Discussion

• Recent
• Western Railroads
• Eastern Railroads
• Passenger Trains
• Steam Railroading
• Nostalgia & History
• Railroaders' Nostalgia
• Canadian Railroads
• European Railroads
• International
• Model Railroading
• Railfan Technology
• Guidelines

Media Sharing

• Video & Audio
• Static Photography

Hosting

• Member Directory
• More Information

Library

• Fanfinder
• Newsletters
• Contest Winners
• Virtual Reality
• Classified Ads

Site Info

• About us
• Contact us
• Give Gift Membership
• Privacy Policy

Western Railroad Discussion > Social Distancing Saturday

Last Saturday was a bright sunny day, too nice to stay inside all day.  Social distancing can be practiced in the confines of the Explorer as well as in the house so a solo trip seemed in order!  As mentioned in a previous post, there was a spot on the southeast edge of Fremont, NE that I'd wanted to try as a photo location.  So, about midday, off I went.

Didn't see anything between Lincoln and Ashland.  The trip along the Sioux City line between Ashland and Fremont was uneventful as well.When I got to Fremont, the first train was an OMAX (Omaha Public Power) coal load powered by UP 7932 (first pic).  They had stopped this train about 2 miles east of Fremont for some unknown to me reason so I headed back to Fremont.

Luck was with me as BNSF 6715 and 8278 were going through town with a grain train (pics 2 - 4).  I had to really hump and hope for a break with traffic to get to the location I wanted.  No traffic laws were broken (maybe fractured a bit) and I got into position with little time to spare.  I'll try this again sometime from a little different angle and hopefully a little more time to get ready.  (more)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/20 07:12 by twjurgens.

---

---

---

DPU on that grainer was 6396 (4th pic).

Next, was UP 2616 and 5675 (5th pic) with a westbound grain load at a favorite photo location on the west edge of Fremont (5th pic).  I don't think that elevator gets grain cars any longer even though there is a switch off the UP main and a small yard there.  Surprisingly, there was no DPU on this relatively long train!

Next was a light engine move on the BNSF in Fremont.  According to scanner talk, 6521, 6775, and 7823 would go to Papa Siding on the north side of Fremont to assemble a grain train (6th pic). (more)

---

---

---

The next two shots were of eastbounds at Mercer which is midway between Fremont and Valley.  First was a mixed freight with UP 5907, 4433, 7354, 7398, 6862, and 6295 on the head end.  Some of those may not have been running but I've never been able to tell which ones in the short time that it takes them to pass.  The next train was another mixed freight powered by 5693, 6264, and 5381. (more)

---

---

---

I retraced my earlier route going back to Lincoln.  Between Leshara and Yutan, BNSF 7813 and 5425 were leading a northbound tank train.  The tanks had build dates of 12/2019 and hazmat placards of 1267 (crude oil).  With the recent build date, this may have been the first trip for these cars.  Bright, shiny paint and rust on the wheels indicate little use which further supports the first trip theory.  DPU was CP 8003. Even though social distancing prohibited the usual stop at the almost everywhere Casey's for a slice of pizza and a Pepsi, it was a good trip.  A trip thru the Runza drive thru at Fremont for a couple of chicken strips and a Pepsi were an adequate substitute for the Casey’s lunch on this trip. 

---

---

---