EMD's, a little Fall color and a rescue on the CNO&TP

[E.M. Bell]

Earlier this week, I shared a few pics of the Double Track project and the fog from Saturday 10/12/13, and now as Paul Harvey would say, here is the rest of the story.  

After the fog finally started to burn off that morning (and we got away from Cumberland Lake) the weather turned into about the most perfect Fall day that you could ask for. Crisp Blue skies with puffy clouds, plenty of sun and temps cool enough to keep even me happy.  After a small lull in trains, the Southbound parade started running, and it would stay plenty busy the rest of the day. Between all of the regular traffic PLUS a large number of Southbound grain trains (I counted 11 grain trains in 8 hours) we had plenty to keep us occupied. The day would soon bring a new member of the family to our household as well..keep reading.

You can find all of the images from this trip (27 new ones) over on Pbase at this link if you care to have a look. http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/cs2nd13eb

The first thing we got after the fog had burned off was Northbound 174, seen here easing up #2 track through the massive cut at Antioch KY. In less than a mile the train will be stopped in front of the depot at Burnside for a crew change.


We had heard a 912 on the radio swapping out at Burnside, and decided on a shot at Garlands Bend. That 912 turned out to be a empty rail train (with those silver ex-Conrail rail cars) with a rusty Tophat leading. We got a shot or Two of him, and thats when the day took a rather unexpected turn..

NS 912 at Garlands Bend, KY


While we waited at Garlands Bend for 912 to get with us, Carmon and TJ both heard what sounded to be a kitten meowing very loud, and after that went on for several minutes, they both got out to look. TJ Soon found a kitten on the side of the road (deceased) that had been recently hit by a car. While Carmon was trying to find  the source of the meowing, this little grey blob came running out of the weeds and pretty much jumped right in her arms. Before I knew it, we had a kitten in the Explorer with us, which undoubtedly saved it from the same fate its sibling had met on that busy road. We discussed what to do, and it became apparent pretty quick that we had a new cat... That kitten has NO idea how lucky she was to have found 3 folks with a soft spot for animals.

We had to let a train or Two go as we drove back to Somerset to get a small cat carrier to take her home in. As we where driving, my eagle eyed wife spotted a flea market on the side of the road that just happened to have a small cage, and for the sum of $20 the kitten had a safe place to ride and watch trains for the rest of the day.  She has been at home with us for a week now, and has settled right in. We sure did not plan on adding a cat to the family when we left home that morning, but thats what we got She seems to be healthy, and is the most lovable thing you could ask for (although our other cat might not agree!)


From the time Carmon and TJ saved the kittens life until we had her safe and sound in the cage riding was probably 15 minutes, and we got right back to work with the trains. The next shot would be Southbound 275 crossing the Cumberland River Bridge at Burnside KY.


Not to far behind 275 was the "Queen of the Fleet", train 229. We just made it up to Norwood in time to get it under the signal bridge.


Moving on North  we waited at Gradison KY for a bit until 117 finally showed up. Gradison is probably one of my most favorite places on the CNO&TP, and I always seem to get out the big glass and reach down in there to make the dips really pop out. This time, I went for something a little different. We had a perfect "Kodachrome" sky and I went wide to capture that...different from my normal, but I was pleased with the result.


The Northbound traffic had thinned out by the afternoon, but we did get a 124 at Waynesburg, Behind the road power 124 had 5 of the D8-32B's that have recently been renumbered to make room for another batch of new SD40-2's. NS usually does a good job painting (and even patch jobs) but wow...take a look at these things. Duct tape number boards and runny spray paint, Nothing but the BEST for GE's!


The old GRS searchlight signals are still standing at Waynesburg (and a lot of other places) with the new invaders right beside.


Late in the afternoon, we made our way up into the Green River valley around Southfork, KY to make good use of the awesome low light. Here is a Southbound 54X grain train as it passed through the Green River dip between the fields of corn and that awesome sky.


Our EMD luck kept going with one of the last trains of the day. Northbound 168 had a Trio of good power, with a SD70M leading. The Fall colors looked even better in the evening light as 168 came under the signal bridge at Southfork, KY


And One more shot of 168, passing the old and new signals at CP Palm after meeting Southbound 215

[NSMoWandS]

Beautiful pics EM! And thank you for taking in the kitty! I will be headed thru that area on Thursday as I make my way to Atlanta, GA. Hoping the leaves really turn in the next couple days! DE Dan

[E.M. Bell]

Thanks Dan! 

What time and and what route will you be taking through here on Thursday?  The OCS is running out of Danville that morning, and Butch and myself will both be out after it, and then plan on spending the rest of the day just out and about shooting what ever shows up..

The colors have started to really turn in the last 3 or 4 days. Still not peak, but getting close. The 30 degree temps we have forecast for the next few nights will probably speed that change up considerably. 

[thpbears]

Nice pics. Thanks for saving the Kitty. Kind of looks like Chessie lying there with that paw out. You all are just plain Awesome.

[NSMoWandS]

EM, if all goes well, I will be staying Wed night in Lexington. Figure, I will head out 6-7am. I will most likely head down US27 to Wilmore Rd. Then down US68 to US127 to Danville. Then US127 and over to US27 out of Danville to Somerset. From there(depending on time) I will keep following US27 or head towards I-75 and Chattanooga. Any tips? LOL! DE Dan

[E.M. Bell]

The OCS is leaving Danville at 0630, but that will probably be way ahead of you. Weather is looking poor, but I may be out and about for part of the day...still on the fence about that. I will PM you my cell number after while...feel free to give me a hollar!

[NSMoWandS]

Thanks EM! No biggie if I miss it... already caught it twice this year! DE Dan

[Matt L]

Nice shots and congrats on the new addition to your household, EM. It looks like the new "Vader" style signals are going system-wide for NS. It will take me a while to get used to them.