The day was just too nice to pass up so we "made the rounds" and shot some
trains on NS ex-NYC and ex-PRR lines in the area.
The treat of the day was getting both of the dock jobs in Sandusky shuffling
empty and loaded coal gons back and forth between the old PRR yard and the
"Conveyor" each using a single two digit NS/NKP SD9!
I even managed to get my hair cut at a barbershop right next to the tracks in
Sandusky!
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We started out at CO Bridge over the Portage River at CP 256 on the ex-NYC Main.
NS obliged us with eastbound 21Z, but I couldn't find a shot I liked! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f16, ISO 200 5/10/01 2:54:11 PM - 1000x361 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1349KB) File="img_0812.jpg" Size=44952 |
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NS C40-9W 9276 leads the 9810 and 9180 through the CO Bridge.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 2:54:22 PM - 1000x479 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1245KB) File="img_0813.jpg" Size=57773 |
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Next up was westbound 11E with new UP SD70M 4075 trailing.
I'd sure like to do some "gardening" on the causeway... Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 71mm, 1/250 f14, ISO 200 5/10/01 3:27:29 PM - 1000x451 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1281KB) File="img_0825.jpg" Size=63031 |
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NS C40-9W 9288 leads UP 4075 off the CO Bridge at CP 256 on the 11E.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/250 f14, ISO 200 5/10/01 3:27:57 PM - 1000x440 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1370KB) File="img_0831.jpg" Size=61682 |
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Had to grab this shot, gotta get the Conrail paint while it's out there!
CR SD60I PRR 6767 leads NS 8955 and high nose SD40 3304 eastbound on to the Bay Bridge over Sandusky Bay, splitting the westbound CP 248 signals with the 12K. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 81mm, 1/400 f13, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:05:55 PM - 800x256 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1217KB) File="img_0846.jpg" Size=26683 |
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The 12K is well out on the mile long causeway and approaching the lift span.
We had a hard time pinning down this train as he refused to use his mic to call the signals and detectors, preferring to just hit the radio button with a mumble. The dispatcher hailed him and we nailed him :) Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 125mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:06:07 PM - 1000x204 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1218KB) File="img_0849.jpg" Size=31933 |
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In this shot you can see how the causeway has a nice bridged gap to let the water flow between the lake and the bay to keep the levels equalized.
The 12K is just about to move on to the lift span. Just to the right of the bridge the Sandusky coal dock "Conveyor" is visible, 5.5 track miles away. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f13, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:06:20 PM - 1200x167 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1157KB) File="img_0852.jpg" Size=14470 |
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PRR 6767 rumbles onto the manned double track lift span.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 181mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:06:26 PM - 1200x347 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1187KB) File="img_0855.jpg" Size=49723 |
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12K's three units have cleared the span and the exhaust haze partially obscures the Sandusky "Conveyor."
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 149mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:06:33 PM - 1200x332 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1207KB) File="img_0861.jpg" Size=49109 |
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Panoramic style shot of all 56 stack-packs of the NS 12K on the causeway.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f14, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:07:08 PM - 1200x155 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1179KB) File="img_0862.jpg" Size=16710 |
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Canon EOS D30 28.0 - 300.0 mm at 300mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200
5/10/01 4:07:20 PM - 1000x241 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1140KB) File="img_0865.jpg" Size=33916 |
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We knew we had eastbound 64N on the way with plenty of time to beat it to the diamonds at CP 242 in Sandusky.
Here C39-8 8593 smokes it up through the westbound CP 242 signal bridge after pounding the diamonds of the ex-PRR line to the docks. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 81mm, 1/500 f8.0, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:45:57 PM - 1000x667 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1540KB) File="img_0894.jpg" Size=135689 |
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Compressed telephoto shot of the 64N passing the Sandusky Station (on the other side of the train) and preparing to blow for the grade crossing at CP 240.
Canon EOS D30 28.0 - 300.0 mm at 300mm, 1/500 f5.6, ISO 200 5/10/01 4:46:51 PM - 1000x619 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1339KB) File="img_0901.jpg" Size=73975 |
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Westbound I1T kicks it up through Sandusky with C40-9W 9452 on the point.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 125mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:06:06 PM - 1000x685 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1848KB) File="img_0909.jpg" Size=106229 |
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The I1T has the high green at CP 242 and none too soon as northbound 851 is waiting to cross the diamonds with empties from the docks for the old PRR PO&D storage yard.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 63mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:06:17 PM - 1000x630 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1738KB) File="img_0913.jpg" Size=119933 |
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The I1T bangs the diamonds at CP 242 as it splits the eastbound signals.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:06:30 PM - 1000x667 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1492KB) File="img_0915.jpg" Size=117387 |
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Less than 9 minutes later the 851 transfer job heads south off the docks with loads for the storage yard.
Does that NKP SD9 looks sweet or what? Note the spare diamonds NS keeps on hand at this location. They've been there for quite a while. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f7.1, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:14:43 PM - 1000x532 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1988KB) File="img_0918.jpg" Size=124904 |
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Southbound NS 851 rounds the bend just past Bay Jct.
The old warhorse SD9 hasn't seen much more modification than the loss if its marker lights over the years. Northbound 858 is just visible at right-center waiting for its turn through the interlocking. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 34mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:15:11 PM - 1000x507 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1799KB) File="img_0919.jpg" Size=87689 |
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851 crosses Venice Rd. while the 858 waits patiently at Tiffin Ave.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:16:03 PM - 1000x632 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1209KB) File="img_0929.jpg" Size=83038 |
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858 clears up at Venice Rd. and the gate is just starting to rise so the anxious motorists can get home to start dinner.
SD9 58 looks like it is standing guard over the ex-PO&D Yard. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 217mm, 1/400 f9.0, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:19:29 PM - 1000x601 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1571KB) File="img_0930.jpg" Size=106858 |
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It's back to the main for the westbound 227 six minutes later.
NS C40-9W 9262 has the stacks under control as it approaches CP 242/Bay Jct. Despite the haze and heat distortion you can still make out the signal aspects at CP 240 over a mile to the east. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:25:44 PM - 866x525 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1532KB) File="img_0932.jpg" Size=53695 |
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"In Your Face" version of the 227.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 181mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:26:04 PM - 902x824 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1762KB) File="img_0933.jpg" Size=104274 |
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The 9262 hasn't yet knocked down the clear 242 signal on Track 1.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:26:18 PM - 1000x619 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1596KB) File="img_0938.jpg" Size=121772 |
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A few minutes later eastbound 14N (former CR ELPI) with NS/CR repainted SD40-2 3386 on the point bangs the Bay Jct. diamonds.
When it rains, it pours on this line! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/400 f13, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:30:56 PM - 1000x571 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1847KB) File="img_0940.jpg" Size=111644 |
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14N's two SD40's, ex CR SD50 and a lone 4-axle Geep 60 are past the halfway point of their trek from Elkhart to Conway.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 63mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:31:10 PM - 850x650 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1988KB) File="img_0942.jpg" Size=95686 |
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NS northbound 858, with SD9 58 in charge, drops the Venice Rd. gates on the way to the docks.
Caught a little lens flare on this one, might try a polarizing filter soon. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/250 f13, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:39:34 PM - 1000x781 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1540KB) File="img_0945.jpg" Size=130165 |
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This same scene has been occurring for about a century at this location. Back and forth to the docks, empties and loads, empties and loads.
The biggest difference today is getting clearance from Toledo East dispatcher instead of Bay Jct. Tower. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 149mm, 1/250 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:39:55 PM - 1000x628 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1781KB) File="img_0948.jpg" Size=139310 |
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That SD9, she's so fine....
It's really treat to see first-gen EMD's like these earning their keep on a daily basis! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 48mm, 1/250 f16, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:40:11 PM - 1000x533 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1404KB) File="img_0951.jpg" Size=84794 |
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Back in the heyday of railroading this train would have had to rattle across 5 sets of diamonds here.
The NYC main had 4 tracks, NKP's Lake Erie & Western had a connection through here into Sandusky, PRR's PO&D went from the docks south to Bellevue and Columbus and NYC's Big Four line from Bellefontaine connected to the LS&MS here. In 1962 the NYC speed limit through here on the main was 80 MPH! This must have been one hopping spot back then! Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/250 f16, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:40:31 PM - 1000x637 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1595KB) File="img_0955.jpg" Size=116478 |
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858 has cleared the diamonds and is blowing for the crossings and Olds and Monroe Sts.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/250 f14, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:40:45 PM - 1000x646 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 2004KB) File="img_0957.jpg" Size=152556 |
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Here comes officer NS Bust-Me! Oops, it's just a crew following the 858 to the docks.
I guess cinder-dick paranoia comes from living with NS in the big city where there is negative tolerance (less than zero!) of railfans by the NS :P Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 149mm, 1/250 f10, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:41:56 PM - 800x461 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1652KB) File="img_0960.jpg" Size=74135 |
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This is the Sandusky "Conveyor" and the destination of the 858.
I have tried getting to a spot where I could get a good shot of this place, but it's pretty much impossible without a boat. NS has the entrance guarded and every other piece of adjacent property save for the location of this shot is fenced in. Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/250 f14, ISO 200 5/10/01 5:56:45 PM - 1000x364 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1182KB) File="img_0968.jpg" Size=40434 |
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The crew of the 851 has just depositted their full gons in the old PRR Storage Yard and ferried Plain Jane C40-9W 9540 back to the north end.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 81mm, 1/250 f11, ISO 200 5/10/01 6:23:46 PM - 1000x615 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1429KB) File="img_0971.jpg" Size=95080 |
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Closer view of the loads and the naked 9540.
This is also a fairly busy Triple Crown roadrailer facility as evidenced by the trailer in the background. Thus ends another day of Railfanning. Not bad either, two SD9's and 6 trains in one hour can put a spark in your afternoon :) Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/320 f8.0, ISO 200 5/10/01 6:24:15 PM - 1000x557 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1309KB) File="img_0973.jpg" Size=80894 |