Eastern Railroad Discussion > First Day of 2026 in Lake Erie Land

Thursday January 1, 2026
North Central Ohio
17 degrees, sun and snow, a beautiful day.

1. A pretty normal train day in these parts this morning with a nice covering of snow and crisp clear air. First train caught in the New Year was this 10Q (Bellevue - Conway) at Berlin Heights, about 9 miles west of Vermilion on the NKP out of Bellevue. Here it comes, charging like a bull across the flats, snow kicking up in a rooster tail obscuring the consist behind.

2. Approaching the Route 60 crossing and the site of the Lake Shore Electric Interurban diamond of long ago. Power is NS 1851, 4620, 4054 and NS 8130 as a mid-train DPU.

3. The consist passes kicking up a blizzard of snow.

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4. An old N&W hopper; NW 178345 in the 10Q.

5. NS 8130, looking good as the mid-train DPU.

6. Right behind the 10Q on the single iron was 18N which we caught just to the west of Berlin Heights at Shinrock with NS 8158 and 4421.

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7. & 8. Watching the 18N through Shinrock and the snow covered rural Ohio countryside. 18N is autos from Bellevue to Doremus, NJ.

9. Next up we are in Huron on the Lake Shore Line as 23G bombs west. Power is NS 4153, 7556, 4383 and 4940. 23G is a Croxton, NJ to Chicago - 55th Street intermodal.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/26 17:48 by train1275.

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“Like a bull across the flats,” love that description!!

Great post as always, Doug, Happy New Year!

Posted from iPhone

10. - 12. Enjoying 23G at Huron coming underneath the Christmas Tree at CP 232. The former Lake Shore & Michigan Southern was quite a property in the past, especially in the developmental years of the 1890's and early 1900's. Edward A. Handy was the Chief Engineer assisted by Samuel Rockwell. In 1905 Handy was promoted to Assistant General Manager, but died in office in 1907. He was a new Englander born in Barnstable, MA, the son of a ship captain. Rockwell who started on the LS&MS in the 1890's as Handy's assistant was from Brooklyn, NY and served as a mate for six years in the maritime industry before graduating from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, Class of 1873. Prior to joining the LS&MS he worked for the DL&W out of Hoboken, the Adirondack Railroad (became part of the D&H along Lake Champlain) the St. Paul & Pacific and Green Bay & Western. When Handy was promoted, Rockwell succeeded him as Chief Engineer.

These two men largely were responsible for converting the LS&MS from a double track line of the 1880's to a four track main line in superb condition that would be merged into the New York Central in 1914. After Rockwell aged out and had to take pension in 1912, he was retained in official capacity for a number of years as a consulting engineer helping his successor G.C. Cleveland, no doubt in part to finish the many capital improvements in progress at the time. The result gives the NS today a beautifully engineered railroad in these parts having inherited it from Conrail / Penn Central and NYC.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/26 14:07 by train1275.

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13. Almost newly rebuilt (July 2025) NS 4940 is the trailing unit on 23G.

14. The consist slides by, the lower extremity covered in a veil of blowing snow.

15. A few minutes later 256 comes east. NS 8010 and 7657 provide the horsepower as they move the train from Ashland Avenue - Chicago to Croxton, NJ. Gas here is 277-9, a bit higher than on the east side of Vermilion.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/26 14:42 by train1275.

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16. After 256 disappears to the east it is time to head home.

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Great series!

ut-1 Wrote:
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> “Like a bull across the flats,” love that
> description!!
>
> Great post as always, Doug, Happy New Year!
>
> Posted from iPhone

Happy New Year to you too John !!

Sure like #11 with the green aspect visible. Nice winter feel to them all.
—Mac

GREAT pics!!!

Great photos and interesting history on the line!

Also, your gas prices are about 30 cents cheaper than eastern PA!

Dan

Posted from iPhone