On the road in the USA

[westfalen]

Thought I'd post a small selection of photos from my trip. I'm currently overnighting in College Station, Texas before I push on towards Houston and Galveston then back up to Temple for the Santa Fe Railway Modelers and Historical Society convention next week. Then the fun part starts when I head north to Waynoka OK to follow the former Santa Fe mainline back to LA.

 

I spent the first day in LA riding the light rail lines that opened since I was last there in 2000, the light rail, subway and Metrolink seem to be doing good business with the trains all crowded even though it was a Sunday. Yesterday I spent my first full day in Texas riding the Trinity Rail Express commuter trains and DART light rail, both seem to be well run and busy operations. I followed the Union Pacific down frm Dallas today but only saw two trains moving because the line was closed for track maintanence.

[cteno4]

Dude you do get around! Glad you are enjoying the independent country of Texas!

 

Jeff

[bikkuri bahn]

I envy you getting the chance to follow the ex-AT&SF main though Oklahoma- make sure to photograph any remaining depots- moreso than in Japan the railfan credo is "get it on film before it's gone".  I managed to photograph some on the (further north) AT&SF line through La Junta in SE Colorado back in the early 1990's, but I think they may have been torn down by now.  I love the details of American small town depots- the weed choked brick platforms, the traces of a team/house track, the old rail used as posts to keep autos off the platform area, etc. Also the old wigwag crossing signals:

http://www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/delhi6.JPG

 

Nice to drive through the towns looking for the town depot and any extant railroad infrastructure, then drop by the local DQ or Sonic for burgers or a refreshment.  Really the only time I enjoyed driving.

[Mudkip Orange]

If you're in Houston be sure to check out the hump yard at Englewood/Settegast, that thing runs continuously. Just grab the Wayside exit off the North Loop (610) and you're there.

[westfalen]

If you're in Houston be sure to check out the hump yard at Englewood/Settegast, that thing runs continuously. Just grab the Wayside exit off the North Loop (610) and you're there.

I'm staying tonight at a Super 8 motel just down the street from there.

[westfalen]

I envy you getting the chance to follow the ex-AT&SF main though Oklahoma- make sure to photograph any remaining depots- moreso than in Japan the railfan credo is "get it on film before it's gone".  I managed to photograph some on the (further north) AT&SF line through La Junta in SE Colorado back in the early 1990's, but I think they may have been torn down by now.  I love the details of American small town depots- the weed choked brick platforms, the traces of a team/house track, the old rail used as posts to keep autos off the platform area, etc. Also the old wigwag crossing signals:

http://www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/delhi6.JPG

 

Nice to drive through the towns looking for the town depot and any extant railroad infrastructure, then drop by the local DQ or Sonic for burgers or a refreshment.  Really the only time I enjoyed driving.

I've started doing a bit of a drive round some of the small country towns instead of just driving through, not just the depot but the old stores and buildings and crumbling infrastructure. I think some of the streets haven't been repaired since the great depression.

 

I've been past a lot of Sonic drive-ins, you've convinced me to try one out.

 

Here's a few of todays shots.

[bikkuri bahn]

I like CSX 974- reminds me of the final B&O paint scheme, before being submerged into Chessie System.

 

Sonic I believe is a Oklahoma-based oufit.  Classic American drive in- with ordering from your carport, and a tray that fits on your door window.  Try the limeade- it's Sprite with limes thrown in, I believe.  If you're in Amarillo, a place to go is Furr's cafeteria- a regional insitution, basic and nothing gourmet (it's a chain), but comfort food for real Americans .

 

Also, as you're in the region, make sure to eat Tex-Mex, which is my favorite.  Anything with green chiles is a homerun, IMO.

[westfalen]

Made it to Galveston today, via my namesake town of Alvin, TX. Bikkuri Bahn, had supper tonight at Sonic Drive-in on the beach at Galveston. Plan to take in the Galveston Railroad Museum and Flight Museum tomorrow then head north to Rosenberg.

[westfalen]

The hotel last night's internet was down but I'm back online in Temple, TX forbsix nights.

 

Yesterday I followed the UP's sunset route west from Rosenberg to Flatonia and saw six freigts and Amtrak's Sunset Limited. Today I followed the BNSF north to Temple with a detour west to Hearne chasing a UP train that crossed my path on the way.

 

The last picture is beer on ice at a service station where I stopped for lunch at Eagle Lake TX, wonder how well it would go in Australia.

[Eisenbahn]

Those double stacked containers hauled by double header diesels in Union Pacific colours should inspire freight operators (and rail enthusiasts) the world over!

 

Amtrak's Sunset Limited is yet another double decker treat.

[westfalen]

Those double stacked containers hauled by double header diesels in Union Pacific colours should inspire freight operators (and rail enthusiasts) the world over!

 

Amtrak's Sunset Limited is yet another double decker treat.

That 'double header' had a third engine on the rear working just as hard.

 

A few pics from today's convention mini van trip to Brownwood TX. The three locos are picking up a long string of covered hoppers loaded with fracking sand used in coal seam gas drilling, we had lunch in the diner converted from an AT&SF lounge/dormitory car and finally if anyone knows what the two big white things are on the train passing through Temple this evening are I'm open to suggestions.

[bikkuri bahn]

if anyone knows what the two big white things are on the train passing through Temple this evening are I'm open to suggestions.

 

Some kind of FRP reservoir, to be installed in some other vehicle/structure (based on the tapered shape)?

[Eisenbahn]

Those double stacked containers hauled by double header diesels in Union Pacific colours should inspire freight operators (and rail enthusiasts) the world over!

 

Amtrak's Sunset Limited is yet another double decker treat.

That 'double header' had a third engine on the rear working just as hard.

 

Hmm , they put the ugly one at the rear!   

 

What is that roof structure at the back of the loco for?

 

 

Does anyone know if any other country double stacks containers?

[westfalen]

Those double stacked containers hauled by double header diesels in Union Pacific colours should inspire freight operators (and rail enthusiasts) the world over!

 

Amtrak's Sunset Limited is yet another double decker treat.

That 'double header' had a third engine on the rear working just as hard.

 

Hmm , they put the ugly one at the rear!   

 

What is that roof structure at the back of the loco for?

 

 

Does anyone know if any other country double stacks containers?

The overhanging roof at the back of the loco houses the radiator.

[Guest ___]

That's actually pretty interesting seeing #974 with the TOFC logo on the side. I have to say I live in CSX country and hadn't seen that applied to a single 900-series locomotive yet. (and I spend a lot of days on the Met fanning)

 

ADDED: The 3000-series which started arriving last month has the new logo, but I'm unaware of the 900-sereis having the TOFC logo.

[bikkuri bahn]

Does anyone know if any other country double stacks containers?

 

Australia:

 

India:

 

China (well cars, but only single stack loading):

[Eisenbahn]

Hi bikkuri bahn

How interesting!  They double stack containers on the East-West corridor from Parkes to Perth.  I suppose there are no tunnels or overhead electrification on that route. I have never seen any double stacked on the North-South Corridor , Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane where most of Australia's population live. If China has the rolling stock perhaps there are some routes there that double stack also. Good to see India double stack.

 

cheers...Eisenbahn

[Nick_Burman]

Does anyone know if any other country double stacks containers?

 

Australia:

 

India:

 

China (well cars, but only single stack loading):

 

 

Finland also - but not ISO containers.

 

 

Cheers NB

[westfalen]

I knew we had double stacks in Australia but didn't know India had them too, you learn something every day.

 

Here are some photos from the last couple of days. The Santa Fe convention ran excursions to the Austin & Texas Central tourist railroad and Fort Hood Army base.

[westfalen]

if anyone knows what the two big white things are on the train passing through Temple this evening are I'm open to suggestions.

 

Some kind of FRP reservoir, to be installed in some other vehicle/structure (based on the tapered shape)?

That's what I thought too, but I saw some in context today. Imagine it on top of a tall pole with a big propeller attached.

 

There was a train load of the poles parked across the street from my motel in Clovis, NM tonight, from a rough count as I drove past the train consisted of 75 cars with an engine and boxcar to protect the engine from shifting loads at each end.

[westfalen]

A sequence of shots of a westbound BNSF stack train rounding the big curve at Belva, Oklahoma on its wayup Curtis Hill yesterday.

[Bernard]

Hope you're enjoying the USA....that is a nice scene to model on a layout.

Do you know what they are transporting...those big cylinder?

[traindork]

Was that you who stopped at Papa Ben's in Houston?

I showed you the Houston N'Crowd layout.

[westfalen]

Hope you're enjoying the USA....that is a nice scene to model on a layout.

Do you know what they are transporting...those big cylinder?

Sections of poles for wind turbines.

[westfalen]

Was that you who stopped at Papa Ben's in Houston?

I showed you the Houston N'Crowd layout.

That was me.