Eastern Railroad Discussion > Fall Weekend in Lake Erie Land

Sunday October 26, 2025
North Central Ohio
Temps on the 50's - Sunny

It was another slow weekend hanging around the tracks, but got a few images of trains and other scenes here in North Central Ohio to share over this sunny autumn weekend.

Saturday October 25th

1. We got lucky this morning betting that 28B would take the west-leg connector and come through on the Nickel Plate. Here it is passing Valley Harbor Marina, at which we had staked out with permission, with NS 8031 and 4417.  If at the west side of town he had gone straight through on the Lake Shore line we would have ended up with nothing. It's always a gamble.

2. & 3. It is corn harvest time in Ohio and this farmer is working a field next to the NKP at Shinrock, between Vermilion and Bellevue. Train L13 sits on the siding at Wickel Road as up ahead in Bellevue there has been a derailment that has futzed everything up. Power on the L13 local is NS 9871, 9816 and 4407. Most of the soy beans have already been cut and also the green silage corn has long been harvested.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/25 14:44 by train1275.

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4. As the train wasn't going anywhere, it gave the opportunity to grab a few different perspectives.

5. Back home, and looking out the Back-40 the work barge goes droning by again. This is part of the Port of Vermilion breakwater wall rehab project.

Sunday October 26th:

6. The leaves are probably at their peak, maybe a little beyond. They are selectively pretty, but having grown up in Upstate NY and living in the Adirondack Mountains for many years, ...  well it just isn't the same here.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/25 14:24 by train1275.

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7. A Cardinal finds a shady resting place near Huron. Colors abound.

8. Egrets pose in the marsh.

9. A Bittern is prowling, maybe for brunch, he looks grumpy. This is the first one we have seen since relocating to Ohio. Pretty neat, but it would be even neater to see this Bittern.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4_4464_Bittern

British Rail Class A4 steam 4-6-2. Somehow when I hear the word Bittern, I don't visualize a bird, but a steam locomotive.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/25 14:48 by train1275.

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10. With all due apologies to Tchaikovsky and the romantics, I think Swans are ugly. Here one sits atop a muskrat house, all dirty and muddy.

11. Waves ripple to shore from Lake Erie near Huron, a typical Fall scene in these parts near the lake.

12. Back to Vermilion, and an eastbound blasts over the bridge with NS 4183 solo up front and NS 8039 as a rear DPU. This is an M2N, Elkhart, IN to Conway, PA and is an Extra 12N.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/25 17:21 by train1275.

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13. Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern hoppers 9965 and 9919 on M2N.

14. And then NS 8039, the rear DPU whistles by.

15. Then westbound 11K a Croxton, NJ to Elkhart, IN merchandise train shows up with NS 4596 leading and NS 4532 as a mid train DPU. Usually he has two or three units up front but not today.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/25 17:19 by train1275.

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16. Another RBMN hopper (RBMN 11000) is westbound in the 11K.

17. NS 4532, the mid-train DPU.

18. Heading home and an Eagle soars overhead to end the day.

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Nice shot of the Pete with the stopped fright. Very nice array, thanks for the look.
—Mac

The feathered Bittern has quite an elaborite coat! The Brittish Bittern, not so much. I just never developed a taste for the British steamers or diesels for that matter!
Nice report all around!
gonut

Wow!! You certainly had some beautiful fall weather and got some fantastic photos. I love how your first shot is framed.

Dan

Posted from iPhone

I enjoy your reports as much for the wildlife and boats/freighters as the trains. Some of your wildlife shots like the cardinal are magazine/journal worthy. Well done and carry on, please!

Nice pics!!