These
are railroad photos taken
at various places in Arkansas and around the country. Each
set of photos will have its' own separate link...just click the links
below to view the photos and captions. There are no ads of any kind on
this site, nor any computer 'cookies' placed on your machine. I started
putting these online in 2001 and my camera has been updated several
times over the years, so remember that the best and highest resolution
photos are at the bottom of the page - the further down you go, the
better the photo quality.
You may contact me using this CONTACT FORM -
Please
be sure to type your email
address correctly in the form, otherwise I can't respond. You will also
be asked to enter a sequence of letters and numbers to help me try
to avoid spammers. If this site doesn't work properly or you want to
email me directly, you can by manually typing - - ken (@)
trainweather (.) com - - in your email address field (leaving out the ( ) and spaces). Thanks for
understanding. To see my main railroad and weather
page, click on http://www.trainweather.com
(
Ken Ziegenbein photos)
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS and WEBSITES OF VARIOUS RAILROADS
PAGE LAST UPDATED: July 3, 2009. Latest photos at bottom of page (to jump to the bottom of page, just press
the "End" key or press "Ctrl End" in either IE or Firefox or any other
browser).
2001
OCTOBER 14, 2001
(Union Station Little Rock. UP 9659, 6211, 9252, 1539, 9418)
OCTOBER 21, 2001
(Union Station Little Rock. UP 4465, 1540, 4542, 8182(?) *** BNSF
4713 in bright red Santa Fe Warbonnet colors)
NOVEMBER 25, 2001
(Union Station Little Rock. UP 8132, 9?70)
DECEMBER 9, 2001
(Union Station - 11 trains between 7:30 and noon, 9 photographed,
including UP 4699, 9795, 9536, 3782 *** others)
OLYMPIC TORCH
RELAY TRAIN PHOTOS IN ARKANSAS, DECEMBER 13, 2001 - Small
digital photos and a one-minute 1.4mb MPEG movie taken of the Union
Pacific Olympic Torch Train, Thursday, December 13, 2001. The shots
were taken at Gurdon, Arkadelphia and Donaldson, Arkansas.
DECEMBER 24, 2001
(Union Station just before UP freights stopped running
for Christmas)
DECEMBER 28, 2001
- December 28, 2001 was the last day Union Pacific owned this bridge
across the Arkansas River between Little Rock and North Little Rock
(the Junction Bridge). This was a former Missouri Pacific line. Now UP
only has the Baring Cross bridge to operate on, although they haven't
had but one or two trains a month crossing the Junction Bridge in
recent months. UP gave the bridge to the City of Little Rock after the
STB approved the abandonment of it. The City takes it over officially
December 29, according to latest estimates. It is to be made into a
pedestrian bridge with an elevator in the middle to get over the span
lift, which will remain permanently open due to barge traffic. You can
see parts of the track going to the bridge taken from the River Market
in Little Rock as well as the Alltel Arena across the river in North
Little Rock. One scene has a kiddie train ride in the foreground. Also
on this page are a couple of photos of trains passing Union Station in
Little Rock, one having a CNW Operation Lifesaver unit as the third
unit. All photos taken December 28, 2001
DECEMBER 30, 2001
- December 30, 2001 at Union Station, Little Rock. There were many
different roadnames on locomotives today, including Union Pacific,
Cotton Belt, CNW, NS, CSX, BNSF, D&RG and Conrail. It was cold with
water frozen in small ponds again, and clouds increased during the
morning. Photos were taken between 908 a.m. and 1055 a.m. with a total
of six trains. The BNSF trackage rights train was unusually long
(didn't count the cars, but must have been over a mile and a quarter
long).
* * * * * * * * * *
2002
JANUARY 13, 2002
- Trainwatching, Union Station, Little Rock. Included today is a
bright red F-Unit of the Idaho Northern between two black NS units,
northbound.
LITTLE ROCK &
WESTERN PHOTOS - Below are two days worth of photographing the
Little Rock & Western Railroad, January 9 and January 14, 2002.
This line runs from a junction with Union Pacific in Little Rock
westward to Perry, Arkansas (it's headquarters) then continues west to
Danville, Arkansas, the home of Wayne Farms, with it supplies much of
the grain used to feed chickens. The line is the old Rock Island
Choctaw route that ran from Memphis to Tucumcari, New Mexico through
Little Rock and Oklahoma City. The Little Rock & Western (LRWN)
took over operations of the line from Little Rock to Danville, Arkansas
in the mid 1980s. The old Rock west of Danville was taken up in 1985 or
so.
OUACHITA RAILROAD
PHOTOS - The following were taken Tuesday, January 22, 2002 by
Ken Ziegenbein. They show a working freight on the Ouachita Railroad
(OUCH) between El Dorado, Arkansas and Lillie, Louisiana. The
OUCH runs on the former Rock Island between these two cities. According
to Mike Robbins, President of OUCH, the line owns the following:
Locomotives: OUCH 1151 (GMD1) on loan to CQPA; OUCH 1159
(GMD1); and OUCH 63 (SW7, former EACH); Rolling Stock: 75 OUCH single
door boxcars; 50 DR Centerbeams for use at Georgia Pacific at Anthony
Forest. They run on a line (former Rock Island) 25 miles long between
El Dorado, Arkansas and Lillie, Louisiana.
Customers: Davison Petroleum (El Dorado); Anthony Forest
(El Dorado - lumber); Georgia Pacific (Catesville - lumber); Great
Lakes Chemical (Catesville - chemicals); and Willamette Industries
(Lillie, Louisiana - particle board)
JANUARY 24, 2002
- January 24, 2002 at Union Station. Little Rock, showing one freight
in the cold rain. I always thought railroads signify all-weather
transportation and scenes like this "prove" it.
The photos were taken about 3 p.m. CST by Ken Ziegenbein.
FEBRUARY 3, 2002
- Sunday, February 3, 2002 at Union Station in Little Rock . There were
lots of trains today. Some had to stop to let the yard area in North
Little Rock clear out. An engineer told us that there were 11
northbound trains stacked up behind him as of 1030 a.m. (I guess the
recession is over). As information, Amtrak President Warrington
announced yesterday, February 2, that Amtrak would discontinue all
long-distance passenger service October 1, 2002 unless Congress gave it
$1.2 billion.
FEBRUARY 6, 2002
- SNOW DAY, Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at Little Rock's Union
Station. It was 32 degrees with a dark sky and light freezing mist, but
the streets were ok so I ventured out. There were nine trains between
1130 am and 130 pm. It was a dark day with backlight problems, so I've
enhanced some of the photos so you can see the trains better. There's
also a shot taken inside the Little Rock Amtrak station, which has some
of the original benches taken from Memphis Central Station back in the
1980s or early 90s. Also shown is a switch heater (fire) under the
heavily used switch between the two main tracks just before going
across the Baring Cross bridge.
FEBRUARY 10, 2002
- SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2002 - Once again at Little Rock's Union
Station. Of special interest today is the photo of UP SD-70
#4724 with the new pollution control (Tier One). Robin Thomas, who was
also taking pictures, said it was probably a 2002 model.
FEBRUARY 16 and
17 2002 - These were taken Saturday, February 16
and Sunday, February 17, 2002 at Union Station in Little Rock. Sunny
skies. On Saturday, February 16, there were fifteen trains between
1141 am and 421 pm with a half hour missed due to lunch. Robin Thomas
was there from 730 am till 1 pm and he had 18 trains during that time.
Total number of trains, not counting the overlapping counts between me
and Robin, was 27 from 730 am to 421 pm.
On the February 17 outing, there was a unit ballast/rock
"dump" train with the drawbar connections. Also I got a rare red Katy
gondola on which you can barely see the MKT white writing.
FEBRUARY 19, 2002
- FEBRUARY 19, 2002 at Union Station in Little Rock, showing a
LRWN freight waiting on a UP coal train and the southbound UP train
with an SP unit in the lead. It was a stormy day.
FEBRUARY 21, 2002
- Here are a few photos taken at Ashdown, Arkansas of the KCS and
Kiamichi Feb 21, 2002.
OLD "DROVER"
CAR
IN ASHDOWN, ARKANSAS - Clayton Castleman, 110 Little River 68,
Ashdown AR 71822 wants to know the origins of this 9-window "drover"
car near Ashdown, Arkansas. He nas moved this caboose (in the summer of
2003) and moved it next to the refurbished GN&A (aka. Memphis,
Paris and Gulf) depot in downtown Ashdown soon. (The KCS now owns the
former GNA line). For an updated photo of this caboose as of December
11, 2003, see HERE.
As you can see, the caboose,coach,baggage car was red at
one time... is it a former Cotton Belt caboose. He said it was built
between 1890 and 1920. It is wooden and has been at this location near
Ashdown for 35 years, the last 15 years being vacant. It was a bait
shop until 1987 or so.
FEBRUARY 28, 2002
- FEBRUARY 28, 2002. Taken at Union Station, Little Rock. One shot has
four locomotive roadnames. Also shows signs on the Amtrak station door,
the first day the Amtrak ticket office was closed due to the major
cutbacks in staffing...from 6 down to 1. It will only be open 11 p.m.
till 8 a.m. or so each day.
MARCH 3, 2002
- MARCH 3, 2002. Today Robin Thomas, John Jones and myself went on
a 12-hour train photographing trip, starting from Little Rock, east to
Brinkley, up the UP's (ne. Cotton Belt) Jonesboro Sub, west from
Jonesboro on the BNSF (ne. Frisco) to Hoxie, then south from
Hoxie on UP's (ne. Missouri Pacific) Hoxie Sub. Included are scenes of
the being-remodeled Brinkley Rock Island/Cotton Belt depot and a good
shot of two UP trains going over the Little Red River bridge near
Judsonia, plus several towns in between. Also shown are photos of UP's
new Remote Control unit 100 at Searcy.
It was one of, if not THE coldest day of the winter with
temperatures starting out in the middle teens and staying in the 20s
all day with a strong northerly wind of 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts.
My fingers kept getting numb. It was clear, though. These are all the
usual small-size photos taken by my Sony Cyber-Shot. I have much higher
resolution photos of most of the scenes if you'd ever want one.
MARCH 10, 2002
- SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2002. Scenes today show track work and a
couple of cars still turned over when a few cars of a northbound (I
believe) UP freight derailed predawn last Friday morning, March
8, at the north switch in front of Union Station in Little Rock.
Apparently, the gondolas were carrying sand. The Amtrak switch to
Amtrak's siding was damaged and removed and hadn't been replaced as of
Sunday morning. I was waiting on the CSX 769 SD70 MAC unit, but traffic
was so backed up that it was still in Texas after dark Sunday after
leaving Arlington, Texas at 3 Sunday morning. It finally went through
Little Rock about 10 Monday morning, but I was working and missed it.
MARCH 19, 2002
- I made a quick trip to Mineola, Texas via the Texas Eagle on Tuesday,
March 19, 2002 and here are a few scenes. The highlight of the
trip was the school tour of 84 Amish/Mennonite kids and their teachers.
They rode from Texarkana to Longview and had a ball. Dark clouds came
over Mineola late in the day and I got some interesting photos.
APRIL 3, 2002
- Went to the Amtrak station shortly after 11 p.m. at Little Rock,
Wednesday, April 3, 2002 and saw THREE BNSF units lined up side by side
at Union Station, one apparently on the Little Rock & Western line,
having backed onto that track. Before I could get my car stopped, the
one on the right (on the LRWN line) began to move, as can be seen in
the photo of the two units (note streak to right of engines). These
photos were taken using a handheld CyberShot camera with two second
exposure, so the shot of the two units plus the departing freight
is blurry. I managed to get one flash picture of the two standing units
just before they departed.
APRIL 13, 2002
- Here are a couple of train photos taken in College Station, Cat
Spring and Sealy, Texas Saturday, April 13, 2002 plus a photo of a BNSF
train in Brenham and a UP train in Hearne, April 14 and some shots of
the Winsboro, Texas KCS restored depot. Included are a few shots of
bluebonnets. I had wanted to get a shot of a UP train through my
hometown of New Ulm, but by the time I heard the train come through, it
was too late and I had to chase it to Cat Spring, about 11 miles away.
I barely made it in time.
APRIL 20, 2002
- Here are some photos of the Branson Scenic Railway at the old
Missouri Pacific depot in Branson, Missouri, Saturday, April 20,. 2002.
The F-Unit is BSR #98, the other unit is BSR #99. The lone car is
RSRX8503 "Silver Chief." Note the photo of the F-Unit with the
horse-drawn buggy in the background. They were not operating. Does
anybody know if they will this year?
APRIL 27, 2002
- APRIL 27, 2002. The Arkansas Railroad Club had an excursion on the
Ouachita Railroad (OUCH) from El Dorado, Arkansas to Lillie, Louisiana
(about 25 miles) and return on Saturday, April 27, 2002 (on the former
Rock Island). The President of OUCH, Michael Robbins and OUCH employee
Bobby Jones ran the train for both our club and as a working freight
that Saturday. We had a caboose and a flatcar with chairs firmly seated
to ride on. There were over 30 club members who rode this rare-mileage
excursion. Going to the Weyerhauser plant in Lilllie, we pulled 9
boxcars and coming back we hauled 10 mostly loaded cars behind us.
Speed was about 10 mph on the average, less on upgrades with one engine.
The scenery in the Arkansas and Louisiana springtime was
gorgeous with lush greenery and swampy land both in south Arkansas and
northern Louisiana. We stopped at Junction City, on the state line
between Arkansas and Louisiana for lunch at a barbecue place. We left
El Dorado at 10 a.m. and returned by about 4 p.m. All had a great
time.
At the bottom of the page are a few scenes I took the day
before of the beautifully restored Rock Island depot at Bernice,
Louisiana, about 7 miles south of Lillie, where the old Rock Island
tracks had been taken up years ago. However, it is rumored (good rumor)
that this former abandoned Rock Island right of way will once again
have tracks laid down later this year between Lillie and Bernice
because of demand of businesses there. Let's hope this occurs and that
one day we may be able to ride all the way to Bernice.
APRIL 28, 2002
- APRIL 28, 2002 - Union Station, Little Rock photos. What was
unusual today was a 4-unit lashup of Cotton Belt locomotives on one of
the trains.
MAY 5, 2002 -
MAY 5, 2002 at Conway, Arkansas' huge Toad Suck "Daze". Over 100,000
people were estimated at this downtown Conway festival each day and
Union Pacific's Arkansas Subdivision runs right through the middle of
town. Here are a few photos of 3 trains coming through on Sunday, May
5. Operation Lifesaver manned all the crossings with uniformed people
that stopped anyone from crossing the tracks ahead of the trains, even
though all the crossings have crossing gates and bells.
The craft festival, with vendors from as far away as
Indiana and New Mexico, is famous for its toad (frog) racing events
each day.
MAY 10, 2002
- MAY 9 & MAY 10, 2002 - Taken at Union Station, Little Rock.
What's sort of exciting to me is UP Flatcar #262002 with a load was on
one of the trains on May 10. That is the car we rode on back on April
27 when the Arkansas Railroad Club ran the excursion on the Ouachita
Railroad from El Dorado, Arkansas to Lillie, Louisiana and back over
the old Rock Island. I kept tracing the car just in case it would come
through someplace where I could catch a photo and today was the day.
See photos of this trip at: http://www.trainweather.com/apr27.html
This car went from the OUCH on UP down to Alexandria,
Louisiana on May 7 where apparently it picked up a load of some sort.
From Alexandria it was scheduled to go to the CSXT interchange in
Valjct, Illinois via UP with the interchange forecast to take place on
May 11. I kept checking the trace and about noon on May 10, it had left
McGehee, Arkansas at 1047 a.m. I knew then that it would be coming
through Little Rock and Union Station sometimes during the day. At 1240
p.m. it was at Grady, Arkansas and left Pine Bluff at 1:12 p.m. That's
when I headed to Union Station in Little Rock (I figured it would take
about 2 hours or so from Pine Bluff to Little Rock baring any stops).
I settled down for what I though might be a few hours,
since it had to go through Biddle Yard before coming past Union Station
and no telling what else the train had to pick up on the way. Well, at
304 p.m. I noticed the green light on the north main and knew another
northbound train was coming. UP3251 was on the lead and I noticed it
was a mixed train, but I thought it would be wild luck that a
train could make it from Pine Bluff to Union Station in less than 2
hours, but looking down the train, I noticed two bulkhead flat cars
about the middle of the train. Sure enough, the second flat was
UP262002.
I know this doesn't mean that much to most people, but
it's really fun to know that a car you've been associated with miles
away is coming through on a train. I guess I'll keep tracing this car.
Oh, by the way, the car's destination is Westfield, Massachusetts!
Don't think we could have ridden it that far!
JUNE 9, 2002
- Here are a few shots taken at Union Station, Little Rock, Sunday June
9, 2002. I was the only one there today.
JUNE 21, 2002
- These photos were taken the week of June 19-21, 2002. I'll start with
the Brinkley, Arkansas photos of three trains in only 30 minutes. A few
others were taken in Alabama and Georgia.
JUNE 23, 2002
- JUNE 23, 2002 at Union Station in Little Rock. Roadnames today
include Rio Grande, Norfolk Southern, SP, BNSF and UP.
JUNE 29, 2002
(Plus other days. Includes LRWN plus Baseline Rd in Little
Rock and Union Station, plus a UP special June 30 and a rainbow)
UP
SPECIAL JUNE 30, 2002 (passing Union Station, 1013 a.m.. plus
Amtrak 21, the Texas Eagle)
JULY 4, 2002
(Some taken of the Baring Cross Bridge, plus red, white and blue unit
DWP5908 on July 11)
JULY 14, 2002
(Three UP flagged/winged units passing Union Station plus
red CP9012)
JULY 21, 2002
(Brenham, Texas and Union Station in Little Rock with rainbow and
sunset)
CLASSIC RAIL
PHOTOS (These are photos I made in the 70s and 80s, including
lots of fallen flags, like the Katy)
RAIL
PHOTOS
IN THE MIDWEST, PLAINS AND MONTANA 2002 (Includes
DM&E,
Montana Rail Link, UP shops in Cheyenne, South Kansas and Oklahoma,
Amtrak's
Empire Builder through Montana. These will take a few minutes to
download
-I separated the pages with another link one time)
SEPTEMBER 9,
2002 (Some were taken in Newton, Kansas September 5, others
at Union Station in Little Rock September 9)
SEPTEMBER 22
& 29, 2002 (Union Station in Little Rock...various
locomotives plus a Delaware & Hudson boxcar)
OCTOBER 6, 2002
(Union Station, my first BNSF trackage-rights coal train, Chessie
hopper, colorized UP sequence)
OCTOBER 14,
2002 (Reader Railroad in Reader, Arkansas after the town became
unincorporated, plus a few Union Station photos)
OCTOBER 19
& 20, 2002 (Union Station in the cool rain. Temp 48 degrees)
MALVERN
ROUNDHOUSE - OCTOBER 21, NOV 16, 2002 (Over 40 photos of the
Malvern Hot Springs Narrow Gauge roundhouse)
OCTOBER 24,
2002 (Seven KATY gondolas on one train past Union Station in
Little Rock, 6 red and 1 green)
NOVEMBER 10,
18 & 24, 2002 (Some Union Station, Little Rock, some
Russellville, Arkansas. Includes a BNSF train on Amtrak siding)
DECEMBER 1,
2 &
3, 2002 (Some Union Station, including a bright red, unfaded
BNSF
warbonnet, a Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Illinois locomotive near
Palestine, Texas, the Texas State Railroad, the Hearne, Texas depot,
plus finally a UP train going through New Ulm, Texas on Dec 3)
NORTH ZULCH,
TEXAS - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2002 - NORTH ZULCH, TEXAS - A
dark, cold, rainy day in North Zulch, Texas - where the Rock
Island/Burlington Rockets used to zip through, if I remember correctly.
I rode one of these trains in the early 1960s. Now it's still a very
active BNSF line, but I didn't see any trains the half hour I was
there. I did get to photograph the railroad overpass across Highway 190
- it still says "Rock Island Lines - Burlington Lines."
DECEMBER 15,
2002 (Union Station, Little Rock. Also some scenes of an
abandoned Rock Island weed-covered signal near the station on the old
Rock Sunbelt Line.
DECEMBER 21&29, 2002 (Some
taken Branson, Missouri from a lodge next to the Missouri &
Northern Arkansas tracks in downtown Branson. Others taken
at Union Station in Little Rock December 29, 2002)
*
* * * * * * * * * * *
2003
JANUARY 12, 2003 (Snow at Union
Station in Little Rock in the afternoon)
JANUARY 19,
2003 (Union Station including Wisconsin Central #6604 and a
Detroit & Mackinac boxcar on a BNSF freight)
JANUARY 26,
2003 (Union Station, including a warbonnet in original Santa Fe
lettering)
FEBRUARY 4,
2003 (Atlanta, Texas, plus CN unit passing Union Station)
AMTRAK/UP
SPECIAL LITTLE ROCK FEBRUARY 6, 2003
MARCH 6, 2003
(Forth Worth, Texas - mostly BNSF north of Fort Worth)
MARCH 22 AND
30, 2003 (Stuttgart, Arkansas and Union Station in Little Rock)
APRIL 6, 2003
(Union Station, Little Rock. One all CN/NS consist)
APRIL
11, 2003
(Chasing one train North Little Rock to Mayflower, Arkansas)
APRIL 13,
20, 27,
2003 - (Various Union Station photos. Lots of locomotive
roadnames)
APRIL 29, 2003
(Sunset, BNSF, UP at Union Station Little Rock with Florida visitor Bob
Pickering.
MAY 3, 2003
- Conway, Arkansas annual Toad Suck Festival with 4 train passing
through the center of action.
MAY 5, 2003
- Included are two GE 's, a B30-7A and a B23-7M, on a southbound train.
MAY 10, 2003
- The South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad along with the Heart of the
Heartlands group ran a special roundtrip on Saturday May 10, 2003
between Winfield and Fredonia, Kansas. I was on board and heard
that there were 150 passengers and about 20 volunteer crew on board.
The train left Winfield on time at 9 a.m., arriving in Fredonia 30
minutes early at 1230 p.m. It left Fredonia at 2 p.m., returning to
Winfield 5 minutes early at 555 p.m. - good old Santa Fe
running! There were many 'old' Santa Fe hands on board.
The line used was the former Santa Fe line between the two
cities (the Fourth District of the Eastern Division). The train went
though the towns of New Salem, Cambridge, over Grand Summit (the
highest point in Kansas), Grenola, Moline, Elk Falls, Longton and
Fredonia. These were typical of small towns across America....with a
lot of abandoned buildings and railyards just outside the towns.
Fredonia and Winfield, though, appeared to be prospering. The
trip was 96 miles one way and we had some speed restrictions, highest
speed being 30-35 mph.
The ticket prices were only $30, which included a 'picnic
lunch' at a high school gym in Fredonia. This 'picnic lunch' turned out
to be a major barbecue buffet! And it all was included in the $30
ticket price! The Chamber of Commerce of Fredonia and others had
actually barbecued a hog the night before for the occasion, so we were
told.
Power/consist for the trip was FURX 1167, WAMX 8506, SEKR
non-powered RDC 9210 "Kaleigh Ann," SEKR non-powered RDC 9202 "Afton
Leigh,"and SEKR non-powered RDC 9203 "Fallyne Marie."- Consist was
reversed on the return trip with the engines running around the train
north of Fredonia.
For more information about the Heart of the Heartlands
group, go to their website:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/8458
MAY 18, 2003
- Little Rock Streetcar construction/Rock Island Choctaw Passenger
station in Clinton Library complex construction/CN untes at
Union Station.
MAY 25, 2003
- Cat at Union Station/SP units/Work caboose on a mixed train! (by
Brian Smith)/May 24 NS units in new paint scheme (by Robin
Thomas)/few more recent shots by Brian Smith including MoPac red
caboose and UP's E-9's in NLR..
MAY 31,
JUNE 1,
2003 - The usual variety of motive power at Union Station, plus
visitors
from Pennsylvania and Tennessee (Bart Jennings)
JUNE 8, 2003
- Most unique today was SOO 6055. All at Union Station.
JUNE 12-14,
2003 - BNSF in Brenham, Texas; KCS in Jefferson, Texas; UP in
Texas; Amtrak in Jefferson, others
JUNE 15, 2003
- Union Station, some spring flowers with the trains, man and boy.
JUNE 22, 2003
- Amtrak 21, two hours late, plus some scenes taken from the north side
of the tracks.
JUNE 27-28,
2003 - UP NLR to Bald Knob, AR;UP Kingsville, Robstown, Texas
FEBRUARY
1969 - One of the last Missouri Pacific Texas Eagles to arrive
in Fort Worth at the T&P station.
SEPTEMBER
30, OCT
1, 1981 - Last scheduled passenger train through Brenham, Texas.
AUGUST 1959
TEXAS ZEPHYR PHOTOS - Taken on a trip from Houston to Dallas to
Childress, Texas.
JULY
27, 28, 31, 2003 LITTLE ROCK STREETCAR CONSTRUCTION
UP WRECK NEW ULM, TEXAS JULY 22, 2003
- From New Ulm Enterprise newspaper. UP wreck east of New Ulm, Texas
Tuesday, July 22, 2003. This photo was also in the New Ulm Enterprise -
this one was in the Brenham Banner Press July 24. Another B&W photo
in the New Ulm Enterprise is also included.
AUGUST
2, 2003 - Kansas & Oklahoma RR, McPherson, Kansas
AUGUST
3,
2003 - GREEN RIVER, WYOMING views on Sunday, August 3, 2003.
AUGUST
4, 2003 - These were all taken Monday, August 4, 2004 at an
abandoned rest stop off Interstate 80, right before you cross the
Wyoming-Utah state line. I had almost given up waiting for a train, but
then I spotted an eastbound UP coal train on the upper, high
line. Just after I had taken that photo, I got back in the car to leave
when I saw an eastbound UP mixed freight in my side mirror on the lower
line. What resulted was a meeting of two UP trains in
mountainous terrain. Talk about luck. The time was about 930 a.m.
AUGUST 6, 2003 - Here are four
photos of part of the Idaho Northern & Pacific rare-mileage trip
we'll be taking August 8. These were taken August 6, 2003 from Highway
55 on my way to McCall for the night. All scenes were north of
Horseshoe Bend. Included is a shot of the shortest railroad tunnel in
the world, which we'll be going through.
AUGUST 8, 2003
- Idaho Cascadian rare-mileage passenger train excursion,
Payette-Cascade, Idaho.
AUGUST 31, 2003
- SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2003 at Union Station in
Little Rock..
SEPTEMBER 6,
2003 - On Saturday, September 6, 2003, the Arkansas Railroad
Club had its annual picnic outing at member Peter Smykla, Jr's Paperton
Junction Southern Railway in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Following are
some scenes of this outing and information on the railroad's rolling
stock. It was a beautiful, dry and clear day. There were no train
rides, just a get-together and picnic. To see other current and past
railroad photos, go to http://www.trainweather.com/sunday.html.
SEPTEMBER 7,
2003 - Union Station, Little Rock including engine OSS101.
SEPTEMBER 14,
2003 - Union Station, Little Rock. Includes BNSF SF Warbonnet
and
unique grafitti car.
SEPTEMBER
20, 2003 - Unusually long UP train through New Ulm, Texas.
SEPTEMBER
28,
2003 - Union Station in Little Rock with CSX in new paint
scheme,
old SP logo, Montana Rail Link, BNSF, new ties.
OCTOBER 3-5,
2003 - Kansas & Oklahoma RR in Haven, Kansas, BNSF speeding
through Burrton, Kansas, both at sunset.
OCTOBER
28, 2003 - Lucky shot of Sunset Limited crossing Heights Blvd
in Houston, Texas plus Houston Union Station/Light Rail
NOVEMBER 2,
2003 - Southern 4610 in the famous Southern green paint scheme,
Genesee & Wyoming 147, Sperry Rail 124, at Union Station, Little
Rock.
NOVEMBER
9, 2003 - More photos of Little Rock Streetcar construction.
NOVEMBER 16,
2003 - Three pure SSW and SP locomotives on trains passing
Little Rock Union Station.
DECEMBER 6, 2003 - Eastbound UP
coal train at Sallisaw, Oklahoma, Saturday December 6, 2003 at 415 pm.
First train photo with new camera. Also one photo of the depot. The
original photos were 5 megapixels, but I always reduce them to 630
pixels wide on the webpage otherwise it would take months to download
:).
DECEMBER 11, 2003 - KCS Coal
train southbound through Ashdown, Arkansas at 441 pm Thursday, December
11, 2003. KCS #2008 was in the lead. Plus a shot of the recently
moved (last summer) former SSW caboose/'Drover' car to the GNA depot in
Ashdown.
DECEMBER 11,
2003 - KCS Santa Train night photos, Ashdown, Arkansas.
DECEMBER 21,
2003 - Union Station, Little Rock. Centerbeam flat with load,
CNW unit.
DECEMBER
25, 2003 - A Christmas Texas Eagle at Little Rock No. 22, on
time at 1159 pm.
DECEMBER 27,
2003 - TFM, NS and SP units today passing Union Station.
DECEMBER
29, 2003 - Texas Eagle No. 21, 430 a.m., Little Rock. On time.
*
* * * * * * * * * * *
2004
JANUARY 1,
2004 - Empty coal train on this first day of 2004.
JANUARY 3,
2004 - An unaltered SP unit and an empty coal train past One
Track Mind Hobby shop.
JANUARY 9,
2004 - Sunset Limited on bridge in Bay Saint Louis, MS plus
night shots of Bay St Louis depot.
JANUARY
11, 2004 - DELTA SOUTHERN #104 a couple of miles north of
Transylvania, Louisiana, January 11, 2004. It was idle. One of the
grain cars was leaning to the right, but still on the rails. This
line was once the route of the Missouri Pacific "Delta Eagle" back in
the 1940s. It is my understanding that the line still runs from
Tallulah, Louisiana to McGehee, Arkansas. Is this correct?
JANUARY 13,
2004 - Little Rock Western plus two SP units passing Union
Station Little Rock.
JANUARY 18,
2004 - Union Station, including NS, IC, SP plus a digital movie
(MPEG)
JANUARY 22, 2004 - The UP
Challenger, No. 3985, ran from St Louis to Bernie, Missouri today.
While it was supposed to be at Bernie at 3 p.m., it arrived about 6
p.m. due to trackwork and a lot of trains on the division. At one
point, it was held on a siding at Avert, Missouri, about 8 miles north
of Dexter for two hours, but it couldn't be helped. As far as I know,
nothing was wrong with the 3985 itself. Many thanks to Ed Mertes of St
Louis who called me from the train.
I was waiting for it at Dexter, Missouri for over 3 hours,
as was many others. There were hundreds lined up to see it coming
through Dexter at 540 p.m., but it was mostly dark by then. I made a
sound digital movie of it coming through Dexter since I couldn't take
an unblurry photo of it anyway. However, I had the movie setting on my
Sony camera set to VGA (640) mode, so the file is 33 mb in size. Except
for viewing on my own computer, that's way to large to send over the
Internet unless you have a broadband connection. Even then, 33mb is
quite a lot. So I won't put that on here at this time. Basically you
could see the lights and hear the great steam whistle of the 3985, but
not much else.
Here are some time-exposure photos I took at Bernie, MO
after the train arrived. There were hundreds here too, and driving the
8 miles south from Dexter to Bernie took 30 minutes or so as traffic
was crawling at 15 mph.
JANUARY 23, 2004 - Today I
chased and photographed the special UP Challenger steam train from
Bernie, Missouri to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It was full sun,
excellent photography weather.
JANUARY 24, 2004 - Today I got
photos of the Challenger from Pine Bluff to Texarkana, Arkansas and it
contains the first shot of the train in Texas. Unlike the perfect sunny
day yesterday, today it was raining, sometimes heavily, all day.
JANUARY
25-26, 2004 - Five photos of trains in Little Rock/N
Little Rock, one on Crystal Hill Road.
UP 3985 STEAM
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2004 - UP Challenger 3985 photos on part of
its trip from Dexter, Missouri to Texarkana, Arkansas, then from
Conroe, Texas to North Little Rock to Van Buren. Included are night
shots, the Conway tunnel, Ozark, Arkansas, plus a lot of cities and
towns in between.
FEBRUARY 3, 2004 - Today I
followed the steam special from Conroe, Texas to Longview and got shots
at Conroe, Trinity, Crockett, Overton and Longview.
FEBRUARY 4, 2004 - Today I
followed the train from Atlanta, Texas to North Little Rock, Arkansas.
It arrived at the UP Jenks Shops about 420 p.m. and will be open for
public display Thursday. Today I have scenes taken in Atlanta,
Texarkana, a low bridge near the Red River, Hope, and Little Rock and
North Little Rock. It was cold, but above freezing, with light sleet
from Texarkana to Little Rock and as I write this at 10 pm Wednesday
night, we're having thunder and lightning along with rain and sleet
mixed, temperatures 34 degrees.
FEBRUARY 5, 2004 - Today the
Challenger and its cars were on display to the public in North Little
Rock behind the UP offices on 4th Street. Jenks Shops can be seen in
the background. Noteworthy to me were the groups of school children
that were bussed to the area so they could see and touch the mighty
steam machine. Old and young alike came out by the thousands in the
cold and rain to view the 3985. Some were making memories that will
last a lifetime - others were having memories of past, simpler times
when steam ruled the railroads and trains were as popular as
automobiles are today. I think these pictures convey both generations.
FEBRUARY 5, 2004 NIGHT - Night
shots of the 3985 in North Little Rock plus our night out at Grampa's
Catfish House with most of the Steam Crew, Thursday, February 5, 2004.
FEBRUARY 6, 2004 - The
Challenger left North Little Rock at about 845 a.m., heading west to
spend the night in Van Buren. Included are scenes at Burns Park in
North Little Rock, the tunnel just west of Conway, Russellville, and
the bridge at Ozark, which has a view of the Arkansas River to the
south and town of Ozark to the north.
BURTON, TEXAS RENOVATED SP DEPOT, FEBRUARY
1, 2004 - FEBRUARY 1, 2004 in Burton, Texas showing the
renovated Houston & Texas Central Railroad depot (later SP). This
depot was made a Texas Historic Landmark in 1991 and is a beautiful
example of good renovation work.
Burton began as a terminal on the H&TC in 1870. A
depot built that year burned in 1898 and was replaced by the current
structure built according to standard plans of the Southern Pacific
Railroad, which absorbed the H&TC. It exhibits elements of the Queen
Anne and Italianate styles. Outstanding features include wide
overhanging eaves and "Sunburst" gable windows, typical in Southern
Pacific structures. (This information from the plaque attached to the
building).
FEBRUARY 22, 2004
- Union Station, including a 5 1/2hour late Eagle, NS, BNSF and both
colors of CSX.
FEBRUARY 27,
2004 - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2004 on the KCS in Heavener and
Page, Oklahoma and Rich Mountain and Mena, Arkansas.
FEBRUARY
28, 2004 - KCS action and Railspot members at Page, Oklahoma
and elsewhere.
FEBRUARY 29,
2004 - Union Station, including UP, CR, CSX, TFM, BNSF, SSW.
BELLEVILLE,
AR CROSSING GATES - 'Protecting' the traffic from the abandoned
Rock Island, February 28, 2004..
ABANDONED
ROCK ISLAND ROW - From Howe, Oklahoma to Belleville, Arkansas,
February 28, 2004.
FORMER
ROCK ISLAND DEPOTS - In Western Arkansas, including Booneville,
Ola and Perry.
MARCH 13,
2004 - Union Station Little Rock. CR, NS, UP, CSX
MARCH 14, 2004
- Union Station. UP, new refrigerator car, BNSF, TFM, SP, LLPX.
MARCH 21, 2004
- Union Station. CN, UP, NS.
DALLAS, TX
MARCH 26, 2004 - In Dallas for the annual TX Association of RR
Passengers/NARP meeting. View of Dallas Union Station and trains from
hotel room on 8th floor, plus Dallas, Garland & Northeastern
passing the station as well as TRE and DART and Amtrak 22.
SAGINAW,
TEXAS PLUS TX EAGLE MARCH 28, 2004 - BNSF, UP, CN, Heartland
Flyer, Texas Eagle photos in Texas.
APRIL 4, 2004 -
LaGRANGE, TEXAS - Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at La Grange,
Texas showing one UP empty rock train plus scenes of the neat little
former-Katy depot there.
APRIL 10, 2004 - SUNDAY, APRIL
11, 2004 at Union Station, Little Rock. Was there about an hour and a
half and saw UP, CN, BNSF, SP, all northbound. All photos by Ken
Ziegenbein.
BLACKLANDS
RR EXCURSION COMMERCE TX APRIL 17, 2004 - This excursion used
former Santa Fe Hi-Levels.
APRIL 27, 2004
- A rare former SP GP40P-2.
NORTH
LITTLE ROCK CENTENNIAL - UP display unit and crane with the
crane's baggage car and coach near Main Street in NLR, April 30, 2004.
LITTLE
ROCK STREETCARS ON DISPLAY - At April 30-May 1, 2004 North
Little Rock Centennial.
TEARING
DOWN OLD UP/MoP GRADE IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK - This grade went to
the Junction Bridge across the Arkansas River and now belongs to the
cities
of Little Rock and North Little Rock.
MAY 2, 2004
- Union Station with CN, KCS, SP, NS and UP. Several were there from
out of town to attend the UP open house later.
UNION
PACIFIC OPEN HOUSE AT JENKS SHOPS NORTH LITTLE ROCK MAY 2, 2004 - May
2, 2004 open house at Union Pacific's North Little Rock's Jenks Shops
and North Little Rock's yards. Fifty of the 52 photos here were reduced
in size to 320 pixels wide, so they shouldn't take too long to load. I
put all the photos I made on this site to have a permanent record of
the event.
Hundreds of people, many with small children, attended the
Union Pacific Jenks Shops open house Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2004, in
North Little Rock, Arkansas. Along with UP tour guides inside the Jenks
Shop locomotive repair facility ready to answer any questions, there
were free hot dogs and soft drinks - even a bunch of portable toilets
set up. They also chartered about a half dozen North Little Rock school
buses for personally guided tours of the Hump Yards and other parts of
the large UP yard facilities. The lines for the buses were long.
My indoor photos were without flash with the ISO set to
800. A few of the statistics about the yard given by the 30-year UP
employee onboard my bus was as follows:
1) UP averages 68 trains a day through Arkansas.
2) The North Little Rock yards handle an average of 62,000 cars a month
(this March they handled 66,000).
3) The NLR yards are the largest capacity-wise on the UP system
according to our guide.
4) UP uses 5 million gallons of diesel fuel a month in North Little
Rock.
5) Besides repairing locomotives, UP also repairs freight cars at
North Little Rock, averaging 75 cars a month.
6) UP is the number one employer in the city with 1,900 employees with
a payroll of $160 million a year.
7) The yard complex is five miles long with dozens of tracks. If all
the tracks were laid end to end as one railroad, it would go 225
miles.
MAY 9, 2004
- Union Station with various coal trains and mixed locomotive
consists.
MAY 16, 2004
- Union Station including a Tropicana Refrigerator car and a
Ferromex locomotive, among several other non-UP units.
UP 3985 AT
LODGEPOLE, NEBRASKA - Union Pacific's Challenger steam
locomotive, the 3985, started a several week journey to Houston, Texas
from its home in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Saturday, May 22, 2004. Here is
the train's first service stop on this epic journey, at Lodgepole,
Nebraska about 1130 a.m. that day. My wife and I were on our way
to Montana for another special train ride and worked it out so that we
could be in Lodgepole on May 22. There is also a shot of it
speeding eastbound through Chappell, Nebraska, about 9 miles east of
Lodgepole.
RARE MILEAGE
TRIP OUT OF LEWISTOWN, MONTANA - May 24, 2004 to Moccasin,
Montana.
RARE MILEAGE
TRIP LEWISTOWN TO GERALDINE, MONTANA - May 25, 2004.
DOUGLAS,
WYOMING RAILROAD MUSEUM - Including CB&Q diner Silver
Salver, CB&Q 4-8-4 5633 and various other great displays.
UP 3977 AT CODY
PARK IN NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA - June 2, 2004.
SAND
SPRINGS
RAILWAY - Near Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 4, 2004.
UP
CHALLENGER JUNE 17, 2004 - The UP Challenger is shown heading
for Arkansas through Jefferson, Texas and then at its service stop in
Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas.
TEXARKANA
UNION STATION JUNE 17, 2004 - Views of the inside and outside
of the
station, including UP 3985 at the station.
JUNE 27, 2004
- Union Station in Little Rock. Included today: Unknown 7097, UP 4180,
UP 3480, UP 2511, LMS 7922, UP4841, FURX 3009, CSX 480, NS 9542.
JULY 2, 2004
- Including two trains passing between Sinton and Odem, Texas (one with
a BNSF unit and the other a NS unit) and one train in the hole at
Woodsboro (with KCS/TFM power). Also some shots of the newly restored
Kingsville, Texas MoPac depot, complete with a high black iron fence
protecting the track.
JULY 3, 2004
- At Kingsville, Texas. Included today is a UP freight running
northbound by the restored Kingsville depot at 530 p.m., just as the
new bandstand dedication was beginning across the tracks. Plus BNSF
4371 pulled into Kingsville from the south and did some switching
maneuvers with perfect last afternoon lighting about 7 p.m.
KINGSVILLE,
TEXAS DEPOT DEDICATION JULY 4, 2004
JULY 18, 2004
- Union Station in Little Rock. Today we saw some rather rare cars,
including a Cotton Belt Scale Test Car built in June 1926, SSW #99203.
The same train, a Pine Bluff local, had an unpatached SP unit on the
front (SP #8576) and a Missouri Pacific work car in the middle of the
train. The scale test car was the second car from the rear. Also today,
a CSX lead unit in the new CSX
color scheme, an old UP faded unit #202, a UP and BNSF combination on
the
head end of a southbound coal train, plus NS, CEFX.
JULY 25, 2004
- Included today: HLCX 6225, several NS units, several UP units,
one
Conrail and several CSX units. Also today, a relatively rare train used
the
Amtrak siding.
UNION
STATION
BUILDING, JULY 25, 2004 - Photos of Union Station itself July
25,
2004 and previous dates.
AUGUST 15,
2004
- Little Rock's Union Station. Of special interest today was
Wisconsin
Central 6611, CSX 7532, SP patched 483, Rio Grande patched 9850, NS
8949,
a bright yellow tank car, LLPX 2306 leading a weed-spraying train,
ASPLUNDH
car, and various UP locomotives. A total of 23 pictures.
SPECIAL PRIVATE
CAR
ON AMTRAK 22, AUGUST 18, 2004 - This car was Rail Force One,
which
could be rented and used by Presidents.
AUGUST 22, 2004 - A couple of
faded SP units passing Union Station in Little Rock on August 22, 2004.
SOUND MPEG
MOVIE
AMTRAK 22, AUGUST 28, 2004 - This was a request I had to record
the
horn of Amtrak engine #84 for a blind middle-school boy in Illinois.
The
Eagle was 2 hours and 25 minutes late, arriving at 2:25 a.m.
STREETCAR
TRACKS/WIRES
AUGUST 29, 2004 - Views of overhead wires and completed track
for
the new Little Rock/North Little Rock streetcars. They did a test run
August
27.
RAZORBACK
SUBMARINE DEDICATION, AUGUST 29, 2004 - The World War II
submarine
Razorback was towed to its final home at 5 p.m.
TEST RUN OF RIVER RAIL STREETCAR LITTLE
ROCK, AUGUST 31, 2004 - Includes scenes from North Little
Rock, Little Rock, and a shot from the Razorback submarine showing the
streetcar on the Main Street Bridge.
SEPTEMBER 4-5, 2004 - Includes
PJS Alco 303 in Pine Bluff and passing coal trains at Union Station.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2004 - Special
airline parts two-car train; Trona locomotive 6242; BNSF coal train,
all at Union Station.
PERSISTENTLY EARLY TEXAS EAGLE 21 September
23, 2004 - I took Amtrak 21, the southbound Texas Eagle,
from Little Rock to Austin, Texas on Thursday, September 23, 2004. The
train was close to on time or early at every stop. Here's the story and
photos.
OCTOBER 10, 2004 - Little Rock
Union Station in the rain. Includes a UP work equipment train.
TROLLEY RIDE FOR CLUB MEMBERS OCTOBER 20,
2004 - This was a last-minute chance for us as Arkansas
Railroad Club members to get a ride over River Rail Streetcar's entire
2.5 mile route through North Little Rock and Little Rock. I called and
emailed as many as I could to notify of this event after getting a call
from John C Jones saying he had arranged for the special
once-in-a-lifetime event. It was dark and cloudy at 6 p.m.
PRIVATE CARS ON TEXAS EAGLE OCTOBER 21, 2004
- These cars came from Houston and were on their way to New York.
OCTOBER 24, 2004 - Union Station
in Little Rock. Bright, sunny, mild day - temperatures in the 70s.
Includes many non-UP power, including Santa Fe 146 in warbonnet colors.
MoPAC
VALLEY EAGLE, KINGSVILLE, TEXAS in June 1962.
HOUSTON
METRO RAIL NOVEMBER 3, 2004 - This was taken in Houston, Texas
of the new Metrorail system.
HERMANN
PARK RAILROAD IN HOUSTON NOVEMBER 2004
OLD
TOWN SPRING IN TEXAS NOVEMBER 2004
LITTLE
ROCK STREETCARS IN OPERATION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2004. Lots of
bright fall colors.
NOVEMBER 14,
2004 - Little Rock Union Station, includes boy waving.
FALL COLORS UP BRANCH NLR, AR -
These were taken along the UP branch line to Camp Robinson in North
Little Rock, Arkansas on November 19. 2004.
AMTRAK'S TOYOTA 'TUNDRA' LOCOMOTIVE
- Taken at Union Station in Little Rock at midnight, November 25, 2004.
These were painted to two locomotives and were to be used through
December 2004.
LITTLE ROCK CHRISTMAS STREETCAR -
Sunday, December 12, 2004.
DECEMBER 12, 2004 - Union
Station. Includes NS and BNSF.
DECEMBER 19, 2004 - Union
Station Little Rock. Includes 1 of only 3 Rio Grande unpatched T-2's
plus NS/CN and SP.
'MIXED TRAIN' DECEMBER 27, 2004
- 'Mixed' train with two UP yellow work cars on the end passing Union
Station, Little Rock.
LITTLE ROCK & WESTERN DEC 27, 2004
- Waiting to go onto UP tracks at Union Station.
1984 'HOGTRAIN' SPECIAL TO MEMPHIS
out of Little Rock, January 1984.
AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE LITTLE ROCK DEC 29, 2004
- This train was 9 and a half hours late due to a late start in Chicago
the night before, so it arrived at 1:35 p.m. instead of
4:30 a.m. Two private cars were on the end.
* * *
* * * * * * * * * *
2005
JANUARY 1, 2005 - A foggy day at
Union Station in Little Rock. Rather 'moody' photos.
JANUARY 9, 2005 - A Kasgro
16-axle heavy duty 450-ton depressed deck flat car. Plus there was one
unaltered Cotton Belt and one two unaltered SP units today passing
Union Station in Little Rock.
JANUARY 16, 2005 - Unusual today
were two
back to back BNSF trackage-rights trains, the second being a BNSF
intermodal, something we had not seen going northbound through Little
Rock before.
JANUARY 30, 2005 - Of special
interest today is Conrail 6783, BNSF 8923, BN green coal hoppers, and
DWP 2905. It was cloudy and cool, in the 40s.
FEBRUARY 6, 2005 - Special
interest
today: UP work crew in SW Little Rock, Feb 5; SP 8352, UP 1337, GATX
7367, two passing northbounds.
FEBRUARY 26, 27, 2005 - I
went to Rich Mountain, Arkansas and Page, Oklahoma this weekend
(February 26, 27, 2005) to get some KCS action, but failed to capture
even one KCS train while there. However, on my way back to Little Rock,
I stopped at Union Station and got several trains in an hours period,
INCLUDING KCS #2049 as the second unit in a UP train. So I finally got
my KCS locomotive, even though I wouldn't have had to leave home to do
it! Also today, Feb 27, I saw UP, SF blue/yellow, NS, BNSF, and a
Cryo-Trans car. Also, two MoPac cabooses on display in Crystal Springs,
Arkansas, about 15 miles west of Hot Springs, on Feb 27.
CHOCTAW/ROCK ISLAND DEPOT AT CLINTON LIBRARY
- I decided to go to the Clinton Library in Little Rock just to take a
few photos of the refurbished Choctaw (Rock Island) passenger station
the library made into a school. Plus some photos of the Rock Island
bridge, which the library is supposed to make into a walking path by
the end of 2005. As some of you know, the 100-year old Choctaw Freight
House, which sat across from the passenger station, was demolished for
the library in November 2001, but at least they did a good job of
refurbishing the Choctaw passenger station.
I parked in North Little Rock, rode the trolley across the
Arkansas River to the River Market in Little Rock, then walked about a
half mile to the Clinton Library. Security personnel are all over, and
if you go inside the library, you will be searched like at an airport.
Nobody said anything about my taking photos, though. In fact, former
U.S. Senator David Pryor, who is the dean of the Clinton School
(located inside the Choctaw Passenger Station), told me it was no
problem taking the pictures.
So far, whether or not one likes or dislikes President
Clinton, the library has been a real boon to Little Rock's River Market
area for tourists, including riders of the streetcars. Almost every day
I ride the trolleys, someone boards who came to town to see the
library. Personally, I have not yet been inside it myself.
MARCH 2005 STREETCAR CROWDS LIT/NLR, AR
- March 2005 views of the increasingly busy Central Arkansas River Rail
streetcar system. These photos were all made in March 2005 in various
kinds of weather. On March 30, there was a group from Norway onboard,
plus visitors from at least six states. On March 29, ridership on just
one of the streetcars totaled over 600 in just a few hours.
Spring break was in full swing as well so there were a good deal of
children. Made me feel like I was in a flashback to the 1930s and
1940s! (Ken Ziegenbein)
APRIL 3, 2005 - Seven various
UP/CSX/CNW units at Union Station in Little Rock.
APRIL 6, 2005 - Near Somerville,
Texas. This was on the BNSF at the Texas FM 1948 road crossing a couple
of miles south of Somerville, Texas where FM 1948 hits Texas Hwy 36.
There's a shell station there and I was standing in the covered picnic
shelter at that intersection. I missed the dpu's however. Time was 8:50
a.m. April 6, 2005.
APRIL 18, 2005 MOVIE - LARGE - A
1 minute 52 second sound mpeg movie of Amtrak's Texas Eagle northbound
No. 22 leaving Little Rock. It's almost 3 mb in size so dialup will
take a few minutes. But I thought since its so rare for such long
trains (this one had 16 Superliner cars due to the combining of the
previous day's train in Dallas because of a minor derailment the day
before. It was a Sunday night), I'd preserve it in cyberspace. They had
trouble loading the second engine. It finally left at 1:52 a.m. (Note I
had said it was April 17, but since the train got to LRK after
midnight, it was actually Monday, April 18, 2005)
APRIL 24, 2005 - Sunday,
April 24, 2005 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was
a bright, sunny day. Included are locomotives: UP (5056, 1540, 9525,
4788, 4504, 4408, 4190, 3989, 3848, 3753); NS (8893, 9824); SSW 9699;
SanfaFeBlueYellow 6760; CSX 768; BNSF 4597. Also one bright red Canada
car. Later in the day, I got a couple of artsy sunset scenes across the
tracks.
APRIL 30, 2005 - At Union
Station in Little Rock. Locomotives included today are: UP (3819, 4519, 4261, 3991, 4430); NS (9118, 6603, 8300, 6637, 9620); HLCX 3814, blue-red. Plus a
dove paid me a visit.
NIGHT PHOTOS RIVER MARKET LITTLE ROCK
- I decided, since it was my birthday April 30, 2005, to celebrate by
taking some night photos of the Little Rock/North Little Rock trolleys,
using my Sony DV1 digital and time exposures. I walked all over the
very busy River Market District and downtown area of Little Rock on
this Saturday night with my camera and tripod. There were hordes of
cars and people (several times I was asked to take people's pictures).
I walked all the way from the Museum of Discovery to Robinson Center,
then over to Second Street and back to the River Market, all toll a
couple of miles. Bands were playing, nightclubs were full, there
was a party atmosphere on the streets.
I noticed that the streetcars had very slow going on
Markham/Clinton Avenue due to cars backed up 2-3 blocks and people
walking on the tracks. However, there was standing room only on
some streetcars too. I'm putting this on the web for those of you who
no longer want to go out late at night to party or to see streetcars
(me neither, most of the time - I wouldn't have been here either if it
were not for the streetcars!) (Taken by Ken Ziegenbein)
GOMACO TROLLEY COMPANY - Ida
Grove, Iowa, May 20, 2005.
IOWA, CHICAGO
& EASTERN - May 20, 2005 - Westbound out of Dickens,
Iowa.
BOONE & SCENIC VALLEY RAILROAD
- May 21, 2005, in Boone, Iowa. They fired up and ran the Chinese steam
locomotive, JS8419 for the first time on this day.
RIVERFEST - LITTLE ROCK-TROLLEYS
- May 28, 2005 - Riverfest 2005 at Little Rock and
North Little Rock, Arkansas, May 27-28, 2005. For the first time, the
River Rail Streetcars were running and I went along for the ride. There
was standing room only on the two streetcars that ran the entire North
Little Rock-Little Rock loop. In fact, several times they had to tell
people to wait for the next trolley after reaching the max number of
riders per car (80). This website will have photos of these full
trolleys as well as the areas surrounding the festival. I even got a
shot of the Bush Baked Beans dog!!
Since so many had to be turned away because of full trolleys, at
times tempers flared in the line waiting to get on. I recall one lady
trying to call police because the lady behind her was pushing her
little girl out of the way. Thank goodness it wasn't that hot
outside (temps only around 80 and dry - I remember years when it was at
least 90 and humid). The fare box was stuffed with dollar bills
and quarters with the motorman having to frequently dump the money into
the 'safe box' below. All in all, at least from what I saw today,
the trolleys
were a tremendous hit. It was also helpful that people from Central
Arkansas Transit stood at many stops with change for riders.
FIREWORKS AT
RIVERFEST MAY 29, 2005 - Annual Riverfest fireworks,
Sunday,
May 29, 2005 taken from the Park Hill area in North Little Rock,
Arkansas.
THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE, BRANSON, MO JUNE 3,
2005 - "Day Out with Thomas" in Branson,
Missouri June 3, 2005, starring Thomas the Tank Engine. Huge
crowds. It was also held June 4, 5, 10, 11,12. Neat sight to see.
It was run using the Branson Scenic Railway's regular equipment.
JUNE 5, 2005 INCLUDING 'TEMPO' GROUP AT
UNION STATION - Sunday, June 5, 2005 at Union Station,
Little Rock. Includes some Sony 'Nightshot' photos at 4 a.m. of passing
trains and a group of Texas Eagle Marketing and Performance
Organization (T.E.M.P.O.) passengers who were catching Amtrak's Texas
Eagle, No. 21, heading back to Texas. Also included are some colorful
sunrise/train photos. Locomotives today: UP-(4086, 3453, 9141, 9371,
8318, 8503); BNSF 5091; CSX 8318. Plus two red MKT gondolas.
JUNE 19, 2005 - June 19, 2005 at
Union Station in
Little Rock plus some scenes of cars on the former Rock Island (now
Little Rock & Western) near Murray Lock and Dam.
DEPOTS - A 'LIVING' SITE -
Started June 18, 2005, this will be an ongoing site of current standing
depots in the mid-south region of the country. The depots may be
abandoned or used.
JUNE 25, 2005
- Saturday, June 25, 2005 at Union
Station in Little Rock. We were in an 'Ozone Action Day' alert and you
could see the haze before I Paint-Shop-Pro'd it to clear it up. Also
today, the second to last photo on this page will be for those who have
a widescreen computer monitor - 1280 pixels wide. Let me know if you
would like more of these higher-resolution photos. Locomotives today
include: UP 4237, 5577, 8023, 4107, 4227; CSX 4693, 4682; CN 6142.
LITTLE ROCK TROLLEYS JUNE 25, 2005
- A few
River Rail streetcar scenes in the busy River Market in Little Rock on
Saturday, June 25, 2005. There was a motorcycle gathering of some
sort (Thunder at the Rock) plus a busy Farmers Market. Plus
the Clinton Presidential Center had its 329,000th visitor since opening
in November 2004 (the trolleys have already carried 125,000 passenger
during that same time period).
TEXAS EAGLE JUNE 24, 2005 - I
went to the Amtrak station (Union
Station) in Little Rock to meet a returning group of Rotary Club
passengers who had been in Chicago in the wee hours of Friday, June 24,
2005. The train (Amtrak 21 Texas Eagle) was on time at 4:30 a.m. and
the station was really bustling with activity while the rest of the
world slept. I thought the night owl background was appropriate.
JUNE 26, 2005 - June 26, 2005 -
Another somewhat hazy day at Union Station watching the
parade of locomotives and cars that pass by each day. Included
today are: UP 5225, 9402, 9112, 1336, 8755, 6431, 4713; CSX 2755; RLCX
8571; NS 9409. Plus a Klemme Iowa Coop Grain car.
JULY 3, 2005 - Sunday, July 3,
2005 at Union Station
in Little Rock. Only 8 photos today, one of a southbound loaded coal
train with UP and BNSF warbonnet power. Locomotives today: UP: 6797,
5908, 9411, 9123; BNSF 713. The
background today is a photo I made of trees at my hometown in Texas.
I'm just playing around and won't use these backgrounds routinely
since it's almost impossible to get a font that you can read without
putting the text in separate tables.
AMTRAK
EAGLE 22 JULY 3, 2005 - Amtrak 22, the northbound Texas
Eagle,
on July 3, 2005 arrived 14 minutes early at 11:45 p.m. Here's a
few photos. It has a twinkling star background.
JULY 24, 2005
- July 24, 2005 at Union Station in Little Rock, plus part of
Jermain Taylor (World Middleweight Champion boxer) parade in Little
Rock's River District on July 22. You can see the trolley tracks where
the parade was held - the streetcars didn't start running until 1 p.m.
because of this parade. Plus I have some streetcar scenes of July 21
and 22. Locomotives and fallen flag cars today: UP: 4215,
8337, 3245, 166, 9642, 4391, 2507; NS: 9405, 9682.
Fallen Flags/other freight cars: Rio Grande hoppers, Government
of Canada hoppers, Illinois Central grey boxcar,
Canadian Pacific hopper, Pillsbury blue hopper, Larinburg
& Southern boxcar, Rock Island painted-over gondola.
JUNCTION
BRIDGE LITTLE ROCK JULY 25, 2005 - On Monday, July 25,
2005, I thought I'd get a few pictures of the abandoned old Missouri
Pacific Junction Bridge that crosses the Arkansas River between Little
Rock and North Little Rock. This bridge was given to the city by Union
Pacific on December 28, 2001 for use as a pedestrian bridge. Of course,
UP also didn't have to worry about demolition or insurance anymore
either. You can still see some of the tracks in the pavement, but
most of the line that went to the west and connected with the UP main
line at Union Station has been taken up and paved over for a biking
path.
JULY 31, 2005
- Today (July 31, 2005) I saw a rare
green MKT boxcar with the faded MKT emblem on the upper left of the car
passing Union Station in Little Rock. Also seen were brand new,
bright and shiny white refrigerator cars (ADMN) - 5 in a row - they
looked like ghosts under a full moon (ha). Plus seen today were some
new black gondolas with the reflective stripes, a bright blue CSX
Hi-Cube boxcar, a Columbus & Greenville boxcar, a VeraSun Energy
car, a torn A&M decal on a boxcar, Cryo-Trans refrigerator car and
a yellow tank car. We had two train meets in front of the station
today. Locomotives: SP: 2657, 8683, 105-unpatched and 356-unpatched.
UP: 8386, 4285, 2484, 4160, 4316, 5984, 9521, 4521, 229, 1890, 9169,
2252 and 4370. CSX: 8705. FURX: 8093. There are
30 photos, all 650 pixels wide for faster downloading.
UNION PACIFIC
HERITAGE PUBLICITY PHOTOS JULY 30, 2005 - Union Pacific
issued a press release on July 30, 2005 regarding painting some of
their locomotives in the colors of some of the railroads they merged
with over the years. They started out with Missouri Pacific and
Western Pacific and the photos below were taken from their press
release (I converted their PDF format to JPG for the web, which is of a
lower quality but which has to be used in web pages). They will paint
others in MKT, SP, DRG, and other colors in the next few months. UP's
press release follows the photos. (Ken Ziegenbein - This webpage put
online with the permission of Union Pacific)
AUGUST 7, 2005
- Sunday, August 7, 2005 photos at Union Station in Little
Rock. Units today: GCFX 3096 * UP: 6861, 6597, 3530, 9513, 9192,
4939, 7245, 2277, 5519 * NS: 2528 * SP-Patched 7833 * GATX 7359 * CSX
8856 * HLCX 7233 * Conrail 8320. Fallen Flag freight cars:
Southern Boxcar, DM&E hoppers not fallen flags, but a little rare
here), three D&RGW hoppers No. 15569, 15501 and 15502. Also today,
a MoPac buzzsaw on the end of a bulkhead flatcar.
NIGHT
SHOTS RIVER MARKET AUGUST 12, 2005 - The River Market in
Little Rock Friday night, August 12, 2005. This was the first time the
street was closed to cars after 9 p.m. to make it safer for people
walking between restaurants and bars. The River Rail Trolleys ran as
usual and seemed to have more riders than usual who rode to the River
Market. I used my Sony Digital's 'Nightshot' mode, which gives a
greenish tint to the black and white images. I did not enhance any of
the photos. The starry background represents the most populous
part of the galaxy.
AUGUST 14, 2005 - Saturday and
Sunday, August 13 and 14,
2005. Trains passing Union Station in Little Rock. (Thought I'd
brighten your day with this one-time-only burnt orange background!!
Next time I'll use Aggie colors!!). WARNING - There are 48 photos
today, over 3 mb worth, so expect a rather long opening of this webpage
unless you have broadband. It took 18 seconds to view all the
photos with my cable broadband. Lots of different locomotives and
rolling stock today. LOCOMOTIVES: *** FURX-3050 *** IC-6016 ***
LTEX-9912, 7437 ***
GECX-SP-8497 *** HLCX-6313 *** GSCX-7357 *** CSX-8880 *** CONRAIL-3046,
5430 *** CNW-8701-I believe one of the last pure CNW yellow/green
units-great heritage color idea *** UP-582, 2431, 9520, 2201, 2858,
9416, 3802, 4530, 4674, 4264, 5082, 9519, 6364, 8357 (NEW SD-70ACE up
close on the Amtrak siding!), 9471, 9482, 2830. ROLLING STOCK: CNW
yellow boxcar *** ICG orange Hi-Cube box ***
Railcare Tank car *** ATW bright red new boxcars *** CSX patchy-colored
Hi-Cube *** D&H hoppers (3 in a row in the classic colors)
*** flat loaded with I believe bridge supports? *** three Rock
Island hoppers *** New UP reddish hopper *** D&H Gondolas *** A
smiling UP engineer from the cab of his stopped train in front of Union
Station.
UP/MOPAC HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE 1982 AUGUST
18, 2005 - Thursday, August 18, 2005: Union
Pacific's new Heritage MoPac locomotive Number 1982 made a trip through
eastern Arkansas on the Cotton Belt to Pine Bluff, then eventually to
Louisiana. I caught it at Wabbeseka and Altheimer, Arkansas, running
exactly as advertised the day before. It was the first time (I believe)
that the new unit was used on a regular freight, the ZYCHOB out of
Chicago. It was HOT, 100 degrees with heat index of 110. The shade
trees were a necessity.
UP/MOPAC HERITAGE 1982 PASSING UNION
STATION AUGUST 20, 2005 - UP 1982 MoPac Heritage locomotive
passing Little Rock's Union Station, 5:18 p.m. Saturday, August
20, 2005. I was looking into the sun but I managed to adjust the
exposure. Special thanks to John C. Jones, Mark Silverberg and
David Hawkins for keeping me informed as to its whereabouts. Joe Roddy
has some photos on this webpage too, taken from the other side of the
tracks. There were 10 people at the station earlier in the afternoon,
but had dwindled to only 3 by the time the train came (Mike Condren and
a group were here from Memphis but left to catch the train at another
location). I was the only one to photograph from the Amtrak platform.
(Ken Ziegenbein)
AUGUST
20, 21, 2005 - Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August
21, 2005 trains at Union Station in Little Rock. Included during these
two days: UP: 9833,
1982, 9420, 4897, 2765 (with fresh UP paint - you could actually smell
the new paint as it went by - a future UP Heritage unit celebrating
UP?), 9389, 4402 (first of TEN locomotives on this train), 9533, 3831.
*** 9031, 4737,
4785, 8587, 7707. *** NS:
3534, 9399. *** LTEX:
6900. *** CEFX:
2100. *** MKT Green hopper, one load of logs. It was again
hot as the blazes, about 98 with heat index 106.
UP/MOPAC HERITAGE 1982 WITH LRWN AUGUST 25,
2005 - Thursday, August 25, 2005. UP 1982
(MoPac Heritage) passing Union Station in Little Rock, northbound. At
the same time, Little Rock & Western came around the curve and I
got a photo of them together briefly. I called this photo "LRWN Kissing
UP1982." The train came through at 11:26 a.m.
UP/KATY HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE 1988 IN
ARKANSAS AUGUST 27, 2005 - Union
Pacific's Heritage locomotive 1988, in Katy red colors, going south for
the first time through Arkansas on Saturday, August 27, 2005. It was a
stormy, dark day, but that seemed to make the color saturation a little
better in some cases and the photos turned out nice in most cases. I
started out in Brinkley, Arkansas, early in the day, but the 1988 kept
getting delayed. It finally zipped through Brinkley at track speed
at 12:27 p.m. during a thunderstorm, and my first photo of 1988
was taken through the bay windows of the restored 90+ year old Cotton
Belt/Rock Island depot in Brinkley. Kinda artsy, but I thought kinda
neat as well. The depot is now a museum that has railroad items in it
plus a Louisiana Purchase exhibit. The secretary for the museum and
historical building, Terri, was nice enough to let me wait around there
for about 3 hours for the train. Her picture and that of the
outside of the depot are the first two photos. (All photos and sound
MPEG movie by Ken Ziegenbein)
BRINKLEY,
ARKANSAS DEPOT VARIOUS SEPTEMBER 2005 - For a little change
of scenery
regarding rail photography, here's some photos I took at Brinkley Union
Station Museum in Brinkley, Arkansas from August 27 through September
10, 2005. I'm now a volunteer worker/host at the depot/museum on
Saturdays. The UP main directional-south line (ne. Cotton Belt) runs
right past this restored depot and the trains run at track speed (55-60
mph) past the station. Plus UP's line to Memphis (ne. Rock Island)
meets the Cotton Belt line at the depot, so at times you can see train
lights in the distance both from the north and from the east. At other
times, it's quiet train-wise for a couple of hours (they seem to run in
rapid succession, almost all southbound).
Come visit the museum if you're ever driving by Brinkley
on Interstate 40 (between Little Rock and Memphis on the old Rock
Island and Cotton Belt (UP). It's located where US 70 crosses the UP
tracks in downtown Brinkley. The depot is officially called the Central
Delta Depot Museum, 100 West Cypress St, Brinkley AR 72121-2809. The
depot is the original 1912 Rock Island/Cotton Belt depot which was
almost torn down in the early 1990s. Head of the museum is Bill Sayger,
billsayger@cddm.org, www.cddm.org. You may also
contact me, Ken Ziegenbein, at the email link at the top of this page -
this link will take you to a comments form. Some of the nicest people
I've ever met work at or volunteer at this museum.
SCENES OF BRINKLEY DEPOT MUSEUM DISPLAYS
SEPTEMBER 3, 2005
SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 SUNSET AT UNION STATION
- Decided to do a little 'artsy' sunset
photography at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas on Tuesday,
September 13, 2005. Trains involved were two UP trains and the daily
BNSF local that was backing/switching along the Little Rock &
Western (Rock Island) toward Pulaski.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 - Brinkley,
Arkansas Saturday September
17, 2005. Only 7 photos, but one is of some sort of covered container
and what apparently is a heating mixer for cement or blacktop
(according to Frank Weed and others on Railspot). The
train was southbound from Memphis, having just went around the sharp
curve at the Brinkley depot.
SEPTEMBER
22, 2005 - UP/MKT 1988 passing Union Station in
Little Rock on Thursday, September 22, 2005. Also on this page: HLCX
6298 *** UP 3353, 1539, 9492 *** CN 6295 *** CEFX 7087 *** LRWN
101 and 102 *** HLCX 6062 *** GATX 7372 *** NS 6792. Thanks
to Mark Silverberg of One Track Mind Hobbies for calling me to give me
the heads up on the 1988.
OCTOBER 1, 2,
2005 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2005 in Little Rock and
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 in Brinkley, Arkansas. Motive power on October 2
includes: UP 9478, 9579, 5109, 4983, 6604 *** CSX 4794 *** Santa Fe
6848 *** BNSF 634, 155. Fallen flag rolling stock: Rock Island hopper,
MKT red gondola #16165 with colorful scrap, Ashley, Drew &
Northern boxcar, an old Santa Fe freight car, probably an old woodchip
car.
TRAINS IN
NEW ULM, TEXAS - Saturday, October 8, 2005 in New Ulm,
Texas showing a train parked after the crew ran out of time. Plus
an old Santa Fe boxcar used for storage with 'Santa Fe all the way'
still visible. Plus on Sunday morning, another train was parked
on the siding to the west of Highway 109. It was parked there all
Saturday night and I could hear a low-grade rumbling sound all night
long as the engine idled.
DEPOTS
ON ABANDONED ROCK ISLAND EAST ARKANSAS For
larger photos, either click on the individual photos to make them
larger OR to view this same page formatted for broadband with all the
pictures larger, click on:
http://www.trainweather.com/abandonedrockislandaroct182005-broadband.html
Tuesday, October 18, and Saturday, October 22, 2005 I drove
along US Highway 70 between Brinkley and North Little Rock, Arkansas,
stopping to photograph the remnants of the Rock Island Railroad that
used to go though this area (the Rock's 'Sunbelt Line'). This has views
of remaining Rock Island
depots at Hazen, Carlisle, Hazen and Lonoke. All photos by
Ken Ziegenbein.
OCTOBER 23,
2005 - Sunday October 23, 2005 at Union
Station in Little Rock. It was a windy and cold day, temperature about
51. Locomotives/cars today include: UP 4087, 9646, 3313; CN 5627; CEFX
7087; a UP old yellow hi-cube boxcar with the map on the side; two
green Katy gondolas.
NOVEMBER 6, 2005
- Sunday, November 6, at Union Station in Little Rock. Of
special interest today is the fact that the Little Rock and Western ran
a very long string of cars to the station, but had to back up past the
Rebsemen Road crossing again since UP didn't have room for them. It's
unusual that LRWN runs on Sunday, but we figured that the wooden
trestle near Bigelow was just repaired and they had to move a lot of
cars. That trestle had sunk two feet a few weeks ago and had to be
redone. It's on the former Rock Island Sunbelt line. I also made
two sound MPEG digital movies of the famous LRWN Alcos 101 and
102 as they accelerated, a unique Alco sound.
Also today are: UP 4395 on the Amtrak siding (also
somewhat unusual), UP 3148, 9759, 4310, 9531, 2056 and 2931. Also NS
2633, 9282 and LLPX 2230.
ROCK ISLAND
FREIGHT HOUSE, BRINKLEY ARKANSAS - Saturday, November 12,
2005. The 1909 Rock Island Freight House in Brinkley, Arkansas, now an
antique shop.
NOVEMBER 13, 2005 - Sunday,
November 13, 2005 at Little Rock, Bald Knob, Worden, Fair Oaks and
Brinkley, Arkansas. A 'true' chase today with BNSF 925 with Santa Fe
lettering in the warbonnet scheme passing Little Rock's Union Station
at 9:58 a.m., Bald Knob at 11:55 a.m., Worden at 12:12 p.m. and finally
Fair Oaks (where the line to Memphis crosses the old SP north-south
line) at 12:57 p.m. It was a cloudy and sometimes rainy day.
Other locomotives today are: UP 5002, 8317, 4860, 4129,
3404; CSX 8394; CN 5683. The Arkansas Railroad Club had its meeting at
the Bald Knob MoPac renovated depot, now home of Arkansas Traveler
Hobbies. There was a good turnout even with the dark skies. I
also was at the Brinkley Union Depot Museum later in the day to help
with their Christmas Open House and got a few trains passing there.
BRINKLEY, ARK DEPOT CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
NOVEMBER 13, 2005
NOVEMBER 19,
20, 2005 - Saturday, November 19 and Sunday,
November 20, 2005 at Brinkley and Little Rock, Arkansas. Included: CSX
9014, 7837, 8599 *** UP 8022, 5043, 5524, 3001, 4102, 4182 *** NS
9029
*** CR 6764 *** HLCX 9028 *** SF 6465, 6464. Also on Sunday we saw a
colorful car painted with crayons parked at the station in Little Rock.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS DEPOT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
2005
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS DECEMBER 3, 2005
- SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2005 at Brinkley
Union Depot in Brinkley, Arkansas. Included today: CSX 7721, BNSF 5187,
HLCX 7187, CSX 8021, NS 9774, UP
4835.
NIGHT PHOTOS STREETCARS LITTLE ROCK
DECEMBER 6, 2005 - Two of Little Rock's Christmas
decorated streetcars late evening and night, Tuesday December 6, 2005.
(Taken by Ken Ziegenbein)
DECEMBER 18, 2005 LITTLE ROCK AND BRINKLEY
- Sunday, December 18, 2005 viewing a
few trains passing the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. There was a
rare meet of a northbound and southbound. Locomotives today include: SP
7325, 7310 *** UP 4310, 9463, 5152, 1337, 1336, 4682, 4360 *** FURX
3051 *** CSX 7912.
PEABODY HOTEL TROLLEY STOP DEDICATION
DECEMBER 23, 2005 - Includes the famous Peabody ducks
walking onto the streetcar at the stop in Little Rock.
* * *
* * * * * * * * *
2006
CENTRAL ARKANSAS STREETCARS DEC 27, 2005 -
JAN 1, 2006 - Streetcars
in Little Rock/North Little Rock during the Christmas/New Year season
2005/2006. Quite a busy week (December 27-January 1). The streetcars
ran on New Years Day as usual.
JANUARY 1, 2006 - Saturday,
December 31, 2005 and
Sunday, January 1, 2006 trains at Brinkley and Little Rock, Arkansas.
Included are: UP-3893, 9759, 4658, 1855, 9369 *** NS 8672 *** SP 8664,
8683 *** CN 6939, 2508.
BRINKLEY, AR
JANUARY 21, 2006 - It was a busy day at Brinkley, Arkansas
today, Saturday January 21, 2006. After some maintenance equipment
passing in the morning, there were 16 trains between 11:17 a.m. and
4:01 p.m. with another approaching as I was leaving at 4:10 p.m.
Included today were the following locomotives:
UP - 9541, 7908, 5228, 4847, 9556, 9555, 5016, 9809, 1853, 9517 *** NS
- 6605 *** HLCX - 7191 *** CN - 6253 *** Wisconsin Central - 7495 ***
SP - 8359 *** CSX -9039 *** Unknown blue locomotive 8466. I also
stopped off the shoulder of Interstate 40 early Saturday morning just
past the Protho Junction exit to get a hazy picture of a Frisco caboose
near some plant. I assume it's been there for years, but the Frisco
emblem looks quite good. I've also included photos from inside the
Brinkley Depot Museum.
SNOWY DAY IN BRINKLEY, AR FEB 10, 2006
- A snowy day in Brinkley, Arkansas,
Friday February 10, 2006. I saw two trains pass each other about 3
p.m., one being a northbound, one southbound from Memphis. Heavy snow
was falling with visibility about a half mile to one mile. Also have
included a few photos of the Brinkley Union Depot Museum in the
snow. (Photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
LITTLE ROCK STREETCAR IN SNOW FEB 10, 2006
- This is a webpage with a link to a LARGE (8 MB) digital sound MPEG
movie of one of the Little Rock streetcars in heavy snow running on
East Markham
Street (Clinton Avenue) through the River Market District on Friday,
February 10, 2006. This 640 pixel-wide movie is the same resolution as
a regular TV screen.
AMTRAK No. 21 TURNED TO BECOME No. 22
LITTLE ROCK IN DAYLIGHT FEB 16, 2006 - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY
16, 2006 - Amtrak's
southbound Texas Eagle, Number 21, was terminated at Little Rock in the
predawn hours, then turned to become the northbound Eagle Number 22,
scheduled to leave Little Rock at midnight. Apparently, UP had a
freight mishap in Texas. Passengers to Texas were bused from Little
Rock and later the passengers from Texas to Chicago were bused to
Little Rock to catch Number 22 at midnight. Shown is the train, which
sat at Union Station in Little Rock all day Thursday, Feb 16.
Photos by Ken Ziegenbein.
Of note, temperatures were in the lower 70s today, but by
the time the train left at midnight, it was down to 39 degrees. An ice
storm was also likely the coming weekend of February 18 and 19.
FEBRUARY 26, 2006 - At Union
Station in Little Rock. Sunday, February 26, 2006 at Union Station in
Little Rock, Arkansas. Locomotives today: CN 2421 *** UP 3338,
9519, 3772, 4526, 8385 *** CR 6574 *** CSX 7589, 271. All photos by Ken
Ziegenbein.
MARCH 4, 2006 - At Brinkley,
Arkansas. Included today: SF Warbonnet 517, Bluebonnet 6759 ***
UP 4100 *** CSX 8106 *** CN 5428 *** And an old Missouri Pacific
baggage or work car. Plus a February 25 shot of a green Ashley, Drew
& Northern boxcar. Photos by Ken Ziegenbein.
MARCH 26, 2006 - Sunday, March
26, 2006 at the Amtrak
station in Little Rock. Nice, sunny day. Locomotive power today: CSX
8824, UP 7034, SP 8312, UP 3237, UP 3996, NS 8900, UP 3000, MKT
red
gondola.
MARCH 27,
2006 - LITTLE ROCK & WESTERN LITTLE ROCK - Little Rock and
Western heading west on Monday, March 27, 2006 passing
Union Station in Little Rock with locomotives 7736 and 103.
NEW ULM, TEXAS APRIL 1, 2006 -
New Ulm, Texas, Saturday April 1,
2006. One train, trying out my new camera with ISO set to 3200 and
flash, just after sunset.
APRIL 8, 2006 - BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS
- Saturday, April 8, 2006 at Brinkley,
Arkansas, all taken by Ken Ziegenbein. Locomotives today: UP 4102,
4661, 4828, 5011 *** CN 5331 *** SP 8492 (GECX) *** HLCX 5993 *** CSX
7848 *** NS 9396, 2657 *** Conrail 7394.
APRIL 9, 2006 - Sunday, April 9,
2006 at Union Station in Little Rock. Included today are UP Heritage
1988, the KATY unit (1988 photos by Joe Roddy -all other photos by Ken
Ziegenbein). Also today: UP 4859, 4673, 3167,
7910, 1815 *** NS 8901, 2546 *** HLCX 3848 *** CN
2675 *** SP 9794 (didn't see any patches). Plus a faded
Rock Island hopper.
LITTLE
ROCK/NORTH LITTLE ROCK NEW STREETCAR APRIL 6, 2006 - Central
Arkansas
Transit (http://www.cat.org) received a new streetcar April 6, 2006
from Gomaco in Ida Grove, Iowa, the fourth in its roster. Here are some
photos of it (No. 411) arriving in North Little Rock, Arkansas via
special flatbed truck and in the trolley barn on April 6.
ENTIRE STREETCAR ROUTE AND NEW TRACK
CONSTRUCTION APRIL 9, 2006 - On Sunday, April 9, 2006, I
walked along the
route of the newly laid extension of the streetcar tracks all the way
to the Clinton Presidential Center and Park and Heifer International.
This will add 3/4 mile to the entire system and is supposed to open in
the Fall of this year (2006). Most of those new tracks are now in place
and I understand that they are waiting on a special crossover to
connect to the current system at Commerce and Second Streets. No
overhead wires are in place yet either. Plus I rode and photographed
the entire 2 1/2 mile loop, also on Sunday.
AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE NIGHT PHOTOS APRIL 18,
2006 - Monday night/Tuesday morning, April 17-18,
2006, at the Amtrak Station in Little Rock trying out my
high-sensitivity setting (ISO 3200) with and without flash as the Texas
Eagle No. 22 came in. Using such a high ISO reading means some
grain and noise in the photos, especially if you zoom in. However, I
enjoy the possibilities of this type of night photography. I'm using a
new Sony Cyber-Shot R1 DSLR.
NIGHT TRAIN
PHOTOS APRIL 22, 2006 - Experimenting with my Sony R1
digital camera's high-sensitivity settings, I went to Union Station in
Little Rock Saturday night, April 22, 2006 and took the following
photos. ISO was set to 3200 and the flash setting was brightened. Since
the sensitivity was set so high, some scenes are almost too bright and
of course, they are noisy and grainy, especially if you zoom in. Also,
the splotches on some photos apparently are common occurrences of night
flash shots taken with digital cameras of dark backgrounds. I also read
some sites that say they are actual 'orbs' or ghosts that the camera's
high sensitivity is seeing. If so, then the really bright 'orb'
in front of the SP locomotive must be the ghost of a very important
engineer of the past!! Anyway, they are probably just the result of
refraction in the lens (which is perfectly clean). Also, the splotches
don't show up in the same place twice.
APRIL 23, 2006 LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the Amtrak Union Station in Little Rock. Of
interest today was the scary site of an unknown person with a green
bucket walking down one of the two UP main lines in front of the
station. He put his bucket down and proceeded to sit on it in the
middle of the track. He was acting very erratic and wouldn't
listen to us telling him to move, so we called the UP Special Agent
(via the UP 888 emergency number - 1-888-UPRRCOP (877-7267). The
trespasser finally got up and walked down the track toward the Baring
Cross bridge. As he did so, a northbound train approached on the same
track, but fortunately had to stop for a red board. I told them
about the erratic movements of the individual, which could still be seen
down the track. At this time, the Special Agent showed up and drove
down to the Baring Cross bridge, and the trespasser moved off the track.
Also today: UP 4828, 5380,4665, upy 691, 1881, 4322, 5072,
6454, 7263, 3000 *** CSX 8590 *** CR 7358 *** CN 5259. Also freight
cars: North Western boxcar, Rock Island hopper, Wisconsin Central
container car, Southern Pacific boxcar looking like a fresh coat of
paint, Rio Grande hoppers, Atlantic and Western boxcar, 'Big Blue' CSX
boxcar, SSI boxcar, Larinburg and Southern boxcar, Family Lines hopper,
CRYO-Trains car, LambWeston car, large Seaboard System boxcar, Duluth,
Winnipeg & Pacific boxcar. (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
APRIL 29, 2006 - BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS
- Saturday, April 29, 2006 parade of
trains at Brinkley, Arkansas. It was a rainy, very windy day with wind
gusts over 40 mph at times at the nearby Stuttgart, Arkansas airport.
All photos were taken from inside the Central Delta Depot Museum's
(former Rock Island/Cotton Belt depot) old ticket office, where I
volunteer on some, but not all, Saturdays. These trains usually
go at track speed past the depot and by the time I hear them blowing
for the crossing, they're right on me, so I have to hurry to the
window.
Motive power today includes: UP 7552, 5536, 3255, 4700,
2961, 6790, 5364 *** Rio Grande 8599-patched *** SP 161-unpatched, I
think *** NS 2358 *** CSX 7792. Also, some John Deere tractors on a
flatcar. (All photos by Ken
Ziegenbein using a Sony
Cyber-Shot R1 digital camera, 10.3 megapixels).
APRIL 30, 2006
LITTLE ROCK - Sunday, April 30, 2006 at the station
in Little Rock plus at the
Little Rock National
Airport for a couple of airplane shots. Included today: UP 4391, 5202,
8135, 7263, 2838, 4572, 5016. Plus a pipe load and truck frames. Also a
shot of a C-130 and DC-3 at an air show I went to in the middle of my
train watching.
UP HERITAGE 1988 (KATY) NORTH LITTLE ROCK
MAY 3, 2006 - UP Heritage Locomotive No. 1988 (KATY)
at UP's North Little Rock, Arkansas yard (Ramp No. 2) Wednesday
morning, May 3, 2006. The number 3 traction motor was changed
(according to John C. Jones who took me to the site). It was
unclear
when it will be released for service. (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
UP YARDS NORTH LITTLE ROCK MAY 3, 2006
- U.P.'s extensive yards in North Little
Rock, Arkansas are off-limits to the general public, but John C. Jones
of the Arkansas Railroad Club has permission to photograph and be on
the property (his photos have been published in UP's newsletters and
fliers), so when he called me on May 3, 2006 telling me about the UP
Heritage KATY unit No. 1988 being in a great position to photograph in
the yard, I took him up on it. He then took me on a quick tour of the
yard area. Below are some photos I did during this excursion. (All photos below were taken by me, Ken
Ziegenbein)
MAY 14, 2006 LITTLE ROCK -
Couldn't make it to Union Station in
Little Rock this morning (Sunday, May 14, 2006) but did manage to get
there in the late afternoon and got a couple of trains. I also put in
two trains I photographed on Saturday, May 13, at Brinkley.
Included on both Saturday and Sunday: UP: 3865, 5495, 4118, 5296,
1865 *** GATX 7321 *** CSX 7373, 8542 *** MKT red gondola 16334 ***
gray IC boxcar with graffiti *** a line of new hoppers.
CN UNITS THROUGH BRINKLEY MAY 20, 2006
MAY 23, 2006 - UP 844 MARSHALL, TEXAS
- UP 844 steam locomotive arrived in Marshall, Texas at 12:59 p.m.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Here's a few photos. (You may download and
print pictures for personal use, but do not sell or place on another
website without asking me. Thanks.)
MILLER
LITE BEER 'TASTE EXPRESS' Marshall, TX MAY 23, 2006 - Miller
Lite's "Save The Taste" special cars were on the rear of Amtrak 22, the
Texas Eagle, at Marshall, Texas Tuesday night, May 23, 2006 at 10:20
p.m. I used my high-speed (3200 ISO) setting, so they are grainy.
MAY
23, 24, 25 2006 - UP 844 Marshall, TEXAS TO LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
-
On Tuesday, May 23, 2006, UP 844 arrived in Marshall, Texas and on
Wednesday, May 24, 2006, we followed the 844 from Marshall, Texas to
Little Rock, Arkansas. Here are some pictures and comments. (Ken
Ziegenbein photos - you may download or print any photo for personal
use but do not put on another website or sell without asking
permission. Thanks.)
UP 844 NORTH
LITTLE ROCK TO RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS MAY 26, 2006 - UP
844's day in Arkansas between North Little Rock and Russellville,
including its exit from the north portal of the Conway Tunnel. There is
also a large-format MPEG movie of the tunnel exit. All
photos by Ken Ziegenbein. You may download and
print pictures for personal use, but do not sell or place on another
website without asking me. Thanks.
UP 844
CROSSING TRESTLE WITH FISHING BOAT MAY 26, 2006 - I came
across this scene by accident as 844 traveled past Palarm Creek
off Highway 365 on its way from North Little Rock to Conway,
Arkansas on Friday, May 26, 2006. The time was 9:12 a.m. I caught a
fishing boat in that lily-pad covered lake and the short trestle and
knowing 844 was just behind me, I pulled off, took my light readings,
focused and the train zipped by. Couldn't have planned it better. (Ken
Ziegenbein photo) (You may download and
print pictures for personal use, but do not sell or place on another
website without asking me. Thanks..)
ROCKDALE
TEXAS DEPOT CELEBRATION JUNE 10, 2006 - On Friday, June 10,
2006, the city of
Rockdale, Texas celebrated the 100th anniversary of the IGN depot
there, along with school reunions. Below are some photos of the
event including the restored Rockdale depot inside and out, a caboose
and a former Missouri Pacific dining car with many fixtures and the
kitchen still as they were when the MoPac ceased running it in the
1960s. According to the newspaper article posted in the Rockdale
Reporter, this dining car was brought to Rockdale in June 2005 from the
Callahan Ranch near Laredo, Texas where it was used in the 1970s to fix
meals for truck drivers and deer hunters.
The dining car was delivered to the Missouri Pacific in
1946 and it ran mostly on the Colorado Eagle until 1966 when the train
was discontinued. However, it may have run on other MoPac trains back
then as well (maybe even the Valley Eagle, which I remember riding in
the early 1960s). The MoPac Buzzsaw is still visible on the side
with Number 230 under it. Some of the faded blue paint is also visible.
A number board on the left side reads either 36 or 86, I'm not sure. No
restoration work was done on this car as of this writing but they plan
to restore it to original condition.
On my way out of town on Hwy 79, I spotted an old freight
house now being used as a salon on Texas Street. Mr. Vester L.
Crocker of Crocker's Reclamation and Maintenance was there and showed
me some pictures (also on this webpage) of the depot and grounds in the
1800s when it was the S.A. & A.P. Railway (San Antonio & Arkansas Pass Railway),
which used to run from Rockdale northward.
There's also a couple of UP train shots on this site, one
passing the Rockdale depot. (All
photos by Ken Ziegenbein - if you use these anywhere else, let me know
by emailing me)
NEW ULM, TEXAS UP ROCK TRAINS JUNE 11, 2006
- Rock trains through New Ulm, Texas
June 11, 2006 plus a night train photo June 12 and a train through
Jacksonville, Texas June 13.
JUNE 18, 2006 LITTLE ROCK/BRINKLEY
- Saturday, June 17 at Brinkley,
Arkansas and Sunday, June 18, 2006 at Union Station in Little
Rock, Arkansas. Of special interest are two TFM locomotives (1411
and 1418) in tandem on one train and UP 1982 (MoPac Heritage) on the
head end of another train, both passing the Little Rock station on June
18. It was drizzly in Little Rock, but pouring rain at times in
Brinkley.
Locomotive today include: BNSF 6876, 2299, 2299 *** UP
4720, 1839, 5397, 1982, 3465, 6036, 4489, 5025 *** EMDX 6272 *** SP
6272 *** NS 9504 *** CSX 8328 ***TMF 1411, 1418.
JUNE 19, 2006
- John Reagon of Camden Arkansas sent me this photo of SP 7666
(lettered 'SOUTH PACIFIC') and said I could post it on Trainorders and
Railspot. Mr. Reagon took the photo June 19, 2006 in the UP Camden, AR
Yard. It's been on the Camden Local for two weeks, according to Mr.
Reagon. (Ken Ziegenbein)
UP 1982 BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS JUNE 21, 2006
- UP 1982 southbound passing Brinkley, Arkansas Wednesday, June 21,
2006 at 12:50 p.m cdt. Many thanks to Zach Pumphery of Missouri, who
emailed me that it had passed Malden, Missouri at 9 a.m. I then drove
to Brinkley to get it passing the Central Delta Depot Museum, former
Cotton Belt/Rock Island depot, that the UP donated to the city of
Brinkley in 2001. (Ken Ziegenbein photo-copyright June 2006 - do
not put on any other website without my permission)
FLOWERS-TRAINS-BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS JUNE 24,
2006
- Flowers and trains at Brinkley, Arkansas Saturday, June 24, 2006.
Some pictures were taken from inside looking out the windows of the old
Rock Island baggage room (now a conference center in the restored
depot). Locomotives today: BNSF 713 *** NS 9939, 8959, 6068 (Operation
Lifesaver) *** UP 4014, 5090, 3259 *** CEFX 3146 *** Wisconsin Central
6002 *** CN 6140 *** CSX 8052, 8357, 8030. Yellow UP locomotives - 3,
non-yellow leased, owned or trackage rights locomotives - 10 (at least
of those I photographed today).
JUNE 25, 2006 LITTLE ROCK -
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2006 at Union Station in Little Rock. It was raining
heavily about 11 a.m. when I got a crew change at the station. Included
today are a couple of shots of the station, one showing a train passing
through the arches, plus these locomotives: UP2304, 5384, 8923, 1889
*** GECALSTHOM 6065 *** BCRAIL car with wood *** Former SP 7905 ***
Conrail 8321 *** Faded MoPac buzzsaw on hopper 722473.
JULY 2, 2006 - July 2, 2006 at
Union Station in Little Rock, plus a couple of photos from Brinkley on
July 1. Included today: UP 1982 (MoPac Heritage), UP: 5358, 1865, 9622,
1982, 4217, 5067, 4613 *** BNSF 4333 *** NS 9854 *** SP 8777 *** TFM
1409, 1422 *** HLCX 6313 *** WP Hi-Cube boxcar 86073. HAPPY FOURTH!!!
Thought I'd put a few fireworks on the site.
JULY 9, 2006 - RARE SW1200 MOP SWITCHER
TAKEN BY JOHN C. JONES - The following photos were taken by
Arkansas Railroad Club member John C. Jones, who has permission to be
on UP property. It shows HA 1256, clearly a former Missouri Pacific
switcher. (Norm Metcalf said that Jones' picture of HA 1256, nee MP
1256 is an SW1200 which was sold to Tri-State Concrete,
Shreveport LA on 17 Jul 1985...per Don Strack's roster at
http://utahrails.net ) Randy Keller gives more details:
s/n: 31229 b/d: Feb66 o/n: 4492-4
MP SW1200 1256, retired Jun85.
Tri-States Concrete Co. (MP 1256), Shreveport, LA, acquired 17Jul85,
remained in full MP paint and lettering.
Gifford-Hill & Co. (MP 1256), Bossier City, LA, acquired Jan88,
remained in full MP paint and lettering.
Gifford-Hill & Co. (MP 1256), Delight, AR, transferred 1990,
remained in full MP paint and lettering. Plant closed Jan01.
Gifford-Hill was owned by Hanson, so the "HA" probably
stands for Hanson Aggregates. My notes for G-H Bossier City, LA
call it Cart
Yard, so it looks like it is heading "back home." (Randy Keller)
The photos were taken in North Little Rock, Arkansas on
July 7, 2006. It was scheduled to be in Pine Bluff July 9 and arrive in
Lufkin, Texas July 10 around 11:48 a.m. on MPBSR. Final destination
Cart, Louisiana on July 13. It originated in Boughton, Arkansas July 5.
All photos by John C. Jones, who gave me permission to put on this site.
JULY 8-16, 2006 - Photos from
July 8, 9, 15 and 16, 2006 of various trains in Brinkley and Little
Rock, Arkansas. Of special interest is unpatched SP 9755, MMA (Montreal
Maine & Atlantic) boxcar and a Montana Rail Link boxcar. Included
are photos of: UP: 9557, 4898, UPY 1431 (former SP?), 1855, 6724, 5972,
3341, 1930, 4512, 6836, 8238, 4604, 5969, 6746, 5547, 9389, 1825, 1851,
6605, 9494, 3762 **** GCFX 3054 **** HLCX 6086 **** LLPX GP40-2 DEMO
4405 **** CN 6110 **** CONRAIL 6734 **** CSX 4734, 8094 **** N&W
OPERATION LIFESAVER 6707 **** NS 8863, 9023 **** SP UNPATCHED 9755,
6359, 6410, 2665 **** BNSF 5336.
ROLLING STOCK: D&H gondola?, long string of new STOX hoppers
passing Brinkley July 15, GOLDEN WEST SERVICE boxcars, hoppers
and gondolas, CP gondola, MoPac Buzzsaw boxcars, Montana Rail Link
boxcar, Rock Island hoppers, MMA boxcar (Montreal Maine &
Atlantic). Also a photo of a lone stalk of corn growing along UP's main
line at Union Station in Little Rock. (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
NEW STREETCAR NO. 412 ARRIVES LITTLE ROCK
JULY 18, 2006 - Central Arkansas Transit's fifth
streetcar was delivered Tuesday, July 18, 2006 to the carbarn at 7th
and Main in North Little Rock. It came from Gomaco in Ida Grove,
Iowa. After they delivered the 412, Number 410 was taken to the
bus barn for storage until it's needed later in 2006 once the line to
the Clinton Library and Heifer International is ready. They don't have
enough closed space at the streetcar barn for 5 streetcars.
These are all rather large photos, reduced to either 700 or 1000 pixels
wide, so it might take a little while to view, especially if you have
dialup (my original photos are 3,888
pixels wide - 10.3 megapixels). Although I usually create two
webpages per subject, one with thumbnail images that you can click on
to enlarge and the other for broadband users that show all photos in a
larger format (like this one), having 66 photos would have taken me too
long to do both. Some of the pictures are for archive purposes, such as
showing the
streetcar being rolled off the truck-trailer to the tracks step by
step. As a result, there are 66 photos. (All photos taken by Ken Ziegenbein)
JULY 30, 2006 - A few shots
(only 7) taken at the
Amtrak station in Little Rock Sunday, July 30, 2006. Of special
interest: Rare KATY red emblem on an old gondola. I haven't seen any of
these in person for at least 15 years although I knew they are
scattered about. Also a bright yellow UP locomotive with "We Will
Deliver" on the side. It looks almost freshly painted. Specifics:
UP4683, 8135, 1855, 3282 and 3401 ('We will deliver' lettering).
Gondola BKTY 121496 with the KATY Emblem. A slow day.
AUGUST 5,
2006 - Saturday, August 5, 2006 at the
Brinkley Depot Museum in Brinkley, Arkansas. Trains today included: CSX
8435, 8761 *** BNSF 4736, 5940, 5824, 8862 *** UP 4312, 5109, 1889,
1836, 3098 *** CN 6103 *** SP 8310 *** CEFX 2789.
10-HOUR
LATE AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE NO. 22 AUGUST 12, 2006 - Amtrak's
Texas Eagle (No. 22) was 10 hours late into Little Rock Saturday,
August 12, 2006. It was supposed to arrive at midnight the night
before, but didn't get to Little Rock until 9:47 a.m.. There was still
a good crowd of people getting on. No. 22 is the northbound Eagle from
San Antonio-Austin-Dallas heading to Chicago. I think this was one of
the days the Eagle connected with the Sunset Limited in San Antonio, so
the last two cars were from Los Angeles. Here is the consist I got from
zooming in to my photos, so some numbers may not be correct: Locomotive
74, Transition Sleeper 39039, Diner(?) 38066(?), Lounge 33003, Coach
31041, Coach (can't read number), Coach 340??, Sleeper 32005.
I've also included some photos of Union Station in Little
Rock, the renovated former Missouri Pacific station. It now rents out
to various businesses and I understand most of the offices are
occupied. The Amtrak waiting room is at track level. Also Saturday
afternoon, Amtrak Sleeper 32040 was on a freight train passing Union
Station, being carried to shops for fixing up after it sideswiped a
freight outside Dallas a few days ago.
AUGUST 12, 2006 - Saturday,
August 12, 2006 at Union Station in Little Rock. Of interest today: UP
Track Inspection Vehicle EC-4 *** UP 2198, 1889, 9231, 3753,9489, 9363,
8404, 8105 *** LTEX 3905 *** CSX 8482 *** HLCX 6075 *** TFM 1407 ***
GECX 2868 *** MP Scale Monitor Car *** Chessie Cat hopper *** NdeM
boxcar *** Rock Island blue hopper.
UP
HERITAGE UNITS 1982, 1988 ON SAME TRAIN AUGUST 15, 2006 - UP
Heritage Locomotive 1982 (MoPac), UP 2241 and Heritage Locomotive
1988 (Katy) were leading a train into North Little Rock, Arkansas at
3:20 p.m. August 15, 1006. These scenes were taken from Railroad Avenue
(Levy Section) of North Little Rock at the Pershing Street
overpass. Unfortunately, the front hatch of the lead 1982 was
half open. Apparently, the train went into emergency at Marche,
Arkansas (about a half hour from North Little Rock) delaying the train
until mid afternoon. It had passed Conway, Arkansas (30 miles
north) shortly after 11 in the morning (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS AUGUST 19, 2006
- Tuesday, August 15 in North Little Rock, Arkansas and Saturday,
August 19, 2006 in Brinkley, Arkansas. Interesting locomotive through
Brinkley August 19 was a CN grey unit with yellow nose stripes,
lettered G.T.W. below the cab (No. 5942). Also included are the
following locomotives: UP 6508, 6746, 9530, 1538, 5038, 9475, 5439,
2893 *** HLCX 8138 *** SP 6313 *** NS 9839, 9529 *** CSX 7396, 8070 ***
CR 7310, 7303. Plus a D&H hopper and a Wisconsin Central boxcar.
(Photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
AUGUST 20, 2006 LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, August 20, 2006 (one week ago from the time I put this online)
at Union Station in Little Rock. I didn't put in all the trains I
photographed, just the more interesting ones. Today's trains:
HLCX 6148 *** GECX(SP) 8678 *** SP Unpatched 8576 *** UP 3788, 9231 ***
NS 6676 *** BNSF 4730 *** EMD 9042 *** Golden West Hi-Cube boxcar,
regular boxcar, hopper *** SP long Hy-Cube Cushion-Car 615528 *** Solid
long train of nearly new BNSF hoppers. (Photos by Ken Ziegenbein
Aug 20)
LASTA SOUTHERN PACIFIC STEAM ENGINE 745 IN
PAGE, OKLAHOMA AUGUST 30, 2006 BY ZACK HILTON - LASTA SP 745
at Page, Oklahoma, August 30, 2006. Photos by Zack Hilton - used on
this webpage with permission. (Webpage by: Ken Ziegenbein)
SEPTEMBER 10, 2006 IN LITTLE ROCK
- Sunday, September 10, 2006 at the Amtrak station (Union Station) in
Little Rock, Arkansas. Might as well have been in the Carolinas since
Norfolk Southern was the locomotive of choice today. Not too many
trains. Included today: NS 9035, 6648, 9199, 8818 *** CEFX 3164 ***
Rolling stock: Berlin (?) Mills box, A&NR box, Rock Island box,
Golden West boxcars, including one a rusty brown *** View of the Baring
Cross UP Bridge from the west across the Arkansas River, taken from our
new Arkansas Railroad Club monthly meeting site, Curtis Stout off
Cantrell Road.
BUSH UNIT
4141 ON RARE TRIP THROUGH ARKANSAS SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 - UP
4141, the Bush Presidential Library locomotive, made an appearance in
North Little Rock, Arkansas Friday, September 22, 2006 in the UP yards.
I understand it was on its way to Kansas City, heading a mixed freight,
to be displayed there along with Heritage Locomotives 1988 (Katy), 1982
(Missouri Pacific) and UP Steam Locomotive 844.
Special thanks to those who gave me a 'heads up' about
this locomotive's move. Thanks also to UP/Arkansas Railroad Club
photographer John C. Jones for getting me into the busy UP yards in
North Little Rock. (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
SEPTEMBER 24, 2006 LITTLE ROCK -
Thursday, September 21, Saturday, September 22, and Sunday, September
24, 2006 at Union Station in Little Rock. Of special interest: two SP
tank cars, a pure KCS-powered train on Sunday, two BNSF trains on
Sunday, two trains using the Amtrak siding on Saturday (up close and
personal). Saturday started out hot and humid - 82 degrees at 9 a.m. -
and ended cooler and drier after a line of strong thunderstorms moved
through. Sunday was cool and breezy with a deep blue sky. There are 20
photos in all.
Included photos: SP tank cars 67312 and 67321 (with faded
SP colors) *** CNW 40-year old hopper PS-2 4427 No. 96185 *** UP 2855,
1836, 3680, 4925, 5112, 9409 *** KCS ACe 4029, SD40-2 662 ***BNSF 9734,
4482 *** Santa Fe lettering 8716, 6955 *** Conrail 8395 *** NS 9529 ***
CSX 664. (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
TEMPLE TEXAS HERITAGE DEPOT MUSEUM OCTOBER
15, 2006 - I had the opportunity to tour the Railroad &
Heritage Museum in Temple, Texas on Sunday afternoon, October 15, 2006.
They had a telegraph demonstration that was excellent and showed us
their extensive archive collections, some from the Santa Fe Historical
and Modeling Society. Thanks to Jeremy Krauss for inviting me to
come and to Museum Curator Mary Irving. The website for the
museum is: http://www.rrhm.org/
AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE TRIP OCT 12 AND 16, 2006
- On October 12, 2006, I took a trip on Amtrak's Texas Eagle No.
21 from Little Rock, Arkansas to Temple, Texas, returning Temple to
Little Rock on Monday, October 16 on Amtrak No. 22. Here are a few
photos from that trip, including a spectacular sunrise from the train
while between Prescott, Arkansas and Texarkana, Arkansas/Texas on
October 12. I also got a great shot of the Dallas skyline reflected
from the glass of the Reunion Tower Hilton from my coach seat on
October 16. Also a shot of LLPX No. 2272 at Texarkana on October 12 - a
blue and white locomotive looking a lot like the old Rock Island paint
scheme.
The train left Little Rock about an hour late at 5:20 a.m.
October 12. There was a lady traveling the country on Amtrak from Great
Britain who boarded at Little Rock. On the return trip, a man from
Australia got off in Little Rock who was also traveling the country via
Amtrak. He was eventually headed to Canada.
Also on the return trip, a grandmother got on in Temple on
her first train trip in years, going to Malvern, Arkansas to visit
grandkids. She was calling her children from a cell phone from the
coach seat and was saying that she was loving the trip and they all
talked about taking the grandkids on an Amtrak trip in the next few
months to visit her in Temple. Her family here in Arkansas was supposed
to meet her at the Malvern station and she kept calling them and they
said they'd be there. However, as I looked out the train window when
the train finally arrived at Malvern at 1 a.m. October 17, I couldn't
see anyone there to meet her, although I assume they were out of view.
The Malvern station isn't that easy to find for first time visitors. I
was worried about her being there alone that time of night - Malvern is
an unmanned station with waiting provided in an area on the west side
of the depot. I hope she made it ok.
All these photos by Ken Ziegenbein.
OCTOBER 21 AND 22, 2006 BRINKLEY AND LITTLE
ROCK - Here a just a few shots I took in Brinkley, Arkansas
on Saturday, October 21 and one photo from Little Rock on October 22,
2006. Included are: UP 4778, 4640, UPY 928 *** Conrail 7493 ***
Wisconsin Central 7638 in perfect lighting. *** FURX 3013l *** Flag
decals on a tank car.
NEW STREETCAR TRACKS LITTLE ROCK OCTOBER
26, 2006 - On October 26, 2006, the final tracks were laid
for the Central Arkansas Transit's streetcar line out to the Clinton
Presidential Center and the Heifer International Center in Little Rock.
This will add about three-quarter mile to the already existing two mile
system and is expected to increase ridership significantly when it
opens. Opening day is supposed to be the first part of January
2007. I've heard that ridership on the 2 streetcars running at
any one time (out of a total of 5 streetcars that C.A.T. owns-
Nos. 408, 409, 410, 411 and 412) have carried just over 290,000
passengers since the system opened in the Fall of 2004. (Photos taken
by Ken Ziegenbein)
OCTOBER 29, 2006 AT LITTLE ROCK
- Sunday, October 29, 2006 at Union Station in Little Rock. Sunny day.
Included today: UP 4868, 4570, 1539, 3390 *** NS 8940 *** long
string of new tank cars *** Golden West boxcars *** CSX boxcars.
SIGNAL AT UNION STATION LITTLE ROCK
NOVEMBER 7, 2006 - Here's some closeups/measurements of a
signal on the Amtrak siding at Little Rock, Arkansas' Union Station. It
was requested that I do so. These were taken November 7, 2006 by Ken
Ziegenbein.
1974 ARKANSAS RAILROAD PHOTOS - MAINLY
ABANDONED ROADBEDS, DEPOTS - Here is a collection of photos
I took, mainly in 1974, of Arkansas railroad rights-of-way, some still
containing track, some showing only the roadbeds (only one or two
rolling stock). There were a few still in use, but these photos
just show the track and any stations that were around then (32 years
ago when this site was put online in November of 2006). These photo
trips were inspired by Gene Hull's book "Shortline Railroads of
Arkansas," first edition, printed in 1969.
I've created a separate web page of each line for quicker
viewing. One thing to keep in mind....back in 1974, a standard way of
printing was to use a matte photo paper, and that's how all these were
printed (I don't know where the negatives are). As a result, you'll see
some lines in each photo of the matted surface of the photo paper.
There are 25 current and long-gone railroads listed. All photos taken
by Ken Ziegenbein. This webpage Copyright Ken Ziegenbein.
NEW ULM, TEXAS KATY DEPOT 1955 AND 1960
- Here are two photos I found in a shoebox I took of the Katy depot in
New Ulm, Texas - one taken from across the field in August 1955 and the
other showing lots of freight cars on a siding taken in January
1960. Photos by Ken Ziegenbein.
Taken August 1955 by my Kodak Brownie camera. Scene is
taken from the street that ran in front of the New Ulm, Texas bank,
looking to the south-southeast. The main line ran on the other side of
the depot with the signal, but there was a long siding on the near side
of the depot (see next photo) as well. There were also 3 siding tracks
on the other side of the main line (which are still there, but the
siding on the near side has long been taken up). The depot was manned
at the time, at least in the daytime, since the owner of a bar to my
left (owned by the sheriff in the area, who's name was Elo Zeiner I
believe) would leave the bar and drive his patrol car there to meet the
passenger train and pick up the US Mail. He did this every day.
In my May 1, 1950 Katy Timetable, it shows the Bluebonnet
arriving at 4:53 p.m. headed for Houston and the west/north bound
Bluebonnet arriving at 10:41 a.m. each day. I don't know if these
schedules changed by 1955 or not. (See timetable for this line below)
The track was in pretty good shape when this shot was
taken in 1955, but deteriorated rapidly by the 1960s. Union Pacific now
owns the line and had their large work crew (buses of workers) do major
work on the main line AND the sidings in 2003 or 2004. It is now
(November 2006) in the best shape I ever remember it being with rock
trains speeding through town I'd estimate at 45 or 50 mph or a little
more (I know I can't beat a train to nearby Cat Springs or even Sealy).
The depot is still partially in existence today, I
understand - it's part of a larger house and you can't really see any
depot shape in it anymore, but one room of the house used to be part of
the depot. It's several miles out in the country. I haven't viewed it
there for years, so maybe things have changed.
NOVEMBER 24, 2006 - PLUS 1996 PHOTOS OF UP
OLYMPIC LOCO 1996 - Here are a few photos taken in Little
Rock, Arkansas, the first one I took in 1996 of the Olympic UP 1996,
painted green for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Others were taken in
in November, 2006. Included are: UP 1996 Olympic Unit *** CSX 289 ***
UP 9509, 5221, 3309 *** CEFX 3166 *** Rio Grande patched 8612 *** NS
2777.
NOVEMBER 26, 2006 LITTLE ROCK -
Some train scenes in Little Rock on November 26, 2006, plus a Little
Rock trolley shot and abandoned Rock Island instrument/tool shelter
near Hazen, Arkansas. The Little Rock streetcars have carried about
290,000 passengers since it opened the 2.5 mile line in November of
2004. Included today: UP 3863, 9423, 4887 *** SP 8777, 2724, 8678
*** CSX 8485 *** NS 9093 *** Santa Fe 6352 *** Rolling Stock: Cedar
Rapids and Iowa City Railway hopper *** 'I Love NY' boxcar *** SP
Hy-Cube boxcar *** NdeM boxcar *** Rio Grande hopper *** Deer antlers
graffiti on a flatcar *** DME boxcar *** DME hopper.
BRINKLEY DECEMBER 2, 2006 -
Saturday, December 2, 2006 in Brinkley, Arkansas - a cold day with
temperatures in the upper 30s and snow on some freight cars. Included
today: Brilliant sunrise over a swamp and lake on my way to the
Brinkley depot *** UP 3434 with a very loud horn *** NS 8923 ***
Conrail 8332 *** UP 4340 *** UP 4308 *** UP 8430 *** snow on black tank
car and flat cars *** sky filled with geese over the depot.
DECEMBER 9, 10, 2006 LITTLE ROCK
- A few photos of trains passing Union Station in Little Rock, Saturday,
December 9 and Sunday, December 10, 2006. Of special interest was long
string of Canadian grain hoppers on one train. Included today: UP 1851,
9393, 6887, 9531, 9252 *** CEFX 7097 *** NS 9667 *** HLCX 3827 *** LLPX
2203 *** Wisconsin Central Boxcar, GT blue HyCubes, CNW hoppers, Cotton
Belt hopper, lots of Canada-related hoppers on one train (I counted 45
in my photographs). Later in the afternoon, I got a glistening sun
reflection from rails.
UP SPECIAL LITTLE ROCK DECEMBER 18, 2006
- On December 18, 2006, Union Pacific ran a special 13-car passenger
train from Fort Worth, Texas to North Little Rock, Arkansas. UP head
Dick Davidson was on board along with other dignitaries. The special
was being operated along various UP routes across the country and I
heard it was a 'last tour' by Davidson. It was a dark, cloudy day and I
had some trouble focusing as the train passed Union Station in Little
Rock at 4:38 p.m., but got better pictures later after it parked at
Jenks in North Little Rock. It had left Fort Worth about 9 that
morning, taking 7 hours and 38 minutes to make the run. Thanks to John
C. Jones for his help in pointing out photo opportunities.
Consist of the special: UP 1982 (Heritage Missouri
Pacific) - UP 1988 (Heritage Katy) - UP 208 (power car?) - Car
"Cabarton" - UP 200 "Omaha" - UP 1602 "Green River" - UP 101
"Lone Star" - UP 5779 "Promontory" - UPP 207 - UP 106 "Shoshone" - UP
201 "Wyoming" - UP 1605 " Powder River" - UP 9004 "Harriman" - UP 302
"Overland" - UP 420 "Fox River." (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
DECEMBER 23, 2006 MOSTLY AT BRINKLEY,
ARKANSAS - For some Christmas fun, most of these pictures
will have some fun things added to them electronically. See if you can
find all of the special effects, not directly related to the trains. Of
interest today, Christmas decorated Hazen and Brinkley, Arkansas
depots, locomotives: UP 9474, 9733, 9531, 4859, 8441 *** CSX 8500
*** HLCX 8153 *** IC 3140 *** CEFS 7097.
READER
RAILROAD PHOTOS - These scenes from the Reader Railroad at Reader,
Arkansas were taken December 16 and December 26, 2006 by John Reagon,
who gave me (Ken Ziegenbein) permission to put them on this website.
The only thing I did was lighten up a few shadows. Mr. Reagon's email
address is: john_reagon@hotmail.com
A movie company is using some Reader Railroad rolling
stock for a movie being filmed in New Mexico called "3:10 to Yuma," a
remake of the famous western. John Reagon said in an email: "Entering
Reader (December 26), I noticed they had already put a boxcar on a
Tractor Trailer Flatbed, The Coaches are painted in Yellow and Black
and have "Southern Pacific" on them. The Steam Locomotive was still in
the roundhouse, but under fire building pressure (this was at 10:30
A.M.) They are going run it down the tracks to the old turntable, turn
it around and run thru Reader (Old Town Reader) to a "new" siding where
they can load it onto a Trailer. The Movie is called "3:10 to Yuma" (a
Western Remake) "
DECEMBER
31, 2006 LITTLE ROCK - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2006 at Union
Station in Little Rock. It was alternating sunny and cloudy, but
mild with temperature about 50. I spotted a small Fall-colored shrub
trackside, even at this late date. Seen today: UP 4850, 9427,6674,
9885, 9402, 9491, 3130, 4303 *** HLCX 5989 *** CSX 4763 *** GECX (SP)
856 *** CN 5334 *** YARR gondola 128 *** New shiny UP autorack.
*
* * * * * * * * *
2007
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2007
- Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Brinkley, Arkansas taken from the
Central Delta Depot Museum (former Cotton Belt/Rock Island union
depot). Of interest today: A long rock/rip-rap train with ballast cars
at the end. Also, locomotives: UP(SP) 2745, UP 9788, 9470, 4170, 4766,
4953, 2722 *** NS 8946 *** TFM 2623 *** CSX 8838, 8824 *** Conrail 8439
*** Old Rock Island boxcar *** GNRR (Southern) ribbed-sided boxcar
30063.
HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVES 1988-1982 AT NIGHT IN
LITTLE ROCK JANUARY 7, 2007 - Just after midnight Saturday
night, January 6, 2007 (12:12 a.m. January 7), I caught UP Heritage
1988 (leading) and 1982 passing Union Station in Little Rock. This
Chicago-bound train waited around the curve south of Union Station
until Amtrak's Texas Eagle, No. 22, left the station around midnight. I
used my high-intensity flash with ISO of 3200, so enlarging the photos
will show grain. It started to rain right after the 1988 left.
(Ken Ziegenbein photo)
AMTRAK'S TEXAS EAGLE MIDNIGHT JANUARY 6,
2007 LITTLE ROCK - Amtrak's Texas Eagle northbound, No. 22,
arriving in Little Rock Saturday night, January 6, 2007.
FIRST POWERED RUN OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
STREETCAR ON CLINTON LIBRARY EXTENSION - January 18, 2007.
First powered streetcar (No. 411) using the .9 mile track extension to
the Clinton Library and Heifer International, Thursday January 18,
2007. All these photos were taken by John C. Jones (johnphotonut@aristotle.net).
Website put online by Ken Ziegenbein (to contact me,
ken@trainweather.com)
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS JANUARY 21, 2007
- A dark cold day at Little Rock, Arkansas' Union Station. Only 6
photos today: UP 7123, 7092 *** NS 9441 *** Rock Island (CNW) hoppers,
plus hundreds of pigeons.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS FEBRUARY 4 AND
EARLIER, 2007 - Sunday, February 4, 2007 and a couple of
shots on previous days at Little Rock, Arkansas. A couple of
these photos will have a thing or two added to the photo by Paint Shop
Pro, but I'll be sure to let you know by putting PSP in the caption.
None of these enhancements will change the colors or look of the
locomotives (except the last two), but keep an eye on the side of the
tracks. The last two photos are just color enhanced scenes and
trains, sort of surreal looking. Photos on this page will only be in
the larger format (most around 100 kb each in size or less). I won't
use the thumbnail 'click to enlarge' images unless I have 20 or more
photos. There are less than 20 in this webpage.
Locomotives and cars today include: UP 9504, 3252, 5968,
4358 *** HLCX 9006 *** CEFX 3117 *** Fallen Flag freightcars: CNW
yellow, CNW green hoppers *** BN faded greed hopper *** a green Golden
West boxcar (this was a faded blue that was partially repainted in
bright green) *** SP Hi-cube *** UP Hi-cube with old UP map and logo,
faded *** Maryland & Pennsylvania boxcar *** Southwest Airline jet
overhead on way to Dallas *** Amtrak Texas Eagle No. 22 at the Little
Rock station January 29 with a large crowd getting on *** A couple of
color-enhanced photos of UP 6052, the DPU of an empty coal train,
January 26.
WHITE & BLACK RAILROAD HISTORY/PHOTOS
FEBRUARY 9, 2007 - On Saturday, February 9, 2007, I drove on
Arkansas Highway 17 northbound between Cotton Plant to near Newport to
try and find the long-abandoned right of way of the Batesville &
Brinkley Railroad, which became the White & Black River Valley
Railroad (which was leased to Rock Island in 1900). This little-known
line was chartered in 1881 and taken up in 1941. Gene Hull, author of
the book "Shortline Railroads of Arkansas," wrote the history of this
line, which is printed below along with the photos I did on February 9.
Special thanks to Bill D Jones and Francis Jones for helping me find
some of the old roadbed and where some depots and structures were
located. I could never have found these locations myself. Believe it or
not, there is still an old depot standing on this line in the town of
Weldon, but I think it's days are numbered after seeing it up close.(All the photo and captions are by myself,
Ken Ziegenbein - Gene Hull wrote the story and history)
FIRST
CENTRAL ARKANSAS STREETCAR REVENUE RUN TO CLINTON LIBRARY FEBRUARY 14,
2007
DEDICATION
OF CLINTON LIBRARY/HEIFER INTERNATIONAL TROLLEY STOP
FEBRUARY 16, 2007
UP
1982 AND 1988 HEADING CHICAGO-HOUSTON ZYCHO, BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS FEB 17,
2007
FEBRUARY
17, 2007 - BRINKLEY, AR -
Here are a few photos taken Saturday, February 17, 2007 at the Brinkley
Depot Museum in Brinkley, Arkansas. For several hours (9 a.m. to 11:28
a.m.) I could see trains in the distance waiting to move. I assume
there was trackwork somewhere south of Brinkley. The trains started
coming every 10 minutes or so after 11:28. Included today: NS 9885,
2528, 2548 *** UP 9240, 4949, 1982, 1988 (last two Heritage units).
Also, Santa Fe 908 in Warbonnet colors. I could not see any BNSF
markings on this locomotive. Am I missing something? (Photos by Ken
Ziegenbein)
FEBRUARY 26, 2007 - ARKANSAS MIDLAND NORTH
LITTLE ROCK - I finally saw an Arkansas Midland train on the
former Cotton Belt line along Arkansas Avenue in North Little Rock,
Arkansas, February 26, 2007. Here are some photos. (All
photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
UP REEFERS STORED BY ARKANSAS MIDLAND -
NORTH LITTLE ROCK FEB 26, 2007 - Dozens of Union Pacific
white reefers on the Arkansas Midland track along Highway 165 in North
Little Rock, Arkansas on February 26, 2007. These are being stored for
UP. The line is the former Cotton Belt line that ran from North Little
Rock southward through England, Arkansas and on to Altheimer, Arkansas
with a connection with the main Blue Streak line of the Cotton Belt.
The line was taken up about 1990 and these reefers are stored right up
to the end of track.
It's amazingly hard to count white reefers since they
blend into each other, plus the line runs under Interstate 440 so I had
to keep one eye on the road. When I drove south on Highway 165 I
counted 85 reefers. On the way back I counted only 76, so let's say
about 80 are stored. (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
MARCH 3, 2007 AT LITTLE ROCK -
Saturday, March 3, 2007 at Little
Rock, Arkansas' Union Station. Included today: Little Rock &
Western 101 and 7736 *** UP 8323, 7326, 6776, 7218, 8050, 7334, 4343,
6493, 4101 *** D&RGW Hopper 15546. (Photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
TRAINS IN BRINKLEY AND LITTLE ROCK MARCH 23
& 24, 2007 - TROLLEY AND CARS - Saturday, March 24, 2007
at Brinkley,
Arkansas and a twilight shot at Union Station in Little Rock. Also an
example of the River Rail Trolley in automobile traffic in the River
Market in Little Rock earlier in March. Included today: UP 9625, 2830,
9532, 7003 *** CR 8440 *** NS 2609 *** GCFX 3101 *** CSX 8507. (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
MARCH 25, 2007 - LITTLE ROCK UNION STATION
- Here's some photos taken Sunday,
March 25, 2007 at Union Station in Little Rock. Of interest today is
another freight that used the Amtrak siding to get around another
freight. This always means the heavy freight gets sort of 'up close and
personal' to us railfans standing on the Amtrak platform, although we
back up a little. It almost makes me want to grab onto a freight car
and become a hobo!
Locomotives and rolling stock today includes: A great
painting of a fish on a car *** Clean C&NW Logo *** Rock Island
blue hopper *** UP 9404, 6881, 6497, 4463, 9519 *** FURX 8114 *** NS
8317 *** Faded Santa Fe Hi-Cube.
NEW KCS
HERITAGE HOPPERS IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK MARCH 29, 2007 -
Newly built and painted KCS Heritage-painted hoppers at the UP
yard in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Thursday March 29, 2007 about
10:30 a.m. They were on their way to East St Louis, Illinois. They were
built at the ARI rail plant in Paragould, Arkansas. I also added CN
8011, GMTX 2685 and SP-GECX 8312. (Ken Ziegenbein photos).
(Thanks to John C. Jones for letting me know they were in town).
APRIL 1, 2007 - UNION STATION LITTLE ROCK
- Sunday, April 1, 2007 at Little Rock,
Arkansas, Union Station. Bright, blue skies and a good number of
trains. Included today: UP 8613, 9538, 3786, 8632 (DGRW), 1930,
1337, 6634, 331 *** NS 8862, 9273, 2119, 9263 *** SP 9755 *** LLPX 4405
SD40-2 lettering *** MKT red gondola *** SP black&white emblem on
gondola SP 36540 *** NORX
emblem *** Gondolas with NS lettered black covers *** Cryo-Trans
"Doraville" CRYX 5225 and "Allegheny Mountains." (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
STREETCAR/UP SWITCHING MOVE IN SAME SHOT
APRIL 4, 2007 - Relatively rare photos of both a UP
switching move and a Central Arkansas Transit River Rail Streetcar (in
the same photo) at Little Rock at the Clinton Library streetcar stop.
The date was Wednesday, April 4, 2007, about 3:30 p.m. The UP move was
shoving a loaded Canadian Pacific boxcar full of newsprint to the
printing facilities of the Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette, which is located next to the trolley stop. The
UP locomotive was UPY 1337, the boxcar was Canadian Pacific No. 220592.
(Ken Ziegenbein photos)
UP 4141 IN PINE BLUFF, AR, APRIL 4, 2007
- Anthony Holmes took these photos of UP 4141 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
on April 4, 2007 using his cell phone camera.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS APRIL 4, 2007
- A near-record cold spell was gripping
much of the country from Texas to the East Coast this day (Saturday, April 7, 2007 - the day before
Easter), including Arkansas. Low temperatures Saturday morning
were in the teens in north Arkansas up to the lower and mid 30s over
the rest of the state. In Brinkley, there was a thin sheet of ice over
water in ditches when I got to the Brinkley Depot Museum at 8:30 a.m.
It was up to 40-45 degrees when I took some of these pictures, and wind
was gusting from the north as high as 30 mph.
Included today: UP 9506, 9519, 9515, 6582 *** HLCX 5995
*** CSX 9039 *** 'I Love NY' boxcar with 'I Love NY' graffiti ***
Chessie Cat
EASTER
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 8, 2007 NORTH SIDE OF UNION STATION LITTLE ROCK
- Easter Sunday afternoon 2007 on the
north side of the track at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Just
a couple of trains, plus a shot of the Arkansas Queen Riverboat on an
Easter cruise on the Arkansas River. Of interest today: UP 8331, 2432,
9400, 7894 *** TFM 2617 *** Milwaukee Road gondola #92814 *** Wisconsin
Central gondola #62127. (Ken Ziegenbein)
BRINKLEY, AR APRIL 7, 2007 - A
near-record cold spell was gripping
much of the country from Texas to the East Coast this day (Saturday, April 7, 2007 - the day before
Easter), including Arkansas. Low temperatures Saturday morning
were in the teens in north Arkansas up to the lower and mid 30s over
the rest of the state. In Brinkley, there was a thin sheet of ice over
water in ditches when I got to the Brinkley Depot Museum at 8:30 a.m.
It was up to 40-45 degrees when I took some of these pictures, and wind
was gusting from the north as high as 30 mph.
Included today: UP 9506, 9519, 9515, 6582 *** HLCX 5995
*** CSX 9039 *** 'I Love NY' boxcar with 'I Love NY' graffiti ***
Chessie Cat
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF RR PASSENGERS MEETING
IN GALVESTON, TX APRIL,21, 2007 - Here are a few photos I
made at the Texas Association of Railroad
Passenger meeting in Galveston, Texas, held on April 21, 2007.
(Ken Ziegenbein)
GALVESTON, TEXAS RAILROAD MUSEUM APRIL 21,
2007 - Saturday, April 21, 2007 at the
Galveston Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas. All photos on this site
taken by Ken Ziegenbein.
APRIL 28, 2007 - BRINKLEY, AR -
Saturday, April 28, 2007 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Included today: CSX
7515, UP 5211, BNSF 4481, UP 9501, CEFX 2793 with red/white front
stripes, CN 5540, BNSF 8104, Santa Fe 6(?)99, BNSF green 6825, BNSF
2835, BNSF green 1495, Cute little BNSF Coil Car. (All photos by Ken
Ziegenbein)
APRIL 29, 2007 - LITTLE ROCK AND BRINKLEY
- Sunday, April 29, 2007 at Little Rock AND Brinkley, Arkansas.
Included today: UP 9379, Pan Am boxcar. CN blue hi-cubes. UP
9733, CNW yellow hoppers, CEFX 3170, UPY 1337, 1389, patched SP,
CN 2691, CN 5633. (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
BRINKLEY, AR - KATV'S 'DAYBREAK' LIVE FROM
THE DEPOT 5-7 A.M. APRIL 30, 2007 - On Monday morning, April
30, 2007, pre-dawn, KATV-TV, the Little Rock ABC affiliate, hosted it's
"Daybreak" program at the Central Delta Depot Museum, in Brinkley,
Arkansas. The show ran live from 5 to 7 a.m. with occasional cut-ins
from the museum, hosted by Kristi Fisher.
I arrived at the depot shortly before 4 a.m. and museum
director Bill Sayger was already there. The set-up, camera person from
KATV arrived about 4:15, and the van with the rest of Channel 7's crew
arrived at 4:45 a.m. Following are photos of the event and some of the
many local people who showed up. There were also a few trains that
passed during the broadcast.
All the photos were taken by Ken Ziegenbein.
MAY 3, 2007 - BRINKLEY - May 3,
2007 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Included today: BNSF 4481, UP 4338 and an
Ashley, Drew & Northern faded green boxcar.
MAY 4, 2007 - LITTLE ROCK - May
4, 2007 at Union Station in Little Rock. Included today: UP-SP patched
2668, UP 9342, GT blue hi-cubes.
MAY 6, 2007 - LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, May 6, 2007 at Union Station
in Little Rock. Seen today: A new string of Midwest Ethanol Transport
tankers *** A work train with 5 flats containing modular rail *** A
couple of red double-truck flats *** UP 2858, 2794, 3921, 9735, 2240,
4354 *** HLCX 5966. (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
UP 4141 (BUSH UNIT), UP 1988 (KATY) AND UP
1982 (MOPAC) ON SAME TRAIN PINE BLUFF, AR MAY 7, 2007 -
UP4141 (George Bush), 1988 (Katy), 1982 (MoPac), 4452, 1835 and 2195
lead a very long mixed freight out of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Monday May
7, 2007 at 12:12 p.m. I got these shots at the Missouri Street crossing
starting at noon. The train was heading to Texas. To my knowledge, this
was the first time three of the special heritage and Bush units were
heading a train in Arkansas.
MAY 12, 2007 - BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS
- A stormy afternoon at Brinkley,
Arkansas on Saturday, May 12, 2007, plus some sunny morning shots.
Included today: UP 9296, 5692, 6448, 1807, 3866 **** NS 7506 ****
Storms with hail.
MAY 13, 2007 - LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, May 13, 2007, at Union Station
in Little Rock. Of interest today: Our bird mascot returns *** UP 5199,
9549, 5131, 9578, 4318, 333, 3990, UP 6175, a former SP with a faded
pink face with puckered red lips *** FURX 7940 *** TFM 2659 *** CEFX
7079 *** CSX 8370, 8483 *** NS 9006, 9067 *** MKT green gondola ***
Arkansas Midland, Western Pacific, KCS, Wisconsin Central boxcars ***
Cryo-Trans string of cars *** Rock Island hopper.
UP OPERATION LIFESAVER SPECIAL LITTLE ROCK
MAY 14, 2007 - Union Pacific ran Operation Lifesaver trips
across Arkansas the week of May 14, 2007. On Monday, May 14, the
train ran some trips around Conway and went to North Little Rock for
the evening. Seen on this webpage is the train as it came to Union
Station on main #1, crossed over to main #2 at the turnout there, then
backed across the Baring Cross bridge to North Little rock, remaining
on main #2. Little Rock & Western was coming past the station at
the same time as the Operation Lifesaver special.
The Operation Lifesaver special was open to the public at
each of the towns it ran through (Monday, May 14 - Conway ** Tuesday,
May 15 - Wynne ** Wednesday, May 16 - Jonesboro ** Thursday, May
17 - Stuttgart ** and Friday, May 18 - Camden. The train had a
locomotive on both ends and was operated as a push-pull through the
various towns, starting at 7:30 in the mornings.
Consist of this special was: UP 4889, Car 205,
Feather River, Colorado Eagle, Katy Flyer, Columbine, Portland Rose,
and UP 3875. (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein - thanks to John C.
Jones for the heads up regarding the move in front of Union Station.)
UP OPERATION LIFESAVER SPECIAL THROUGH
BRINKLEY AND NEAR STUTTGART, ARKANSAS MAY 16, 2007 -
Wednesday, May 16, 2007. Union
Pacific's Operation Lifesaver train passes the Central Delta Depot
Museum in Brinkley, Arkansas with another few shots of it across a
green field near Stuttgart later in the day. Also, I ran into "Bullet
Bob" Smith at the Brinkley depot a couple of hours before the
Operation Lifesaver train appeared and we both saw a train pass with
FWWR 1400 in the consist. What was this locomotive doing here?
Included today: UP4889, UP3875, UP 9506, Conrail 6747,
FWWR 1400. (All photos by Copyright Ken Ziegenbein)
UP OPERATION LIFESAVER TRAIN STUTTGART,
ARKANSAS MAY 17, 2007 - On Thursday, May 17, 2007, I got to
ride one of Union Pacific's Operation Lifesaver specials for a few
miles through Stuttgart, Arkansas. This was one of five trips UP ran
the week of May 14-18 throughout Arkansas. Here are some photos of this
trip, which was open to the public. About 35 boarded.
The trip was late getting started, about 941 a.m. However,
everyone had a good time - at least for the first 30 minutes anyway.
One boy sitting at my table was really excited about riding a train
(his first) and was telling his grandmother about it on the cell phone.
After just one roundtrip, the train was put on a siding with about 35
passenger on board one of the dome cars, including lots of children
under 6 years old. It waited there for nearly 1 1/2 hours for 4
southbound freights to pass (Stuttgart is on UP's directional south
main). The children were getting uneasy and ansy, so it was decided to
call for cars to come pick us up and take us back to the place we had
all parked our cars (only about one mile west). UP special agents came
and took many back to their cars, while others called relatives to pick
them up. Probably not one of the best Operational Lifesaver trips
because of the delays, but it was educational. Stuttgart's mayor was
also on board.
I want to compliment John Holiman, Special Agent from
Kansas City, and John Simpson, Manager of UP Public Safety, also from
Kansas City, who were superb hosts and handed out water to everyone and
got the cars lined up to take us back to the parking lot. Mr. Simpson
also gave an excellent safety presentation in the dome car, which, after
all, is the purpose of these trips. At least everyone now realizes how
many train UP runs through that area! (Ken Ziegenbein)
CIRCUS TRAIN IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK FOR
R&R - PHOTOS TAKEN MAY 20 AND 24, 2007 - Here are a few
shots I did of the Blue
Unit Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Circus train in the Union
Pacific yards in North Little Rock, Arkansas on May 20 and 24, 2007.
The train
is here on its mid-season R&R 19-day layover. Many of the animals
are housed in nearby Barton Coliseum. They've done this at this
location several times in recent years. As of this writing (May 23),
the train will be here about another week and a half.
The train is parked in a very secure area, fenced off on
the left from Central Arkansas Transit's bus barn, and on the right by
the very busy UP freight yard. My photos were taken from inside the
fence of the Transit's bus barn area and from the Main Street highway
overpass.
On Thursday, May 24, 2007, I took more pictures of the
circus cars after they were moved a couple of hundred feet to
another area near 4th Street and Jenks Shops. These are at the bottom
of the page. (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
MAY 24,
2007 at Little Rock -
Thursday, May 24, 2007 at the station in
Little Rock. Included today: UP 5083, 5070, 3424 *** LRWN 7736, 101 ***
SP(UP) 7876, 7336 *** NS 9688 *** Old Santa Fe gondola and Northwestern
'Employee Owned' yellow hopper *** light blue ACFX hopper.
NORTH ARKANSAS-SOUTH MISSOURI TRAIN CHASE,
MAY 26, 2007 - Saturday, May 26, 2007 a group
of
Arkansas Railroad Club members, including me, drove to north Arkansas
and southern Missouri to photograph the BNSF and some UP trains.
Towns visited: Hoxie (where the busy
UP directional north line crosses the busy BNSF line from Missouri to
Memphis), Imboden, Ravenden, Williford, Hardy and Mammoth
Spring, Arkansas and Thayer, Missouri. We didn't see trains in all of
these towns, but checked out the rail viewing sites in each. We left
Union Station in Little Rock at 6 a.m. and got back to Little Rock
about 9:30 that night. Amtrak 21, the Dallas/San Antonio-bound Texas Eagle, arrived at Little Rock
before we left, and I've included some photos of it and the many
boarding and arriving passengers. (All
photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
Locomotives seen today: BNSF 5938, 5719, 5724, 5512, 5388,
5986, 6126, 5677, 9818, 5721 *** UP 4076, 9401, 3998, 8571.
STREETCARS AT RIVERFEST LITTLE ROCK, MAY
27, 2007 - A few streetcar photos on the last
day
of Riverfest in Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas, Sunday May
27, 2007. Some were taken from the ground level looking up at the
streetcars as they were on the Main Street Bridge. (Photos by Ken Ziegenbein).
MAY 27, 2007 - LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, May 27, 2007 at Union Station
in Little Rock, Arkansas. Included today: UP 5125, 3831, 5818, 6451,
1339 *** CSX 8630 *** GCFX 3075 *** UP-SP 144, UP-SP 6246 *** SP 332.
(Photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
JUNE 2, 2007 - BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS
- Saturday, June 2, 2007 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Included today:
Crane and flat *** UP 9725, 9335 (rare winged C40-8. Thanks to Andrew
Bonniwell for this information) *** SRS 143 geometry car *** test of
new 15x optical zoom. (Ken Ziegenbein photos)
CIRCUS TRAIN/ELEPHANTS JUNE 4,2007-LITTLE
ROCK - On Monday, June 4, 2007 the Ringling
Brothers - Barnum & Bailey Circus Train left North Little Rock,
Arkansas, heading south to Louisiana. They had been here on a
mid-season vacation since May 17 (they did not perform here, however.
This was just a rest and relaxation stop). The train had been parked in
UP's yards near 4th Street in North Little Rock.
Included on this webpage are many scenes of switching
moves; elephants, horses and other animals being paraded to the train
to load; a few high resolution sound MPEG movies of various train
and animal moves; Little Rock & Western passing the circus train;
and photos of every car of the 59-car train as it passed Union Station
in Little Rock southbound.
Although I tried to get the numbers of all the cars, I may
have missed some, so let me know. The train was headed by UP 8388 and
all the markings on the train started with RBBX (I've included the
numbers along with the photos of each car).
Do NOT put any of
my
movies or photos on any other site, including YouTube, Trainorders,
Photobucket, or any other site period. I'll do that myself if I
want to. Feel free to share the link to this page, however. There will
be a thumb-size image webpage of this site put online in a day or so,
where you can click on any image to enlarge. However, I wanted to get
this up as soon as I could. Be advised that the site contains about 80
photos and if you have dialup, it'll take awhile to load. If you have a
high speed internet connection, it'll take about 20 seconds to
load. (Ken Ziegenbein)
MORE CIRCUS TRAIN PHOTOS-THIS TIME BY JOHN
C. JONES - Forty photos of the Ringling Brothers-Barnum
& Bailey circus train, blue unit, in Little Rock, Arkansas on June
4, 2007 taken by JOHN C. JONES . He also got great shots of the
elephants being loaded onto their rail cars, plus some shots only
he could get on UP property, such as the Baring Cross bridge (John has
permission to be on UP property and takes a lot of photos for local UP
publications). To email John, click on: johnphotonut@aristotle.net
1959 THRU 1982 SCANNED NEGATIVES
- I scanned some old negatives recently and found photos of the
following: Steam locomotive and coach in Scott, Arkansas 1970s *** Red
Katy units passing New Ulm, Texas 1974 *** St Joe, Arkansas M&NA
depot 1974 *** Houston, Texas Union Station train platform with
streamliner 1959 *** Snowy night with Amtrak at Union Station Little
Rock, Arkansas 1982 *** Southern Crescent at Birmingham, Alabama and
Atlanta, Georgia 1975 *** Last Amtrak through Brenham, Texas October
1981 *** Southern Railroad freight Atlanta, Georgia 1975 *** SCL in
Tifton, Georgia 1974. (All photos copyright Ken Ziegenbein)
JUNE 10 & 17, 2007 AT LITTLE ROCK
- SUNDAY, JUNE 10 and JUNE 17, 2007 at Union Station in Little Rock,
Arkansas. It rained part of the day on the 17th. Included: BNSF 4507
*** UP 3701, 7266, 6073, 9419, 4757, 1538, 1539 *** UPY gray Y147 ***
GECX/SP 8359 *** CEFX 2784 *** HLCX 7228 *** TFM 2663 *** KCS 4512 ***
Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion Railroad Company hopper *** Seaboard
System hopper *** CNW Blue hopper.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS, JUNE 23, 2007
- Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Brinkley,
Arkansas and Brasfield, Arkansas on the abandoned Rock Island 'Sunbelt'
Line. Brasfield is about 10 miles or so west of Brinkley and they were
celebrating their 100th year as a town. There used to be a huge lumber
mill in Brasfield and there is some old Rock Island track still located
on a spur to the old lumber mill, plus the piers are still in place for
the Cache River Rock Island bridge, near where the Ivory-bill
Woodpecker was possibly sighted in 2004. Also today, at Brinkley:
Conrail 8357, CSX 8038, UP 5339, NS 9188. (Photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
LITTLE ROCK JUNE 24, 2007 -
Sunday, June 24, 2007 at Little Rock, Arkansas. Included today: UP
9286, 4698, 5251 *** TFM 2648 *** BNSF 5326 *** NS 9290 *** log cars.
NEBRASKA TRAINS JUNE 26, 2007 -
Wednesday, June 26, 2007 from near
Grand Island to North Platte, Nebraska. These are scenes of trains on
UP's 3-line main through Nebraska plus some scenes in and out of North
Platte, NE. Included 3 rare Rio Grande boxcars in Kearney,
Nebraska. I
only put in selected shots - I took many more.
NEBRASKA TRAINS JUNE 27, 2007 -
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 in Nebraska,
from North Platte to just inside Wyoming at Pine Bluffs (yes, with an
'S'). Photos were taken along Highway 30, which parallels the
busy UP line, east-west through Nebraska. I'm on my way to Salt Lake
City for the UP Heritage Locomotive Shootout on June 30. Included
today: FEC 7558 at Chappell, Nebraska *** Shots of Bailey Yard in
North Platte, NE *** Park outside North Platte with UP caboose *** UP
5481 and 9751 at Lodgepole, NE *** UP 5481 again at Sidney, NE *** UP
9457 near Potter and Kimball, NE though a field of hay bales *** UP
7611 at Pine Bluffs, WY. (All photos
copyright Ken Ziegenbein)
GREEN RIVER, WYOMING JUNE 28, 2007
- A few scenes in Green River, Wyoming.
UNION
PACIFIC HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE ROUNDUP - SALT LAKE CITY - JUNE 29-30, 2007
- Here are the best of my photos of the Union Pacific Heritage
fleet roundup in Salt Lake City, Utah - June 29 and 30, 2007. I
condensed my photo collection down to 27 from the more than 240 taken
(aren't you glad?) Many thanks to Union Pacific, especially Director of
Corporate Relations, Union Pacific Railroad, Brenda Mainwaring. There
were over 100 railfans and reporters at the event on June 30. It was
fun meeting many who I had only corresponded with by via email, and
judging by the response to this event, most had a great time. People
had come from all over the country to view these colorful Heritage
locomotives and thanks to UP for taking these 7 new locomotives out of
the freight pool to do this for us and for the media and UP itself.
(The 7th locomotive is UP 8444 flag unit)
LITTLE ROCK JULY 4, 2007 -
Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at Little Rock, Arkansas' Union Station. A very
busy day for UP and there were lots of non-UP locomotives today.
Included: NS 2682 ** UP 5010 ** CSX 7806 ** UP 6081, 7697, 7696 (last
two new) ** CN 5394.
LITTLE ROCK JULY 15, 2007 - A
couple of boy's eye views of trains from the ground as they passed
Little Rock's Union Station on Sunday, July 15, 2007. Included today: a
small boy waiting for the 'choo-choo'; NS6690 ** BNSF 7744 with a
trackage rights train ** UP 4630, 1930, UPY 1337, UPY 1336 ** SP 9755
** a string of green pipes.
UP-BUSH 4141 HEARNE, TEXAS JULY 27, 2007
- While driving through Hearne, Texas this afternoon on my way to visit
my father, I spotted Bush 4141 facing southbound, about 1 mile south of
Hearne on Highway 6. Here are a couple of photos. Also in the consist
was CEFX 3140 and UP 5113. The time was 5:51 p.m. July 27, 2007. (Ken
Ziegenbein photo)
LITTLE ROCK AUGUST 1, 2007 -
Here are four photos today, August 1, 2007, taken from the north side
of the tracks at Union Station in Little Rock. Included: UP 9588 and
2052 and LRWN 101.
LITTLE ROCK AUGUST 2 AND 4, 2007
- A few photos from August 2 and August 4, 2007 at Little Rock,
Arkansas. Included: Amtrak 22, northbound Texas Eagle, 15 hours late
with AMK 14 and 168 *** UP 5657, 5201, 1472, 5168, 4995, 4761, 9476 ***
Something I've never seen before-a truck pulling 4 work-train gondolas
on the track *** HLCX 5103 *** CN 2428 *** A closeup of a helicopter
*** A sharp-looking BNSF autorack train led by BNSF 7047 *** A UP weed
sprayer.
15-HR LATE TX EAGLE NO. 22 AUGUST 4, 2007 -
LITTLE ROCK - The northbound Texas Eagle, Amtrak 22, finally
left Little Rock, Arkansas at 2:35 p.m. today (Saturday, August 4,
2007), almost exactly 15 hours late. This train had 'one of those days'
when nothing seemed to go right. It was about 7 hours late leaving Fort
Worth last evening due to a local freight fouling the line south of
Temple, Texas. Then before it reached Texarkana, I heard that it lost
head-end power to the Superliners. Since Amtrak 21, the southbound
Eagle, had two locomotives this morning, one of those was taken off of
No. 21 and placed on No. 22 to get the HEP working again. THEN the
train developed airbrake problems near Arkadelphia, Arkansas this
morning, about 1.5 hours out of Little Rock. The train finally arrived
in Little Rock at 2:10 p.m. and left at 2:35 p.m. This was the time it
was supposed to have arrived in Chicago!
The consist of the train: Amtrak 14, Amtrak 168,
Superliners 39031, 32053, 38011, 33014 (Sightseer Lounge), 31012, 34024
and 34097. Some passengers were waiting inside Union Station since 11
p.m. last night and I found them in a foul mood when I went inside. I
even heard some otherwise nice people cussing. It was also hot,
official high was 98 degrees and it was quite hazy.
UP 1996 - SOUTHERN PACIFIC HERITAGE-
BRINKLEY AR, AUGUST 9, 2007 - UP Heritage locomotive 1996
(Southern Pacific) passing the Brinkley, Arkansas Depot Museum Thursday
evening, August 9, 2007 at 8:08 p.m. I used flash and 1600 ISO
since the sun had set. Consist was UP 8615, 1996, 4036 and 4289.
TRAINS AUG 5, 9 AND 11, 2007 - BRINKLEY,
LITTLE ROCK, AR - Sunday, August 5, 2007 at Little Rock,
Arkansas and Thursday and Saturday, August 9 and 11, 2007 at Brinkley,
Arkansas. Views include:MPEG Sound Movie (3.8mb) of a train passing the
Brinkley depot at track speed on Saturday, August 11, 2007 (to see the
movie, click HERE - I'd recommend Windows Media Player, it seems to
play it smoother than other players) *** UP 7506, 4709, 3785, 2952 ***
CSX 7743 *** TFM 2031(?) *** BNSF 5096, B337, 124 *** CN-GTW 4996 ***
HLCX 5995 *** KCS-M 4539 *** NS 9128 *** 'North Coast Railroad
Authority' sign on AOK boxcar *** Smiling UP engineer in Little Rock
*** SP black and white trademark on a gondola *** UP Work Train in
Little Rock *** Brinkley Depot Museum photo. (All photos by Ken
Ziegenbein - I have a photo in the 2008 Union Pacific calendar - check
it out when they're available)
LITTLE ROCK AUGUST 12, 2007 -
Sunday, August 12, 2007 at Little Rock, Arkansas. Included today:
A pipe train *** UP 4158, 9136, 4962, 2052, 1336 *** GECX (UP) 2874.
(All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
ORDER INFORMATION FOR THE UP 2008 HERITAGE
CALENDAR - I have a photo in this calendar and the Arkansas
Railroad Club is selling them as a fund raiser.
FERROMEX THREESOME LITTLE ROCK AUGUST 19,
2007 - Thursday, August 17, 2007 and Sunday, August 19,
Little Rock, Arkansas. Catch of the day was a 3-loco lashup of FERROMEX
locomotives on a mixed train with engine numbers 4652, 3219 and 3220.
Also two boys waving at a train *** UP 6633, 9641, 1532.
LITTLE ROCK TRAINS AUGUST 26, 2007
- Lots of non-UP locomotives today,
Sunday August 26, 2007, in Little Rock, Arkansas, including: HLCX 6106
*** CSX 7683, 8095 *** CEFX 7123 *** CP Rail 5964, 6063 *** UP 9349,
3291, 7653, 1930, 1540, 9722 *** NS 9294, 7519 *** Unpatched SP 9755,
SP-GECX 8312 *** Unpatched SSW 9647 *** CP Rail green boxcar *** New
Autoracks *** A running inspection of passing trains *** Short SP gon
*** SW Airlines jet overhead.
LITTLE ROCK - SEPTEMBER 2, 2007
- Sunday, September 2, 2007 at Little Rock, Arkansas. Of special
interest today was a bright red CP locomotive plus an 'almost' unit
train of truck or car frames. Included today: UP 4709, 3273, 5057,
9300, Y1337 *** CP Rail 4404.
MKT CABOOSE NO. 6 AND SP CABOOSE NO. 4696
ON FREIGHT LITTLE ROCK SEP 5, 2007 - Drenched MKT green
caboose No. 6 and
SP Caboose No. 4696 on the rear of QPTNL passing Union Station in
Little Rock, Arkansas Wednesday September 5, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. I
understand these cabooses belong to the Gulf Coast Chapter (Houston)
NRHS and that they are being transported to be repainted. It was
pouring rain at the time of the photos and you can see the rain falling
LITTLE ROCK SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 -
Rainy and foggy day, Trains in the rain at Little Rock,
Wednesday September 5, 2007. Included today: UP 3603, 2451, 2418, 9639
*** NS 2684 *** LLPX 2229 *** BNSF 750 Warbonnet *** GTW-CN blue
hi-cube *** View of downtown Little Rock from Union Station in the fog
and rain.
AMTRAK 21 WITH NS 2686 IN LEAD SEPTEMBER 9,
2007 - A late Amtrak Texas Eagle No. 21 with
NS 2686 in the lead at Little Rock on September 9, 2007, 10:25 a.m.
(about 7 hours late). It was raining moderately and shows the 'all
weather' mode of train travel.
NORTH PLATTE NEBRASKA RAILROAD DAYS
CELEBRATION SEPTEMBER 22, 2007 (From John Reagon) - John
Reagon took these photos in North Platte, Nebraska during the
railroad days celebration on September 22, 2007. It includes UP 844,
Heritage 1995, 1996 and 1982.
BRINKLEY, AR TRAINS SEPTEMBER 22, 2007 -
INCLUDING UP 8444 - Saturday, September 22, 2007 at
Brinkley, Arkansas. Of special interest today was UP 8444, the regular
UP unit that was displayed along with UP's six Heritage Locomotives in
Salt Lake City, Utah on June 30, 2007. Also, NS 6666 *** UP 8505, 4254,
2304 *** CSX 265. Plus a short MPEG sound movie of a track-speed train
passing the depot from inside the ticket office.
LITTLE ROCK SEPTEMBER 23, 2007 -
Train shots Sunday, September 23, 2007 at Little Rock, Arkansas. Many
streets were blocked today in the downtown area of Little Rock due to
the days-long 50th anniversary celebration of the Central High School
desegregation crisis of 1957. There were people here from all over the
world covering this event and many got lost on their way to Central
High School
and accidentally drove into the west parking lot of Union Station
(Mapquest and other computer maps mistakenly has Markham Street running
into that parking lot). One person in our group missed a train photo op
because of directing traffic. Anyway, trains seen today were: A long
EMPTY pipe-hauling train headed by BNSF 4532 (including a short movie
of this train winding through a switch and curve), UP: 4119, 1336,
5313, 4161, 5346 *** Pure Ashley, Drew & Northern green boxcar (no
graffiti) *** CSX 5368 *** BNSF 4532 *** GMTX 2129 bright blue and
white *** KCS 4027, 3459.
KCS 'RETRO-BELLE' HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE No.
4045 SEPTEMBER 25, 2007-LITTLE ROCK - KANSAS CITY
SOUTHERN #4045 in the new KCS 'Retro Belle' Heritage paint scheme
passed through Little Rock, Arkansas on Tuesday, September 25, 2007.
Here are a few photos of it passing Union Station, then from the Main
Street overpass in North Little Rock, then in the UP NLR yard.
The locomotive passed the station at 10:49 a.m., 4th unit of 5 in a
manifest train. Two hours before the 4045 passed, another train had a
long string of the new KCS Heritage hoppers. Guess it was "KCS
DAY" at the UP.
LITTLE ROCK SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 -
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at Little Rock's Union Station. Trains
today: UP 9284, 4836, 4484, 2403, 4340, 2070 *** CEFX 3147 *** CN 6110
*** IC 6063 Operation Lifesaver *** Ferromex 4629 paired with another
Ferromex *** KCS 4045 Heritage *** String of KCS heritage hoppers.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS SEPTEMBER 29, 2007
- Brinkley, Arkansas, September 29, 2007. Red industrial locomotive on
a flatcar heading south. I couldn't see any markings. It passed the
depot in Brinkley, Arkansas at 11:40 a.m. Saturday, September, 29.Also
today: UP 2006 *** Unknown blue unit 8462 *** CSX 7817 *** long Rock
Island hopper *** damaged UP autorack car (part of roof torn off) ***
Kellogg Grain Co. hopper.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS SEP 29 - PART TWO
- Just a few more trains through Brinkley, Arkansas, on Saturday,
September 29, 2007, this time after noon when the sun angle was much
better. Included: UP 2205, 9529 *** KCS 4503 *** NS 9425 *** some pipes
on gondolas.
LITTLE ROCK SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 -
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Some colorful loco combinations today, including: KCS 4016 *** UP 2418,
5118, 8572, 1540 *** SP(UP) 2719 *** HLCX 6340, 6336 *** CEFX 3168 ***
BNSF 4641, 7658 *** CSX 8043 *** SANTA FE (BNSF) 6450 *** Cryo-Trans
colorful car "Yellowstone River" *** Red KATY gon *** MoPac buzzsaw gon
*** One train had 4 locomotives and only 7 freight cars, but I suspect
some engine move was involved.
KCS NEW HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE 4048 AND OTHERS
- LITTLE ROCK OCTOBER 7, 2007 - KCS 4048, newly built with
the KCS Heritage Belle colors, was the only locomotive on a Z train
passing Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sunday morning, October
7, 2007. It was 87 degrees. Other locomotives and cars
today: UP 2688, 2874, 8362, 4840, 2070, 4123, 4663, 4969 *** Rio
Grande (UP) 9867 *** BNSF 4887, 4912 *** NS 9129, 9685 *** Southern
Pacific Sunset Trademark on a boxcar and a flatcar *** D&RGW pure
gondola *** Missouri Pacific gons, one with the buzzsaw the other with
the eagle *** Golden West polled flatcar *** Illinois Cereal Mills, Inc
hopper ***DMM boxcar *** Grand Trunk Western hi-cube boxcar *** TXI
hopper *** BN green hopper *** Two 16-wheel KRL heavy duty flats ***
BFGX new hopper *** UP autorack without sides *** Columbus &
Greenville boxcar *** Butterfly on a flower in Brinkley October 6. (All
photos by Ken Ziegenbein. Do not repost anywhere unless you ask me
first).
LITTLE ROCK AND BRINKLEY OCTOBER 20, 21,
2007 - Train photos in Little Rock October 21, 2007, plus a
few shots taken October 13 and 20th. Included: UP 9253, 4802, 5050,
9225, 3953, 9107, 6514, 7080, 1930, 5053 *** UPY 158 *** SP unpatched
9755 (always at North Little Rock) *** CN 6110 *** newly repainted UP
gondolas with new UP shield *** RJ Corman boxcar *** UP crane or
pile driver passing the Brinkley, AR depot *** UP tree cutter *** SIRX
516190 hopper *** Corinth & Counce RR Co. boxcar *** Logimex hopper
*** Marinette, Tomahawk & Western boxcar *** Grace Davison Fluid
Cracking Catalysts hopper *** Railcare green tankcar *** White pigeon
or dove being chased by a flock of pigeons at Union Station *** Unknown
small furry animal at Brinkley (gopher?).
PALESTINE, TEXAS UP OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 27,
2007 - On Saturday, October 27, 2007, UP had
an open house at their Palestine, Texas yard complex in conjunction
with the city's Octoberfest celebration. They had miniature train rides
on UP's rubber-tire train, plus Heritage locomotive 1982 (MoPac) and
Bush locomotive 4141 were on display with walk-up ramps so you could
walk through them both (I got photos inside and out). UP
employees also had a free breakfast open to the public with LOTS of
food, of which I naturally partook. We were on our way to New Ulm,
Texas for my old church's 140th
anniversary celebration and we spent the night in Palestine on the
Friday night before so I decided to get up early and go to the UP open
house before we headed south. While at the Holiday Inn Express, we saw
several families who were there for the Thomas the Tank Engine rides at
the Texas State Railroad.
BURTON, TEXAS RESTORED DEPOT OCTOBER 27,
2007 - The former Southern Pacific (Houston &Texas Central)
depot at Burton, Texas was moved back to its original location a few
years ago and is now in the process of becoming a museum. I
visited the site on Saturday, October 27, 2007 and talked with Susan
Kiel and Harry Lee Stark (a retired
long-time Southern Pacific
employee) about the ongoing project. They are planning to be
open on Saturdays after the first of the year (2008).
HOUSTON, TEXAS AROUND UNION STATION
NOVEMBER 3, 2007 - Here's 12 scenes taken in downtown
Houston, Texas Saturday, November 3, 2007 around Union Station (Minute
Maid Park) and southeast of there along Commerce Street. I've included
a screen capture of a Yahoo Map with satellite view of the area.
FALL COLORS, TROLLEYS AND CAMP ROBINSON
SPUR NOVEMBER 6, 2007 - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 riding the
trolley through some bright Fall colors in Little Rock and North Little
Rock, Arkansas. Plus Fall scenes along the abandoned UP Camp Robinson
spur on November 8.
FARRELLS LOCOMOTIVE WORKS ABANDONED
BUILDING BRINKLEY AR NOVEMBER 10, 2007
TURBINE ON 12-AXLE FLATCAR LITTLE ROCK
NOVEMBER 21, 2007 - A special train carrying a large 14'-1"
turbine passed Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas on Wednesday,
November 21, 2007 at 12:40 p.m. It had CSX 6498 and CSX 2319 in the
lead, followed by one hopper and then the turbine on hauler KRE
340320. It was headed south to Texas.
CHALK TRAIN LITTLE ROCK NOVEMBER 20, 2007
- I'll let you be surprised at this work of art.
TRAINS NOVEMBER
2007 - Various trains on various days in November 2007 in Brinkley
and Little Rock, Arkansas. Included locomotives: UP 4709, 7676,
1846, 7736, 2887, 2256, 2070 ** CNW(UP) 9741 ** BNSF 4923 ** SP(UP)
2741 ** FURX 7220 ** Freshly painted Saskatchewan hopper ** CHTT blue
gon 360345 ** Green MKT hopper 596 ** Red MKT gon FSR 1028.
NOVEMBER
26, 2007 LITTLE ROCK - TRACKS, SIGNALS, CLOUDS - No trains today,
just some tracks, signals and dark, drizzly clouds. Gusty, cold north
winds made it feel quite chilly, but a slice or two of sunshine broke
through the gloom finally. Scenes were at the station in Little
Rock, Arkansas, Monday, November 26, 2007, about 3:30 p.m. Temperature
was 43 degrees.
DECEMBER 1, 2007 LITTLE ROCK -
Just a few trains passing the station in Little Rock, Arkansas on
Saturday, December 1, 2007. Included today: Wisconsin & Southern
boxcar WSOR 503119, the boxcar with the Athearn Miniature Trains ad *** UP
4763, 9231, 4788, 1982 (taken by A Holmes in Pine Bluff).
DECEMBER 2, 2007 LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, December, 2, 2007 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
There were 12 trains between 9 a.m. and noon, not too bad (not all
photographed). Included today: KCS 4519, 4576 *** TFM 1624 *** NS 2661
*** UP 4329, 1539, 4094, 7621, 9468, 5073 *** Freight cars: UELX 30027
Corn Sweeteners gon *** ADMX 80067 new gon *** ETCX 84001 tank car with
4 mini-domes *** Western Express trailers *** New green tank car TILX
262237 *** UP short hopper 7041 *** Southern hi-cube 42572 *** Norfolk
and Western (spelled out) boxcar 604164 *** GTW hi-cube 384693 ***
Conrail hi-cube 237502 *** D&RGW hopper 5619 *** CNW clean hopper
471735 *** Western Pacific hopper 12073.
FOGGY TRAINS LITTLE ROCK DECEMBER 8, 2007
- A very foggy day at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday,
December 8, 2007. It was also a chilly 48 degrees. However, just 40
miles to the south in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, it was a balmy 72. This
warmer air was overrunning the colder air in Little Rock....thus the
fog with visibility less than a quarter mile. It made for some nifty
train photos, though. I also have a couple of shots from the Main
Street Bridge in North Little Rock. Included today (when I could read
the locomotive numbers): UP 4631, 4242, 2300, 4984, 7101, 8506, 2886,
2486. Plus a Christmas greeting at the end of the page.
DECEMBER 15, 2007 TRAINS IN ARKANSAS
- Various trains and various locations December 14, 15 and 16, 2007 in
Arkansas (Brinkley, North Little Rock, Lonoke and ye' ole standby Union
Station in Little Rock using some different angles and locations around
the station, including photos of the Baring Cross bridge and scenes
taken from the Cantrell Road overpass. Saturday, December 15 was cold
and rainy (38-40 degrees), Sunday December 16 was sunny, cold and very
windy (25-30 mph with temperature also 25-30). Included:UP/SP
2741 *** UP 8588, 9777, 4338, 9456, 8576, 4809, 3273, 4645 *** CSX 8767
*** CEFX 3128 *** UP display caboose and boxcar in Lonoke, Arkansas (on
abandoned site of Rock Island) decorated for Christmas *** Track
supports on the curve at Brinkley, Arkansas *** Car crossing just a few
seconds ahead of a train in Brinkley.
TRAINS ARKANSAS AND TEXAS DEC 19 THROUGH
24, 2007 - From December 19 through December 24, 2007 I made
a Christmas trip to visit my father in Texas and did some railfanning
on the way. The following contains photos and captions for the trip and
includes the following towns:
IN ARKANSAS: Malvern, Donaldson, Arkadelphia, Gurdon,
Prescott, Hope.
IN TEXAS: Marshall, Hearne, Rockdale, Milano, Caldwell,
Somerville, Sealy, Cat Spring, New Ulm, Brenham.
LOCOMOTIVES: SP/UP 2756 *** PANDROL JACKSON RAIL GRINDER
*** TEXAS STATE RAILROAD 7 AND 300 *** GATX 2112 *** BNSF 6982, 4470,
4864, 4173, 3034, 3032, 9562, 9995, 1017, 4451 *** T&P STEAM
LOCOMOTIVE 400 *** EMD 9080, 9083 *** CN 9468 *** AMT 5 *** MIDSOUTH
1041, 1602 *** UP 334, 5340, 2874, 3218, 9335, 6686, 1973, 3822, 7578.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Malvern, Arkansas 1876 roundhouse ***
Panorama mosaic in Prescott, Arkansas *** Catalpa Tree, Hope, Arkansas
*** Texas Eagle No. 21 arriving in Marshall, Texas *** Texas State
Railroad grounds *** Silhouetted crossing signal with a sunset.
While in Sealy, Texas I met Matthew Dittert, a regular on
the Railspot Yahoo Group.
TEXAS STATE RAILROAD'S POLAR EXPRESS
DECEMBER 23,2007 - They had a full house for the 5:10 p.m.
run and ran two more Polar Express trains later that night. As
you will see, there were hundreds of people, mainly children with their
families. I was in coach 41 on the 7-car train. I've included
some sound mpeg movie clips of onboard activities and of the train
arriving at the station. Steam locomotive No. 300 was used. The trip
was fantastic and the fun and good times were rampant. The hosts of
each car wore the white chef outfits that were seen in the Polar
Express movie and served hot chocolate and gave out snacks to all on
board. One of the carhosts in my car was Cliff Rich.
The train went about eight miles out of Palestine to a
'North Pole' scene in the middle of the woods where Santa got on and the
went through the various coaches, his elves giving all the children a
small magical Christmas bell. All the kids were elated and happy and
those bells were ringing loud and clear! All the while, some of the
music from the movie soundtrack was being played throughout the train.
Then Christmas carols were played and everyone sung along. Even though
you can hear the singing and bells in some of the movies I took, you
had to be there to truly experience the atmosphere. Once in a while the
steam whistle would blow in the darkness.
According to one of the hosts, ridership on all the Polar
Express trains already run had already passed Thomas the Tank Engine
ridership last summer. She said that as of December 23, 18,000 had
ridden. Due to the high demand, they were planning to run more the
following week.
TEXAS & PACIFIC STEAM LOCOMOTIVE NO.
400 MARSHALL TEXAS DECEMBER 24, 2007 - Texas & Pacific
steam locomotive No. 400 in a park in Marshall, Texas, Monday December
24, 2007. I understand it will be moved to the T&P Museum at the
restored Marshall T&P station sometime in the future.
DECEMBER 27 AND 29, 2007 LITTLE ROCK
- Here's a few photos from Thursday, December 27 and Saturday, December
29, 2007 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Included today: UP
2741, 9279, 2276, 8229, 7221, 2475, 2927, 9714, 3184, 4709, 7788 ***
Soo Line boxcar *** HS, former Rock Island boxcar *** four D&H
gondolas *** ice on standing water. It was a sunny, clear day on
December 29 but overcast on December 27 and cold both days.
DECEMBER 31, 2007 LITTLE ROCK -
Here's a few trains as UP was winding down for the New Years holiday on
December 30 and 31, 2007 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Included is a brand new CSX 773. Also: UP 1930, 1337, 8540, 3273, 7620,
3664, 2174, 4975 *** CSX 8100, 773 *** KCS 3425 *** a string of Rio
Grande hoppers.
STREETCARS LITTLE ROCK DECEMBER 31, 2007
- A few photos of Little Rock-North Little Rock's streetcars on the
last day of 2007, all taken in Little Rock's River Market.
*
* * * * * * * * * * *
JANUARY 1, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008! Here's my first trains of the year, and there were
more that I though passing Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas (4
between 12:40 and 2:14 p.m.). Included today is a towing move of dead
BNSF/SF No. 6506, which was about 5 cars from the rear of a freight.
Also the following: UP 3874, 3833, 5040,2413, 9167, 7665 *** CSX
8887 *** SP/UP 2717 *** CN gondola 91078 with outside brackets *** Old
yellow UP boxcar with shield and 'automated' sign being stored in the
North Little Rock yards. It was very windy and cold and felt like
an icecycle in the freezer.
BRINKLEY JANUARY 5, 2008 -
Brinkley, Arkansas Saturday, January 5, 2008. Of interest is a hopper
with the non-grafitti words "Beans, Rice and Popcorn" (Hopper CRDX
14522). Also: UP 9259, 7799, 2827, 4941, 3664, 9522, 8393, 9258 *** NS
8999 *** FURX 8105 *** CNW, KCS and WP boxcars. It was a dark, drizzly
day with temperatures in the 50s.
JANUARY 6, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, January 6, 2008 at Little Rock, near Stuttgart and in
England, Arkansas. Of special interest was a newly painted, black and
yellow, GP50, WAMX 5005 being towed mid-train past Union Station about
1 p.m. Also today: UP: 6166, 7005, 6796, 4148, 3148, 2452 ***
WAMX 5005 *** Rock Island and CNW hoppers *** UP caboose 25383 on
display in a park in England, Arkansas.
JANUARY 9, 2008 - PERRY, ARKANSAS -NEWLY
PAINTED RLIX UNITS - On January 9, 2007, I drove to
Perry, Arkansas to the Little Rock and Western shops and headquarters
after hearing that they had 3 Rail Link locomotives that had just been
painted at their facility. They were painted by some company from
Galveston, Texas. The locomotives were: RLIX Nos. 1204, 1601, and 277.
Also, LRWN's own No. 103 and 101. They told me that No. 102 was
on a trip to Danville, that No. 101 had a burnt-out generator and that
No. 103 was currently being used for parts. Both the Little Rock &
Western and Rail Link are part of the Genesee & Wyoming
organization. The locomotives were scheduled to be hauled by LRWN
to its UP connection in North Little Rock the coming weekend, January
12 or 13, where UP will move them to wherever they are going (I don't
know where they are destined).
From Trainorders.com, I got the following regarding the
history of some of these locomotives:
FLIX 1204: BN 18967, Built
11/1953, Model SW9, FN 4244-7, RAILROADS: PS 237 to PS 1948 to WPRR
1204
LRWN 103: BN 22788, Built
04/1957, Model GP9, FN 5518-2, RAILROADS: GN 713 to BN 1786 to LRWN 103
JANUARY 11, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
Friday, January 11, 2008 at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Of
special interest was two flatcars loaded with John Deere tractors.
Also: UP 5208, 1888, 6069, 3822, 2832 *** NS 9617 *** BNSF 5611 *** CSX
8204, 8196 *** CN-GTW hi-cube *** Chessie hi-cube with sleeping cat ***
CSX pure blue boxcar *** Western Pacific boxcars, one with the large
WP, one with the WP symbol. Also a photo of a small boy excited to be
watching the trains.
JANUARY 12, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Of
special interest today was UP 1900, an ex-DRGW GP60. Also today: UP
5782, 5832, 2003 (SP), 5502, 5127, 7289, 4147, 1900 (DRGW) *** CSX 5227
*** FURX 8114 *** CONRAIL 6783 *** NS 9639 *** ANRR Boxcar ***
Blue-White long tankcar *** colorful coil cars.
JANUARY 13, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, January 13, 2008 at the station in Little Rock. It was windy
and cold, in the upper 30s. Of special interest today was KCM 4035 in
the Belle colors used as a DPU on a southbound coal train. Also today:
UP 1930, 2432, 9748, 3855, 2381, 5689, 6734, 5029, 6543, 9746, 1539 ***
KCS 4035 Belle colors *** SP 9755 unpatched *** D&H Hopper NRLX
12324 *** CNW green hoppers. *** TFM, DME, FWP boxcars.
JANUARY 15, 2008 - DUMP TRAIN -
A Georgetown Rail Equipment (GREX) unit dump train passing Union
Station in Little Rock, Arkansas on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 shortly
after noon. According to GREX's website
(http://www.georgetownrail.com), these unit dump trains have a capacity
of 1,500 nt, one 50-foot boom, 2,000 cubic ft capacity, weighs 63,000
pounds and is 1,000 feet long. It can be operated by one individual.
This is classified MOW equipment, but is the term 'dump train' the
correct name for it? I've also heard it could be called a 'slag' train
or 'conveyor' train.
YAHOO GROUP RAILSPOT ANNUAL LUNCHEON
JANUARY 19, 2008 - PLANO, TEXAS - Here's a quick page with
only a couple of photos of the Railspot luncheon held at Love and War
in Texas Restaurant in Plano, Texas, Saturday, January 19, 2008.
RAILSPOT LUNCHEON - MORE PHOTOS
- Here's are a few pictures taken at the annual Railspot luncheon at
the Love & War In Texas restaurant in Plano, Texas on Saturday,
January 19, 2008. This was in conjunction of the Plano train show the
same weekend. Railspot Moderator Mike Murray said he counted 54
on the list that had signed up to attend. Anyone in the picture
not listed, email me. Here are those names:
List for the Railspot Lunch at Love and War in Texas,
Plano, TX 1:00 pm, January 19th, 2008:
Mike Selby, Richard Whitenight, Mike & Vonnie Murray,
Steve Grabman, Roy Grabman, Buz Grabman, Bob Tickner, Jim
Shepherd, Michael Ellis, Patrick Phelan, Brian Tindle +?, John
Morris, Devin & Melanie Jackson with sons Aaron & Matthew
Jackson. Boxcar Jim Satterwhite + 1, Chris Tolley, Don Ross &
Virginia Gordon, Mike Bedford, Ken Ziegenbein, Lee + Matt Shell, Ruby
& Charles Allen, Ron + Jonathan Roman, Jimmy & Ava Barlow,
Erich S Houchens, Greg Goffinet + 1, Jeff Steen +1, Garl Latham, Bryan
Flint, Bob King, Drew King, John & Carla Dyer, John Smith + 5,
Richard Wainscott, Steven Wainscott, Jim Vollmar, Ken Stavinoha.
JANUARY 21, 2008 - LITTLE ROCK -
Up close and personal trains on a cold, cloudy Monday, January 21, 2008
at Little Rock's Union Station. For some reason, UP routed two trains
over the 10 mph Amtrak siding and I got as close as legally possible
for moving train photos. There were 6 trains in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Of special interest is Cotton Belt (UP) 1992, a relatively rare 4-axle
locomotive (a GP60). Also: UP 4029, 4851, 4361, 9422, 1847, 1539, 9774,
4041, 7641 *** NS 8785 (really closeup) *** SSW/UP 1992 *** Rock Island
blue boxcar HS 75094.
JANUARY 22, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
Here are just a couple of photos today at the station in Little Rock,
plus some added fun. Included: UP 7348, 4134, 4621 *** CSX 8070 ***
LLPX 2228 *** new GATX hopper CMO 13630 *** Flying lion *** lady lost.
JANUARY24, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
Cold and blustery on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at Little Rock's Union
Station, about 30 degrees, but sunny. Just a handful of photos today,
so they are presented in the higher resolution format instead of the
click-to-enlarge format. I included one photo of UP 9289 at 1280
pixels wide so if you have that resolution for your monitor, it should
fill the screen left to right.
Also today: Norfolk and Western boxcar *** Rare (?) yellow
UP gondola (UP97000) with a faded UP shield logo on the right *** Four
Wisconsin Central boxcars in a row *** UP 9289, 2725, 4959, 9082
(former CNW), 7218.
JANUARY 26, 2008 - LITTLE ROCK and
BRINKLEY, AR - Little Rock & Western westbound train
passing Union Station in Little Rock, going to Perry, Arkansas shortly
after 11 in the morning, Saturday, January 26, 2008. They were using a
leased Arkansas Midland locomotive, No. 722, and the ETRY unit, No.
7736. Other trains today at Little Rock and Brinkley, plus a
trespassing cat on the curve at Brinkley. It was cloudy and cold,
temperatures in the mid 30s at both places. Included today: UP 3273,
4600 *** IC 6058-Operation Lifesaver *** CN 5666 *** NS 9393, 8642 ***
AKMD 722 *** ETRY 7736 *** 'Route Rock blue hopper *** Yellow CNW
hopper *** Colorful BNSF hoppers *** Short sound MPEG movie of a
speeding train passing the Brinkley, AR depot.
JANUARY 27, 2008 LITTLE ROCK UNION STATION
AND BIDDLE YARD - Sunday, January 27, 2008 at Union
Station and Biddle Yard (former Rock Island), Little Rock, Arkansas.
Lots of fallen-flag and unusual cars today, including an almost unit
train of Golden West hoppers. The day started out cloudy and cold, 35
degrees, but cleared off rapidly by noon and getting warmer.
Included today: SP 9775, unpatched except for a new UP
yellow front door *** UP 5735, 9096, 9070, 9464 (twice), 4712, 1373,
1474 *** BNSF 4639 *** NS 9450 *** CSX 8449, 8093, 8219 *** CONRAIL
7301 *** IC 6058 *** 'New' autoracks *** Rusted Pillsbury blue hopper
SOO 125110 *** Interesting junk on gondola SMIX 1040 *** Winchester
& Western Railroad hopper WW 7227 *** Blue OXAX 6227 tankcar ***
Hanson hopper PCTX 1523 *** Bright blue repainted Golden West Service
hi-cube boxcar SSW 6668 *** KCS Gondola 801500 *** New or newly painted
KCS boxcar 61378 *** Yellow CNW hopper 49014 *** Long string of Golden
West Service hoppers (about 15 in a row) *** North Shore RR hi-cube
boxcar NSHR 5508.
3M LOCOMOTIVE 403 AT 3M
PLANT - LITTLE ROCK JANUARY 27, 2008 - This photo of 3M locomotive
No. 403 was taken at the 3M plant off Arch Street (Hwy 367) in Little
Rock, Arkansas, Sunday afternoon, January 27, 2008. According to Mike
Murray, it's a SW 1200----Serial# 29787, Frame# 4473-8, Built 2/65, EX
MP 1272 (2nd). 3M acquired it in 1985.
COLD TRAINS, TROLLEY, LITTLE ROCK
JANUARY 31, 2008 - Thursday, January 31, 2008 was a cold,
wet day in the Little Rock area, with rain mixed with snow and sleet
along with occasional thunder and lightning. The temperature was 33
degrees. What better time to take a picture of a train or two plus a
streetcar! Here they are, and include: UP 9679 and Central
Arkansas Streetcar 412.
ROCK/SLOT TRAIN LITTLE ROCK-OTHERS-FEBRUARY
4, 2008 - Empty rock/slot train southbound passing Union
Station in Little Rock Monday afternoon, February 4, 2008 headed by UPY
1336 and 1373. The articulated train had GREX 3410 as the first section
followed by other GREX sections and then a long string of empty
gondolas. The words 'Slot Machine' was on the GREX cars. There's also a
shot of a speeding UP southbound train crossing Arkansas Highway 17 (in
southeast Arkansas about 30 minutes south of Brinkley) just before dawn
on Saturday, February 2. I was on my way to the White River
National Wildlife Refuge near St. Charles, Arkansas to photograph birds
and saw and photographed a flock of thousands of Snowgeese, which are
all over this area in the winter (I have a separate link to these
photos on the train webpage if anyone is interested). Union
Pacific's main directional south line runs through this refuge.
Also on this webpage: UP 4949, 2745, 9224, 6034, 5520 ***
UPY 1336, 1373 *** MKT red gons 16156, 16298 *** MKT green gon 16513
*** Renewable Products Marketing Group string of new tankcars *** GREX
3410 rock/slot train.
ARKANSAS MIDLAND SWITCHING IN GALLOWAY,
ARKANSAS FEBRUARY 9, 2008 - A relatively rare Arkansas
Midland move to Galloway, Arkansas from North Little Rock on Saturday,
February 9, 2008. I was on my way to the depot museum in Brinkley about
9:30 a.m. and saw the AKMD train switching at a plant in Galloway at
the end of the line, so I decided to take a detour and get some photos.
Arkansas Midland uses the former Rock Island line out of North Little
Rock as far as Galloway, where a pile of rock on the track marks the
end of the line (the other end of the former Rock Island is located at
Danville, Arkansas west of Little Rock. Little Rock & Western
operates the line west of Little Rock. The former Rock Island line is
not continuous through North Little Rock, where AKMD and LRWN use the
UP).
FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 2008 - BRINKLEY -
LITTLE ROCK - Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10, 2008
at Brinkley and Little Rock, Arkansas. Included: Brinkley Depot photo
and short history *** West Central hopper *** GTA hopper *** Greenville
Northern Railway boxcar *** Two photos of Trumpeter Swans on a private
lake in Heber Springs, AR *** UP 9406, 8606, 1890, 4367, 2341 *** NS
8956, 6717-New, 8376, 6616 *** CSX 5388. I just missed Railspot member
'Boxcar Jim' Satterwhite at the depot in Brinkley as he was traveling
through. Missed him by 30 minutes.
FEBRUARY 14, 2008 LITTLE ROCK -
Here's a few photos taken at Little Rock on Valentine's Day, 2008.
Included today: Three weird railfans I've never seen before *** CSX
8405, 4979 *** UP 9275, 7179, 2312, 2990 (ex-CNW), 4679, 9650 *** UP
900700 silver work car *** Soo Line faded gondola.
UP CENTENNIAL 6936 SPECIAL TRAIN BRINKLEY,
AR, FEBRUARY 16, 2008 - UP DD40X 6936 headed a 10-car Union
Pacific Wimmer Engineering Special passenger train from Chicago to Pine
Bluff on Saturday, February 16, 2008, shown here passing the Brinkley,
Arkansas Depot Museum at speed at 4:48 p.m. This was the 16th train to
pass this station today. It was cloudy and rainy most of the afternoon,
and just a couple of minutes before the special passed, it turned very
dark and began raining harder. I had to really adjust my camera
settings rapidly, increasing the sensitivity, so there's a blur in the
photos. Plus, the special was zipping by at track speed (at least 60
mph for passenger trains). It was a sharp-looking train, which
tied up in Pine Bluff after 6 p.m.
NUMEROUS TRAINS BRINKLEY, AR, FEB 16, 2008
- Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas. It was a cloudy,
rainy day. There were sixteen trains today in about 8 hours, not bad
for a run-through location. Locomotives today: Conrail 5960 *** CSX
8599, 5482 *** UP 3536, 8340, 9119, 9428, UP-SP 2701, UP 4814,
6936-Centennial *** NS 7613, 9484, 6709, 8848, 8700 *** BNSF-Santa Fe
3175, BNSF 4390, BNSF-Warbonnet 796. *** Rare or unusual freight cars:
MKT short green hopper HLCX 4140 in surprisingly good shape *** String
of AOK boxcars, including one with North Coast Railroad Authority logo
*** String of coil cars *** Rockdale(?), Sandow(?) & Southern
Railroad Company worn gondola *** Rail-hauling cars *** Relatively new
articulated auto-racks.
FEBRUARY 17, 2007 LITTLE ROCK -
Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Included today was a nice pair of CN locomotives heading one train and
a flatcar what had a small 4-wheel rail wagon on it. Also:
Locomotives: 7625, 9162, 7699, 3687, 2206, 8351, 1540, 4081 *** LLPX
2229 *** BNSF 4123 *** CN 2662, 6139. Unusual stuff: Two flat cars had
lots of small items on them, one being a 4-wheel rail wagon *** 4 log
cars.
ULM & CLARENDON, AR-FEBRUARY 23, 2008
- Saturday, February 23, 2008 - Trains at Clarendon and Ulm, Arkansas
on the main south-line of the Union Pacific, the same line that runs
through Brinkley, Arkansas (former Cotton Belt). Ulm is located about 8
miles east of Stuttgart and about 30 miles southwest of Brinkley.
Clarendon is about 19 miles east of Stuttgart. Both Stuttgart and Ulm
are old German settlements, but Stuttgart is much larger due to the
huge rice farming corporations in this part of Arkansas. Ulm only has a
population of 205 (much like my hometown of New Ulm, Texas). Clarendon
has 1,960 and Stuttgart has a population of 9,376. This area also has
several Lutheran Churches, rare in Arkansas, mostly due to the German
settlers.
Two trains today. Included: UP 4621 (two times) *** NS
8810 *** scenes of the White River Highway bridge in Clarendon and
scenes of downtown Ulm, Arkansas.
FEBRUARY 24, 2008 - LITTLE ROCK, AR
- A few trains passing Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sunday,
February 24, 2008. I guess the most interesting photos are of two
SD40-2s leading an intermodal, 4 new shiny red SeverCorr steel cars and
an unpatched Cotton Belt 9693. Others: UP 4658, UP-SP 2741, UP
4910, 9345, 3609, 1539, 3559, 2502, 5008, 3039, 3182, 9104 *** CSX 5438
*** SSW 9693.
FEBRUARY 29,
2008 - LITTLE ROCK - Included today, Friday, February 29,
2008 at the station in Little Rock and UP yards in North Little Rock:
UP 1539, 102, 939 *** HLCX 6313 (red and blue), HLCX 6213 (all red),
HLCX 7203 (all red), HLCX 6315 (red with white roof), all seemed
freshly painted *** KCS 4520. A train used the Amtrak siding again
today.
BRINKLEY, AR MARCH 1, 2008
- Brinkley, Arkansas Saturday, March 1, 2008. Included today were
three BNSF locomotives all together, all different colors, and the
UP-MoPac Heritage 1982, which was dirty. It looked like it hit a dirty
snowball. Also: UP 1982, 9494, 1929 *** BNSF 6901, 6835, 549 *** NS
9130 *** CSX 7640, 4517, 8449 *** pipes.
SNOW-LITTLE ROCK, MARCH 7, 2008
- A snowy day in Little Rock, Arkansas. Here's a few scenes from Union
Station and the UP North Little Rock yard, plus a Little Rock streetcar
in the snow. It had just started snowing about an hour before these
photos and we ended up with 3-4 inches in Little Rock while about 60
miles west on the UP Van Buren sub near Russellville, AR, 12-15 inches
were reported. This snowfall is supposedly the most the state has had
for so late in the winter season since 1894.
BRINKLEY, AR MARCH 8, 2008 - SNOW SCENES
- Saturday, March 8, 2008, the day after a record snowfall for so late
in the winter season across much of Arkansas. Several places in west
and north Arkansas had 15-18 inches of snow. Brinkley had 6 inches and
a lot was still on the ground today. It was sunny and 39 degrees (20
degrees below the normal for the date). Of interest today was a
colorful combination of a blue Conrail 6742 and a BNSF-Santa Fe
Warbonnet 660. Also a sharp-looking CN unit, No. 2720. I included a few
shots of snow around the Brinkley depot, plus some snow scenes of the
Hazen, Arkansas renovated Rock Island depot. Trains today: UP 3555,
9539, 4642 *** Conrail 6742 *** Santa Fe-BNSF Warbonnet 660 *** CN 2720.
LRWN - RIVER TRAIL, MARCH 10-13, 2008
- Little Rock & Western showed up at Union Station on Thursday,
March 13, 2008, as well as a few other trains. Also a scene of the
Baring Cross bridge taken from the bike trail that used to be the
Missouri Pacific's river line in Little Rock. Seen today: AKMD 722 ***
LRWN 7736 *** UP 3135, 2006 *** NS 9965 *** MKT green hopper HLMX 4140
*** 'Cotton' hopper without the 'Belt'
BRINKLEY, AR MARCH 15, 2008 -
Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Not many trains today.
Included are: UP 4978, 8330, 9527, 7622 *** CSX 692 *** BNSF 6022 ***
Short Tate&Lyle STSX 52102 tankcar *** Posing redbird *** My
long-lost relative painted on a railcar.
COLORFUL SIGNALS LITTLE ROCK MARCH 17, 2008
- Colorful signals at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas on March
17, 2008. These were on the north side of the station. UP's North
Little Rock yards are located around the curve and across the Arkansas
River to the left. The green signal to the right indicates that a
freight is lined up to pass on the Amtrak siding, which is unusual but
does happen once a day or so. This train will take the switch to the
second track (Main 2) just beyond this signal. The lower of the stacked
dwarf signals indicates the track is lined for another freight to cross
over from the second track to the third track (from Main 2 to Main 1).
The green high-ball signal under the bridge means the
train that switches from the Amtrak siding to Main 2 has the track to
UP's yards, after crossing the Baring Cross bridge over the Arkansas
River. The two yellow signals to the left indicate that a train will
cross from Main 2 to Main 1 just past the dwarf signals, then cross the
Baring Cross bridge, then head west on the Van Buren Sub to Fort Smith
(this train was an empty coal train). The red signal just beyond the
4th track (which belongs to the shortline Little Rock & Western RR)
means that any LRWN train that arrives has to stop here until it gets a
yellow or green signal.
Photo included of the intermodal that passed on the Amtrak
siding headed by UP 4282 and KCS 4596. (Ken Ziegenbein photos - sent to
Yahoo's Railspot group and Railway-Signaling group)
AMTRAK STATION VERY BUSY MARCH 21, 2008
- Northbound Amtrak Texas Eagle No. 22 was turned to become the
southbound No. 21 at Little Rock the night of (March 21).
Passengers were bused between Little Rock and St Louis and St Louis to
Little Rock due to the tracks between St Louis and Poplar Bluff having
flood damage. Five buses were sent north to St Louis and 6 buses were
sent south out of St Louis to Little Rock. A large crowd of over 200,
including a group from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, were at
the station. A similar count will be brought to Little Rock from St
Louis heading south. All this activity occurred in the middle of the
night from about 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.
To help out, both Little Rock agents Richard Finch and
Larry Highfill, were on duty, along with Amtrak's Joy Smith and Dallas
Agent Jim Cameron, whom Joy picked up on her way to Little Rock to help
out. Bill Pollard also was there to help with the logistics. I took
many photos, some of which are included below. I didn't use flash
except for taking the photo of the Amtrak agents and helpers, since it
would have been rude for all the passengers to be blinded by flashes in
the middle of the night. As a result, some photos are a little dark,
but they do show the excitement and activity of this night. It
was really an exciting atmosphere, noisy and crowded.
The consist of No. 22 that arrived and turned was:
Locomotives 182 and 206, followed by Superliners 39022, 32009, 38062
(diner), 33033 (Sightseer Lounge, which will stay on the Eagle through
at least the summer), 31024, 34041 and 34061. Number 22 arrived about
1:40 a.m. I've also included a couple of shots of freights.
BRINKLEY, AR MARCH 22, 2008 -
Seen today at Brinkley, Arkansas: UP 2002 - Olympic unit *** UP 5324,
2299 *** CN 5739, 2690, 5531 ('zebra' stripes), 1035 (or 1039).
NCAA BASKETBALL FANS, STREETCARS AND MIAMI
HURRICANE CHEERLEADERS LITTLE ROCK MARCH 21-23, 2008 - The
NCAA first round South regional basketball tournament was held at
Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, AR from March 21 thru March 23,
2008, which meant tons of riders for the central Arkansas streetcars.
Here are some pictures of that, plus some of the crowds. Included are
four Miami Hurricane cheerleaders.
25-UNIT LIGHT ENGINE MOVE INTO NORTH LITTLE
ROCK, APRIL 3, 2008 - UP ran a 25-unit locomotive light move
from Roseville, California to North Little Rock, Arkansas, leaving
Roseville March 28, 2008, arriving North Little Rock 1:58 p.m.n
Thursday, April 3, 2008. Here are some photos of the train
arriving at North Little Rock April 3. (Many thanks to George Porter,
Mike Harris and John C. Jones for the heads-up). Consist of this
engine move was all UP. UP 8417 lead, followed by UP 2327, 2399, 9290,
3140, 2263, 2282, 9169, 2437, 8755, 8810 (SP), 3724, 3230, 3462, 3346,
9144, 9254, 9346, 7882, 3112, 3188, 3699, 2255, 2292, and 2200.
LITTLE ROCK AND BRINKLEY TRAINS APRIL 5-6,
2008 - Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, 2008 at Little
Rock and Brinkley, Arkansas. Here's some selected photos from both
days, including: Trailer on a flatcar at the end of a UPS intermodal
with "Texas Agriculture - GO TEXAN" on the end and "Michael Angelo's"
on the side *** Rio Grande GP-60 No. 1900, patched, one of only 3
GP-60s built for the DRG *** KCS 4542, 4513, 4534 *** Conrail 8809 ***
CSX 8609, 7506, 8837 *** UP 2376, 1822, 5318, 2427, 3527, 2477, 6201,
8586 *** BNSF 5233, 5498 *** New bright green BRIX hopper 97357 ***
Artsy black, shiny tank cars reflecting the yellow warning stripe on
the Amtrak platform *** Norfolk and Western hi-cube boxcar *** US Coast
& Geodetic Survey Benchmark on Brinkley Union Depot *** Cherry and
lime candy cigarettes (i.e., a load of pipes with pink and green
ends). (All photos and humor by Ken Ziegenbein)
As a sideline, after over 12 inches of rain during the
past couple of weeks in Missouri and the northern half of Arkansas, the
White and Cache Rivers were flooding as of this date, including the
Dagmar area west of Brinkley. The entire White River and Cache River
National Wildlife Refuges are under water, including the old Rock
Island grade west of Brinkley. The UP's busy line through the refuge
has not been affected, however. Where I normally go to photograph birds
is now under 3-4 feet of water and accessible only by boat. US 70
runs through this refuge and you can see all the water on both sides of
the road. Millions of gnats and other small bugs are all over the place
in this area, and made quite a mess of my windshield. Snakes are also
starting to come out, and I saw dead raccoons, snakes, skunks, possums,
birds every quarter mile or so on Highway 70, all hit by autos.
(Ken Z)
PICTURESQUE SCENE OF TRAIN AND SKY,
BRINKLEY, AR, APRIL 12, 2008 - Although not a rare site in
this part of eastern Arkansas at Brinkley on the UP, CN 5738's bright
red/black color contrasted nicely today (Saturday, April 12) with a
deep blue sky containing a couple of birds and two small clouds. The
scene was further enhanced by low, early morning sunlight. (Ken
Ziegenbein photo)
LITTLE ROCK, AR APRIL 13, 2008 -
Sunday, April 13, 2008 at Little Rock. Included today:UP 9693, 4727,
9728, 6519,1540, 2389, 4610, 9140, 5527 *** CSX 5223, 9010 *** KCS 4012
*** NS 9073, 9355 *** 8-axle flatcar *** KRL heavy-hauler 45828.
CNW 8646 UNPATCHED IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK
APRIL 16, 2008 - Unpatched CNW 8646 in the UP yards in North
Little Rock, Arkansas on April 16, 2008.
UP 1995 - CNW HERITAGE - NORTH LITTLE ROCK
APRIL 22, 2008 - UP Heritage locomotive 1995 (Chicago and
NorthWestern unit) in North Little Rock, Arkansas, April 22, 2008. This
unit has been on a circle routing within Arkansas the past week or so,
usually running southward through Brinkley, Pine Bluff, then north to
North Little Rock, Bald Knob, Jonesboro, then south again on the same
route. This is the first time this heritage unit has been in the
state. It came in on the MPRPB, went to North Little Rock, AR on
the YPB71. From there it went out on the MNLME, and came back on
the MNVPB. From Pine Bluff, AR it went north on the MPBJB
(Jonesboro Local). It come back south on the MJBNL. Once it
got to North Little Rock, AR it went north on the MNLAS. (From 'mad-dog' on Trainorders.com)
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS APRIL 26,2008
- Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas. I took advantage of a
slow order of trains passing the depot in the afternoon to try some
different photographic angles. On most days, by the time I hear the
locomotive's horn at the crossing just north of the depot, it's
passing the station so I just get the shot through the window. Included
today: CSX 7629, 7870 *** UP 9657, 6468, 8558, 4974, 4838 *** Columbus
& Greenville boxcar *** NEGRO De HUMO - NEGROMEX hopper ENDX 455325
(I've never seen this name on a hopper).
LITTLE ROCK, AR APRIL 27, 2008 -
A cool (50s) and rainy day in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sunday April 27,
2008. Included today was an 'almost' unpatched Santa Fe unit, No. 640
and since the Warbonnet scheme of Santa Fe is one of my favorites, I got
several pictures of it in this 'rare' territory. Also today: UP 8552,
4634, 2725 *** NS 8923 *** BNSF 983, 7728 *** 'Jesus Saves' on black
tank car.
BURNED UP 9697, FRANKLIN, TX APRIL 29, 2008
- A blackened UP 9697 next to US Highway 79 in Franklin, Texas (east of
Hearne), on April 29, 2008. The lady at the service station said
she thought this locomotive was involved in a crossing accident with a
semi a few days before.
NEW ULM, TEXAS MAY 1, 2008 -
Thursday, May 1, 2008 in New Ulm, Texas. UP 7562 heads a Sealy-bound
rock train on the Smithville Sub, milepost 113.80.
SEALY, TEXAS MAY 3, 2008 -
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Sealy and New Ulm, Texas on the UP and BNSF.
Both Sealy and New Ulm are located on the former Katy RR Smithville
Sub, which runs between Smithville and Katy, Texas. UP now owns this
sub and has trackage rights on the BNSF at Sealy to connect with UP's
Sunset line at Rosenberg. Sealy and New Ulm are located about 70 and 90
miles northwest of Houston respectively.
Trains today at New Ulm: UP 7541. At Sealy, BNSF 753 and
7721, and UP 7523 using the connection to the BNSF from the Smithville
sub. I met Matthew Dittert (on the Railspot Yahoo Group) at
Sealy. (Ken Ziegenbein photos).
GLIDDEN, TEXAS ON THE UP SUNSET LINE MAY 6,
2008 - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 just west of Glidden, Texas on
UP's Sunset Line. One empty gondola train today headed by UP 7532, a
westbound up the hill from Glidden close to Milepost 205. Glidden is
just west of Columbus, Texas, about 90 miles west of Houston. The
Sunset Limited uses this line.
MOPAC JUNCTION BRIDGE OPENS AS PEDESTRIAN
TRAIL MAY 17, 2008 - The Junction Railroad Bridge across the
Arkansas River between Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas was
reopened as a pedestrian and biking bridge on Saturday, May 17, 2008.
Dedication was held at 10:30 a.m. with thousands attending on the
bridge. This bridge once belonged to the Missouri Pacific Railroad,
then Union Pacific got it when they merged with the MoPac in 1982. UP
closed the bridge to rail traffic in 1985, according to the press
release. UP ceded the bridge to the city of Little Rock in 1999.
Through the inter-local agreement, the bridge was leased for 99 years
to the Pulaski County Facilities Board for the purpose of developing
the pedestrian/bicycle bridge.
Construction work for the conversion began in 2007 with
total project costs of $5,800,000 from local, state and federal
transportation funds. The bridge is believed to be the only 'lift-span"
bridge that has been converted to a pedestrian/bicycle bridge in the
United States. The lift-span is locked into place in a raised position
to allow barge traffic to go under on the Arkansas River. Visitors to
the bridge may go the entire length of the bridge by riding elevators
up or down from the 360-foot lift span. The overall length of the
bridge is 1,800 feet. The original paint is being left on the bridge to
signify its age, although some areas have been modernized and painted
in a fresh coat of blue paint.
McClelland Engineers was the project engineering firm and
May Construction was the general contractor. Both are headquartered in
Little Rock. Eighty percent of the funding for the renovation was
provided by grants from the Federal Transportation budget through the
Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. The remaining 20
percent match was provided by road and bridge funds of the Cities of
Little Rock and North Little Rock as well as Pulaski County.
The Junction Bridge is a component of the Six Bridges
Plan. In 1999, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Donaghey
Project for Urban Studies and Design developed the Six Bridges
Framework Plan. The Six Bridges from west to east are: Baring Cross
Bridge (currently the mainline bridge used by Union Pacific on its
directional-north line into the North Little Rock's UP yards),
Broadway Bridge (US 70B highway bridge), Main Street Bridge (on which
the Central Arkansas River Rail's streetcars run on Main Street),
Junction Bridge, I-30 Bridge (Interstate 30 starts in North Little Rock
and runs to Fort Worth, Texas), and Rock Island Bridge (currently
belongs to the Clinton Library people and supposedly will one day
become another pedestrian bridge).
A little more about this historic bridge from the press
release and my occasional comments:
1) Lift span is now raised 38 feet above the fixed bridge
span. It had originally been 32 feet at max height above the fixed
span. It was raised the additional 6 feet because of alignment
purposes. Once the span was lifted, support beams were installed using
cranes operating from a barge.
2) The Junction Bridge was originally constructed in 1884
as a railroad bridge by the Choctaw and Memphis Railroad and operated
by the Union Pacific Railroad (?? -I'm not sure about this). Originally
constructed to connect the Little Rock and Fort Smith rail line with
the Little Rock, Mississippi River and Texas Railway.
3) Since 1985, the Junction Bridge has not operated in any
capacity. (According to John Jones, a USPS special train operated on
the bridge sometime in the 1990s as a special move).
DPU'S ON INTERMODALS LITTLE ROCK MAY 17 AND
19, 2008 - LOCUST STREET NLR VIEWS - Here's two intermodals
with DPU's passing the station in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 17 and
May 19, 2008. Plus a photo of a hopper with "Census - Count Yourself In
- May 15 - 2001" from Canada and some photos taken off the Locust
Street Bridge at UP's North Little Rock yards. Included: UP 7898,
7680, 7735, 5499.
BRINKLEY MAY 31 AND LITTLE ROCK MAY 29, 2008
- Saturday, May 31, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas and one shot in Little
Rock May 29. Included: UP 4873, 2379, 2415, 4132 *** NS 9518,
9247 *** CSX 8721, 5346 *** BNSF 4794.
LOST AND LONELY CN 5268 JUNE 2, 2008 LITTLE
ROCK - "Lost and lonely" CN 5268 by itself passing Little
Rock's Union Station on Monday, June 2, 2008.
LITTLE ROCK, JUNE 2, 2008 -
Monday, June 2, 2008 at the station in Little Rock. Included today: UP
7813, 4600, 9288, 2301, 9103 *** CN 5268, a single engine move.
MEET OF LRWN AND FERROMEX-UP TRAIN LITTLE
ROCK JUNE 3, 2008 - Tuesday, June 3, 2008. A rare meet of
the Little Rock & Western (coming from Perry, Arkansas on their own
line) and a Ferromex locomotive heading a train on the UP Main
passing Union Station. Had I had one more glass of water for lunch, I'd
have missed them. Included are: Ferromex 4637 *** LRWN 7736 ***
AKMD 722 *** NS 2665 *** UP 9407 *** String of Canadian hoppers *** KCS
coil car 720118 being hauled on a flatcar with its trucks on the
flatcar as well.
17-UNIT ENGINE MOVE OF SD40S LITTLE ROCK TO
OGDEN UTAH, JUNE 4, 2008 - Union Pacific ran a special
17-unit 'SD40 funeral train' past Union Station in Little Rock,
Arkansas on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. This train started at Pine Bluff,
Arkansas about 4 p.m. and got to the station about 5:45 p.m., where it
waited on the Amtrak siding for a southbound UP train and the westbound
Little Rock & Western train to clear the track. It left the station
at 6:28 p.m. Its' ID is EPBOG-3, Pine Bluff to Ogden, Utah. (Ken
Ziegenbein photos - thanks to Mr. C for the heads-up)
Here is the consist, all Union Pacific - 5040--power
unit - 9216--power unit - 2911 - 2944 - 2963 - 2974 - 3025 - 3050 -
3095 - 3096 - 3192 - 3383 - 8702 - 2883 - 2956 - 3157 - 3326
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS JUNE 7, 2008
- Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas (half-way between Little
Rock and Memphis on I-40 in eastern Arkansas). Included today are (13
trains today): UP9544, 4398, 8591, 5209, 4377, 9201 *** CSX 5375 *** CN
5793, 5360 *** UNKNOWN 8466 *** NS 9890, 2560. Two KRL heavy haulers.
RED FLAG-BANNER TEST LITTLE ROCK JUNE 8,
2008- Here are twelve photos taken Sunday, June 8, 2008 at
Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas. There was a red flag/banner
test done on two trains while we were there, about 930 a.m. According
to Steve Graham: "It's called a banner test and can only be done if a
train is running at restricted speed (by either being talked by a red
signal or running in yard/restricted limits). It tests the crews
ability to stop within 1 half the range of vision and short of any
obstructions (i.e. trains, switches lined against them, people on
tracks, etc...) which is a requirement for restricted speed. It's
a common test performed on crews by management and is required by the
Feds. - Steve Grabman"
MARSHALL, TEXAS - GERANIUMS AND TRAINS JUNE
9, 2008 - Geraniums and Trains. June 9, 2008 at the
Marshall, Texas depot. Included are: CSX 7891, 13 *** UP 4941, 4048,
2431 *** UPY 1443 *** CN 5356 *** KCS boxcar on a flatcar.
BNSF-UP IN TEXAS JUNE 10 AND 12, 2008
- On June 10 and 12, 2008, I railfanned the BNSF from Milano to Sealy,
Texas. With other commitments, I didn't have time to spend more than
about an hour at various places waiting on trains, so I only got 3
moving BNSF trains during those two days, and a couple of photos of
standing trains. Also included is the UP at Gauze, Texas, which is west
of Hearne. Moving BNSF trains were at Somerville, north of Caldwell and
just south of Somerville. I did stake out some good sites, though, such
as at Caldwell near the BNSF signal maintainer office and at Kenney,
Texas. Seen were: BNSF 9344, 9934, 4353, 4991, 4670, 4456, 7562, 720
*** UP 7557 *** NS 9483 *** Kenney site, cat and
butterflies.
LITTLE ROCK, JUNE 14, 2008
- A good variety of roadnames today, including: NS 9700, 8727 *** SP
8674 unpatched, SP/UP 2741 *** CSX 7349 *** RIO GRANDE 1900 *** KCS
4548, 4523 *** UP 5497, 3876, 3973.
EMERGENCY 911 CALL MADE FOR SOMEONE IN NEED
- BNSF TRAIN - LITTLE ROCK JUNE 15, 2008 - Sunday, June 15,
2008 at Little Rock.
We called 911 for a lady who had apparently been beaten somewhere in
town and had walked past us at the station, asking us to call the
police. We did via a cell phone and the police and medics arrived about
6 minutes later. They took her away in an ambulance. While all
this
was going on, a train headed by BNSF 6762 came by, and that train
plus
one more are the only two I photographed today (also got UP 5827).
NRHS
QUANAH ZEPHYR BETWEEN FORT WORTH AND QUANAH, TX JUNE 21, 2008 - The
North Texas Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society held the
NRHS' National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas the week of June 16,
2008. Here are photos of the special train excursion between Fort Worth
and Quanah, Texas (Quanah Zephyr) on the BNSF, using the former
Burlington (FW&D) line, a very rare mileage trip.
We stopped on a siding 5 miles south of Henrietta next to
a stopped loaded coal train on the track to the right of us. This
siding was called the Dick Worsham siding. There was a trespasser
going between the coal cars that had an axe and had spray painted his
face blue. The BNSF Agent arrested the man. He had apparently loosened
a couple of air hoses, so the coal train had to be inspected before we
could get back on the main line. This incident cost us one hour of
time. We stopped for passengers at Wichita Falls before getting
to Quanah.
The best thing about this trip was the FANTASTIC reception
given for us by the city of Quanah. They rolled out the red carpet,
even having 'red caps' directing us to attractions. They Quanah Route
depot museum and other museums in town were full of excellent exhibits,
including railroad history and other historical artifacts. Worth a trip
back to see everything. They also fed us half-pound grilled hamburgers,
freshly grilled just outside the eating facility. There were hundreds
that showed up when the train arrived, along with horse-drawn carriages
and festive mounted flag-bearers.
The train left Fort Worth at 7 a.m., returning to Fort
Worth at 9:05 p.m. Everyone had a great time, although it was a long
day.
An interesting sideline: I created this entire webpage on
my laptop while traveling on Amtrak 22 (Texas Eagle) from Fort Worth to
Little Rock on June 22 in a regular coach.
AMTRAK TRIP LITTLE ROCK TO FORT WORTH, JUNE 19 AND 22, 2008 FOR NRHS CONVENTION
- Dark, stormy skies and Superliners at Longview, Texas June 19 - Round
trip on the Texas Eagle Little Rock-Fort Worth June 19 and 22 with
inside and outside photos - Train watching in Saginaw and North Fort
Worth, Texas near old tower 60 - Locomotives seen: BNSF 7752, 6894
(Santa Fe blue and yellow), 3166 (Santa Fe blue and yellow), 8060 ***
UP 4632, 5900 *** BNSF Gensets 1287, 1291. The reason for my trip was
to attend the National National Railway Historical Society convention in
Fort Worth.
LITTLE ROCK JUNE 28, 29, 2008
- June 28 and 29, 2008 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Seen
were: UP 7111, 9546, 2686(SP), 9076, 4408, 4210,4238,3969, 4277, 4578
*** CONRAIL 8812 *** NS 9880 *** BNSF-SF Warbonnet 630.
AMTRAK'S TEXAS EAGLE #21 SOUTHBOUND, JUNE 29, 2008
- On Sunday, June 29, 2008, Amtrak's southbound Texas Eagle, Number 21,
was about 5 hours late into Little Rock and here are some photos of the
train and many passengers who got off and on.
TAKEN FROM THE CANTRELL ROAD BRIDGE, LITTLE ROCK, JUNE 30, 2008
- Taken from the Cantrell Road bridge in Little Rock, Arkansas,
overlooking Union Station and the Arkansas State Capitol, on June 30,
2008. Included are: UP 8347 and BNSF 4111, 3006.
LITTLE ROCK, AR JULY 4, 2008
- Boy and his mother watching trains at the station in Little Rock, AR
July 4 plus a couple of trains. Included today: UP 3804, 7717 *** Two
loads of logs *** HS-AD&N boxcar 30717.
AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE SOUTHBOUND No. 21 JULY 4, 2008 LITTLE ROCK - Amtrak's
Texas Eagle southbound No. 21 was 7 hours and 45 minutes late leaving
Little Rock on the Fourth of July, 2008. Here are some photos.
KCS 4106 BELLE ON A WORK TRAIN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR JULY 4, 2008
- KCS 4106 headed a UP dump/rock/work train on the Van Buren Sub at
13th Street in North Little Rock, Arkansas on July 4, 2008. This train
was sitting here for a couple of hours.. I took the photos about 11
a.m. (Thanks to Dale Dudley for the heads up)
BRINKLEY, AR JULY 5, 2008
- Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas at the Depot Museum.
Much of the day was dark with areas of rain. Included today: UP 3923,
7824,2918, 9826, 2434 *** CSX 7785 *** Peninsula Terminal boxcar
HS 75397.
BRINKLEY, AR JULY 12, 2008 - Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the Brinkley Depot Museum in Brinkley, Arkansas. Perfect, sunny day. Included today were:
1) 2:01 p.m. - NS 8865, CN 579(?) - mixed train. KRL heavy haulers 48016 and 45829 were in the middle of the train.
2) 2:40 p.m - UP 3992, CN 5930 - intermodal (UPS)
3) 3:22 p.m. - UP 9768, UP 2310 - mixed train.
4) 3:37 p.m. - CSX 576, UP 9652, CSX 871(?) - mixed train.
5) 4:21 p.m. - UP 5170, UP 9433 with a long empty intermodal flat train from West Memphis.
6) 4:45 p.m. - CSX 8427, CSX 8063, HLCX (??) - mixed train had 3 Chessie Cat boxcars in a row but no photos.
7) 5:44 p.m. - CONRAIL 7305, CSX 8236 - autorack train.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS JULY 13, 2008
- Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas. A
little excitement today as a train went into emergency in front of the
station after two cars became uncoupled. Plus a rare Sunday Little Rock
& Western train passed the station. Included today:
1) 11:15 a.m. - train separated after becoming uncoupled.
2) 11:26 a.m. - UP/SP 2715 on southbound.
3) 12:18 p.m. - UP 5692 with LRWN train rounding curve in background.
4) 12:22 p.m. - LRWN 102, Arkansas Midland 722
5) 12:28 p.m. - UP 5469
6) 12:32 p.m. - UP 8645
7) 12:42 p.m. - LRWN train taken from the Cantrell Road overpass.
8) 1:19 p.m. - UP 5345
9) 1:21 p.m. - UP/SP 9647, former SP 8183, a GE C44-9W, the last SP
8100-series not painted in UP yellow.
10) 1:35 p.m. - UP 5345, AKMD 722, UP 6836, all 3 trains in one photo
11) 1:44 p.m. - UP 5925DPU, AKMD 722 and UP 5345 all on one photo.
STREETCARS ON 3RD STREET-LITTLE ROCK JULY 15, 2008
- Here's a few streetcar scenes on a bright, sunny day on 3rd Street in
Little Rock, Arkansas (July 15, 2008). Included are views looking both
ways on 3rd Street, some looking toward the Clinton Presidential
Library and some looking toward downtown Little Rock. I took some from
under the I-30 over pass, which the streetcars go under on their way to
the Clinton Library stop.
LITTLE ROCK-JACKSONVILLE-CABOT-BEEBE, ARKANSAS JULY 20 AND 22, 2008 - Here's a few photos from several locations in Arkansas on July 20 and 22, 2008. Included are:
JULY 20 at Union Station, Little Rock:
1) 10:56 a.m. - UP 2502-CN 5923
2) Unknown load on IM flat
3) 11:10 a.m - UP 1539 with long consist
4) UP 2462 with what looks like a fresh paint job
5) Unknown name on gondola
JULY 22 (Tuesday):
1) 10:34 a.m. - Jacksonville, AR - UP 9581 southbound
2) Old UP shield on boxcar (IFRX517569)
3) Two cars of finished logs/poles on the end of the train
4) 11:12 a.m. - Cabot, AR (MP 322.92) - UP inspection truck
5) 11:13 a.m. - UP 3857
6) 11:32 a.m. - Beebe, AR - photo of MoPac depot, now used as a beauty salon
7) Old baggage cart at Beebe depot
8)
Several fuel trucks crossing the UP's double tracks on South Main
Street in Beebe, a potentially dangerous, nightmarish scenario.
TRAIN PHOTOS FROM ACROSS ARKANSAS JULY 26, 2008
- Saturday, July 26, 2008 at various places in Arkansas, including:
Marion (BNSF's Fedex Intermodal Yard and UP's large Intermodal facility
at Ebony), Sunset, Marked Tree, Gilmore, Jericho, Hunter, Brinkley and
Little Rock. This was the unofficial Train Picture Day in North
America, so I wanted to get several towns with trains. Another group of
Arkansas Railroad Club members went north of Little Rock to railfan the
BNSF in north Arkansas. We all started the day at 5 a.m. (Ken
Ziegenbein photos)
Included today:
1) BNSF 5704, dpu on a coal train at Marion, AR, 7:59 a.m. (near West Memphis, AR in extreme east Arkansas)
2) Photo of the Marion Intermodal Facility of the BNSF through the fence.
3) Harvard Yard in Marion.
4)
CSX 4737, BNSF 325, BNSF 4358, BNSF 1024 on a mixed train northbound,
crossing Highway 135 on an overpass (a few miles south of Marked Tree)
at 8:40 a.m.
5) Same train at Marked Tree, AR at 8:50 a.m.
6) BNSF 5318, CN5433 southbound at Marked Tree, 9:02 a.m.
7) CSX 4737 leaves Marked Tree northbound at 9:05 a.m. These two trains passed.
8) BNSF 5318 at Gilmore, AR, 9:36 a.m.
9) BNSF 5318-CN 5433, Jericho, 9:50 a.m.
10) UP Ebony Yard at 10:08 a.m. (Ebony is just outside Marion)
11) Diesel Supply Co. yard unit No. 189 at Ebony
12) NS 9162, Fair Oaks, 11:16 a.m.
13) NS 9162, Hunter, 11:31 a.m. (I had a heck of a time getting ahead of it!)
14) UP 2414, CN 5534(?), Brinkley, 1:59 a.m.
15) UP 9390, Brinkley, 2:14 p.m.
16) UP 9687, 6:04 p.m., Union Station, Little Rock
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS JULY 27, 2008 - Included today:
1) BNSF 5174 and SF/BNSF blue-yellow 6484 with unit grain train (trackage rights) - 10:00 a.m.
2) UP 5103 - 10:36 a.m.
3) UP/SP 2712, 8674, 2715 - 11:37 a.m.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS AUGUST 1 AND 3, 2008 -
Here's a few trains at Little Rock, Arkansas passing Union Station,
Sunday August 3, 2008 plus one photo of a Central Arkansas Transit
streetcar taken August 1. Included today:
1) River Rail Streetcar 411, August 1, 12:29 p.m.
2) UP 5147, 8:56 a.m.
3) UP 7198, 9:05 a.m.
4) UP 6845, DPU of coal train headed by 7198.
5) UP 4868, 9:35 a.m.
6) UP 4370, 9:47 a.m.
7) Our crew of railfans, under the shade tree in the parking lot.
8) Engine move from Biddle to the North Little Rock yards at 9:57 a.m. headed by UP 1930.
9) UP 1917-1370 and 1336.
10) UP 4767, 10:05 a.m.
11) Two CSX units, 7780 and 7834, come by at 10:17 a.m.
12) Old and worn SP hi-cube.
13) Ashley, Drew & Northern boxcar (HS 30716).
14) UP 550, 10:57 a.m.
15) Long string of new (since the spring) CITX hoppers, exterior applied in Paragould, AR 03-2008.
16) UP-SP 2741, the second train to use the Amtrak siding, at 12:01 p.m.
17) Train and helicopter.
It was 100-plus degrees later in the day, I think the 4th or 5th
straight day it's been over 100. However, due to all the spring rains,
Little Rock is over 4 inches above normal in rainfall in 2008 so far,
thus the green grass and rather lush trees. This did make for a
very high humidity level, however, which made Heat Index readings
between 110 and 115 degrees during the past 4 afternoons. UP had a
heat-related speed restriction through here and most of the system in
Arkansas.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS, AUGUST 9, 2008
- Saturday, August 9, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas on the Jonesboro Sub
UP's main line through eastern Arkansas (formerly Cotton Belt). It was
unusually 'cool' for this time of year, only in the upper 80s with
clouds moving in from the north and rain by evening. Included today are
9 trains with 19 locomotives:
1) UP 2502, 9:24 a.m.
2) NS 9275, UP 2161, 10:48 a.m.
3)
UP 5102 on the line from West Memphis being passed by a BNSF grain
train on the Jonesboro Sub, headed by BNSF 7737, 6701 with DPU 4994 -
11:57 a.m.
4) UP 9727, 2406, 4115 - 1:27 p.m.
5) UP 9490, 9280, 1858 - 1:42 p.m.
6) CSX 7318, 8410 - 2:15 p.m.
7) BNSF 7739, 8608, 2761 (in BN green), 126 (Warbonnet) from West Memphis - 2:20 p.m.
8) CSX 7782, single unit - 2:59 p.m.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, AUGUST 10, 2008
- It was unusually cool and dark for an August day with drizzle and
light rain all day. The temperature hovered around 71 degrees all day,
normal being in the lower 90s. Just a week earlier, it was 105 degrees
one day. I included a few shots of the UP yard and downtown Little Rock
in the fog taken from the Main Street bridge. There was a streetcar in
one shot. Trains today:
1) PBRX boxcar 200629, 10:56 a.m.
2) UP 9425 on dump train, 11:04 a.m.
3) UP 9819-NS 9069, 11:16 am.
4) CN 2520-CN 5794, 11:27 a.m.
5) UP 8328-4120, 11:37 a.m.
6) UP 4729-3631-3663, 11:53 a.m.
7) UP 5893-4516, 12:08 p.m.
8) Southern Hi-cube clean boxcar plus a line of hi-cubes boxcar.
9) UP 9475-6831-8654, 12:26 p.m.
10) Hutchinson Northern boxcar No. EEC 229
11) CSX 7824-CR 7920, 12:38 p.m.
12) BNSF 1053-7522-4138, 1:03 p.m.
13) Fog scenes
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, AUGUST 16, 2008
- I didn't go to Brinkley today to the museum, so I went to the station
in Little Rock. It was a coolish day with temperatures in the 70s.
There were nine locomotives on one southbound mixed train, including a
KCS Belle unit. Included today:
1) Flock of geese flew overhead about 9 a.m.
2) UP 9355, 9:23 a.m.
3) UP 4108, 10:50 a.m.
4) Line of Canadian hoppers
5) UP 4577, 10:50 a.m.
6) UP 5126, also 10:50 a.m. (passing other train)
7) GMTX 5126
8)
UP 9603 plus eight other colorful locomotives leading a long southbound
mixed train at 11:13 a.m. Other locos in this consist include KCS 4586,
CSX 7780, KCS 4101 (Belle colors), UP 6341 plus four other UP units.
9) Cities Service Company hopper
10) Shiny, new white tankers.
BAILEY YARD TOUR, NORTH PLATTE, NE - GOLDEN SPIKE TOWER SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
- On Thursday, September 4, 2008, I had the pleasure of being given a
tour of Union Pacific's Bailey Yard in North Platte, Nebraska by Supt.
Chad Wilbourn. This is the world's largest rail yard. Before I went on
the tour, I went to the new Golden Spike Tower and viewed the yard from
8 stories high.
Bailey Yard covers 2,850 acres, eight
miles long, and contains 260 miles of track. Every 24 hours the yard
handles 10,000 rail cars with 3,000 sorted daily. There are an average
of 120 trains a day through Bailey Yard. UP has 2,200 employees in the
North Platte area. One of UP's largest locomotive repair shops is
located here and can repair 750 locomotives a month, operating 24 hours
a day. A rail car repair facility is also located in the yard complex
and repair an average of 50 cars daily. (From 'North Platte, Nebraska
Bailey Yard' brochure.)
UP's Heritage units 1982 and
1988 were in the yard on this day, as was former Amtrak F40-PH 327 and
MKT red boxcar with trademark.
TRAINS IN WY-NE-KS-MT ON YELLOWSTONE TRIP, AUG 21-SEP 6, 2008 - Trains included:
1) NEWTON, KANSAS - August 21, BNSF
2) SOUTH TORRINGTON, WYOMING - August 22, railroad museum
3) GREYBULL, WYOMING - August 23, BNSF yards
4) WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA - August 28, UP/Yellowstone Museum
5) NORTH OF LANDER, WYOMING - August 31, Railroad Tie Worker monument
6) LANDER, WYOMING - September 1, old CNW depot/Chamber of Commerce
7) WEST OF LUSK, WYOMING - September 2, abandoned UP tracks, UP coal trains west and east of Lusk, old water tower at Lusk
8) CHADRON, NEBRASKA - September 3, Nebkota Railroad
9)
ALLIANCE, NEBRASKA - September 3, BNSF coal trains and yard, good shots
from 10th Street overpass, American Electric Power locomotive 1101
10) OGALLALA, NEBRASKA - September 3, UP
11) NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA - September 4, Bailey Yard tour, Golden Spike Tower museum
12) McPHERSON, KANSAS - September 5, Kansas & Oklahoma RR
AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE DELAY AT LITTLE ROCK SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
- Friday, September 12, 2008. Amtrak southbound Texas Eagle No. 21
arrived at the station in Little Rock at 6:24 a.m. but didn't leave
until 10:50 a.m. due to congestion on the UP, mostly intermodal trains.
Part of the problem was the Baring Cross drawbridge over the Arkansas
River, which had some trouble being raised and lowered during the
previous night. This caused a large backlog of freights south of the
bridge, which were moved northbound once the bridge was fixed.
Unfortunately for Amtrak, it was stuck on the Amtrak siding for nearly
4 and a half hours waiting on the northbound intermodals.
Here are some photos of this action, with some photos being taken from
the Cantrell Road overpass looking down at Union Station. Intermodals
were on both Main One and Main Two making for a very busy station scene.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
- Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas with dark
clouds rolling in ahead of Tropical Storm Ike, which had made landfall
in Houston, Texas in the wee hours of Saturday morning as a category 2
hurricane. The center of the remnants was just southwest of Texarkana
in Northeast Texas late Saturday afternoon, still showing a good
circulation and bands of thunderstorms began moving into Arkansas with
several tornado warnings being issued.
Seen today:
1) NS 9311, 10:29 a.m.
2) UP EC-5 track inspection vehicle, 12:56 p.m.
3) CSX 8565, 3:22 p.m.
4) Chessie boxcars
5) Dark cloud photos
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, SEPTEMBER 19-20, 2008 - Including a train and a football game in the same shot.
1) UP 8189 from Main Street bridge in North Little Rock looking across tracks at Jenks Shops on September 19, 10:15 a.m.
2) UP 4742, September 20, 8:57 a.m.
3)
UP 4742 with a middle school football game in the background (the
Episcopal Collegiate 6-12 grade school is just across the tracks from
Union Station)
4) UP 4185, 9:28 a.m.
5) CSX 7314 and 664, 9:32 a.m. in two paint schemes.
6) UP 2163, 10:32 a.m.
7) CSX 7876.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, SEPTEMBER 21, 2008 - Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Little Rock, Arkansas. Seen today:
1) UP 9696, former CNW at 9:11 a.m.
2) UP 5319, 9:43 a.m.
3) NS 8996, 10:03 a.m.
4) UP 7847, 10:33 a.m. with special effects added
5) UP 1539, 11:15 a.m.
6) Arkansas Midland 726, 11:15 a.m.
7) DME boxcar
8) UP 2715, former SP, 11:24 a.m.
9) UP 4250, 11:28 a.m.
10) UP 2318, 11:36 a.m.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS TRAINS AND FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 27, 2008 - Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Included today:
1) CSX 7498, 2:22 p.m.
2) CSX 5325, 2:58 a.m.
3) ADN/HS boxcar 30551
4) UP 4790, 3:10 p.m.
5) UP 4104, 4:00 p.m. with my Happy Halloween graphics!
SEMAPHORE-TRAIN ORDER SIGNAL-LONOKE, AR ON ABANDONED ROCK ISLAND, SEPTEMBER 27
- Lonoke, Arkansas (15 miles east of Little Rock on I-40/US 70) still
has a semaphore (actually a train order signal) at its original
location next to the Rock Island depot, also at its original site.
There is even a small section of Rock Island track in front of the
depot that was never removed when the rest of the Rock's tracks were
pulled up in the 1980s. Below are some photos. I also took a few
shots of the Hazen, Arkansas Rock Island depot and another type of old
Rock Island signal (Hazen is about 20 miles east of Lonoke on the same
abandoned Rock Island Sunbelt line) . There's a whole block of original
Rock Island track through downtown Hazen as well. As I've said in
an earlier post on this area, these two Arkansas towns, plus Carlisle
and Brinkley, did a great job of preserving their railroad heritage by
saving the Rock Island's depots.
BNSF LOCAL ON LRWN-OTHER TRAINS LITTLE ROCK SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
- Sunday, September 28, 2008 at Little Rock, Arkansas. Included is a
rare Sunday morning BNSF local move over the Little Rock & Western
(ne. Rock Island) out to the siding behind Harvest Foods on Cantrell
Road. It was a bright sunny day. Included:
1) UP 4189, 8:13 a.m.
2) Unknown type of equipment on flatcar.
3) UP 5104, 8:37 a.m.
4) New UTLX tank car
5) BNSF blue/yellow 3186, BNSF 2011 on BNSF local
6) UP 5474 in same scene as BNSF 3186, 9:36 a.m.
7) UP 5015 and 8173 passing each other, 12:04 p.m.
8) New Potlatch hopper
9) BNSF Warbonnet 644, 12:36 a.m.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS OCTOBER 4, 2008 - Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Only 4 trains today, including:
1) UP 3818, 7800, 11:28 a.m.
2) UP yellow boxcar NWR 6022 with UP shield
3) Conrail, NYC 885377 hopper
4) Five-unit CSX train with CSX 7704, 5299, 7906, 5490 and 7571 at 12:18 p.m.
5) String of TBOX/TTX yellow boxcars
6) UP 5183, 4605, 1:20 p.m.
7) CN 5459, 6110, 1:50 p.m.
8) Hawk
ARKANSAS & MISSOURI RAILROAD - SPRINGDALE, AR, OCTOBER 6, 2008
- Here are a few photos of Arkansas and Missouri Railroad
locomotives and facilities in Springdale, Arkansas October 6, 2008.
Also, since Wal-Mart's worldwide Corporate Headquarters are located in
nearby Bentonville, AR, I drove up there to look at the very first
Wal-Mart store (started by Sam Walton, May 9, 1950). The initial store,
called Walton's 5-10, is now the Wal-Mart museum.
FORMER N&W CABOOSE JNSX911 NORTH LITTLE ROCK UP YARDS OCTOBER 8, 2008
- N&W Caboose JNSX911 at UP's North Little Rock yards on October 8,
2008, about 11:45 a.m. It was in line to have some wheels replaced.
Coastline Rail purchased the caboose from a California man through D.
F. Barnhardt & Associates (broker). Jim Satterwhite sold it
to Specialized Rail Transport. SRT is using Jim's company's
reporting marks "JNSX" (Jim and Nancy Satterwhite) 911 (obvious numbers
lest we forget). It will move to the Cooper T. Smith spur at the Port
of Houston.
PINE BLUFF AND LITTLE ROCK TRAINS OCTOBER 9, 2008
- Thursday, October 9, 2008. Today I have photos of trains in North
Little Rock, Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Included:
1) UP/SP 2712, 9:11 a.m., Union Station Little Rock
2) Ferromex 4680, 9:34 a.m., UP NLR yards
3) CEFX 101, 9:35 a.m., UP NLR yards
4) UP 8500, 9:45 a.m., Union Station LIT. Train almost hits a large dog.
5) Greenville & Northern Rwy green boxcar HS 72343
6) Coils
7) Small tank car GATX 25179
8) UP 9548, 10:01 a.m. , Union Station LIT
9) UP 4153, Union Station LIT
10) CN 2564, 12:53 p.m. , Pine Bluff, AR
11) Playboy bunny graffiti
12) UP 4051, 1:08 p.m., Pine Bluff
13) UP 4575, 1:22 p.m., Pine Bluff
14) UP 7813 passing other train, Pine Bluff
LITTLE ROCK AND BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS OCTOBER 10 AND 11, 2008
- Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11, 2008 in Little Rock and
Brinkley, Arkansas. This is the Saturday of the week that saw the
biggest fall of the stock market in history, in case someone reads this
in 20 years. BUT the trains continued to run!
Of
interest today is a late Amtrak southbound Texas Eagle, Number 21,
which arrived in Little Rock at 9:19 a.m., about 6 hours late. This
train had hit a trailer full of corn in Illinois the day before, which
delayed it. Nobody was hurt, apparently, but a couple of the passengers
who got off at Little Rock for a smoke break said they could see corn
flying by the windows after the truck was hit (trailer only, they said
the truck cab was off the track). Of course, all this is second hand.
Thanks to Eric Grissom for the 'heads-up' on Amtrak's late arrival.
Also on this web page:
1) UP 7890, with a lot of red containers, 11:35 a.m. October 10
2) UP DPU 8631, 11:42 a.m. on same train.
3)
Following are all October 11. Part of crowd of 49,900 runners and
walkers in the annual Race for the Cure fundraiser to raise money for
breast cancer in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.
4) UP 4652, KCS 4034 (Belle unit), 8:49 a.m. at Union Station LIT
5) UP 1917, 9:01 a.m. LIT
6) Amtrak Texas Eagle No. 21, 9:19 a.m.
7) UP 4416 and Amtrak locomotive 12, 9:36 a.m. UP was waiting on Amtrak to depart.
8) UP 2380, 9:57 a.m.
9) GMTX 2133, sharp blue and white
10) UP 3883 passing UP 2380, 10:00 a.m.
11) Rest are in Brinkley, AR (between Little Rock and Memphis on I-40). UP 3837 and 9734, 12:53 p.m.
12) CN 8016, 1:23 p.m.
13) UP 4412, 1:39 p.m.
14) UP 4903, 3:31 p.m.
15) UP 4441, 3:45 p.m.
LITTLE ROCK UNION STATION, SUNDAY OCTOBER 12, 2008 - Of special interest was an empty 6-truck hauler flatcar (KWUX-18) and a KCS Belle-CSX-led intermodal. Included today:
1) KWUX-18 hauler
2) UP 2253, 9:08 a.m.
3) KCS 4058-CSX 8115. 9:34 a.m.
4) Canadian Pacific Railway red hi-cube boxcar, CP 220043
5) indusmin hopper.
6) New ACFX hoppers.
7) JNSX911 caboose in UP yard, 11:15 a.m.
8) Kinda colorful work equipment with reds, yellows, blues and greens.
9) UP 5108 plus a Conrail and NS unit, 11:48 a.m.
10) Baring Cross bridge across the Arkansas River from a distance.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS, OCTOBER 18, 2008
- Saturday, October 28, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Rare view of two
CSX trains passing each other, both southbound, one from the north and
one from the east at Brinkley Junction. When I saw two distant
headlights, I crossed the tracks at US Highway 70 and got on the
sunlit side. The train from the north was going the usual track speed,
about 60 mph, and the one from the east was going about 10 mph because
of the sharp curve. Finally the train from the east got into view
before the one from the north got there.
Included today:
1) CSX 7373 (from north). CSX 5430 and 597 (from east), 11:51 a.m.
2) NS 8374, 12:18 p.m.
3) UP 4160, NS 8413, 1:33 p.m.
4) CN 5267, UP 2412, 1:57 p.m. with a good wave from the engineer.
AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE No. 21 LITTLE ROCK, OCTOBER 19, 2008
- On Sunday, October 19, 2008, Amtrak's Texas Eagle 21,
southbound, arrived at Little Rock, Arkansas at 12:06 p.m. and left at
12:26 p.m., roughly 9 hours late (due at 3:08 a.m.). Reason for
lateness: Engine failure north of St. Louis (at Carlinville, IL).
Also, the Amtrak crew ran of out time at Poplar Bluff later and a new
crew from the extra board was driven from Little Rock to Poplar Bluff
to bring the train all the way from Poplar Bluff to Marshall. The crew
that was supposed to get on in Little Rock was driven to Marshall to
bring Amtrak 22 back tonight.
LITTLE ROCI, ARKANSAS, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008 - OTHER PHOTOS - Included today:
1) UP 6662, 851 a.m.
2) BNSF 5664
3) BNSF 7641m 9:27 a.m.
4) Various streamlined autoracks on BNSF auto train
5) Moon, airplanes, Mockingbird, Fall colors, Artsy sunrise shot of railroad shelter, predawn shots at station
6) UP 2460, 9:54 a.m.
7) UP 9559, 10:08 a.m.
8) UP/SP 2715, 2741, UP 342, 11:41 a.m.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2008 - Of special interest was a GATX chemical emergency Tank Training car. Also included today:
1)
UP 7141, 10:16 a.m., possibly a detour loaded coal train from Oklahoma
due to a UP derailment at Caney, Oklahoma a couple of days earlier.
This train had LCRX hoppers. Was it heading to the LCRA power plant in
LaGrange, Texas?
2) DPU-UP 5850
3) UP 4289, 10:29 a.m.
4) UP 8427, 11:03 a.m.
5) Louis-Dreyfus hopper
6) UP 4595, 11:15 a.m.
7) UP 9466, freshly painted, 11:28
8) Mad, flying and fighting male Mockingbirds
9) Bright red, green and blue GATX emergency Tank Trainer cars
10) Brand new string of black TILX tank cars
11) UP 4201, 11:50 a.m.
12) UP 1930 on the Amtrak siding
13) Unpatched SP 9755. This car is used on locals around the area.
14) UP 4383, 12:16 p.m.
15) 'Grand Teton' and other Cryo-Trans cars
16) FURX-Transportation Corporation of America hopper.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008
- Just 9 photos today, Sunday October 26, 2008. The shot of the day was
the BNSF trackage rights train headed by Santa Fe Warbonnet 711 and
104. I also tried two artsy-type photo editing shots. There were
more trains, but I didn't include them. Included today:
1) Union Station construction scene.
2) BNSF 711, 104 (both warbonnets) and 4506, 9:36 a.m.
3) UP 8148 with empty coal train, 10:31 a.m.
4) UP 2452, southbound on the Amtrak siding, 10:56 a.m. with enhanced sky
5) Large coils on a flatcar.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2008 - Included today:
1) UP 7141 with a CSX and NS unit, 8:04 a.m. cst
2) UP 8047, 9:09 a.m.
3) UP/SP 6312, 9:17 a.m.
4) UP 9247 passing UP 6312, 9:17 a.m.
5) GMTX 2114 - GATX Locomotive Group
6) Red MKT gondola, GT blue hi-cube boxcar
7) SP semi-unpatched 8674, 9:51 a.m. Doesn't have any Southern Pacific lettering anymore.
8) UP 4840, 10:11 a.m. with 6 units
9) UP 4830, 5007
10) CNW boxcar
11) MKT green hopper
12) SP newly painted hi-cube SP 615221
13) Green BN boxcar
14) Log cars
15) UPY 1370, 10:27 a.m.
16) SP unpatched 9755, used frequently in the local area
17) UP 6665, 11:20 a.m. with empty northbound coal train
18) UP 7712, 12:12 p.m.
19) DPU-UP 3910 and 7911
MISSOURI & NORTH ARKANSAS BRIDGE-SHIRLEY, ARKANSAS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2008
- An old Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad bridge remains in
Shirley, Arkansas, as many know. I was photographing fall colors in
northern Arkansas, where Shirley is located, and got some photos of
this bridge, which you can actually drive across. It's very narrow, but
road crews put down a layer of concrete on the bridge, so it's easy to
drive on. The bridge crosses the Little Red River. The M&NA
was abandoned in this area in the 1940s.
Shirley is
located about 100 miles north of Little Rock in the Ozark Mountains. It
has a population of 337 and is known for growing mushrooms. These
photos were taken on Thursday, November 6, 2008. A strong cold front
had passed early in the day.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS NOVEMBER 9-BRINKLEY, AR-NOVEMBER 8, 2008
- Saturday, November 8 at Brinkley, Arkansas and Sunday, November 9,
2008 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Catch of the Day: KCS
belle units 4129 and 4121 together with UP units on a mixed southbound.
Included today:
1) UP 9285 (C40-8), 3874, 9512, 9643, 2459, 6539, 5748, 2402
2) KCS 4129, 4121
3) NS 7555
4) Ashley, Drew & Northern boxcar
5) Arkansas Queen Riverboat under UP Baring Cross bridge.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
- Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas, along the UP. It
was cold and windy today with dark clouds. Temperatures were in the
40s. Included today:
1) UP 5163, 9682, 5689, 9466, 8178, 6455
2) NS 9242
3) CN 'zebra' 5517
4) Long gon train loaded with large coils of some type
5) Dark clouds and sunsets
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, NOVEMBER 16, 2008
- Sunday, November 16, 2008 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Of
special interest today was the various moves of NS 9065 and 9682, first
coming from Biddle Yards on the Amtrak siding, then going north past
the switch, backing up on Main No. 2 to be in front of the station,
then going north again, past the switch between the No. 2 and No. 1
mains, then backing up again, this time on Main No. 1 to hook onto a
freight that was experiencing some engine trouble, and then finally
heading north again with this freight at 12:16 p.m. The whole process
started at 9:47 a.m. It was fun to watch.
Also today:
1) UP 4765, 7252, 4470, 2725, 4036, 9692, 4742, 7861
2) NS 9065, 9682, 9074
3) CSX 5226
4) CN 2547
5) A KRL heavy hauler
6) A special sky photo
7) New station sign at Little Rock's Amtrak station
COLD, BLUSTERY BRINKLEY, AR, NOVEMBER 22, 2008
- Saturday, November 22, 2008 was a cold, blustery day in Arkansas,
including Brinkley (eastern Arkansas on the Jonesboro and Brinkley subs
of U.P.). The day started out with brilliant, clear blue skies, but it
was a cold 22 degrees (17 degrees below the normal low of 39) and only
reached a high of 43 (26 degrees below the normal high of 69). The wind
was strong too. Fittingly, it was the annual Christmas Open House at
the Brinkley Depot Museum, where I volunteer weekly. There was punch,
cookies, cheese trays, fruit, cinnamon rolls, chips and lots of dip - I
had a good time!!
There were nine trains today passing
through Brinkley, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. I've included most of
them. Included today:
1) NS 9194, 9258
2) CONRAIL 6758
3) UP 4229, 7840, 4303
4) Unknown load
5) Radio Display sign 14-14-16
CLOUDY STATION AT LITTLE ROCK, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2008
- Sunday, November 23, 2008 at a cloudy and cold Union Station in
Little Rock. Not surprisingly, there were not many railfans here
today - only 2, including me. All UP today, 5 trains.
U.P. ROW EQUIPMENT NEW ULM, TEXAS NOVEMBER 28, 2008 - The day after Thanksgiving.
TWO STREETCARS LITTLE ROCK DECEMBER 5, 2008
- Here's a few shots taken of two Little Rock streetcars on Friday,
December 5, 2008 near the Clinton Presidential Library stop. Also shown
are the former Rock Island-Choctaw Route passenger station, now part of
the Clinton Library, and the unused Rock Island bridge over the
Arkansas River. There's also one shot of the Heifer International
complex, next to the Clinton Library. Heifer International is a
charitable organization that donates animals to many third-world
countries so they can use them on their farms or sell them. Heifer
International's headquarters is a fully 'green' building, lit
mostly by sun roofs and uses water collected and filtered from rainfall.
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 6, 2008 - Saturday, December 6, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Included today (I missed two trains):
1) NS 8385
2) UP 3959, 4859
3) CSX 9007, 8538
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, SUNDAY DECEMBER 7, 2008
- Sunday, December 7, 2008 (the 67th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor
attack, which was also on a Sunday). Included today are a few UP trains
at Union Station in Little Rock, plus I stopped at Alltel Arena in
North Little Rock to get a couple of pictures of the vehicles used by
the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (the 'Gold' unit,
which travels by truck/RV caravan only). This is Ringling
Brothers' one-ring circus called 'Boom-A-Ring.'
Included today:
1) UP 7739, 4459, 3809, 9136, 5698, 8335
2) Pipe gondola loaded high
3) Two intermodals with DPU's
4) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey semi's and caravan
UP 4141, THE GEORGE BUSH LIBRARY LOCOMOTIVE, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, DECEMBER 10, 2008
- UP 4141, the George Bush Library unit, in the UP North Little Rock
yards, December 10, 2008, about 1 p.m. This unit went to Memphis,
Tennessee the next day and was interchanged with the NS there.
BRINKLEY AND LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 13, 2008
- Saturday, December 13, 2008 at Brinkley and Little Rock, Arkansas.
Cold and windy today. Included are a couple of night shots at Union
Station in Little Rock and a photo of the Christmas-lighted Arkansas
State Capitol taken from the station.
Included today:
1) CSX 9008
2) UP 4641, 6466, 6455, 4376
3) NS 9545
4) CR 6743
5) BNSF 522 - night photo
(There
were several trains I didn't get to photograph due to visitors at the
museum, plus 4 that I did photograph but decided not to put on this
page due to very dark and poor lighting).
NIGHT STREETCAR SCENES LITTLE ROCK-NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR DECEMBER 19, 2008 - River Rail Streetcar scenes, Friday night, December 19, 2008 in Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas.
UP 1988, THE KATY HERITAGE UNIT-JACKSONVILLE/NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR DECEMBER 21, 2008
- UP 1988, the Katy Heritage unit, passing through Jacksonville,
Arkansas and in the North Little Rock UP yards, Sunday December 21,
2008. It was very cold and windy, temperature 22 degrees and north
winds gusting to 30 mph. BUT, it was SUNNY! (finally)
BRINKLEY, AR DEPOT WITH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS-PLUS TRAINS, DECEMBER 20, 2008
- Saturday, December 20, 2008 was a dark, cold and dismal day
weatherwise in Brinkley, Arkansas. Got a few trains, but it was so dark
that I had to open the lens so much to view the trains, which made them
blurry. It didn't help that they move at track speed past the Brinkley
depot. I stayed after closing the museum until it was dark to get some
night shots of the Christmas lights on the depot. Temperatures
were in the 40s during the day, but a strong Arctic cold front moved
through that night, dropping temperatures into the lower 20s by dawn on
Sunday, and by Monday morning, they were in the lower teens.
Included today:
1) Christmas lights on the Brinkley Depot.
2) CSX 8456, 8317
3) NS 2583
4) UP 4390
5) 'Candy Cane' crossing gates at night
AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE 21 LITTLE ROCK DECEMBER 22, 2008 PLUS OTHER TRAINS
- Monday, December 22, 2008. Amtrak Texas Eagle Train 21 was 8 hours
late into Little Rock due to winter storm problems in Missouri and
Illinois. Here are a few scenes. I also added some freights today and
on December 21, also at Little Rock.
Included today and yesterday:
1) Amtrak Texas Eagle Train 21 arriving Little Rock about noon.
2) UP/SP 2712
3) UP 8636, 4765, 5984
4) CSX 8103, 4798
5) SSW hi-cube-almost 'clean'
6) String of Railbox boxcars
7) West Central Soy Plus hopper
8) ARMN reefer
CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT EAGLE, LITTLE ROCK, DECEMBER 24, 2008
- Christmas Greetings from Little Rock, Arkansas. The Christmas Eve
northbound Texas Eagle (AMT 22) arrived at Union Station 24 minutes
early from Texas on its way to Chicago (arrived at 11:15 p.m.,
scheduled at 11:34 p.m.). Hope everyone has a great holiday season. The
lighted dome to the left of Union Station is the State Capitol building.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS-DECEMBER 27, 2008
- Saturday, December 27, 2008. Unlike last weekend in Arkansas, it was
unusually warm today with the temperature 70 degrees. Rain and
thunderstorms were moving across Arkansas. Pictures were taken at Union
Station in Little Rock. Included today:
1) UP 4653, 9259, 4128
2) CSX 7645
3) SP 8674
4) ADN boxcar
SUNSET AND TRAINS, DECEMBER 27, 2008
- A squall line moved through Arkansas Saturday afternoon, leaving some
vivid sunsets. I got some photos of the sunset, then went to the train
station in Little Rock to see if I could catch some twilight trains. I
got two. (Ken Z)
TWO UNPATCHED SP UNITS PASSING AT LITTLE ROCK, DECEMBER 28, 2008
- Unpatched SP 9755 passed unpatched SP 319 at Union Station in Little
Rock, Arkansas December 28, 2008. Another person in our railfan group
got a better and closer picture of these two units passing. The
9755 is in regular yard service between UP's North Little Rock yards
and Little Rock Biddle (former Rock Island) yards.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
2009
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS-JANUARY 3, 2009 - Saturday, January 3, 2008 at Brinkley, Arkansas on UP's Jonesboro and Brinkley Subs. Seven trains today, including:
1) UP 4840, 9432, 4317, 4373, 4403
2) CN 5701, 8012, 2642
3) String of new CEFX hoppers from the plant at Paragould, Arkansas
4) String of CN boxcars including freshly painted CN414375
TWO ASHLEY, DREW & NORTHERN BOXCARS LITTLE ROCK, JANUARY 4, 2009
- Two Ashley, Drew & Northern boxcars separated by one car passing
Union Station in Little Rock on Sunday, January 4, 2009. The mixed
train was headed by UP 7011. A cold front had just passed, dropping
temperatures from 55 to 49 in about an hour. Plus I added a couple of
photos of the Trumpeter Swans that winter on Magness Lake near Heber
Springs, in northern Arkansas that I took on New Years Day 2009.
DISPLAYED UP CENTENNIAL 6938 AT JENKS SHOPS NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS JANUARY 6, 2009
- Tuesday, January 6, 2009. I went to UP Jenks Shops in
North Little Rock to visit the UP Company Store (signing in at the
guard shack on the way in) and got a few shots of UP Centennial 6938 on
display there. I also got a UP freight in the Levy section of North
Little Rock on 35th Street on the Van Buren Sub.
(This
was the first time I used my new Acer AspireOne Netbook to download the
photos, shrink them for the web in Paint Shop Pro, create the webpage,
and FTP them to my server. The Netbook is one of those new tiny laptop
computers, which comes with Windows XP-Home, 1GB memory and 144
GB hard drive, plenty for my programs and files. The only thing I have
to get used to is the 9.5" screen and it doesn't have a DVD drive, but
I have a USB DVD drive that works well with it).
JANUARY 7-10, 2009 AROUND LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS - Here are some miscellaneous photos of trains, streetcars and scenes around Little Rock, Arkansas, January 7-10, 2009.
Included are:
1) 'Experimental' glider
2) Baring Cross UP bridge with train taken from the Main Street highway bridge
3) River Rail Streetcar 412 on Main Street Bridge taken from the bridge
4) Little Rock skyline with 12 jet contrails in blue sky
5) Former Missouri Pacific grade on river line, now a biking trail
6) Streetcar as seen from my car while I was parked in the River Market District of Little Rock
7) UP 2741, 3958, 5029, 7225, 9623
8) LRWN-HLCX 3636, LRWN 7736
9) Rock Island blue hopper
10) Loads of ties
11) Big Blue string of boxcars
12) SP unpatched 319, SP unpatched 9755
13) Model auto next to Union Station dumpster
JANUARY 11, 2009 WITH NEW PANASONIC-LUMIX X CAMERA WITH 18X ZOOM TRAINS
- Sunday, January11, 2009 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. I've
obtained a new Panasonic/Lumix digital camera with 18x optical zoom
(35mm equiv. is 27-486mm) and Leica optics. It was a rather active day,
but nothing like a few months ago. Seen today:
1) UP 1540, 4246, 5000, 2725, 7885, 5280, 4083, 1930, 7050
2) NS 6763
JANUARY 17, 2009 AT BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS
- January 17, 2009 at Brinkley, Arkansas on UP's Jonesboro Sub. I
saw a work train today that came to Brinkley from West Memphis and did
some switching, plus several other trains. This was the Saturday that
had the famous, annual Yahoo Group Railspot luncheon in Plano, Texas. I
understand 52 or more attended, but I couldn't make it. Included today
at Brinkley:
1) CN 5715
2) UP 4995, 9558, 8558, 4526
3) Snow on black tank cars
10-LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN - OTHERS LITTLE ROCK JANUARY 18, 2009
- Sunday, January 18, 2009 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. A
southbound had 10 locomotives, but this is not unusual since some are
just being transferred. Finally, a crystal clear sky and temperatures
above freezing (in the upper 40s). Included today:
1) UP 5503, 7767, 7897, 7753
2) UP/SP 2741, 2712, 2715
3) MOW work vehicles
4) Lone pigeon
JANUARY 20, 2009 - LITTLE ROCK-
Here's a few photos I took on Presidential Inauguration Day, January 20,
2009, at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Several non-UP
power today, including:
1) Unpatched SP 8674
2) BNSF 1058
3) CSX 631, 5422, 4
JANUARY 22-23, 2009 AT LITTLE ROCK
- Here's a couple of days worth of train photos at the station in
Little Rock, Arkansas, Thursday and Friday, January 22 & 23,
2009. Of special interest was a string of new TILX hoppers and
another of CN boxcars. Also, two trains on the Amtrak siding.
Included:
1) UP 4247, 4995, 4105, 562, 4796, 6034, 6502, 1540, 1539, 3864, 8510, 4215
2) NS 7526.
3) CSX 44, 69
4) BNSF 5950
5) Long string of brand new TILX hoppers
6) Green and blue Golden West Service hoppers
7) String of CN boxcars
8) New Orleans RR emblem on boxcar and a Golden Triangle boxcar
NAPOLEON, AR GHOST TOWN-BOAT RIDE JAN 26, 2009
- On Monday, January 26, 2009, David Hoge and I of the Arkansas
Railroad Club had a guided boat tour of Napoleon, Arkansas, a pre-Civil
War ghost town in eastern Arkansas at the mouth of the Arkansas River
(where it runs into the Mississippi River). The tour was given by
Mark McElroy, the County Judge of Desha County, Arkansas. This town
flooded just after the Civil War, partly caused by Union troops when
they cut a hole in a dike. It now lies under the Arkansas River, except
for a 151-foot high hill on Napoleon (or Cat) Island, which has part of
the old Napoleon Cemetery (the rest of this cemetery apparently washed
away in the 1970s). We found one tombstone belonging to Henry Smith,
who died in 1859. His wife was buried there also. Of special interest
regarding this tombstone was the fact that Mr. Smith was born on
January 26, 1817 - meaning we had found it on his birthday!! He'd be
192 years old.
A railroad was chartered to run here, but was never finished.
JANUARY 30, 2009-LRWN AND SUNSET-LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Friday, January 30, 2009 at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Included are some vivid sunset scenes with signals and track, plus a
late afternoon Little Rock & Western train heading TOWARD the UP
yards in North Little Rock. Photos by Ken Ziegenbein. Included today:
1) UP 9475, 5096, 9673
2) Large load on flatcar TTPX 806273
3) Chessie Cat boxcar
4) LRWN 1542, 7736
5) NS 9366
6) AOK (CNW) hoppers
7) Sunset scenes
FEBRUARY 1, 2009 LITTLE ROCK
- A total of 12 trains and 3 light engine moves today (February 1,
2009) at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas, between 8:30 a.m and
12:53 p.m. Sightings included the Model Railroader 70th Anniversary
WSOR boxcar and 'Famous Ma & Pa RR' boxcar. Included today:
1) UP 9367, 1539, 7796, 7875, 9431, 5770, 9706, 5310, 5300, 2285, 8344, 1540, 8528, 5106, 4276, 1930, 4757
2) UP/SP 6348
3) SP 9755
4) Columbian Chemical Company hopper
5) Rock Island hopper
6) 'Famous Ma & Pa RR" boxcar
7) Model Railroader 70th Anniversary boxcar, WSOR 503149
8) R J Corman boxcars
9) Old brinks from Dickinson - Little Rock at Union Station driveway
FEBRUARY 2-5, 2009 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
- A few photos at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas the week of
February 2-5, 2009. Included is a three-KCS light-engine move.
1) UP 9697, 4357, 9668, 4567
2) KCS 7011, 6618 and 7004.
LATE AMTRAK TEXAS ENGINE No. 22 - LITTLE ROCK, FEBRUARY 6, 2009
- Friday, February 6, 2009: Amtrak Texas Eagle No. 22, northbound,
arrived at Little Rock, Arkansas about 11 hours late due to engine
problems in Texas and then further delayed by a UP minor derailment and
freight congestion. It was scheduled to arrive before midnight the
night before at 11:26 p.m. (but has been arriving early the past few
weeks), but it arrived today at 10:05 a.m., leaving at 10:28 a.m.
I
just happened to be at the station watching trains, when I noticed no
activity for about 30 minutes and the signals all red. Then I heard the
unmistakable sound of am Amtrak engine around the curve south of the
station (AMT 118), and it pulled into the station, almost 11 hours
late. When it pulled into the Amtrak siding, there was nobody waiting
on the platform, no agent, no crew, like I usually see when Amtrak
comes in (since LRK is a crew change point). But then the people and
agent (Richard) started coming out of the waiting room, and soon they
were on the platform along with dozens of smokers who got off to have
their smoke stop.
I knew that it was delayed in Texas
due to a problem with the locomotive (I believe), but when I last
checked its scheduled arrival in Little Rock last night, it was
supposed to be here at 4 a.m. or thereabouts. So I was surprised to see
it. A conductor told me that they had been delayed again on their way
here by a UP derailment of some sort and because of freight congestion
at some point. Here are some photos (I sat on the ground to look up at
the train departing). (Photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
FEBRUARY 5, 6, 7, 2009 AT LITTLE ROCK AND BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS
- Here are a few pictures of trains at Little Rock February 6 and
Brinkley, Arkansas February 7, 2009. I included some Central Arkansas
Transit streetcars Thursday evening, February 5 and Saturday evening,
February 7 in the River Market District in Little Rock and a
weird-looking car - a new hybrid? Also, UP 6736, the Operation
Lifesaver unit. Included:
1) Newest of hybrid cars? (LOL)
2) UP 4023, 3781, 7915, 9430, 6736 (Operation Lifesaver unit), 1540, 1539 (real workhorses on the local), 3860
3) CSX 249, 7624
4) HLCX 3813
5) AMT 118
6) UP/SP 6348
7) Two SP boxcars, relatively grafitti-free
8) Central Arkansas Transit Streetcars 408, 412
9) Evening and night scenes in Little Rock's River Market District.
10) The newest of hybrid cars in a parking lot? (LOL - tongue-in-cheek, but interesting photo)
FEBRUARY 8, 2008 - LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
- Sunday, February 8, 2009 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ten
trains today between 9:30 and 1:20 p.m. There was a break in action
when work was done on the Baring Cross bridge between 11:30 and noon.
Included today:
1) BNSF 4643, 729 (Warbonnet), 4983
2) UP 856, 4647, 5039, 5307, 2285, 3963, 5147, 5060, 9458. 5707, 4174
4) Plaque on UP 9458 honoring Talmage Dalebout in 1994 safety award.
5) Painted and patched MP 588719 hopper
6) New CN boxcar CNIS 407347
7) MKT 558 hopper
RAZORBACK MASCOT-TRAINS FEB 10-14, 2009
- Here are lots of train photos from the week of February 10 through
February 14, 2009 at Little Rock PLUS a closeup photo of the official
mascot of the Arkansas Razorbacks, TUSK II, a huge razorback. I got to
pet him. He was in a trailer behind Union Station along with lots of
people, who were doing something at the Arkansas Capitol later that
morning. I might be imagining things, but there seems to be more trains
these days. There were 12 passing Union Station in Little Rock on
Saturday, February 14 alone between 7:22 a.m and 11:45 a.m. While not
as many as past years, it's definitely more than last month. I didn't
go to Brinkley this Saturday but was told they had lots of trains as
well. (KZ)
Included this week:
1) UP North Little Rock yards taken from parking lot of Cracker Barrel
2) Old Camp Robinson tracks in North Little Rock
3) 'TUSK II" large razorback, official mascot of the Arkansas Razorbacks, University of Arkansas
4) CSX 8054, 4753
5) UP 7865, 5519, 2460, 4111, 4567, 5785, 6578, 5039, 3804, 2426, 4907, 5201, 4386, 5297, 8059, 7874, 7788
6) BNSF 7596, 4399, 4051, 4891
7) GMTX blue-white 2156, 2153
8) Green/blue containers
9) Long flatcar load
10) D&RGW dump car 3901
11) CNW dump car
12) BN green boxcar
13) CN blue boxcar
14) Rock Island worn blue boxcar
15) YKR 925 blue boxcar
16) BN green autorack by itself
17) White, round tank or container car
18) Re-painted MoPac hoppers with buzzsaw
19) BNSF and BN coil cars
20) Long string of Herzog hoppers
21) Yellow CNW hopper "Employee Owned"
22) Rice & Popcorn hopper
23) Blue tank car
24) Alberta blue hopper
25) New NS hi-cube boxcar
26) New CSX containers "How Tomorrow Moves"
27) Unknown type of bird.
AIRHOSE BREAK-BNSF AND OTHER TRAINS LITTLE ROCK, FEBRUARY 15, 2009
- Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. It
was another busy day with 15 trains between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Due
to an empty coal train waiting on a crew, both main tracks were blocked
for over an hour and a half. As a result, 5 trains (including a
BNSF train) had to use the Amtrak siding to get around the coal train.
Made for some interesting closeup shots. Then, as the coal train
finally got a crew and headed north on the Van Buren Sub, the very next
train on that line broke an air hose in front of Union Station and went
into emergency (we saw the air hose break right in front of us - one of
our group called the UP 800 number and reported the exact milepost and
car ID that had the break, which might have saved the crew a little
time. Shortly after the call by Bruce, a UP policeman showed up and a
front-end crew member arrived at the site with stuff to fix the break).
There are photos of this below.
Also included today:
1) UP 3841, 5651, 7131, 1540, 4697, 3824, 4845, 1423, 7830, 7794, 4858, 2285, 4245, 0786, 7923
2) BNSF 4362, 7600
3) Very old Santa Fe boxcar
4) Broken airhose puts train in emergency
FEBRUARY 18, 2009-LITTLE ROCK - Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at Little Rock plus two photos of an unusual line of cumulus clouds. Included today:
1) UP 9625, 9746, 7736
2) BNSF 9640 (in the dull green, white and gold stripes)
3) MKT red gondolas 16014 and 16107
4) String of empty 'tables'/flats
5) Line of fair-weather cumulus clouds with the rest of the sky clear.
BNSH 901-FEBRUARY 20, 2009 - LITTLE ROCK - Faded
BNSF-Santa Fe Warbonnet 901 in a colorful 3-locomotive consist passing
Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas, Friday, February 20, 2009.
Number 901 was the second unit between BNSF 7562 and UP 3831 on a mixed
train. There was a Vermont Rail boxcar on the freight. Also a couple of
closeup bird shots, I think of a Mockingbird. Also today:
1) Chessie cat emblem on boxcar
2) Vermont Rail yellow boxcar
UP 4141-LRWN 102-BRINKLEY AND NORTH LITTLE ROCK-FEBRUARY 21, 2009
- Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Brinkley, Arkansas and North Little
Rock. The day started out cold and rainy, but sunshine broke through
late in the day. There were no trains at Brinkley from 9 a.m. until
2:08 p.m. then there were four trains between 2:08 p.m. and 3:04 p.m.
Best catch at Brinkley was bright red Canadian Pacific 8549. Two good
catches at North Little Rock's UP yards were LRWN Alco 102, now
lettered VLIX and UP 4141, the Bush unit, which spent the past week at
Jenks Shops, apparently being retouched with paint. Also, a colorful
sunrise and a woodpecker.
Included today:
1) UP 3963, 4495, 4702, 4925, 4141
2) Canadian Pacific 8549
3) Four CSX blue boxcars in a row
4) Rock Island hopper at end of train
5) Woodpecker at Dagmar Wildlife Refuge
FEBRUARY 22, 2009 - LITTLE ROCK
- Faded BNSF-Santa Fe Warbonnet 901 in a colorful 3-locomotive consist
passing Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas, Friday, February 20,
2009. Number 901 was the second unit between BNSF 7562 and UP 3831 on a
mixed train. There was a Vermont Rail boxcar on the freight. Also a
couple of closeup bird shots, I think of a Mockingbird. Also today:
1) Chessie cat emblem on boxcar
2) Vermont Rail yellow boxcar
FEBRUARY 25, 2009 - LITTLE ROCK
- Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at Little Rock, Arkansas, including some
shots from the Cantrell Road bridge. There was a BNSF local sitting on
the Little Rock & Western tracks when I arrived, then we had a pair
of blue & white GATX units and a pair of Ferromex units during the
morning. It was a mostly cloudy day, but a couple of times the bright
sun broke through for some unique shots. Included today:
1) BNSF 8602
2) UP 6016, 5746, 2460, 5712, 3846
3) FERROMEX 4623, 4678
4) GATX blue&white 2156 and 2157
5) Long steel beam on 3 flatcars
6) "Hog Heaven" 1950 bus
7) Old baggage-express carts
8) GACX silver tankcar
9) Truck frames on a very long loaded auto train
10) Old hopper of some sort, SMIX 1052
WSOR BLACK-YELLOW BOXCAR-FORMER SARGENTO CHEESE CAR
- February 25, 2009. WSOR 503194, Wisconsin & Southern colorful
yellow and black boxcar at Little Rock, February 26, 2009. It looked
brand new. This was formerly painted for Sargento's Cheese for a
Christmas train in Wisconsin.
HEAVY-HAULER KRL 45833-OTHERS-LITTLE ROCK, AR FEBRUARY 26, 2009
- Friday, February 27, 2009 at Little Rock, Arkansas. It was a warm,
then cool day, with clouds, sun and rain. Lots of trains today, but I
just included the 'best of.' Of special interest was a one-car
train hauling a large transformer and a Kansas City Southern 'Belle'
unit. Included today:
1) CSX 643
2) Heavy-haul flat KRL 45833
3) UP4097, 8407
4) CN 5707, 2699
5) SSW/UP 2094
6) KCS Belle 4696
UNPATCHED COTTON BELT LOCO-RED CP LOCO-FEBRUARY 28, 2009
- Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Here's red Canadian Pacific 8549 leading the local to Pine Bluff around
noon. In the locomotive consist was unpatched Cotton Belt (SSW) 9642.
UP 1983-WESTERN PACIFIC HERITAGE-LITTLE ROCK MARCH 6, 2009
- UP Heritage locomotive 1983, the Western Pacific unit, made a rare
appearance in Arkansas on Friday, March 6, 2009. Here are three shots
of it passing Union Station in Little Rock at 1:19 p.m. I wanted to get
the station in the shot, so I went on the hill across the tracks, but
that made the photography tricky due to the severe back-lighting.
However, it I think it turned out ok (after all, I gat the perfect
lighting shot of this unit in Salt Lake City in 2007).
A
series of events delayed the train for over an hour just south of the
station: the Baring Cross bridge liftspan was raised for a water craft
and UP MOW was doing some work and testing on the switch between Main 1
and Main 2 just south of the bridge. So, it took the train over
an hour to move from Mabelvale (in southwest Little Rock), where it
passed One Track Mind Hobby Shop at 11:57 a.m., to Union Station, where
it arrived at 1:19 p.m. My mind was quite active during this waiting
period with thoughts such as this: *^#@(*^^%*!@%.
MARCH 6, 2009 - LITTLE ROCK - Friday, March 6, 2009 at the station at Little Rock, Arkansas and across the tracks on the hill. Included today:
1) IC, SP, CSX, CN Hi-Cube boxcars
2) CNW/UP Operation Lifesaver 6737
3) UP 4266, 7921, 9583, 9680, 2460, 2426, 4339, 5120
4) Long rail-train
5) 'The Rock' gondola repainted another color but you can still see the "R"
6) Large cable storage rolls with the cable
7) HLCX 3801
8) GATX 2152
9) CSX 5417
MARCH 14, 2009 - LITTLE ROCK, BRINKLEY, AR -
Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Little Rock and Brinkley, Arkansas. Not
many trains today. It was another cold, drizzly day with temperatures
in the lower 40s, about 20 degrees below normal for mid-March. Included
today:
1) UP 1930, 8639, 4421, 4899, 4144, 3787, 3823
2) MKT green gondola 16519
3) Columbus & Greenville boxcar HS 30944
4) Illinois Central boxcar
5) New Orleans Public Belt Railroad boxcar
6) Closeup of singing Mockingbird at home
LITTLE ROCK MARATHON AND TRAINS, MARCH 15, 2009
- Sunday, March 15, 2009 was the date of the annual Little Rock
Marathon and I decided to get some runners and trains in the same
picture if possible. Since the 25-mile marathon course partially went
over the Cantrell bridge overpass, which is a bridge over UP's main
lines into Union Station and the UP yards, I got my chance.
Standing on the overpass, I could see a runner or two in the same shot
while looking down at the tracks at a train.
This was
the 7th annual marathon, which is a certified single loop course (cert.
no. AR05002DLP) and can be used to help qualify for the Boston
Marathon. About 9,000 runners were here from 16 different
countries and all 50 states. Since many roads were closed for the race,
I had to get to Union Station through the Arkansas State Capitol
parking lots.
Trains included today:
1) UP 1539, 2285, 4328, 3839 (on the Baring Cross bridge)
2) NS 9510
3) DME boxcar
4) Four CN boxcars in a row
5) Columbian Chemical Company hopper CCX 659
6) Green MCVX tarp-covered hopper
7) New SHPX white/blue hopper
8) Red MKT hopper 11227.
UP 1995 LEADING ENGINEERING SPECIAL-HEARNE, TEXAS MARCH 19, 2009
- Union Pacific Engineering special train crossing 6th
Street in Hearne, Texas on Thursday, March 19, 2009. This train had
originated in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 16. I've also included a
sound Quicktime movie of it. I was afraid I'd miss it since I
didn't get to photograph it at one of my usual places, Brinkley,
Arkansas the day before, because of a trip to visit my father in
Texas who had hip surgery in Bryan. Then, I read that the train would
be coming through Hearne on the 19th, so I drove the 18 miles to catch
it. I guess you could say the train actually followed me!
BNSF COAL TRAIN MEET-BELLVILLE, TEXAS MARCH 26, 2009 - Two BNSF coal trains meet in the Bellville Yard in Bellville, Texas, Thursday March 26, 2009. It was cloudy and sprinkling.
TIE GANG, OTHER TRAINS LITTLE ROCK AND BRINKLEY, AR MARCH 28, 2009
- Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Little Rock and
Brinkley, Arkansas. I used another digital camera to take a couple of
sound movies along with my regular still photo camera - I put the
camera taking the movie on a tripod and turned it on as the trains
passed then took the stills at the same time. This time I uploaded the
movies to YouTube since my .MOV files are so huge - now you don't have
to download the movie, just play them on YouTube. Let me know
what you think.
It was unusually cold on March 28 at
Brinkley, 44 degrees with north winds gusting to 40 mph. Usual
temperatures this time of year are in the lower 70s.
Included today:
1) UP 9656, 9644, 3863
2) UP tie gang Brinkley, AR
3) CSX 8755
4) NS 9703
LOADED LITTLE ROCK STREETCARS MARCH 29, 2009
- On Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2009, I was driving to Union Station
to get photos of trains when I saw Central Arkansas Transit's Streetcar
411 at the 7th and Main stop in North Little Rock, AR with tons of
people getting on. There was a bus that brought them there to ride the
streetcar to the Clinton Presidential Library. I then followed
the streetcar to the library and got the following photos.
TWO BNSF-ONE UP TRAIN LITTLE ROCK, MARCH 29, 2009
- Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2009 at Union Station in Little Rock. A
quiet afternoon, but I caught 3 trains, including 2 BNSF trains.
It was sunny, but by 4 p.m. the sun was parallel to the tracks, so
shadows were on both sides of the trains.
Included today:
1) BNSF 7560, 1002, 7458
2) CN 5638
3) UP 6900, 6039
4) Red Canadian Pacific Railway boxcars.
5) CSX/NYC boxcar 243115.
UP 4141-BUSH UNIT-JENKS SHOPS NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR-MARCH 30, 2009
- UP 4141, the George Bush locomotive, sitting outside Union Pacific's
Jenks Shops in North Little Rock, Arkansas, March 30, 2009. (Thanks to
John Reagon for the heads up).
MARCH 31, 2009 HEARNE, TEXAS AND LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Little Rock, Arkansas and a question
about an old passenger coach in Hearne, Texas. Included today:
1) Old passenger coach in Hearne, Texas
2) UP 6003, 5790, 7827, 7779, 4241, 4731, 5267
3) LRWN 1544, 1542
4) BNSF 8544, 5267
5) MKT red gondola
6) MoPac Buzzsaw gondola
7) Field of bluebonnets in Texas
BNSF GRAIN TRAIN SOUTH OF SOMERVILLE TX, APRIL 2, 2009
- A BNSF unit grain train crossed County Road 1948 south of Somerville,
Texas on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. This day was a
very sad day to me since my father died later that afternoon in
Bellville, Texas at the age of 90. I decided to put these photos
online as therapy and relaxation after a long and stressful day.
Included today:
BNSF 4110, 5175, 7221, and DPU Warbonnet 960.
FOUR COLOR SCHEMES OF BNSF-SOMERVILLE, TX, APRIL 9, 2009
-I caught these four BNSF units in Somerville, Texas on April 9, 2009,
all in a different color paint scheme of BNSF's heritage.
PRE-WEDDING PHOTO OP AND TRAINS LITTLE ROCK, AR-APRIL 11, 2009
- Here's a few trains today passing Union Station in Little Rock,
Arkansas. There was a couple there getting pictures made of themselves
before their wedding, using a professional photographer. I asked them
if they liked trains or were just there for a different type of
pre-wedding picture, and they said they like trains. I then told them
that they'd have a long and happy marriage - after all, couples who
watch trains together stay together, right??
Included today:
1) NS 9762, new or newly painted
2) UP 8101, 7394 (new or newly painted)
STORMY EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2009, LITTLE ROCK
- Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 at a dark and stormy Union Station in
Little Rock, Arkansas. I only stayed for one train because it started
to rain buckets and I was in my dress suit, heading for Easter
services. Included: UP 2482.
BNSF 555, 12-AXLE FLAT CAR, LITTLE ROCK, APRIL 14, 2009
-Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas. The
BNSF local with BNSF warbonnet 555 in the lead, was on the Little Rock
& Western tracks, waiting to enter UP's North Little Rock yards. I
also caught KCS Belle 4692 in a 10-unit consist heading south and a
12-axle heavy haul flatcar. It was a sunny, coolish day. Included today:
1) BNSF Warbonnet 555
2) UP 8583, 2460, 1539, 4786
3) KCS Belle 4692
4) UP/SP 2020
5) Mississippi Export Railroad boxcar EEC 2712
6) QTTX 131117 12-axle heavy hauler (using 4 sets of 3-axle trucks)
INTERSTATE 40 TRAFFIC DETOURED OVER UP TRACKS AT BRINKLEY, AR, APRIL 18, 2009
- On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Interstate 40 near Brinkley, Arkansas
was closed in both directions due to multiple accidents, funneling all
that interstate traffic onto US 70, which crosses the Union Pacific’s
Jonesboro Sub at MP 199 in Brinkley. (This sub runs from St Louis to
Jonesboro, Pine Bluff. Texarkana AR and handles UP’s southbound
freights). I-40 is a major east-west interstate, running from
Wilmington, North Carolina to Barstow, California, 2,559 miles.
The
Brinkley Depot Museum, where I volunteer, sits near this crossing and I
could see the thousands of semi’s and cars slowly going across the
tracks. I called UP’s 800 number and told them that this crossing may
at times be blocked, and apparently the state police also called UP. UP
normally runs southbound trains through here at track speed (58 mph),
but they got the message and had a slow order for all trains going over
this crossing (I’d estimate 10-15 mph). The engineers really blew their
horns constantly and the day went by without any crossing accidents,
although I could see some truck trailers stopped on the crossing at
times due to the heavy traffic. The trains sped up right after the head
end crossed the highway and were going track speed again before the end
of the train reached the crossing.
So, I’d imagine this
was by far the busiest highway-railroad crossing on the UP this day.
The detoured interstate traffic started about 4 a.m. and lasted until 3
p.m. that afternoon. I’m sure the city streets in Brinkley got a
workout as well.
From news sources on the causes of the I-40 closure:
"Police
say several people are dead and many injured in three separate crashes
along I-40 this Saturday. Bill Sadler with the Arkansas State Police
tells KARK the accidents happened early Saturday morning on I-40
between Brinkley and Wheatley. The first accident happened around 3
a.m. when a car driven by 52-year-old Albert Barnes of
Brinkley....crashed into the back of a big rig. Barnes died at
the scene..
The next -- at around 5 a.m. In that
crash -- two were killed after an explosion caused by the
accident. Two people were also sent to the hospital on that
scene. And the third -- at around 7:30 a.m. Thankfully, no injuries or
death happened then. So the reason for the accidents? Police
believe construction on the interstate -- could be a factor.
Also, traffic backed up from the first accident could be a contributing
factor to the second accident."
I heard that they were
working on a bridge at the time. Both east and westbound lanes of I-40
were closed most of the morning, due to the debris and cleanup, but the
eastbound lane opened by noon. The westbound lane opened by 3 p.m. - KZ
A TRAIN AND A DOG-LITTLE ROCK, APRIL 19, 2009
- Here's a few photos of a train and a dog at Union Station in Little
Rock, AR on April 19, 2009. Included is UP 7766 and UP 7868.
UP ENGINEERING SPECIAL LITTLE ROCK, APRIL 21, 2009
- A Union Pacific engineering special passing Union Station in Little
Rock, Arkansas on its way to Monroe, Louisiana, Tuesday, April 21, 2009
at 2:02 p.m.
RED FLAG INSPECTION-LITTLE ROCK, APRIL23, 2009
- Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas.
There was a 'red flag' inspection team at the station today, which
stopped several trains for inspections. This exercise measures how long
it takes a train to stop when confronted with an unexpected red flag.
Although I don't know the details, I think all crews passed today. I
also caught an over-active Mockingbird near trackside.
Included today:
1) UP 5095, 2420
2) UPY 640, clean and shiny
3) Scale car
4) White, new small tankcar
5) Red Flag inspections, tests
6) Active Mockingbird
UP ENGINEERING SPECIAL AGAIN-LITTLE ROCK, APRIL 26, 2009
- Union Pacific 5490 lead a UP Engineering special past Union
Station in Little Rock, AR on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 10:50 a.m.
Included is a link to my Youtube video of this train, taken with a
separate camera on a tripod. Listen for the 'horn music' as UP 5490
passes. Also included today:
1) UP 5490
2) CSX 7689
3) NS 9286
4) CN 2630
5) Bright-eyed rabbit and a bird
STORMS-WET GROUNDHOG-TRAINS-APR 24, MAY 1, 2 AND 3, 2009
- Here's a few photos of trains in Brinkley and Little Rock, Arkansas
on April 24, May 1, May 2 and May 3, 2009 - I only posted the better
shots. Some of these shots were taken in downpouring rain. It was so
dark and rainy at Brinkley that the town's streetlights came on around
noon on Saturday, May 2. Rainfall amounts the past 4 days in the state
ranged from 2 to 9 inches and I've included a screenshot of a storm
total precipitation radar map from the Little Rock NWS .Also included
are photos of a wet, baby groundhog, cardinals, and a mockingbird.
Included on this page:
1) UP 4656, 5014, 8386, 4745
2) LRWN 1544
3) UP Rail Inspection Vehicle DC-31
4) CSX 7890
5) Two cardinals, a mockingbird and a wet baby groundhog.
DISNEY RADIO-NATIONAL TRAIN DAY-UNION STATION LITTLE ROCK MAY 9, 2009
- Saturday, May 9, 2009 - National Train Day - at the station in Little
Rock, Arkansas. Helping celebrate were people from Radio Disney, who
put up a booth in front of the Amtrak station and had live broadcasts
on the local Radio Disney station (99.5 FM) and also had music from
Radio Disney's XM Satellite Radio channel. You could register for a
round trip on Amtrak's Texas Eagle to Chicago. They were also
here last year on Train Day. Of course, since they were here from
9-noon, the Amtrak office was closed, but they knew that ahead of time.
They told me that Amtrak pays Disney to come to their stations for
events, something I didn't know.
Included today:
1)Blackberries
2) Radio Disney people and display for National Train Day
3) UP 5230, 5492
4) Pigeon of the day
CLASSIC ROCK ISLAND AD PLUS STREETCAR LITTLE ROCK, AR MAY 12, 2009
- Three trains today(Tuesday, May 12,2009) at Union Station in
Little Rock plus a picture of Streetcar 410 at dusk with a
billboard-sized 'Route of the Rockets' Rock Island sign above the new
addition to the Little Rock Public Library (Central Arkansas Library
System). Also, I caught the Mammoet-MAMX-42002 caboose in mid-train, a
Chessie hi-cube and Ashley, Drew & Northern boxcar HS HS30631.
Included today:
1) UP 7114, 2482, 8380
UP 1996 (SP) AND 1982 (MOPAC) NORTH LITTLE ROCK, MAY 13, 2009
- Wednesday, May 13, 2009 and Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Little Rock,
Arkansas. Most interesting are some night shots of BNSF-Santa Fe 160
(in Warbonnet scheme) as it was moving cars to Pulaski in west Little
Rock (on former Rock Island, now Little Rock & Western tracks) and
UP heritage units 1996 (Southern Pacific) and 1982 (Missouri Pacific)
in the UP yards. Rumors have it that these two heritage units will be
used on Operation Lifesaver trains in Arkansas the week of May 26-29
(Piggot-Marmaduke May 26, Paragould May 27, Jonesboro May 28, Pine
Bluff May 29). I have nothing official on this yet.
Interesting
sideline Wednesday night at Union Station: When I got there about 5
p.m., Little Rock & Western was just starting to go to the UP yards
from it's tracks across from Union Station. Later, the BNSF local
headed by SF 160 came in from Pine Bluff, crossed the Arkansas River,
then backed its cars to Pulaski Siding in West Little Rock. We heard on
the radio that a minor derailment in UP's yards awhile earlier had
blocked one of the access tracks, so some trains were becoming backed
up on the UP west of Little Rock, including the one with UP 1996 and
1982 (the train they were on, MFWNL, got to Little Rock Junction at
7:35 p.m. and didn't get to leave for the yards until almost 3 the next
morning, sitting there about 7 hours. Little Rock Junction is just
around the corner from Union Station.
Anyway, there
were no UP trains passing the station for a while. We then heard that
the Little Rock & Western train was ready to return from the yards
to head back west to Perry, Arkansas. As they were preparing to leave
the yards, the BNSF local called and was ready to return to UP's main-1
line, having done their switching at Pulaski. Since the BNSF
local was on the Little Rock & Western's single-line track, the
LRWN train could not immediately come out of the yard. The dispatcher
did some quick and smart thinking, stopping the LRWN train, then
allowing the BNSF train to get onto UP's Line 1, cross the Baring Cross
bridge, then backing up and crossing over from UP Main 1 to UP Main 2
at that busy switch at Union Station, backing all the way to milepost
347, which is at the west side of the station, stopping there while the
LRWN train came off UP Line-1 onto their own tracks (where the BNSF
train just exited) . Then the BNSF local heading forward again (north)
and went on to Memphis. All in all, it was a rather interesting night
of train watching, dispatching, switching, and all with non-UP power.
This all occurred between 5 and 10 p.m.
Included today:
1) UP 1996, 1982, 8555,
2) BNSF 160, 4010, 4188
UP 1996-1982 BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS, MAY 18, 2009
- UP Heritage locomotives 1996 (SP) and 1982 (MoPac) headed a mixed
freight northbound through Brinkley, Arkansas on Monday, May 18, 2009
at 10:40 a.m. They were on their way to Jonesboro and I heard that the
two units will be used on Operation Lifesaver trains in northeast
Arkansas May 26-29 (Piggot-Marmaduke May 26, Paragould May 27,
Jonesboro May 28, Pine Bluff May 29). However, it's also rumored that
the 1996 may be in Parsons, Kansas that same weekend. Also included is
a UP UPS expedited container train headed by UP 4433. Many thanks for
the anonymous tip on this train's status. I knew it was in Pine Bluff
and would eventually be going to Jonesboro, but I had no idea which day
until I got the special email.
UP 1982-1996-CP RED 8811-POWER LOCO MOVE, LITTLE ROCK, MAY 20, 2009
- Interesting day at the train station in Little Rock, Arkansas,
Wednesday, May 20, 2009. First was a long engine power move that
arrived at 11:53 a.m. from Long Beach, California (the ELBNL-17), then
about 20 minutes later the Pine Bluff local (YNL75) passed the station
with UP Heritage 1982 (MoPac) in the lead, followed by UP Heritage 1996
(SP) and bright red Canadian Pacific 8811. A very colorful train.
Included today:
1) A long stack train
2) UP 4383, 8077, 4569, 4542, 4213, 4130, 4119, 4143, 4061, 4586, 4062, 4154, 4288, 4293, 4220, 4266, 8397, 1982, 1996
3) CP 8811
4) Ashley, Drew & Northern boxcar HS 30552
5) My Mockingbird bird-ham posing for my other camera
BELLVILLE, TEXAS MAY 27, 2009
- Bellville, Texas at the site of the late Bellville depot, May 27,
2009. Here are a few shots of the grounds and one BNSF loaded coal
train.
FLATONIA, TEXAS MAY 30-31, 2009
- Flatonia, Texas at the famous Photo Pavilion and elsewhere on both
Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2009. Tommy Schultz met me there
on Sunday. Trains included for both days include:
1) KCS 4105 (Belle), 4606, 4548, 4604
2) UP 9769, 8401, 4769, 4131
3) Two trains with solid black Belle hoppers
4) Tommy S
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, JUNE 5, 2009
- A sunny June 5, 2009 at the station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Two
trains today, including a Youtube digital movie of the YNL75 (Pine
Bluff local) with two KCS Belle units in the consist. Included
today:
1) UP 6173
2) KCS Bells 4101, 4110
3) Ashley, Drew & Northern boxcar
UP 4141-GEORGE BUSH UNIT-LITTLE ROCK JUNE 6, 2009
- UP 4141, the Bush unit, was still sittiing in front of UP's Jenk's
Shops in North Little Rock, AR on Saturday, June 6, 2009. There have
been reports that this unit was in Illinois, but unless UP reassigned
the number 4141 to another locomotive, that report is false.
BRINKLEY AND LITTLE ROCK, ARKANAS JUNE 7, 2009
- A couple of pictures of trains in Brinkley, Arknasas June 6 and more
trains the next day at Union Station in Little Rock. Included:
BRINKLEY - 2 Trains:
1) UP 5088
2) NS 9973
LITTLE ROCK - 10 Trains:
1) UP 5960, 5026, 4032, 2426, 1540, 3851, 7911, 7884, 1930
2) CSX 5432
3) GMTX-GATX 2156
4) CP RED 8811
5) BNSF 6618
6) Long string of 'streamlined' AOK and BNSF autoracks on BNSF trackage rights train
7) Rock Island boxcar
BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS JUNE 13, 2009 - Saturday, June 13, 2009 at Brinkley, Arkansas. Lots of CSX locomotives today. Included:
1) CSX 5493, 5207, 7373, 7725, 7629, 8132
2) IC 1037
3) CN 5--- (couldn't read all the numbers)
4) UP 5310, 9753, 3939, 3964, 9359
5) Loads of pipe
6) Fat cat
STREETCARS-LITTLE ROCK, AR JUNE 16, 2009 - Here's a couple of shots of streetcars June 16.
WINDMILL TRAIN, LITTLE ROCK, AR JUNE 21, 2009
- A long windmill train passed Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas
on Sunday, June 21, 2009 heading north and west toward Fort Smith and
Kansas City. I also got some shots of this train off the Main Street
bridge overpass.
BIRDS, RABBITS, WEED STALKS AND TRAINS - LITTLE ROCK, BRINKLEY AND JACKSONVILLE AR, JUNE 22-JULY 1, 2009
- Various trains, birds, weed stalks and rabbits at Little Rock,
Jacksonville and Brinkley, Arkansas in June and July, 2009. Included
are:
1) Artsy photo of a tall weed at the Amtrak platform in Little Rock.
2) Baby Killdeer and its mother at Brinkley, AR
3) Baby rabbit at Little Rock
4) Old Rock Island roadbed at Brinkley
5) Workers working to enclose part of Union Station's balcony
6) Unpatched UP 192
7) UP 1539, 7708, 9671, 6598, 7693
STREETCARS LITTLE ROCK JUNE 30, 2009 - Little Rock streetcars, June 30, 2009, mostly around the courthouse and Peabody Hotel.