around them all the way to Chattanooga. We had intended to follow them South to at least Sunbright,Tn but the weather put a stop to that. By the time we got back out to US 27 and got across the State line, the train was already 10 or 15 miles ahead of us, and Revilo would be the last shot of the day. 

[PGupton]

Nice stuff E.M.!

The rain was constant down our way, but really hit us when they were sitting in Roddy. Fortunately I was able to just pull up to the crossing and shoot out my car window..  ;D

[csx6900]

Hey, I recognize that beautiful, sleek, railfanning machine on the other side of the crossing! 

Great pics, E.M.!  I'm thinking I need to switch from video to photographs... or at least buy more photography equipment.  Video is just getting too cumbersome for me.  It's also less convenient during a chase when you need time to set up a tripod.

-Evan

[PGupton]

Hey, I recognize that beautiful, sleek, railfanning machine on the other side of the crossing!  

Great pics, E.M.!  I'm thinking I need to switch from video to photographs... or at least buy more photography equipment.  Video is just getting too cumbersome for me.  It's also less convenient during a chase when you need time to set up a tripod.

-Evan

Much more productive too. People will buy photos a lot more than they will videos.

And yes, it is very convenient... An example would be that last crossing we shot at where in the time it took for you to go and set up your tripod I was able to jump to the other side of the crossing, come back and change lenses, go back to the crossing, and sprint a little ways up alongside the track to get past the power box in my shot.

So yes.. very convenient  

[Gage O'Dell]

Here's a photo of Mr. Bell in that rain from Parker's Lake. Though it was before the rain had picked up to where you couldn't really see anything, it was still a good downpour. Note, he asked me to take this picture, I didn't have to sneak it. 

[chipallen16]

Excellent job considering the weather! We found a McDonald's and sought refuge during the rain.

-Chip

[E.M. Bell]

Well, with the camera problem you had, I figured I would be nice and let you get at least 1 shot of something good....A Old wet fat guy in overalls has to be a good substitute for the 8099..


Yea, I don't buy that either..