Western Railroad Discussion > Power outage, STILL outta the house!

In the first half of my play-by-play coverage I finally managed to escort this K&O unit grainer onto UP rails at Salina for the jog east to the connection at Abilene. While the train was maneuvering onto BNSF rails at West Abilene I buzzed through the drive-up window at the “Original Grande” joint across from the old Santa Fe depot. I successfully negotiated my burrito lunch and was still able to swing around and shoot the train along SW 3rd Street. That’s where I left off, so here we go with the actual chase down the BNSF Strong City Sub. Keep in mind my waiting burrito was very giving off most pleasant olfactory effects whilst I was busy burning pixels...

13. After shooting the train approaching the depot at Buckeye Avenue I scooted over to the east end of the mostly vacant Abilene (KS) yard to pose BNSF 8562 & 612 against the MKC elevator. It was now 2 :46 PM.

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Then I thought about a shot location I haven’t used lately. I hit the road for a 15 minute jog down to the 1300 Avenue crossing. And I still had my combo burrito to tangle with. It’ll keep awhile...

14. 15. & 16. I pulled up a mile south of Navarre, KS. I knew that 2x1 unit grainer would take some time to pull the hill between Enterprise & Navarre so I dove into my rather late lunch. And I had XM radio to serenade me. At about 3:40 PM I heard a horn which let me know the train was still a mile north (TT west) of town. I had my sequence planned out...

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17. With my burrito now gastronomical history, I was off to the races in pursuit of this grainer. At 300mm here’s a familiar shot from the 500 Avenue crossing south of Hope, KS.

18. & 19. Again at 300mm here’s a slightly unfamiliar, 2-shot sequence at a very familiar location. This is the 360th St/Ranung Rd crossing south (TT east) of the old SFe ETT location of Jacobs, KS. The searchlight signal is actually just an approach signal to the UP/BNSF crossing up yonder.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/24 02:21 by santafe199.

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I decided to forgo the transfer from BNSF rails to UP rails at Lost Springs. I’ve shot that move a zillion times already. Instead I ran on down to Lincolnville. I thought I’d look around and give this notoriously difficult location at another whirl...

20. & 21. I’m shooting across the scale shack at BNSF 8562 now back where it started: on foreign (UP) rails. Disclaimer: I had to Photoshop out just a little bit of foreground clutter in the first shot.

22. I ran around behind the complex to shoot DP unit 7796 rolling by. This shot is not recommended while the complex is open for business...
3 photos taken at Lincolnville, KS.

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Have you the time for just one more??

23. On my way home I made the obligatory pass through Herington, KS. I was rewarded with UP 6459 leaving down the GSR with a stacker. I’m shooting @ 270mm from the Country Club Rd crossing.
ALL photos taken February 25, 2024.

Thanks for looking!
Lance Garrels
santafe199

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So this train has had a K&O crew Salina to Abilene; then BNSF crew to Lost Springs and then south on the old Rock Island/ OKT/ UP to Wichita and beyond?? Or did they turn right at Peabody and go up Walton Hill to Newton?

I remember having a Rock Island rules card as a Conductor/ Brakie to get from Peabody to Marion to access the McPherson District.
Dave in MT

Nice pics.

If that Mexican joint is the only one on the main drag in Abilene, I've been there.  :-)

monaddave Wrote: > ... Or did they turn right at Peabody and go up Walton Hill to Newton?
I'm pretty sure they went up Walton "Mountain" over to Newton then down to Wichita & beyond. But maybe MILW E70 will have to confirm that...

RetiredHogger Wrote: > ... If that Mexican joint is the only one on the main drag ...
I believe it is. There used to be a Chinese buffet down in the "Old Abilene Town" area, But they went out of business a while back. And then there's the on again ~ off again "Hitch 'N Post" right across from the old Rock Island depot (which serves as the A&SV ticket office & depot). Going north on Buckeye, starting at 14th St there are the usual suspects: Sonic, Pizza Hut, Mc D's, Burger King, etc...
 
Lance
 

santafe199 Wrote:
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> monaddave Wrote: > ... Or did they turn right at
> Peabody and go up Walton Hill to Newton?
> I'm pretty sure they went up Walton "Mountain"
> over to Newton then down to Wichita & beyond. But
> maybe MILW E70 will have to confirm that...

Indeed they took a "right turn, Clyde" at Peabody and went on into Newton. I can't really recall a time in the past 15-20 years that they've sent anything over the Rock between Peabody and Wichita

Very enjoyable series! Looks like a fun day.

Larry

I think that is correct...I have heard of no trains using the track rights to go straight south at Peabody, Ks. on the old CRIP through Wichita and then back onto the BNSF there for some time.    I did do that a few times once with a DPU equipped grain train that originated at Salina, Ks.   Incredibly, we made it from Salina all the way to Arkansas city, Ks. before our 12 hour limit.   But, I had called a friend of mine who was the yardmaster at Wichita on the UP and advised the approximate time we would be there and please make sure we had a clear track through town.   He did, and that insured we could make it in time.