Waukonda wrote: ↑Fri Jul 18, 2025 1:50 am
T P & W (Toledo, Peoria, & Western) action along U.S. Hwy 24 at the Illinois/Indiana border.
Do you (or anyone) know why this is an often used paint scheme/livery? Usually just the railroad initials are changed, maybe someone who paints for Shortlines?
Cool pictures, gents!
I kinda assumed it was used for all of the Genessee & Wyoming holdings, not sure that I have seen it on other shortlines. For instance, I saw this Marquette loco at their yard in Ludington Michigan. It is a G&W held RR, and as you noted, is all but identical to the TP&W that I posted yesterday.
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 11:46 pm
by 1967redrider
Makes sense, thanks, Ike.
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 11:52 pm
by 1967redrider
I did some railfanning this past weekend in Cumberland while we were there for my class reunion. The gentleman in the caboose graduated high school with one of my late uncles.
The inside of the Cumberland Rail Road capula caboose was pretty cool. The conductor and brakeman road in it. Before Westinghouse air brakes, the brakeman would have to run along the roof of the cars (while the train was moving no less!) and set each brake wheel by hand. Who would volunteer for that job? The phone linked the caboose to the engine for communicating purposes.
Also at the station were a Railway Express Agency and some AMTRAK baggage cars. WMSR 1309 2-6-6-2 Mallet was large and in charge, we're riding her on August 17th. It will be our first ride since December 2023 due to the fact she was out of commission for piston repairs until this past spring.
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 12:12 am
by Waukonda
Those are some great pics , John, thanks for some views that normally aren't seen.
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 2:20 am
by LKSKNIVES
Very nice John,
How long is the excursion ride? The capula ride was always cool. The kids were young then so I didn’t feel bad riding up there someone had to supervise.
I know the verde canyon train in Arizona you have to take the whole caboose. I have never done the ride yet maybe some day.
Steve
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 2:23 am
by LKSKNIVES
Forgot I did take a ride out to Union today.
Just a shell being pushed along
Steve
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 1:02 pm
by 1967redrider
Cool shot, Steve. The Frostburg Flyer excursion aboard 1309 is about 4 hours including a 90 minute layover in Frostburg, that's when everyone usually grabs lunch.
The trick is to hit a restaurant first and then kill some time walking back to the station for the return to Cumberland. Last summer we had friends visiting, and 4 of us biked back down the trail while 2 decided to ride back. They window shopped on their way to a restaurant, and then had to choke down their lunches or miss the train.
The WMSR keeps to the time schedule.
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:02 pm
by Waukonda
Both ends of a passing coal train
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 7:25 pm
by 1967redrider
Pumpkin Power!
What do y'all think about a potential U.P./NS merger? I don't think CSX likes it very much.
They are thumping their chest a little with that video, but it was interesting. I was looking at the history of NS, and ran across this picture of one of their heritage units. Reading became Conrail, which was eventually split between NS and CSX.......good looking loco, imo.
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 11:44 pm
by Santa Fe
I’m guessing at some point it will be UP/NS/CN
And BNSF/CSX/ CP or some combination there of. Which will leave us with two class 1railroads!!
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 2:08 pm
by 1967redrider
Cool shot, Ike. They (Reading & Northwestern/Strasburg RR) do a lot of excursion runs on old trackage. I need to visit sometime.
We already have the CPKC de Mexico going North-South. Now U.P./NS transcontinental going East-West. I guess that leaves BNSF and CSX to pick up the crumbs on the East and West coasts?
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2025 2:37 am
by Santa Fe
West Bound in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Just RR west of Matfield Green
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2025 10:10 pm
by Santa Fe
War Bonnet Wednesday Santa Fe GP-60M 156 WB at Ponca City Okla.. Late 90's
Re: Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2025 11:04 pm
by 1967redrider
Awesome shots. I saw a couple BNSF diesels in Cumberland a few weeks ago, surprised to see them there.