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This is one of the country's best railfaning spots for it's sheer volume of
trains on three lines passing through a classic railroad town. In 4 hours we
saw just less than 30 trains!
Fostoria is where the B&O main crosses C&O's Hocking Valley line and NS'
Nickel Plate Chicago main. Years ago NYC's Toledo & Ohio Central also
crossed the B&O, C&O and NKP at grade at FS Tower. Add the NKP's Lake Erie
Western across town and this was one happening place! It's still fantastic
and not to be missed by any B&O, C&O or NKP fan :)
Thumbnail Page for Directory fostoria06-30-01
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Shortly after arriving at the Columbus Ave. grade crossing by the C&O/NKP diamonds NS surprised us with a set of new UP Wings!
Here UP SD70M 4051 leads UP SD60M 6305 eastbound around the bend from the B&O diamonds on a mixed freight. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/250 f11, ISO 200 6/30/01 4:40:57 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1511KB) File="img_1493.jpg" Size=114226 |
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Up 4051 approaching the C&O diamonds on NS.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/250 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 4:41:03 PM - 950x550 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1292KB) File="img_1496.jpg" Size=97075 |
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And heading across the C&O toward NS' huge automotive mixing facility just east of Fostoria.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/250 f8.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 4:41:10 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1329KB) File="img_1499.jpg" Size=85350 |
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CSX Q375, Philadelphia to Louisville, bangs the C&O diamonds as F(S) Tower westbound on the B&O with FURX 3007, HLCX 6209 and white roof CSX SD40 8354.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/250 f10, ISO 200 6/30/01 4:43:09 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1503KB) File="img_1505.jpg" Size=102220 |
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Next up was the E521, Miller IN to Russell KY, coal train heading off the B&O onto the C&O southbound with CSX 7804 leading ex-BN HLCX 7169.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 511mm, 1/320 f10, ISO 200 6/30/01 4:51:59 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1617KB) File="img_1507.jpg" Size=119107 |
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The power for CSX G296 pulled up to F Tower on the C&O connection for a few minutes with ex-CR SD60M 8765 and ex-BN SD40 HLCX 7179.
G296 is supposed to be a Walbridge OH, to Mobile AL grain train and it it appears to take its sweet time dawdling on the way. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/320 f14, ISO 200 6/30/01 4:59:15 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1513KB) File="img_1515.jpg" Size=89372 |
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CSX work train W061 with ex-CR C36-7 7128 leading the 7120 and a good string of ballast hoppers prepares to cross over to track 1 just north of Columbus Ave.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 217mm, 1/320 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:07:28 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1691KB) File="img_1520.jpg" Size=122823 |
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W061 crossing over...
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 71mm, 1/320 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:07:51 PM - 950x540 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1782KB) File="img_1524.jpg" Size=108155 |
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and banging the NS diamonds at Columbus Ave.
Note the white roof on the 7120, that's CSX budget A/C program in action to improve crew comfort ondays like today where the mercury pushes 90F. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/320 f10, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:08:19 PM - 950x497 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1593KB) File="img_1529.jpg" Size=75785 |
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C36-7 7128 is apparent one of the units picked up from NS as evidenced by the white panel behind CXS' blue background number cab number.
Note the duplicate "C36-7" model designation on the cab side. This unit has seen no fewer than 5 alterations to its cab side since its CR days. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/320 f14, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:08:34 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1399KB) File="img_1532.jpg" Size=91669 |
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W061 approaches F Tower where it will turn east on the B&O main before jukmping on the Big Four for the last hop into Collinwood Yard in Cleveland.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/320 f11, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:08:55 PM - 950x648 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1758KB) File="img_1535.jpg" Size=119610 |
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Q296 from Saginaw MI to Wilmington DE and Baltimore MD appraoches the NS diamonds on the C&O (CSX CD) with CSX 8370 leading CR painted C40-8W 7335.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 63mm, 1/320 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:30:26 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1552KB) File="img_1546.jpg" Size=102373 |
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Q296 bangs the NS diamonds at Columbus Ave. just north of F Tower.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/320 f8.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:30:45 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1392KB) File="img_1548.jpg" Size=96071 |
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And finally the going away shot of Q296 at F Tower as it prepares to head east on the B&O.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/320 f9.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:31:00 PM - 950x570 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1460KB) File="img_1551.jpg" Size=109288 |
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15 minutes later the Q224 from Wixom MI to Fostoria OH and back to Walbridge OH approaches Columbus Ave. southbound on the C&O.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/320 f10, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:45:34 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1377KB) File="img_1554.jpg" Size=90114 |
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Q224 with the 8443 leading the 8429 prepares to bang the B&O diamonds at F Tower as northbound (TT west) coal train U919 passes the Fostoria water tower by the C&O yard in the distance.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/320 f9.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:45:55 PM - 800x743 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1646KB) File="img_1558.jpg" Size=116111 |
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Q224 meets coal train U919 (Blue Grass KY to Toldeo Docks) with AC4400 296 on the far side of the F Tower diamonds.
This is the only shot of the U919 we could get as it was on the far side of Q224 and the tail ends met on the north side of Columbus Ave at the diamonds! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/320 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 5:46:27 PM - 800x694 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1491KB) File="img_1560.jpg" Size=101134 |
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After missing out on the U919 we decided to move over to the B&O station at Main St.
Here is the westbound Q161 (North bergen NJ to Chicago, former Conrail TV77) approaching the B&O station and NS diamonds. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 217mm, 1/320 f11, ISO 200 6/30/01 6:08:09 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1556KB) File="img_1564.jpg" Size=118136 |
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Q161's 6000HP AC60's 646 and 637 could use a serious bath as they blow by the station platforms.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/320 f10, ISO 200 6/30/01 6:08:23 PM - 950x639 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1802KB) File="img_1567.jpg" Size=97894 |
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NS chimes in with an eastbound at the B&O diamonds 5 minutes later.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 93mm, 1/320 f11, ISO 200 6/30/01 6:13:25 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1365KB) File="img_1571.jpg" Size=103401 |
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NS SD40-2 6159 gives us the up close and personal look at her peeling nose as she passes "The Rail" which is a local tavern across the tracks fro the B&O station.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/320 f8.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 6:13:34 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1349KB) File="img_1574.jpg" Size=107537 |
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After a lull of more than an hour we were rewarded with westbound Q351 (Selkirk NY to Chicago/Proviso Yard) sporting winged UP SD70M 4548 in the lead on th B&O main about to cross South Poplar St. in the early evening "sweet light."
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/320 f9.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 7:33:16 PM - 950x615 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1452KB) File="img_1577.jpg" Size=104207 |
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Here XN Jon lenses the 4548 as the Q351 rolls by the B&O station platforms.
Trailing unit is D&RGW SD40-T2 5365 ahead of UP Dash 9-44CW 9629. These units went east from Proviso in Chicago as a set on Q390 three days earlier. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/320 f9.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 7:33:35 PM - 950x644 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1696KB) File="img_1578.jpg" Size=117923 |
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Here's the nasty going away shot into the sun as Q351 prepares to bang the NS diamonds, it was barely salvagable.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/320 f3.5, ISO 200 6/30/01 7:33:44 PM - 800x533 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1137KB) File="img_1582.jpg" Size=72804 |
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Westbound Q109 (N. Bergen NJ to Willow Springs IL, formerly Conrail TV99) follows Q351 about 20 minutes later.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 34mm, 1/320 f8.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 7:53:45 PM - 950x660 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1675KB) File="img_1587.jpg" Size=92791 |
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XN Jon yawns as Q109's Plain Jane C40-8W power (7665 and 7702) roll by the B&O Station platforms.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 34mm, 1/320 f5.6, ISO 200 6/30/01 7:53:46 PM - 800x546 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1640KB) File="img_1589.jpg" Size=87197 |
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NS hustles a westbound "Top Gon" coal train across the diamonds, squeezing in between the evening CSX intermodal parade.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 63mm, 1/250 f13, ISO 200 6/30/01 8:00:55 PM - 800x425 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1206KB) File="img_1590.jpg" Size=60192 |
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Eastbound Q134 (daily Chicago to Baltimore) bangs the NS/NKP diamonds in the setting sun.
The high green on Track 1 is for counterpart Q133, quickly approaching behind us... Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/250 f8.0, ISO 200 6/30/01 8:10:19 PM - 950x638 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1179KB) File="img_1594.jpg" Size=94937 |
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Q134's SD70MACs 742 and 727 glow in the setting June sun as they pass by the B&O Depot.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/250 f5.6, ISO 200 6/30/01 8:10:34 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1330KB) File="img_1600.jpg" Size=105442 |
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Going away shot of the Q134 with appraching Q133 barely visible below the Track 1 eastbound signal in the distance.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/250 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 8:10:47 PM - 800x697 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1573KB) File="img_1602.jpg" Size=90269 |
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Q133 and Q134 meet just east of Poplar St. at speed.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/250 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 8:11:18 PM - 950x640 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1227KB) File="img_1608.jpg" Size=74431 |
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XN Jon yawns again as Q133's (Baltimore to Chicago) Dash C40-8W 7691 leads Dash 9-44CW 9007 past the B&O station.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/250 f7.1, ISO 200 6/30/01 8:11:40 PM - 950x588 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1663KB) File="img_1612.jpg" Size=104716 |
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An eastbound NS manifest bangs the B&O diamonds with C39-8 8594 in the lead.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 93mm, 1/160 f6.3, ISO 400 6/30/01 8:41:11 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1263KB) File="img_1614.jpg" Size=95945 |
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Had to grab this shot of DTI 25914, a 60ft auto parts boxcar, just because it looks cool!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/160 f5.0, ISO 400 6/30/01 8:43:12 PM - 950x370 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1037KB) File="img_1617.jpg" Size=55477 |
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Ditto for the SP 651261 8-door 86 footer :)
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/160 f3.5, ISO 400 6/30/01 8:43:35 PM - 950x281 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1125KB) File="img_1619.jpg" Size=54948 |
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As the light fades westbound W032 rolls by, done with trackwork for the day.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/160 f4.5, ISO 400 6/30/01 8:53:00 PM - 950x360 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1449KB) File="img_1625.jpg" Size=60414 |
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It's now after 9PM and the last shot of the day is eastbound L158 (Chicago to N. Bergen NJ) with ex-CR SD60M 8781 leading the 8368.
Even in the dim light with a weak flash for fill, the 8781 is already looking a little rough around the nose. It's still good to see the old gal..... Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/160 f3.5, ISO 400 6/30/01 9:07:03 PM - 950x599 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1306KB) File="img_1632.jpg" Size=75341 |