Eastern Railroad Discussion > B&LE time machine...

Hi all. I'm way behind in postings anything from this summer, but the most interesting development here locally (to me anyways) has been the mini resurgence of the B&LE image here in western PA the past few weeks. Ever since last spring, the CN Bessemer sub has pretty much been ruled by 6 former IC SD70's, complemented by a couple of additional CN units and the last 2 remaining B&LE units: SD40T-3 905 and SD38AC 867. Occasionally, it's been possible to find one of these units out on the road, but they've always been mixed with the other power, and it never seemed like I'd manage to catch one of the B&LE's leading. In fact, the 867 often seems to be used as a replacement unit that is subbed in while other power is shopped. My luck finally started to change this summer, starting last Saturday, when B&LE 867 lead the L519 Butler turn back north on the homebound run back to Shenago:
1. 867 gets its short train of empty gons up to track speed at Butler Transfer, PA. I was cloud zapped here, but it was nice just to se the orange paint inthe lead again.
2. 867 leads the CN 5422 through the interlocking at CP Carter.
This was just a warmup for this week, when some saint in Greenville managed to mate the 867 and the 905 together. I was hoping to catch them on the Butler turn thisSaturday, but family commitments and lousy weather did me in, but fortunately, I found them this evening leading a northbound empty hopper train solo!!!
3. The sun has come out at just the right time, as B&LE 905 and B&LE 867 roll over 100 empties northbound at Curtisville, PA.


 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/16 04:11 by PittsburghMike.

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4. Popping out of the shadows at Curtisville.
5 & 6. Making like its 2006, B&LE 905 north curves into the summit of Saxonburg Hill at SX South.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/16 07:26 by PittsburghMike.

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7. Rolling northward at SX South.
8. Unfortunately, as I chased northward, I was zapped by some consistent scuzz, but the 2 orange units still made for a nice sight at Mcbride.
9. I've never posted a video here, but I did a short one of the train cresting the summit at Euclid north of Butler with my cell phone. Lets see if this works...(It posted, but the quality isn't very good...which is odd because it looks better on my own PC....hmm, well it sounds nice anyways, lol)

Thanks for looking!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/16 21:45 by PittsburghMike.

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Really appreciate you posting the wonderful photos and video!  They truly are a time machine of a much better time.
ALLEN

Very nice, thanks for the trip on the B&LE time machine.
John

Add my thanks for posting - - just like the
good old days !

Awesome Mike!!

Jon

Well done Mikey!  This stuff is gold, reminds me of the 'indian summer' for Rio Grande T-2's in Helper, UT in 2000/2001.

Get 'em while they are out there!!

~RGDave

Nice pics!!

Wonderful memories. Way back, a "standard" northbound coal train (3 units -- SD18/s, I think --, 7,800 tons) pulling their guts out coming up the hill from Butler and, further north,  Branchton, which is the northbound tuling grade of the property.  Way back in the day, it might have been coal, northbound, ex-URR, bound for Conneaut, routed URR-North Bessemer-BLE, of off the B&O routed B&O -- Butler -- BLE.   The only think lacking is the sintering plant at Saxonburg, long torn down.   Thanks for sharing.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/16 13:32 by billio.

Great stuff-thanks for sharing

Mike Bannon
St Catharines, ON

Fantastic stuff, Mike! Thanks for posting.

Thanks gents. Both units look like they have been recently washed (maybe if nothing ele by all the rain we've been getting) which really makes them pop!