Jim Pearson Photography – Page 144

September 9, 2019 - Lights reflect off the side of refrigerated reefers as Burlington Northern Railway 1517 works on picking up and dropping off cars at the Americold plant in Rochelle, Illinois on the City of Rochelle Railroad.

According to Wikipedia: "The Burlington Junction Railway (reporting mark BJRY) is a Class III short line railroad which was chartered in 1985. Originally operating on the southernmost 3 miles (4.8 km) of the former Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway mainline in Burlington, Iowa after abandonment by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it provides short freight hauling, switching operations, locomotive repair, and transloading services, the latter currently handling over 3,000 carloads a year. Typical commodity types transported include chemicals and fertilizer."

The BJRY operation in Rochelle is more sophisticated than most. First of all, the track is owned by the City of Rochelle Railroad. Second of all, it interchanges with UP as well as BNSF. It has enough track capacity to handle unit trains. It does not provide intermodal service because UP has its Global 3 intermodal yard on the other side of town.

Burlington Junction Railway 1517…

September 9, 2019 – Lights reflect off the side of refrigerated reefers as Burlington Junction Railway 1517 works on picking up and dropping off cars at the Americold plant in Rochelle, Illinois on the City of Rochelle Railroad.

According to Wikipedia: “The Burlington Junction Railway (reporting mark BJRY) is a Class III short line railroad which was chartered in 1985. Originally operating on the southernmost 3 miles (4.8 km) of the former Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway mainline in Burlington, Iowa after abandonment by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it provides short freight hauling, switching operations, locomotive repair, and transloading services, the latter currently handling over 3,000 carloads a year. Typical commodity types transported include chemicals and fertilizer.”

The BJRY operation in Rochelle is more sophisticated than most. First of all, the track is owned by the City of Rochelle Railroad. Second of all, it interchanges with UP as well as BNSF. It has enough track capacity to handle unit trains. It does not provide intermodal service because UP has its Global 3 intermodal yard on the other side of town.

Museum Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive…

September 5, 2019 – Lake Superior Railroad Museum Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive passes a string of Canadian Northern tank cars as it makes its way north through Marbles Siding, south of Two Harbors, Minnesota with an excursion freight from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum on the North Shore Railroad.

Last Train from Dotki Mine at Providence, Kentucky

September 12, 2019 – It has been several weeks since Dotki Mine in Clay, Kentucky shut down and today the town of Providence, Ky turnout for the last load of coal (20 cars or so) from the mine. The last run today was dedicated in honor the miners who worked there–and the miner Jeremy Elder–who died just one week ago at Warrior Coal Mine in Madisonville, Ky.

In this photo we see the Elder family posing for pictures on Paducah and Louisville Railway’s 4522, University of Kentucky engine, which was heading up CSX Z464-12 on the last trip along the CSX Morganfield Branch.

Coal trains have been passing through Providence since the 1800’s according to a Facebook post by Providence Mayor Doug Hammers and a banner on the last coal car read; for the last 52 years the railroad has hauled a total of over 193 Million tons of coal from the Dotki Mine.

The mine was operated by Alliance Resource Partner’s (ARP) subsidiary, Webster County Coal LLC nad according to recent news reports by the Gleaner Newspaper in Henderson, Kentucky, the mine closed due to a decline in the coal market. “Unfortunately, weak market conditions made this action necessary,” said Joseph W. Craft III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ARP. “We are saddened that production will be ending at the Dotiki Mine, which was opened in 1969 and is the oldest mine operated by ARLP.”

Lake Superior Railroad Museum Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range…

September 5, 2019 – Lake Superior Railroad Museum Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive passes over the trestle before Palmers Siding at milepost 16 as it heads north toward Two Harbors from Duluth, Minnesota. Lake Superior Railroad Museum with an excursion freight.

According to Wikipedia: Duluth & Northeastern 28 (also known as Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332) is a restored 2-8-0 (consolidation) locomotive built in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Works of American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from 2011-2017, and now operates in excursion service on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive…

September 5, 2019 – Lake Superior Railroad Museum Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive approaches the crossing at Palmers Siding at milepost 16 as it heads north toward Two Harbors from Duluth, Minnesota. Lake Superior Railroad Museum with an excursion freight.

According to Wikipedia: Duluth & Northeastern 28 (also known as Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332) is a restored 2-8-0 (consolidation) locomotive built in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Works of American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from 2011-2017, and now operates in excursion service on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Union Pacific intermodal passes under…

September 9, 2019 – A Union Pacific intermodal passes under the former Chicago and North Western Railway coaling tower, as it heads westbound on the Geneva Subdivision with UP 4729 leading at DeKalb, Illinois.

CTA Blue Line train 105 heads downhill…

September 8, 2019 – CTA Blue Line train 105 heads downhill as it approaches the Damen Station, bound for Forest Park, after passing a O’Hare bound train in Chicago, Illinois.

The Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive…

September 5, 2019 – The Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum passes a small pond under full steam at Palmers around MP 15.5 on the North Shore Line as it pulls a excursion freight train north toward Twin Harbors from Duluth, Minnesota.

According to Wikipedia: Duluth & Northeastern 28 (also known as Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332) is a restored 2-8-0 (consolidation) locomotive built in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Works of American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from 2011-2017, and now operates in excursion service on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Soo Line/Wisconsin Central FP7 Number 2500-A…

September, 2019 – Soo Line/Wisconsin Central FP7 Number 2500-A pulls up the grade as it approaches Lakewood on the North Shore Scenic Railroad as it heads to Two Harbors, from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum at Duluth, Minnesota.

According to Wikipedia: With steam operations on North American Railroads being converted to diesel operations, Electro-Motive, along with other locomotive builders, began building demonstrator units to be tested by various railroads. Electro-Motive built a set of three FP7 units, 7001 (A-unit) and 7002 & 7003 (B-units). In November 1949, Canadian Pacific Railway tested these units. Canadian Pacific owned most of the Soo Line, and after testing the three demonstrator units, they were sent to the Soo Line.

In April 1950, Soo Line ran the set from Minneapolis, MN to Portal, ND then Duluth, MN to Winnipeg. 7001 hosted the United Kingdom’s Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII, in its cab through North Dakota. Soo Line was so impressed with the set, that it purchased them for use on Wisconsin Central. In May 1950, they were delivered as WC 2500-A, 2500-B, and 2501-B.

WC 2500-A often pulled Soo’s Laker from Chicago to Duluth. Although numbered as Wisconsin Central, 2500 was painted in Soo Line’s maroon and gold scheme. In 1960 Wisconsin Central became part of the Soo Line, and 2500 was repainted into the red and gray Soo Line scheme. When passenger service was discontinued in the 1960s, 2500 was used to pull freight trains.

In 1980, 2500 was converted to provide compressed air and electrical power to snowplows in the winter months. In August 1986, Soo 2500 was donated to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Soo 2500 went through a lengthy and complete overhaul. Much of its interior was repaired or replaced. Its exterior was repainted back into Soo Line’s old maroon and gold scheme. In 1995, Soo Line 2500 pulled passenger trains, this time for the North Shore Scenic Railroad and now for the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.

Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive…

September 5, 2019 – The Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive from Lake Superior Railroad Museum rounds a curve under full steam as it heads north toward Twin Harbors from Duluth, Minnesota. Lake Superior Railroad Museum

According to Wikipedia: Duluth & Northeastern 28 (also known as Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332) is a restored 2-8-0 (consolidation) locomotive built in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Works of American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from 2011-2017, and now operates in excursion service on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

BNSF local works…

September 4, 2019 – A BNSF local works on picking up cars at BNSF’s Rices Point Yard in Duluth, Minnesota.

The Conductor guides Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332…

September 4, 2019 – The Conductor guides Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332 steam locomotive into the shop area at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum at Duluth, Minnesota.

According to Wikipedia: Duluth & Northeastern 28 (also known as Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 332) is a restored 2-8-0 (consolidation) locomotive built in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Works of American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from 2011-2017, and now operates in excursion service on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Norfolk Southern 975 departs Princeton, Indiana

August 31, 2019 – Norfolk Southern 975 departs Princeton, Indiana with NS 5642 “Training First Responders” unit pulling the Norfolk Southern Safety Train east on the NS Southern-East District at East Junction.

According to their website: At Norfolk Southern, safety is our number one priority. Operation Awareness & Response (OAR), was launched in 2015 to educate the public about the economic importance of the safe movement of hazardous materials by rail and to connect emergency first responders in Norfolk Southern communities with information and training resources.

The goal of OAR is to strengthen relationships with the first responders across the NS network. Norfolk Southern has been providing safety training for emergency responders through community outreach programs such as TRANSCAER® for years. OAR will build on those efforts focusing on closer relationships with local and state agencies, increased training opportunities (classroom, web-based, and on-line resources), table-tops drills and participation in full-scale exercises, and providing better resources for emergency responders such as the AskRail mobile app that allows and first responders to use their mobile phones to look up commodity and response information on shipments.

The OAR program also includes a continued commitment to providing emergency responders high-level training at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) in Pueblo, Co. In April 2016, Norfolk Southern unveiled a brand new safety train, with a dedicated locomotive, specially equipped classroom box cars, and several tanks cars for additional hands-on training along our lines.

NS 5642 “Training First Responders”

August 31, 2019 – I spent the better part of the day waiting for the Norfolk Southern Safety Train to depart from Princeton, Indiana and for me this shot made it all worth it! NS 5642 “Training First Responders” engine pulls the Norfolk Southern Safety Train east from Huntingburg, Indiana as the setting sun begins to drop below the horizon on the NS Southern-East District.

RJ Corman 7697 spots a string of empty autoracks…

August 24, 2019 – RJ Corman 7697 spots a string of empty autoracks in the Toyota Yard at Princeton, Indiana. The poles to the left are for lights for operating after dark.

French Lick and West Baden Trolley 1 passes old glory…

August 24, 2019 – French Lick and West Baden Trolley 1 passes old glory at French Lick, Indiana as it heads for West Baden, IN with its passengers.
According to the French Lick website: Like a lot of the French Lick Resort treasures, the trolley’s history spans many decades, starting in 1903. In 2014, trolley service returned more than 100 years after it was first launched in French Lick and West Baden.

In 1903, the roads were dirt and horse-drawn carriages were the norm. When electric trolley service began, guests could catch the streetcar at the steps of West Baden Springs Hotel and go all the way (a whole mile) into downtown French Lick.

The trolley was a raging success, and in 1916 it set a record for carrying 250,000 people in a single year. At a nickel a ride, that’s over $300,000 in revenue in today’s world. Not bad for what was billed as the “world’s shortest trolley line.”

According to Railway Historian Alan Barnett, the electric cable car offered “ping-pong” service because it was not designed to make turns. When the car reached French Lick, the conductor would physically move the overhead power line around the back, allowing for the return trip to the depot at West Baden.

The advent of the automobile put the brakes on the trolley service in 1919. That is, until Barnett and the folks at the Indiana Railway Museum resurrected the idea in 1987. They were able to find Trolley Car #313 from Portugal, the closest thing they could find to the original 1903 car.

The trolley is making rounds again, thanks to a partnership between the resort and the Indiana Railway Museum. The museum worked with the Indiana Department of Transportation to draw up plans to redo the original track and secured a $200,000 grant.

Norfolk Southern Safety Train at Princeton, IN

August 24, 2019 – The Norfolk Southern Safety Train (OAR, Operation Awareness & Response) sits tied down at MP 163 in the Yard at Princeton, Indiana where it waits for its next training class for first responders. It is headed up by NS 5642 the Training First Responders engine.

According to the NS OAR Newsletter: Launched in June 2015, the goal of OAR is to educate the public about the economic importance of the safe movement of hazardous materials by rail and to connect emergency first responders in Norfolk Southern communities with information and training resources.

The remaining schedule for the safety train for the year is:

August 27-29 Princeton, IN
September 10-12 Decatur, AL
September 17-19 Corinth, MS
October 1-3 New Orleans, LA
October 8-10 Slidell, LA
October 22-24 Savannah, GA
November 5-7 Augusta, GA

Indiana Railroad Museum’s #4 (Ex Algers, Winslow and Western Railway #4)…

August 24, 2019 – Indiana Railroad Museum’s #4 (Ex Algers, Winslow and Western Railway #4, Built as Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic #103) heads through the crossing at Twin City Lumber Company as it pulls a passenger train south on the French Lick Scenic Railway from French Lick, Indiana.

According to their website: The Indiana Railway Museum is a tourist railway located in French Lick, Indiana. The Museum was founded in 1961 in the town of Westport, Indiana where the railroad operated a tourist excursion, utilizing one small locomotive, three passenger cars, and about twenty volunteers. Ridership was estimated at about 500 passengers in 1962.

The museum and railway remained in Westport until a move was necessitated in 1971. The organization relocated to Greensburg, Indiana where it operated until 1976 when it again, it changed locations. The Museum was relocated to French Lick in 1978 after an agreement with the Southern Railway Company.

They deeded the Museum a total of sixteen miles of track stretching from West Baden, Indiana, approximately one mile north of French Lick, to a small village named Dubois, to the south.

The Indiana Railway Museum currently operates as The French Lick Scenic Railway operating passenger trains over twenty-five miles of this track from French Lick to Jasper.

Visit them at: http://rhpfrench18.wpengine.com/