Western Railroad Discussion > Labor Day Local Switching in Milwaukee

On Labor Day September 7 2020 I was surprised to see some laboring going on with the UP in Milwaukee.  What used to be called the Marsh Job, now a Butler Local was heading to Milwaukee's harbor and beyond to due to local switching.  The cars to spotted were a Hi Cube box car at a warehouse and some hot asphalt cars.  Both these required some interesting locations.  Also a Cotton Belt painted GP60 added to the fun of the day. 

Shot #1 UP #1158 still in Cotton Belt SP paint is one of two units on this local train 
Shot #2 The #1158 and #1024 are backing down to spot a car at a warehouse.  This was a big warehouse area in the day. 
Shot #3 Tight Clearance for the conductor as the car is spotted 

Check out more train photos at my Flickr Page https://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N04/with/50380201543/

Keith

 

Keith Schmidt
Milwaukee, WI

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Some more from spotting the box car 

Shot #4  A close up show several different numbers.  Interesting this was once #1943 which is now the Military tribute unit
Shot #5  After dropping the car the locos back into the weeds.  I believe there is enough room for 4 cars before the track ends.
Shot #6  Departing with a successful mission 

Keith

Keith Schmidt
Milwaukee, WI

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Now the second part. Dropping off the asphalt cars. This requires some street running.  Possibly the only real street running in Milwaukee.  

Shot #7 Coming down off the elevation to street level.  Quite the grade 
Shot #8  Yes it is a railroad crossing
Shot #9  Street running backing towards the asphalt plant 

Check out more train photos at my FLickr page https://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N04/with/50380201543/

Keith

Keith Schmidt
Milwaukee, WI

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Shot #10 Spotting the car in the asphalt plant.  
Shot #11  Back into the street running light
Shot #12  Back up the hill to the elevation  

Keith

Keith Schmidt
Milwaukee, WI

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Final shots from the outing.  The engines are running light back to the harbor and eventually back to Butler Yard.  Hard to believe the tracks that they are on once hosted the CNW 400 and many daily passenger trains in and out Milwaukee.  Now just a tri weekly local.  

Crossing the Kinnickinnic River
Heading south back to Jones Island on rails that once hosted the 400. 

Keith 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N04/with/50380201543/

Keith Schmidt
Milwaukee, WI

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Shot three reminded me of an NTSB report I read.   Brakeman was riding the end of a boxcar with a similar tight
clearance when it derailed and pinned him between the car and building.  If I was in that line of work I would try to ride on the other side of the car.

Great series of photos.  Very interesting surroundings.

Jim

Great series!!

Nice series of info and photos. It’s always nice to chase a local and watch their switching solutions and moves
Brian Stevens

Posted from iPhone

I enjoyed the entire presentation.

Thanks for a nice series!

Larry

Really nice, the good old days type of switching. Very interesting to see a big modern boxcar spotted at a hundred year old warehouse.
JB

Great series!!

Good stuff, thanks for posting.  I liked how someone had peeled the UP shield sticker off the nose of the 1100 unit.  LOL

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

Really neat photos, thanks for posting. That CN&W swing bridge has a similar interesting truss design to one in Techny, IL. I've made a rough laser cut image of that bridge that I'm working to make into a 3D model kit.