Eastern Railroad Discussion > The BumbleBee on the CNO&TP (Virginian 1069)

If you like Heritage engines and EMD's, this post is sure to cause a stir in your nether-regions.

Last Friday evening, I had watched the heads up about the VGN 1069 leading train 117 South, but it got into Sharonville Ohio at such an early hour that evening that I figured it would be a night time train across the CNO&TP. I had to go into work for a bit Saturday morning, and figured that 117 was long gone by then anyway. A text that morning from a friend suddenly had me changing plans and getting gone from work quick..

After a rather expedient trip back home to grab the camera and pick up Carmon, we headed south at a High rate of speed. 117 was almost to Danville Ky, and we missed the shot of the VGN and NYC side by side at North Wye by maybe 10 mins, but would have plenty of time to make up for that as it turned out. 275 and 295 where ahead of the 117, and by the time both of those got fuel, we where in place for the rest of the day.

As luck would have it, 275 had a train separation as they left the yard at Danville, which tied things up for over an hour. 117 sat behind the 275 at South Danville, and we waited. By the time 275 was back on the move, 229 (the hottest train on the RR) and 215 (pretty dang warm itself) had arrived at Danville, and our 117 got to sit some more for those two trains to fuel and get South. After almost 2 hours of sitting, the piggies and stacks where finally gone, and 117 got a light at South Danville. From there, we followed them all the way to Burnside, and the delay worked in our favor as it let the sun get around some, allowing for some great lighting the rest of the day..

Below are a few samples of my results from the day with the "Bumblebee" on the CNO&TP. The entire set (more than you are seeing here) can be found over on Pbase in stunning technicolor, HD, 4D, with massive sized images big enough to let you count the seeds in the bird poop on the front of the engine...check em out
>>>> http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/ocs12

#1 117 eases past the signal at South Danville, running "on permission" following 275. They wouldn't get far before they would stop again to let 229 and 215 by. This makes the 4th heritage unit I have shot here with these old Searchlight signals...I hope I can get a few more before these signals are replaced by something more modern.

#2 117 finally gets a light at Bowen, and starts South. The 1069 is seen here passing the old GRS model SC searchlight signals, which are not long for this world.

#3 The 1069 brings 117 across the Green River bridge at Southfork, KY. 3 generations of EMD's in #8 with a tonnage train making some great music starting up the grade to Kings Mountain.

E.M. Bell , KD4JSL
Salvisa, KY
Jreb.org NS group



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/12 15:36 by EMBell.

---

---

---

#4 The 1069 brings 117 through the big dip at Gradison KY, with almost a mile of train stretched out behind.

#5 By the time the train got down towards Somerset, they would wind up sitting at waiting again for a pair of Northbounds. When we got to Burnside a Northbound grain train was hanging back on the bridge on #2 track, which wold have blocked the shot. Luck was on our side again, and the Northbound ran first, allowing for this splendid view of 117 coming across the Cumberland River. A couple of fisherman are out on the water, enjoying the 70 degree winters day.

#6 While the train stopped at the Burnside depot to swap crews, we went looking for a spot that might have some good light that late in the day. We whipped into "CP General" at Tateville ky and shot 117 as they came thundering by a grain train that was tied down in the new yard.

E.M. Bell , KD4JSL
Salvisa, KY
Jreb.org NS group

---

---

---

I'd say that you cleaned up on the 1069

Very nice Emmett

Well done

Really nice set of pictures!

Great shots Emmett! Good timing with the boat at Burnside.

NIIIIICE set of pics!!!! Thanks for sharing.

Awesome shots! Glad you are shooting the signals too. NS has started replacing all the old Southern signals here in Georgia. Only a matter of time before they make their way up your way I hate to say.

#3 or #5 could be IOTD material...nice work.

The in yor face look with the signal bridge across the background of #4 is awesome & the lone boat under the towering bridge with the train in #5 are my favorites.

Excellant work,
SEAN

Killer stuff on a killer chase, thanks for sharing!

Ted S-P

Great catches.
JB

Very nice catch there Emmett and some sweet shots!

Excellent series of photos Mr. Bell. My nether-regions have been stirred : )
John

RockIsland4310 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'd say that you cleaned up on the 1069
> Very nice Emmett
> Well done

Cleaned up indeed! What a great chase and great photos.

RAD

A really impressive set of pictures! You did quite nicely. Thanks for sharing them with us!

JCL

All fantastic pics, but #6 is my favorite. Good job.

Good work, Emmet.
Ron Wilson

Great set of photos! Thanks for sharing.

Don Bowen
Saint Helena, CA

Emmett,
killer series thanks for sharing.
Mark Mautner