Western Railroad Discussion > Mid America Circle Trip-Day 4-Goodby to Dutch!

As we got packed up after the EB hopper train from the bluff, a pair of EB light helpers showed up headed out of Sheridan to meet a heavy westbound and "bring him back". We gave chase, catching him at Dutch Center. I opted for a view showing the signal arrangement while Kathy's tighter shot shows the crewmen watching us! At this point a BNSF Signal Maintainer stopped by to check us out, very freindly, left us to get our photo with a "Be safe!" farewell. As tempting as it was to continue east shadowing the light engines and return with his "catch", we headed back toward Sheridan...but not until Kathy burned some pixels on the deer feeding roadside..!
George & Kathy Melvin

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After the light helpers at Dutch Center, went back into Sheridan to look for a Radio Shack and new scanner antenna-we knew we wouldn't find one anywhere else we'd go that day. Right at the crossing in Sheridan yard, got our third look at the handsome 9277, on the rear of the west coal we had seen at Dutch Wye at dawn. Our first encounter was the previous day, as a head end helper on an EB manifest at Ulm. We would see the unit one more time. The 3451 was the assigned yard unit. This looked almost familiar after studying Engineer Al Krug's chronicles on the Web. The engineer on the 9277 was taking a photo of his engine when we drove up but didn't get a change to ask if Mr. Krug was around...maybe next time!
Heading south to find the Radio Shack, we came upon the former main elevator in the Sheridan Flouring Mills chain, now a hotel as we had read on the web. Thought their modified sign "Best (Rest) out West" was a nice touch!
Now, with the scanner back in operation, headed west of Sheridan...
Geo & Kathy
PS... on the close up shot of the sign, the barbed wire was left in the photo intentionaly!

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The detour for the scanner antenna cost us shots of the WB coal leaving with the 9277 pushing but we followed him up to the road above the Kiewet Siding and watched a WB patrol go past. His activity was informing us of an EB drawing nearer.
The Eastbound, a hopper train soon showed with a colorful lashup and another great western vista shot was nailed as he curved around the wide place in Goose Creek along Kiewet Siding.
We headed out of Kiewet for Ranchester but Kathy was not entirely happy with his shot so judging from the scanner, more eastbound traffic would allow her a second shot there.
1. Kathy's shot at Kiewet.
2. George's shot at Kiewet.

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Couldn't post shot #2 in previous post because it is too big a file.
Anyway, showed up at Ranchester to horns blowing and got the 9277 the fourth and final time as it passed eastbound light after pushing the coal load west to Parkman. Soon an EB hopper train showed up and the classic elevator shot was made. Then, jumped on I-90 and returned to Kiewet. Kathy took her post at the previous spot but George went further west up the curve and got the EB passing the now active coal loader. Also a going away shot of the DPU with the Big Horn peaks as a backdrop.
Now, we resumed out westward movement...
George & Kathy

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After leaving Kiewet the second tiem, we needed to cover some ground but driving westward trackside with a steady stream of EB trains made the progress slow (this is NOT a complaint tho!). Right at the WY-MT line, got an EB manifest with a pair of SD40-2s grinding up the hill to Parkman. Don't have this shot here so can't post right now-nice to see these old soldiers!
Then, an EB hopper train at another elevator, with pretty good lettering still on it (the other side was even better). This was at Wyola, MT (not sure of location). Next, hiked up in a field for a shot with a nice yellow cottonwood, between Spear and Wyola. This is the Little Big Horn River valley and the mountain scenery is receding to the south.

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We finally reached the next tourist objective on our week long trip, the Little Big Horn Battlefield. While touring the battlefield a westbound manifest was seen rolling down the valley.
More findings from our trip as we continue in Montana and on to North Dakota will be posted next week!
George & Kathy Melvin

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Great shots! All these WY photos are making me so homesick!
Thanks again,
Art in DC (formerly Park County WY)