Random Rail Shot

One Tough Locomotive-

I haven’t had time to do a write up about our narrow gauge adventure this summer.  So, in the meantime, I present a WWII Soviet armored locomotive located in Zvolen, Slovakia.  I had a chance to visit Slovakia last summer and snapped a few photos of this armored train (yes, there are more cars and more photos to come).

It’s an interesting beast and it’s located in a park adjacent to the rail yards in Zvolen.  If you’re ever in Slovakia you should check it out.  The country is rugged, a lot like New Hampshire; additionally the people and the Pivo are excellent.

Narrow Gauge Rail Shot

Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington-

More on this later, when I’m not using my phone to post, but we spent a day in Maine with the WW&F Railway and it couldn’t have gone better.

 

 

 

 

Random Rail Shot

All Is Quiet On The Northern-

I went for a run early this morning, then decided to visit White River Jct., Vermont, while I cooled off.

It’s foggy and overcast, but there’s no reason not to railfan.

 

Random Rail Shot

What is up With Spring?-

For some reason the weather has been odd here lately, of course I haven’t been here very much as of late.  Apparently winter is having a hard time letting go, it snowed in April (highly unusual here) and windchills yesterday were in the 30s.  It’s been a weird spring.

Here’s a highballing NS manifest, just to prove I’m still around.

Random Rail Shot

Something About a High Nose II –

As a bit more filler, to make up for being too busy to write anything in-depth, I offer Norfolk Southern GP38-2 5217.  I photographed this locomotive at New Haven, Indiana, back in the late 1990’s (although the exact date is beyond my recollection).

Apparently, this locomotive is still active on the NS roster (as of late February 2017) and was converted to be controlled by remote.

I have a lot going on for the next few weeks, so I’m thinking this will be my last post until early April.  Stay tuned, I should have some more B&M N scale stuff coming, as well as other eastern road related content.

Thanks for stopping by.

Random Rail Shot(s)

Things have been busy on my end, but I am working on some new content.  In the meantime, here’s this…

Something About a High Nose –
Conway Scenic 216 is a 2500HP EMD GP35 which was obtained from Pan Am in 2010.  This unit apparently started life in 1965 with Norfolk and Western as 1328 and has dual controls, so it can be operated more easily in either direction.

I see 4-axle high hoods here in the Midwest on a regular (although decreasing) basis, Norfolk Southern uses a number of more modern high hoods in various roles; they break up the parade of typical 6-axle safety cabs, increasingly taking control of North American railroads.  Like Norfolk Southern (ex Southern) GP50 7010 below, which I photographed outside of Woodburn, Indiana in 2011.  This locomotive was rebuilt in 2015 into a GP33ECO (Norfolk Southern 4723).

Random Rail Shot

End of The Line –

The post marking the End of Track of what is left of the Northern heading railroad-south out of West Lebanon NH.  The End of Track marker is across the Glen Road stone overpass, just prior to the first bridge over the Mascoma River as you head south.  This section of track has only been used occasionally for car storage over the past few years, but it does represent the end of in-use track, at least for now.

UPDATE

I think I’m going to have a little more time on my hands in the middle of the night.  So… it looks like I’ll be back to updating Boston N Maine within the next week or so.  If you’ve been patiently waiting, thank you.  If you’re new, I hope getting back to this blog will serve to both entertain and educate.

Random Rail Shot

Sunday Afternoon Trip to a Rail Yard –

While my older two children are slowly losing their interest in trains, my youngest (a boy) is just entering that stage of life.  We had some time together as a family this past Sunday and Norfolk Southern happens to have a yard the next town over (the former Nickel Plate Road – East Wayne yard).  A trip to the yard seemed like a good way to kill some time and, fortunately, there is a public road which largely runs parallel to, and partially cuts through, the NS facility.

Yes, we spent more time driving there than we did actually looking at trains.  Yes, there wasn’t much activity on a Sunday afternoon.  The important thing is that my two year old son had a heck of a time seeing all of those locomotives in one place.  If you have some time on your hands, and a little person in your life who loves trains, take some time to visit your local railroads.  The train bug might drift away as they get older, or one trip could spark a life long enjoyment of railroading.  There’s only one way to find out.

Random Rail Shot

Highballing with Autoracks –

Yes, I know it’s been a long time.  Family, work, and school have all kept me busy but with winter coming I hope to spend more time on my layout.  With that said, I really like the look of EMD’s SD70-ACe/M2 series of locomotives and they look even better at full speed.