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Fostoria and Deshler, Ohio Photos on the first day of Fall, September 22, 2001
JK and SO planned to meet up with TE and I in either Fostoria or Deshler so I ended up starting off the railfanning day in Fostoria which as always provided a great Saturday afternoon show. After an hour and a half of terrific action we figured that JK and SO had beaten us there so we headed off to Deshler we moved on to Crossroads Park where they were waiting for us. Deshler wasn't disappointing and the Toledo Sub was rollin' with trains which was an unexpected bonus and capped a great day of CSX Railfanning on three different mains!
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As soon as we get to Columbus Avenue in Fostoria we hear NS blowing for the grade crossings in town.
An eastbound NS grain train comes rolling through the C&O diamonds with C40-9W 9289 on the point and high nose GP40 1369 trailing. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/200 f16, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:09:09 PM - 900x607 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1616KB) File="img_2492.jpg" Size=106904 |
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I decided to grab this MILW covered hopper as who knows how much longer they'll be around to shoot. Unfortunately I couldn't get the car number :(
There was a pretty decent sized railfan contingent out for the action at Columbus Ave. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/200 f11, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:09:55 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1421KB) File="img_2493.jpg" Size=113899 |
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We were getting trains every few minutes from the time we arrived. L217-21 rolls past F tower from the B&O WB to the C&O WB.
SD50 8586 is right at the CD 87.8 cabin with SD50 8555 trailing. L217 is daily Automotive Business Unit train from Philadelphia to Detroit via Walbridge Yard on the Columbus sub. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/400 f14, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:14:18 PM - 900x566 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1350KB) File="img_2494.jpg" Size=78929 |
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L217's power is now on the Columbus sub heading north (TT west) to Walbridge where it apparently terminated and headed east on Q216-23 early the next morning.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f6.3, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:14:29 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1498KB) File="img_2498.jpg" Size=114860 |
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L217 bangs the NS diamonds at Columbus Ave. while a "foamer" shoots video from atop a ballast pile.
The field beyond the nose of the lead unit is a possible location for a new Fostoria Railfan Park. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/400 f9.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:14:50 PM - 900x573 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1636KB) File="img_2500.jpg" Size=107722 |
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As L217 continues onto the Columbus sub, L110-22 comes roaring eastbound on the B&0 past F Tower.
C40-8W leads SD50 8537 and CSX C40-8 "class unit" 7500. CSX now has ex-CR C40-8's numbered 7489-7499. L110 runs Willow Springs, IL to North Bergen, NJ via the Big Four (Indy sub) to Cleveland, Buffalo and Selkirk and then down the ex-West Shore River Line to Jersey with TOFC. It used to be TV100 on Conrail. This power headed back to Cleveland-Collinwood on X003-22 out of South Kearny 10 hours after reaching North Bergen, the next evening despite the -22 suffix. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 81mm, 1/400 f7.1, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:16:56 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1336KB) File="img_2505.jpg" Size=107273 |
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X224-22 rolls long hood first across the B&O diamonds at F Tower with an auto rack transfer out of Walbridge Yard for the C&O yard in Fostoria.
7483 is a C39-8 still in Conrail paint. These units will most likely be the first Dash 8's retired. We'll see this train again later on. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f5.6, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:27:27 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1320KB) File="img_2508.jpg" Size=104130 |
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Q375-20 bangs the F Tower diamonds westbound on the B&O at milepost BI 36.4.
C40-8 7526 leads VMV SD40-2 rebuild 8474 just ahead of Poplar St. The B&O station platform can get you shots of the F Tower diamonds as long as you have a long lens. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:33:59 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1521KB) File="img_2509.jpg" Size=110815 |
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Q375-20 is across Poplar St. and is about to pass the B&O station.
Q375 is a Greenwich Yard Philadelphia to Louisville, KY daily mixed also known as PGLO. It usually takes more than two days to make the trip. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 181mm, 1/400 f9.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:34:26 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1456KB) File="img_2512.jpg" Size=111045 |
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We haven't found JK and SO at either Columbus Ave. or the B&O station so we head back to Columbus Ave. to wait a few minutes more before moving on to Deshler.
As is the pattern this afternoon in Fostoria we don't have to wait at all for another train as Q245-21 attempts to run down a kid on a bike at the crossind. The kid made it with room to spare and nary a second glance. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:43:36 PM - 900x579 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1665KB) File="img_2515.jpg" Size=103605 |
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Q245 bangs the NS diamonds 8 seconds later with SD40-2 8114 leading sister 8210.
The green sign on the line pole says "C&O DIAMOND FOSTORIA" and was installed this summer by NS with B&O DIAMOND counterparts by the station diamonds at Main St. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/400 f7.1, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:43:44 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1546KB) File="img_2518.jpg" Size=108941 |
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The 8114 moves off the Columbus sub onto the "N/W Transfer" to Chicago Main 1 westbound.
Q245 runs Detroit to Cincinnati via Walbridge, Fostoria and Deshler with ABU traffic. Q245-21 was OSed in Deshler at 15:25, about 40 minutes later. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 71mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:44:05 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1572KB) File="img_2521.jpg" Size=120819 |
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PRR B40-8 4816 moved on to the Columbus Ave Transfer from the NS and stopped by the nice black '96 Cobra Coupe which is owned by the "foamer" who was shooting video from the ballast pile.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/400 f5.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:51:43 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1673KB) File="img_2524.jpg" Size=131847 |
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X224-22 is tying onto the westbound transfer on main 1 at the C&O yard on the south side of the diamonds while the signals indicate that we're about to get an eastbound on the Columbus sub on main 2.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 181mm, 1/400 f7.1, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:52:37 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1280KB) File="img_2527.jpg" Size=114063 |
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And here comes the eastbound N921-22 coal gon train from Lang Yard in Toledo with C40-8W 7311 leading C40-8 7514 just past the crossovers on main 2.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:57:07 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1350KB) File="img_2530.jpg" Size=99602 |
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N921 runs from Lang Yard in Toledo to Martin, KY via Columbus as needed with coal empties.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f9.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:57:13 PM - 900x556 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1413KB) File="img_2533.jpg" Size=78723 |
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N921 has the eastbound signal on main 2 at the C&O yard while X224 pumps air while waiting for permission to head back west (compass north) to Walbridge.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 2:57:45 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1159KB) File="img_2536.jpg" Size=93165 |
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Here comes the N968-20 on the N/W Transfer with Powder River coal for Consumer's Energy in Michigan.
Grinstein Green BN SD70MACs 9487 and 9583 will be turned at Lang Yard to run empty N968-16 back to the BN at Chicago at midnight. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f5.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 3:07:58 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1559KB) File="img_2539.jpg" Size=125592 |
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Going away shot of the N968 and the SD70MACs which are about 40 miles from Lang via the Columbus sub. The NS/NKP diamonds are in the foreground.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f4.5, ISO 200 9/22/01 3:08:54 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1585KB) File="img_2545.jpg" Size=123653 |
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CSX C40-8W 7764 surprises me on the Nickle Plate main at Columbus ave while the railfans yound and old make up a quick photo line.
7764 was interchanged with the UP four days ago in Chicago with the K821-15 which usually runs Tampa, FL to the ex-C&NW Proviso Yard in Chicago via Evansville and Terre Haute, IN. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 3:20:19 PM - 900x439 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1671KB) File="img_2549.jpg" Size=89329 |
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The going away shot on the other side of the C&O diamonds shows ex-BN leaser HLCX SD40-2 8163 and SD40-2 8227 trailing as the railfans look on.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 3:20:27 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1782KB) File="img_2551.jpg" Size=129637 |
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X224-22 finally heads back to Walbridge on the Columbus sub 1 main as the GERFs once again line up.
We've been here at Columbus Ave. for 50 minutes with no sign of JK and SO which means they are probably already at Deshler so we head there before yet another train shows up to delay us further! Once again Fostoria demonstrates why it is one of the primo CSX railfan spots and always a good time! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 3:25:13 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 2001KB) File="img_2554.jpg" Size=149227 |
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Of course, once we got to Deshler there was a lull of about an hour before we saw our first train there. JK and SO were indeed already there and settled in.
SD50 8954 leads coal empty T910-20 westbound on main 1 at Main St. in Deshler with SD40-2 8481 trailing. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:06:00 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1522KB) File="img_2558.jpg" Size=115338 |
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T910 pounds the Toledo Sub diamonds by the classic brick tower and station across the tracks from Crossroads Park in Deshler.
T910 runs unit coal from Marfork, WV to Miller, IN and Chicago via Elk Run Jct. WV, Columbus and Fostoria as needed. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f9.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:06:23 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1854KB) File="img_2561.jpg" Size=129677 |
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Q384-22 passes the Crossroads Park flag at half mast, eastbound with White Roof ex-CR SD60I 8752 leading UP C44-9W 9665 and ex-CR SD40-2 8822.
Q384 is a daily ABU train from Chicago to Cumberland, all the way on the ex-B&O Chicago main. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 34mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:10:57 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1703KB) File="img_2563.jpg" Size=113066 |
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AC6000CW 697 leads an all GE lashup on intermodal L185-21 west on track 1 at the Main St. grade crossing and crossovers.
Can you tell I like this angle with a 35mm SLR lens equivalent of 480mm? Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:23:31 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1492KB) File="img_2576.jpg" Size=106830 |
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L185, with C40-8W's 7829 and 7815 trailing, is about to hit the Toledo Sub diamonds at Deshler Tower.
L185 is a Beacon Park Yard in Boston to Chicago 63rd St. TV train (CR TOFC) which is the Friday version of the Monday through Thursday Q185. Like most of the ex-Conrail Lakeshore line trains on CSX it now runs down the Big Four (CCC&ST) Indy Sub from Berea to the B&O Chicago line at Greenwich. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:23:53 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1901KB) File="img_2578.jpg" Size=129373 |
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Now we get to what I have _really_ been waiting for at Deshler, Toledo Sub trains!
B&O CPL's nicely frame Q506-22 which is northbound on the Toledo Sub main. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:29:29 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1305KB) File="img_2583.jpg" Size=112994 |
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SD40-2 8425 leads C40-8W 7841 and MP15AC 1170 northbound past the Deshler water tower on Q506.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 149mm, 1/400 f5.6, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:29:43 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1894KB) File="img_2585.jpg" Size=172700 |
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Q506 crosses the B&O Chicago main (BI 67.3) at the B&O Deshler station which served both B&0 passenger trains in all four directions at one time.
Q506 is a Cincinnati to Toledo daily mixed which will terminate in Stanley Yard at 19:45 where 7841 will part company with the 8425 and 1170 which will head east to Cumberland on Q278-23 in the morning. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/400 f9.0, ISO 200 9/22/01 5:29:53 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1862KB) File="img_2587.jpg" Size=158442 |
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Shooting southwest into the sun across one of the three bodies of water which made up the B&O Reservoir in Deshler we see Q340-22 coming north on the Toledo Sub main.
SD40's 8254 and 8256 are lined for the 10 MPH eastbound leg of the wye to the B&O Chicago main. I really want to get this shot in early morning light, have to do an overnight at Crossroads Park one of these days! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/400 f6.3, ISO 200 9/22/01 6:36:40 PM - 900x594 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1069KB) File="img_2596.jpg" Size=87772 |
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Q340's 8254 tiptoes into the grade crossing on the wye as JK and two railfans look on from across the Toledo sub main.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/400 f4.5, ISO 200 9/22/01 6:37:03 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 986KB) File="img_2599.jpg" Size=76475 |
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Q340 rounds the east leg of the wye to the B&O main with SD40-2 8256 showing off its white roof and "eye makeup" which are part of CSX' ongoing "poor Man's Air Conditioning" program.
Q340 is a daily Cincinnati to Willard merchandise train. The power will head west out of Willard to Chicago on Q383-23 in the morning. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f3.5, ISO 200 9/22/01 6:37:24 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1382KB) File="img_2604.jpg" Size=94176 |
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Ex-CR SD50 8653 leads FURX SD40-2 3025 on Q501-22 from BI main 2 onto the west leg of the Toledo Sub wye as an eastbound Trailer Jet zips past.
Q501 runs mixed freight from Clearing Yard in Chicago to Cincinnati daily with stops at Garrett, Lima and Dayton for recrewing and work. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/60 f8.0, ISO 400 9/22/01 7:24:34 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1272KB) File="img_2608.jpg" Size=92408 |
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Q501 throttles up by the crossovers as Q272 with SD70MAC 746 approaches northbound on the Toledo Sub in the distance.
Q272 is a daily Louisville, KY to Detroit, MI ABU train via Cincinnati and the Toledo Sub. Alas the light would be gone by the time the 272 made it to the diamonds at 20:31 as there were 4 trains stacked up on the Toledo Sub so he had to wait almost an hour to get through. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/60 f5.6, ISO 400 9/22/01 7:26:25 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1149KB) File="img_2616.jpg" Size=51084 |
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I was quickly losing the light so I snapped off what I could of the approaching southbound Toledo Sub traffic and this one came out the best. Not bad for 1/60th of a second at full zoom with no tripod!
Here S509-23 with SD50 8603 crawls southbound into the north leg of the wye from the Toledo Sub as the Q517 with FURX SD40 3043, CSXT SD50 8588 and GP38-2 2644 approach southbound on the main in the distance. S509 runs a mixed freight Toledo to Garrett and Q517 runs daily from Toledo to Louisville via Cincy. At this point there were 5 trains visible from where I was standing, 3 on the Toledo Sub, one on the Chicago main and one on both! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/60 f5.6, ISO 400 9/22/01 7:27:16 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1224KB) File="img_2618.jpg" Size=99133 |
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S509 ends my day of photos as it moves on to the Willard Sub Chicago main across the tracks from the Crossroads Park.
We stayed another 4 hours or so and relaxed to sights and sounds of another dozen or so trains on both lines. The density of traffic on the Toledo sub was a pleasant surprise for a line which appeared to be headed toward branchline oblivion. Another great day of Railfanning with great company and nice weather, more than I could have asked for on the first day of Fall! You can bet we'll be heading back to Deshler again. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/60 f3.5, ISO 400 9/22/01 7:32:13 PM - 900x600 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1113KB) File="img_2625.jpg" Size=81636 |