Western Railroad Discussion > Variety in Northern Illinois (incl. NS 1074 and Amtrak 42)

The past few weeks have produced some good action on the northern Illinois railroads, and I was able to capture much of it, the most notable catch (for me) being of NS 1074, my first time seeing that unit. Here are many of the highlights of what I caught, enjoy!

Photo 1: On a trip to the Rochelle Railroad Park, an eastbound UP train passes composed mostly of flatcars carrying new combines. Taken 3/28/15.

Photo 2: An old Seattle and North Coast boxcar rides along in the MCLPR (Manifest-Clinton, IA-Proviso Yard, Chicago). Taken 3/28/15.

Photo 3: On another trip to Rochelle, BNSF 5668 leads a westbound oil empty under the soon-to-be-fallen CB&Q signals. Taken 4/4/15.
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/15 06:06 by trainmandan.

---

---

---

Photo 4: BNSF 7446 leads an H3, H2, H1 consist on an eastbound loaded oil train past the Railroad Park. Taken 4/4/15.

Photo 5: Passing underneath the soon-to-be-replaced C&NW signals, two SD9043ACs lead an eastbound auto train past the Park. Taken 4/4/15.

Photo 6: NS 8080 leads a second Gevo on another westbound empty oil through Rochelle. Taken 4/4/15.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/15 06:07 by trainmandan.

---

---

---

Photo 7: The catch of the day is an eastbound oil train bound for CN in Eola with CN 5690 leading a CN Dash-8 and a newer BNSF SD70ACe. Taken 4/4/15.

Photo 8: No shortage of power here! UP 8802 prepares to depart with a 6-engine Z-train after waiting for BNSF. Taken 4/4/15.

Photo 9: Now, in Earlville, IL, Amtrak train #4, the eastbound Southwest Chief, blasts past the small town's depot. Taken 4/12/15.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/15 06:07 by trainmandan.

---

---

---

The next two photos are also taken on 4/12/15.

Photo 10: Amtrak train #6, the eastbound California Zephyr, is about to cross E 12th Rd. on the west side of Earlville, and it happens to have Amtrak 42, the Veterans unit, second out.
Photo 11: In a little play on numbers, Amtrak #5 leads train #5, the westbound California Zephyr, through Earlville, about to cross E 12th Rd.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/15 22:49 by trainmandan.

---

---

The next four pictures are taken from video, all taken 4/12/15.

Photo 12: The prize of the day was NS 1074, the Lackawanna heritage unit, leading an eastbound oil train over the Mendota Sub for interchange in Chicago. Here it is just departing from a stop waiting on three westbounds, nearing a railroad crossing at a location known as Moyers Curve, which is to the west of Earlville.

Photo 13: A broadside shot of the consist of 1074's train.

Photo 14: A side view of NS 1074.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/15 06:07 by trainmandan.

---

---

---

Photo 15: NS 1074 crosses a small creek just beyond the crossing.

Photo 16: CP 8856 leads an FURX unit on a westbound manifest on BNSF's Aurora Sub at Stratford, IL. Taken 4/18/15.


Hope you enjoyed this selection of photos, and please feel free to comment! Thanks for looking!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/15 06:08 by trainmandan.

---

---

Good stuff, thanks for posting.  

Some additioal information.  The first photo is a unit train of combines out of Grand Island, NE.  They usually
have foru or five covered hoppers on the headend for braking.  I would be surprised if this train had more than
one unit.  

The second photo, the former Seattle North Coast car, is now a Crandic car; note the CIC reporting marks.  This
car has been leased by Crandic for scrap paper service to a plant in Cedar Rapids.  The get five to ten cars per
day. 

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/15 08:21 by ntharalson.

Wow, thanks for the information! The combine train had only an SD70M leader. Didn't realize that that's what those hoppers are for. As far as the boxcar goes, I like to see boxcars with unfamiliar railroad names like this. :)