Western Railroad Discussion > Almost Slept Through It

Wallula, WA seemed to be the center of the action about mid-day Sunday. The UP MHKSK was stopped there to setout a large block of cars. UP's local and the BNSF Lowline jobs were working nearby. And per scanner traffic, I knew a Potash no-fitter was coming to meet the SK at Wallula and another northbound at Cold Springs. I heard the Potash call out the approach to Wallula and I quickly found my spot at Thrasher's Curve to await the train that was just around the bend in the river. The wait was proving to be a bit longer than anticipated. I found a shady spot on some nice green grass under a very large sagebrush plant. After spending some time sitting there I laid down on the somewhat inclined slope. It was about the most ideal day you could ask for, bright and sunny, the perfect temp with a gentle breeze. I got tired of looking at my phone after a while and put it down to just enjoy the day.....a bit too much.
The next thing I remember was waking up to the sound of singing rails and instantly realizing the train was already halfway to me from where I could first see it...if I had been awake at that time. I scrambled to my feet and turned the camera on while removing the lens cap. I composed a series of photos as the train progressed through the scene before me. I was lucky this time that I woke up in time to photographed the train, as it's definitely not the first time I've been woken up by the train I was waiting to photograph on a fine spring day...and probably not the last.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

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Glad you caught a nap and the train-!  You're the man-!

Nice looking power! A little power nap sure helps for the rest of the day, lol.

Larry

Great shots Ted.

PCBill

Very nice Ted. Those potashCorp hoppers are starting to show some weathering.
Regards,DK

Great photos. I have a river shot similar to that at Wallula as well. I think it was a UP train symbol but had CP power?
Brian Stevens

Posted from iPhone

Great shots Ted!  You managed to have your cake and eat it too on this day.


DKay Wrote:
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> Very nice Ted. Those potashCorp hoppers are
> starting to show some weathering.
> Regards,DK

Potash is extremely corrosive, so its amazing to me that the hoppers paint protected the steel for even this long.