Working rail roads and their tracks.

[Bird]

During my last 2 years of high school and another year or so, we lived right next to the railroad tracks in a big old 2 story house that Dad bought. And we were so accustomed to the trains that the only time I even thought about the noise was when one went by and drowned out what I was listening to on the TV.

And when I was doing gas leakage surveys, I was sent from Texas to Duncan, AZ. Since they didn't use Daylight Savings Time, it was a 2 hour time difference from what I was accustomed to; terrible waiting until what I was accustomed to as 10 a.m. to go to work each morning. The only RV site with hookups had us backed up to the railroad tracks. I soon learned there was a train that went north to the copper mine in the morning, and went south loaded at night. It was not only LOUD but shook the bed in the motorhome when it went south loaded at night.

 

[bdeboer]

A couple from Blackhand Gorge, in Ohio

 

[oliver1555]

No one here went to see the BIG boy this past summer?? It was in WI and even came up to Duluth MN so now I wished we'd have went there. Duluth is not far from us!

I saw "Big Boy" 4014 and "Living Legend" 844 double heading to Ogden when they passed through Laramie, Wy in May. It was quite a sight! Unfortunately, since UPRR only wants two active steam locomotives, Challenger 3985 is retired. It would require a ground up and very expensive rebuild.

 

[Jstpssng]

A lot of our rails have been turned into recreational trail systems. Before the rails were taken up one track running from Columbia Falls to Calais had a group of enthusiasts who were trying to get the state to keep the tracks and find a different way to utilize them; the group had trucks and RVs set up to run on them. It didn't matter, the RR bed is now an ATV/snowsled trail.

 

[Peter 315]

A lot of our rails have been turned into recreational trail systems. Before the rails were taken up one track running from Columbia Falls to Calais had a group of enthusiasts who were trying to get the state to keep the tracks and find a different way to utilize them; the group had trucks and RVs set up to run on them. It didn't matter, the RR bed is now an ATV/snowsled trail.

Same down here atv/snowsled and now walking/bike trail...

 

[MossRoad]

I have lived in a railroad town all my life. We still have lots of active rails and some abandoned. We recently lost a rail line in 1972 to Hurricane Agnes (still the worst natural disaster in Pennsylvania history). Its a shame because there were many small trestle bridges and steep grades. Very picturesque. It was amazing when I was a boy watching such a mighty, heavy train run along a steep narrow ridge. Wonderful memories.

Now.....take yourself back to 1968 (if you’re old enough to remember) and look at this picture taken on railroad tracks literally on a farm where I farm hay in my little town. Anyone know who these 3 men are?

Yep. Want me to say it?

 

[ArlyA]

A couple from Blackhand Gorge, in OhioView attachment 646510View attachment 646511

Gee, that's a steep cut through that hill! Was that a standard gauge RR?

 

[caver]

No one here went to see the BIG boy this past summer?? [/video]

I watched it online as it stopped in Kearney NE via the Virtual Railfan Youtube site. There may be some footage of it on their site.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yep. Want me to say it?

Are you a fan of them?
Before you do, I took this picture a few weeks ago in the same spot. This rail was abandoned due to destruction caused a few miles away by Hurricane Agnes.
This is what it looks like, 48 years later, where the picture of the 3 men are in my previous post.

 

[ArlyA]

Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad

Near us is the Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad, also know as the RR to never run. It never towed a load of ore to its docks.

Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad - Wikipedia

 

[5030]

I have a question and that is.. Why is there always a diesel-electric locomotive in the consist when a UP steamer is providing the motive power? it'a always that way and I'm curious of anyone has the answer?

 

[MossRoad]

Are you a fan of them?
Before you do, I took this picture a few weeks ago in the same spot. This rail was abandoned due to destruction caused a few miles away by Hurricane Agnes.
This is what it looks like, 48 years later, where the picture of the 3 men are in my previous post.

That is so cool! :thumbsup:

 

[5030]

E.Towas, MI as requested...

Pre 1998
View attachment 646490

It was still there as of 2006, but gone in next available photo in 2011. Empty field and now a small building on it's spot just off the back-left corner of the Walmart parking lot.

Isn't it East Tawas?

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad

Near us is the Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad, also know as the RR to never run. It never towed a load of ore to its docks.

Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad - Wikipedia

Interesting story. It said they dismantled the dock and moved it elsewhere. Pretty interesting read. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

I have a question and that is.. Why is there always a diesel-electric locomotive in the consist when a UP steamer is providing the motive power? it'a always that way and I'm curious of anyone has the answer?

In case it breaks down and has to be towed back.

 

[5030]

In case it breaks down and has to be towed back.

Kind of what I thought but it looks.............stupid to have a Warbonnet behind the oil tender.

 

[Hay Dude]

OK Moss, tell me your guess. Who is this trio sitting on the now abandoned rails running through my little town in 1968?

 

[ArlyA]

I have a question and that is.. Why is there always a diesel-electric locomotive in the consist when a UP steamer is providing the motive power? it'a always that way and I'm curious of anyone has the answer?

Someone more knowable than I needs to answer that very good question... I noted the same thing. Might be a air shortage from the BIG boy which is used for braking or its dependability shortcomings. Does anyone else know this?

 

[bcp]

Sometimes it is to power the electric systems of the passenger cars in the train. This is most likely the case when the diesel is Amtrak. UP steam trains I've seen have their own power generating car. The diesel may also be for the latest traffic control system, etc. that the steam locomotive probably doesn't have.

Bruce

 

[Cub 7274]

I worked almost 36yrs on the RR 1976-2012 for CN
It was sad to see the decimation of the RR and it's customers by Individuals who decided that a stock holder share was worth more than a customers ability to do business with the RR depending on whether you loaded 1 or 100 cars.
The RR's gave business to the trucking industry rather than maintaining spurs or sidings it was easier to rip them out and industries closed because of it.
Now all they want is to run coast to coast with minimal stops in between and let trucks do the rest
The RR's forged the US and Canada in the beginning but sadly they are fading away to bike trails,tourist trains and Museums and still make money for the shareholder in doing so.