Eastern Railroad Discussion > Fall Colors in the Land of Goshen

With apologies to any Biblical scholars out there, if I remember my Sunday morning Bible School classes correctly from years ago, well, many years ago, the "Land of Goshen" was the place in Egypt given to the Hebrews and the land from which they later left at the time of the Exodus.

Bible study aside, CG Tower Jr and I decided to try our luck in a different "Land of Goshen"; the North Central Indiana communities that surround Goshen, Indiana. Focusing our attention on the former Conrail Marion Branch and the former NYC main line to Elkhart.

Bright sun and fall colors greet us as we arrive at Leesburg, Indiana in time to catch our first train.

Photo 1: NS northbound M2K rumbles northward up the Marion Branch at the south end of Leesburg siding and passes the tall position light and pedestal dwarf signal, both of which are very out of place on this former NYC line which was signaled by Conrail.

Photo 2: We follow M2K north and shoot the train again at New Paris, Indiana, passing another iconic PRR signal.

Prior to following M2K, we had discovered a crewless train sitting at Leesburg. We double back to the north end of the Leesburg siding to shoot 142 pulling north out of the siding after a crew change.

Photo 3: 142 throttles out of the siding and past the signal at the north end of Leesburg siding.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/14 13:19 by CGTower.

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We arrive at Milford, Indiana, the crossing of CSX and the Marion Branch.

Photo 4: 142 clunks across the CSX diamonds at Milford Jct.

142 is going to cool its wheels a bit at CP-3 on the Marion Branch as the NS's former NYC line is at saturation. We head on into Goshen, Indiana and eventually Elkhart to photograph a rather late Amtrak 49.

Photo 5: At the Elkhart, Indiana depot, Amtrak 49 rounds the corner for its station stop.

Photo 6: Following #49, a rack train heads west behind a lone GE.

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We double back to Goshen, Indiana and are impressed with the track work ongoing to add the third main. We hear chatter of 19K, and knowing that he'll go back down the Marion Branch, we decide to wait it out...

Wait and wait and wait....

Photo 7 and 8: An eastbound train rounds one of the curves in Goshen with track work evident and prepares to knock down the signal at CP-412.

Photo 9: 142 finally gets his turn to head toward Elkhart Yard.

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The flood gates open in Goshen.

Photo 10: Stacks west
Photo 11: "New" power for NS.
Photo 12: Eastbound and down.

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Photo 13: More westbound stacks...

Photo 14: CP run through for variety.

Oh wait, what about 19K? Well, he finally gets a chance to make a dash to CP-412 and head down the Marion Branch. Of course, by this time, clouds have rolled into the scene...but, we chase south none the less.

Photo 15: Having negotiated the slow order at Goshen for the curve and the campus of Goshen College, 19K with a trio of BNSF power passes CP-3 aka "Yost".

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In fading light we follow 19K south. We learn of a northbound coming up the branch and a meet at Leesburg. We arrive in time to shoot the Position Light signal.

Photo 16: "Slow Approach".

Photo 17: As with all legacy signals these days, one has to wonder how many sunsets are left for these position light signals.

Photo 18: 19K enters the siding at Leesburg, Indiana.

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Photo 20: In the blue light of the fading day, this NS northbound knocks down the signal at South Leesburg.

Having started and finished our day here...we wrap up and perform our own exodus from the Land of Goshen.

Thanks for riding along.


The operators at CG Tower

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Quantity and quality. A great set of images.
Bob

Good job on taking great photos of NYC trilights and PRR "pans" They wont be around forever... Smart thing to do is to get as much as you can... Excellent pics and job...

CR

Like the fall colors in photo 10 and 14.....:o)
Nice series

Very nice report on an excellent area to railfan!

Chris

GREAT set of pics!!! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing. How late was No. 49?

If I recall correctly, about 3hr and 55 min down into Elkhart.

CG

wabash2800 Wrote:
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> Thanks for sharing. How late was No. 49?

Outstanding series of images. A pleasure to look at.
John

Great Story and photos, good job, thank you, dave j