The Bumblebee on the CNO&TP...(EMD overload)

E.M. Bell · December 03, 2012, 05:59:17 PM

If you like Heritage engines and EMD's, this post is sure to cause a stir in your nether-regions.

Last Friday evening, I had watched the heads up about the VGN 1069 leading train 117 South, but it got into Sharonville Ohio at such an early hour that evening that I figured it would be a night time train across the CNO&TP. I had to go into work for a bit Saturday morning, and figured that 117 was long gone by then anyway. A text that morning from a friend suddenly had me changing plans and getting gone from work quick..

After a rather expedient trip back home to grab the camera and pick up Carmon, we headed south at a High rate of speed. 117 was almost to Danville Ky, and we missed the shot of the VGN and NYC side by side at North Wye by maybe 10 mins, but would have plenty of time to make up for that as it turned out. 275 and 295 where ahead of the 117, and by the time both of those got fuel, we where in place for the rest of the day.

As luck would have it, 275 had a train separation as they left the yard at Danville, which tied things up for over an hour. 117 sat behind the 275 at South Danville, and we waited. By the time 275 was back on the move, 229 (the hottest train on the RR) and 215 (pretty dang warm itself) had arrived at Danville, and our 117 got to sit some more for those two trains to fuel and get South. After almost 2 hours of sitting, the piggies and stacks where finally gone, and 117 got a light at South Danville. From there, we followed them all the way to Burnside, and the delay worked in our favor as it let the sun get around some, allowing for some great lighting the rest of the day..

Below are a few samples of my results from the day with the "Bumblebee" on the CNO&TP. The entire set (more than you are seeing here) can be found over on Pbase in stunning technicolor, HD, 4D, with massive sized images big enough to let you count the seeds in the bird poop on the front of the engine...check em out ;D
>>>> http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/ocs12

117 eases past the signal at South Danville, running "on permission" following 275. They wouldn't get far before they would stop again to let 229 and 215 by. This makes the 4th heritage unit I have shot here with these old Searchlight signals...I hope I can get a few more before these signals are replaced by something more modern.

The 1069 brings 117 across the Green River bridge at Southfork, KY. 3 generations of EMD's in #8 with a tonnage train starting up the grade to Kings Mountain.

And once again just a few miles South at Kings Mountain. I knew the light would suck here, but we beat them to the top of the hill, and I wanted to just stand there and take in the glorious EMD music...Seeing as how I was there, I took this picture, which after a little RAW and photoshop magic didn't turn out to bad I don't reckon...the little bit of sun on the walls of the cut almost look like lava..

We beat them from Kings Mountain to Gradison by only a minute or Two, but even with little time to think about it, I still liked the result here. The 1069 brings 117 through the big dip, with almost a mile of train in the shot..

By the time the train got down towards Somerset, they would wind up sitting at waiting again for a pair of Northbounds. When we got to Burnside a Northbound grain train was hanging back on the bridge on #2 track, which wold have blocked the shot. Luck was on our side again, and the Northbound ran first, allowing for this splendid view of 117 coming across the Cumberland River. A couple of fisherman are out on the water, enjoying the 70 degree winters day.

While the train stopped at the Burnside depot to swap crews, we went looking for a spot that might have some good light that late in the day. We whipped into "CP General" (also known as the CP formally called Tateville) and shot 117 as they came thundering by a grain train that was tied down in the new yard.

Ptrainman · December 03, 2012, 09:46:31 PM

Nice shots EM. Been trying to catch this one but it keeps evading me. Always runs at night over the VA Div.

Paul

Trainman24210 · December 03, 2012, 11:42:26 PM

Outstanding stuff. I have been hoping NS would deliver the heritage units to the areas of the heritage, particularly during special events in the area. We need the C of G unit down here. It looks like a publicity opportunity. I'd like to get the "Bumblebee" anywhere, but Elmore would be so fitting. Nice job.

Notch8nskate · December 04, 2012, 12:04:45 PM

Nice, that's a couple of times it looks crummy around Cincy but awesome Danville south. Would have been worth the trip.

E.M. Bell · December 04, 2012, 06:22:34 PM

Thanks fellers, glad you liked them..

I am just hoping the signals at South Danville and a couple of other places hang around long enough for me to get either the Southern or S&A units going by them... I might just up and quit after that!

nsrlink · December 06, 2012, 01:42:15 PM

When I read "Bumblebee," I thought I saw going to see pictures of the Reading unit... you know the one with the "Bumblebee" on the side of it. (That's the trouble with "cute" nicknames.) Nice pics though.

E.M. Bell · December 06, 2012, 05:50:19 PM

Well, I dont reckon I even thought about the Reading unit....I just had in my head what Carm said when she first laid eyes on the 1069 over in Spencer this summmer "Dam thing looks like a big ol Bumble Bee..wings and all" ;D

Quote from: nsrlink on December 06, 2012, 01:42:15 PM
When I read "Bumblebee," I thought I saw going to see pictures of the Reading unit... you know the one with the "Bumblebee" on the side of it. (That's the trouble with "cute" nicknames.) Nice pics though.

nsrlink · December 07, 2012, 12:20:04 PM

I can see where the name comes from.
Maybe it's a yellow jacket? ;D
Nevertheless, the pictures are still awesome, no matter what it's nicknamed.

Quote from: E.M. Bell on December 06, 2012, 05:50:19 PM
Well, I dont reckon I even thought about the Reading unit....I just had in my head what Carm said when she first laid eyes on the 1069 over in Spencer this summmer "Dam thing looks like a big ol Bumble Bee..wings and all" ;D

Quote from: nsrlink on December 06, 2012, 01:42:15 PM
When I read "Bumblebee," I thought I saw going to see pictures of the Reading unit... you know the one with the "Bumblebee" on the side of it. (That's the trouble with "cute" nicknames.) Nice pics though.

Matt L · December 07, 2012, 07:43:23 PM

Quote from: nsrlink on December 07, 2012, 12:20:04 PM
I can see where the name comes from.
Maybe it's a yellow jacket? ;D
Nevertheless, the pictures are still awesome, no matter what it's nicknamed.

The term "Yellowjacket" generally applies to the yellow and gray scheme worn by the Lehigh Valley C420s (and is still worn by ex-LV #414 today). I guess we'll have to keep searching for an appropriate name. I do agree about the pics being awesome.