Labor Day Northwest Ohio Photos on September 3, 2001

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1:
 As soon as we head out west from Port Clinton we hear westbound 11A hit the Gypsum dragger at CP 251.
We figure we'll head down to the LaCarne hotbox detector at MP 260.9 for the runby and beat the 11A by about 90 seconds.
C40-9W 9520 leads SD40-2 6083 on the 11A out of the morning sun at the LaCarne detector.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/320 f8.0, ISO 100
9/3/01 10:52:07 AM - 950x556 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1670KB)
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2:
 The going away shot was much better lit.
That's the CP 261 track 1 signal showing high green for the 11A.
The compressed telephoto shot really exaggerates the deferred maintenance on the ex-NYC main in the Northwest Ohio.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f7.1, ISO 100
9/3/01 10:52:32 AM - 900x748 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1304KB)
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3:
 As the 11A sped off into the distance we heard Toledo East telling the 13N that he'd have to wait for a couple of westbounds at the Oak Harbor Connection (CP 267) so we knew we had a good shot at the elusive over/under at the ex-W&LE overpass!
Upon departing MP 261 (I was trapped on the wrong side of the train from the Blazer!) we heard the westbound 21Z hit Gyspum, 10 miles east. Plenty of time to make it to The Connection for the meet!
While the light was good for eastbounds I would happily settle for a going away shot of a westbound at the occupied W&LE bridge. WAIT! The eastbound 206 just called CP 270! GO GO GO!
UGH! Just as we got to the Locust St. grade crossing at near CP 266 there went the the 206 off into the distance, 90 seconds too late!
Oh well, we'll get the WB 21Z going away :)
Here C40-9W 9210 leads the 21Z at Locust St. (State Highway 19) in Oak Harbor.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200
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4:
 Sucking in the lens quickly we pull in the grain co-op for the rural setting shot of the 21Z as it crosses Locust St.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/400 f14, ISO 200
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5:
 The 9210 passes the Oak Harbor depot at MP 266.0 as it approaches the Wheeling bridge as the 13N crawls up to the Toussaint-Portage Rd. grade crossing near CP 267 with a train of empty auto rack cars.
I was jumping around trying to get each shot framed at the right lens length!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200
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6:
 21Z's trailing unit, C40-8 8835, is finally visible as is the CP 266 track 1 signal with a higball.
Note the Dash-9 style "Rollerblade" trucks under the 8835, NS must be mixing and matching parts during shoppings.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200
9/3/01 11:08:33 AM - 950x424 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1798KB)
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7:
 Racking out the lens all the way, the 21Z is just ducking under the Wheeling as my partner in crime, Tammy, prepares to lens the out of the sun shot from the North Benton St. grade crossing at CP 266.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f9.0, ISO 200
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8:
 Pulling back some we snap 21Z's pigs rolling under the bridge 8 seconds later as Tam snaps off her first shot.
Time to run around the other side of the depot...
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200
9/3/01 11:08:45 AM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1596KB)
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9:
 Here's Tam's into the sun shot of the 21Z passing under the 13N.
The S100 muffed the lighting big-time on the previous shot and couldn't snap off this one quite fast enough.
Still, it's an over/under from both sides so we'll claim a modicum of success :)
We're still going to catch the perfect shot here one of these days!
Canon PowerShot S100 Digital, 1/350 f10
9/3/01 11:10:15 AM - 800x600 JPEG (Orig 1600x1200 516KB)
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10:
 To catch both CP 266 west signals over some bare tables.
The clear CP 267 signal guarding The Connection is just visible ahead of 21Z's lead unit.
Time to move up to 13N's head end at Toussaint-Portage Rd!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200
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11:
 A pair of classics on 13N! The old C39-8's can't be too long for this world.
Ex-CR C39-8 waits on the Oak Harbor Connection ahead of C39-8 8202 on the 13N, 2 of NS' 13 ex-CR units in this class.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 93mm, 1/320 f11, ISO 200
9/3/01 11:12:03 AM - 950x483 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1820KB)
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12:
 The 21Z has just cleared CP 268 and the 13N is chomping at the bit for the approach diverging signal at CP 267.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/320 f11, ISO 200
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13:
 Panoramic view of the 134N stretching back across the bridge into Oak Harbor proper.
The lousy sun angle makes everything look hazier than it was.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/320 f14, ISO 200
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14:
 As 21Z clears the wesbound signal at CP 270 the 13N gets the 267 blinker and gingerly begins to notch up.
Here the 13N is creeping steeply downgrade across Toussaint-Portage Rd.
The throttle jockey was so gentle that we never once heard even the slightest touch of slack action.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/320 f13, ISO 200
9/3/01 11:14:25 AM - 950x443 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1524KB)
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15:
 The 13N has the red over blinking green at CP 267 and still isn't out of the second notch as it rolls down to the ex-NYC Water Level main.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 181mm, 1/500 f9.0, ISO 200
9/3/01 11:20:00 AM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1583KB)
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16:
 CP 267 is a Track One only control point as the crossovers are guarded by the CP 268 signals. The CP 268 signals are just visible to the left of the lead unit.
Occasionally NS hoggers will stretch protocol a bit and call 268, 267 and 266 track one signals in a single breath.
"NS XXX clear CP 268, 67 and 66, track one east, out"
There's one classy Amtrak engineer who calls every possible signal and detector from Toledo to Cleveland by name. It's always a treat to catch him on the scanner running 30 or 48 in the middle of the night.
"Amtrak 30, no Broken Buggies, LaCarne, Clear Signal CP 259, Track One, Out."
From Toledo the formerly named control points are:
Maumee, Vickers, Millbury, Clay Center, Graytown, Rocky Ridge, Oak Harbor, Port Clinton, Gypsum, Bay Bridge, Bayview, Venice, Sandusky, Hudson, Ceylon, Vermillion, Fairlane, Elyria, Olmstead Falls, Berea, Belt Jct, Wise, Lorain St, Detroit Ave and Drawbr
idge.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/500 f9.0, ISO 200
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17:
 Leaving the ex-LS&MS Water Level Route behind to head cross-country we come across a CSX Operation Redblock bay window caboose on the ex-PRR Toledo Line in Woodville.
This line sees locals down from from Toledo so it is either a local office for the grain yard, a tail hose car for backups or both. Anyone know for use?
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 125mm, 1/500 f6.3, ISO 200
9/3/01 11:39:28 AM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1639KB)
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18:
 After a few hours in Bowling Green for the holiday family lunch thing we're off to Deshler where CSX' exx-Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton ex-B&O Toledo Line crosses CSX' ex-B&O Chicago Main!
This is a shot of the Deshler Tower which sits across the Toledo line from the station at the diamonds.
Both the station and tower are still owned by CSX, a rarity among Class 1's in these days of frantically shedding tax burdens.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/160 f16, ISO 200
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19:
 We headed to the southwest corner of the diamonds where the Railway Express building used to be.
This area is now Crossroads Park and owned by the Deshler Historical Society which sometimes looks more like the "Deshler Railfan Society!"
This view is looking northeast across the main at the station and interlocking tower.
CSX will sell the station for one dollar, but apparently it will take in the neighborhood of $70,000 to move it, which CSX (of course) would require as a condition of the sale.
The brick station building is "L" shaped as it once served trains on both the Chicago and Toledo mains.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 41mm, 1/160 f18, ISO 200
9/3/01 3:31:20 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1718KB)
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20:
 The B&O herald proudly flies above Crossroads Park in the heart of Deshler.
On any given afternoon you can find the friendly Deshler railfan contingent here ready to offer their good-natured company and information on the trains and surrounding area.
Campers are welcome to pitch tents and spend the night by the tracks anytime!
There is a campfire and cooking area, port-a-potty, covered pavillion, open air benches and seats, park scanner tuned to CSX and the Indiana & Ohio and even a beverage vending machine so you don't have to miss any action to quench your thirst!
This is a great place to kick back and relax as CSX puts on a great show for everyone.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 149mm, 1/160 f18, ISO 200
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21:
 This is the view looking south on CSX' Toledo Subvision at Deshler.
The Color Position Light signals have all fallen on the Chicago Main, but the Toledo Sub still has scads of CPL's!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 107mm, 1/160 f20, ISO 200
9/3/01 3:35:43 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1662KB)
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22:
 A closer view of the Toledo Sub sign showing the obvious pride which the area CSX workers have in their railroad.
Doesn't that classic CPL look great?
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/160 f13, ISO 200
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23:
 This is the view looking north through Deshler from the diamonds at the station on the Toledo Sub.
With cruel irony, grain from Deshler's large elevators is now trucked outside of town to the elevators on the Toledo Sub at Custar for transloading to rail!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 125mm, 1/160 f16, ISO 200
9/3/01 3:36:40 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1924KB)
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24:
 A northward view from further back showing the tower and station at the Deshler diamonds.
The cable spools at left can be used as tables at the Crossroads Park.
Area crews have been known to catch some good lunches, "hooped up" by the Crossroads Park's "culinary staff" while passing through.
Bill Shaffer of the Deshler Historical Society had a full grill of chicken going, plenty for the crew of the expected northbound local.
"Nobody Leaves Hungry", it's almost a Deshler Railfan Crossroads Park slogan!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/160 f18, ISO 200
9/3/01 3:36:47 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 2002KB)
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25:
 Eastbound S164 (Chicago to S. Kearny, NJ intermodal) comes into view at the west end of Crossroads Park with GE Dash 8-40CW 7671 in the lead.
While photographic angles can be limited here, this safe and legal railfanning location is hard to beat for a leisurely day of train watching!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200
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26:
 S164's 7671 leads trailing Dash 8-40CW 7365 past the Deshler B&O station.
There is a chance that CSX will donate the "fallen" CPL to the Deshler Historical Society, we sure hope so!
While the rail traffic was extremely light for the Labor Day holiday the company was good and the weather was great. We had to force ourselves to leave, but if we wanted to make Fostoria with any shootable light left we had to beat feet.
You can bet we'll be heading back to Deshler's Crossroads Park for an overnight Railfan Safari sometime in the near future!
We'd like to thank Bill, Joel, "Speedy" and the rest of the "Deshler Railfan Historians" for a very enjoyable visit!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f7.1, ISO 200
9/3/01 4:27:46 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1879KB)
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27:
 Passing through North Baltimore on the way east to Fostoria we paused to shoot the old B&O depot.
CSX apparently still uses the depot as a maintenance facility of some sort.
At one time the B&O had a line from the Toledo Sub at Tontogany which went through Bowling Green and joined with the Chicago main just east of the depot here in town.
That piece of the ex-Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton line was ripped out by the B&O in the mid 1960's and is now a local Rail Trail for hiking and biking.
As with almost every village on a rail line around here there is a grain elevator and covered hoppers standing on sidings.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/400 f11, ISO 200
9/3/01 5:45:37 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1695KB)
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28:
 Wandering on and off of State Highway 18 we found the ex-Toledo & Ohio Central (NYC) main in Galatea at CSX milepost BI 49 and CSX obligingly sent us an eastbound with some UP wings on the head end.
UP SD70M 4209 at the head end of CSX train Q390-02 pounds the Galatea crossovers just east of the I-75 overpass.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200
9/3/01 6:03:37 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1454KB)
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29:
 The 4209 leading UP Dash 8-40CW 9027, CSXT C40-8 7560 and CSXT Dash 8-40CW 7800 on Q390 is about to bang the T&OC diamonds at BI 49 in Galatea.
Another very cool spot found by the "stumble along" method :)
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 55mm, 1/400 f8.0, ISO 200
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30:
 Going away shot of the Q390 at BI 49 just east of the diamonds.
The two trailing units would be dropped off at Willard for Tuesday's Q383.
Q390 is a daily Chicago to Selkirk mixed freight and Q383 is a Willard to Chicago mixed.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200
9/3/01 6:03:54 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1761KB)
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31:
 Just down the road, halfway between Bloomdale and Fostoria at BI 40.63 we caught CSXT SD40-2 8241 leading UP SD70M 4670 and UP C40-8 9221 west on Q351.
The two UP units had just gone east on Sunday's Q390. Q351 is a daily Selkirk to Proviso mixed freight.
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200
9/3/01 6:22:54 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1497KB)
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32:
 Q351's 8241 is howling it up for the State Highway 18 grade crossing at BI 40.63.
The tower to the right of the train is a CSXT repeater, one of several along the main.
I really liked this location, but with sparse holiday traffic it's time to press on to Fostoria...
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 28mm, 1/400 f10, ISO 200
9/3/01 6:22:59 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1521KB)
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33:
 We pulled out the folding chairs and relaxed at the B&O Fostoria station.
After a bit NS sent us an eastbound tank train led by C40-9W 8948, banging the CSX diamonds just across the street from the depot.
It was an anti-climactic end to a great day of leisurely railfanning.
We stayed around the depot for another half hour or so, but nothing came on the radar and the light was quickly abandoning us so we decided to pack it in and head home.
For not trying to railfan we really did have a good time on a slow traffic Labor Day!
Canon EOS D30 28-300mm at 71mm, 1/320 f8.0, ISO 200
9/3/01 6:50:27 PM - 950x633 JPEG (Original: 2160x1440 1231KB)
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