Western Railroad Discussion > Ramblings and Reroutes Part 1: Motionless

This past Sunday, despite miserable windy, cold, and cloudy conditions my friend "santafe199" and I took off for a leisurely trip to Central Kansas in search of some manifest trains UP was rerouting down the KP to get around an unplanned bridge replacement project on the former Rock Island GSR at Valencia, KS. The week before we in Eastern Kansas got the rain we needed to snap out of a drought, but we got it in two sittings and more than enough the first time, the second time was enough to wash out a bridge. For good measure we had false alarm tornado warnings and other fun calamities for a side as well.

So a week after the weather fun was had Central Kansas was out of its normal slumber. Trains were seemingly everywhere albeit at first not moving, then things sort of came together for a a nice two train chase on the KP.

This part will cover some of the ramblings before the chase down the KP, beginning in Abilene.

1) BNSF 1759 and 1773 are tied down on a local consist in the Abilene Yard, all is quiet in town so we push west.

2) At Salina train MNPHN-30. UP 8679 came into town as the DPU but will lead the train east to Abilene, then south to Lost Springs to get back on home rails, from there a short shove north will land the train at its destination of Herington, UP 8179 led the train into Salina.

3) The K&O boys have their power tied down in Salina as well. Normal for them though, their small ex Santa Fe yard is quite full with a mix of hoppers, boxcars, and jumbo tanks.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/16 22:01 by mg8711.

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4) On the north side of the yard we found this old gem from the Central Kansas Railway, CKRY 1003, in faded Santa Fe paint is a reminder of a past era in Salina

5) Next door on the UP finds an ex SP AC4400CW waiting to point a manifest towards Denver.

6) Also in town is the Salina-Hays local power, a pair of SD40Ns.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/16 20:28 by mg8711.

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7) More power sits around, UP 1350 and GMTX 2293 in the distance, UP 5948 on a string of 3 units in the foreground.

8) On the east side of Salina ADM had one of their elevator switchers still sitting out, ADMX 24 is its identity.

9) A UP crew has just finished putting together a BNSF grain train headed by BNSF 7804 that the K&O will take to Abilene where from there a BNSF crew will take it south to Newton.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/16 20:28 by mg8711.

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10&11) Back at Abilene now, BNSF 5014 arrives with 6 other units and another cut of local cars for the yard. It will later leave as a light power move to Superior, dropping off the last 4 units. Two big GE's for an ABIGAL tie train, and an SD40-2/SD60M duo for local duties.

12) Memories of the Rock Island are still out making revenue in the modern world. WRWK 205124 is this boxcars at least 4th identity.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/16 20:28 by mg8711.

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13-15) ASV 4 has left Abilene with the 2PM departure for Enterprise, today the dinner train consist is in tow with only a half dozen people on board. For some odd reason, half of the normal excursion consist was sitting in Abilene, and the other half at Enterprise on the west switch of the runaround track.

All for now...
Thanks for looking!
mg8711



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/16 20:29 by mg8711.

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Nice variety of power there. I really like the ASV photos.

Chris

I like the overcast conditions, gives the pictures a nice mood! Really nice catch and shots on the A&SV. 

Wow, an ex-C&NW lightweight coach.  That's a rare bird.  Any idea of the car number?

Unfortunately I'm clueless. I'd have to do some digging...
mg8711

Topfuel Wrote:
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> Wow, an ex-C&NW lightweight coach.  That's a rare
> bird.  Any idea of the car number?

Posted from Android

Nice pics!!

Really great variety & photos.

Ronda Thomas.

Posted from Android

Does the number 3431 shed any light on the CNW heritage?