- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
The Railfan Thread
- Thread starter Driving Park
- 317 comments
- 23,927 views
- 3,718
- Null Island
UP 9000 would be...er...an interesting restoration candidate.
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
The amount of right-of-way carnage that would ensue would be too laughable. xD
- 2,007
- Los Angeles
- GTP_DrivingPark
- Finetales
Exciting development on the line that goes by my house (as in I can see the trains from my bedroom)!
It's a single track line, operated by the Indiana Rail Road (a Class II line). They usually run a handful of trains a day, with the only consistent one timewise showing up at about 4-4:30 pm. They have a very eclectic locomotive roster, though all we see here are SD90MACs (including the Silver Anniversary unit) and an occasional Geep. Trains are never more than 100 cars long and usually less than 50. It's a cool line, especially because they keep their locomotives spotless and the scheme is beautiful presented as such, and although there is never foreign power as there aren't really many tracks in this part of the state, the 1-of-1 anniversary unit is always nice to catch. The line doesn't have that much action, though, with the 4-5 INRD trains a day being the only thing that comes through.
However, last night at about 3 a.m. I heard a horn in the distance from my house per usual, but to my ear it sounded very different from the normal INRD horns, which are always B major chords (I'm a musician, so the pitches are one of the ways I identify train horns). I was awake and about, so I decided to sprint to the nearby gate to catch it. (The nearest gate is at the top of a hill near my house, and if the train is going eastbound as this one was, it has to go through a few gates before it gets to mine, and if I hear the first horn I have just enough time to sprint full speed from my house and catch the train as it reaches the gate.)
I get to the gate just in time and what do I see?
Two back-to-back CSX GEVOs pulling a very clean matched consist of black hoppers. No INRD power in sight, and I've never seen those hoppers before on the line either (the INRD uses Bethgon gondolas). In addition, the INRD doesn't usually run at 3 in the morning. Looking at the most recent Indiana rail system map, there are CSX lines all around where I live (Bloomington), but they're all at least an hour north, south, or west of here. The nearest line is the Indiana Southern Railroad line that goes through Martinsville.
Has CSX signed a deal with INRD to share trackage rights for the line through Bloomington, as a different route to move trains between Indianapolis to their north-south line at Sullivan? If so, is it temporary or permanent? Either way, I'm hoping this means Bloomington is about to get more rail action. I have been noticing a lot more night running than before lately, but haven't been home or awake to catch them (just hear them from elsewhere in town) until last night. Will update if more happens!
It's a single track line, operated by the Indiana Rail Road (a Class II line). They usually run a handful of trains a day, with the only consistent one timewise showing up at about 4-4:30 pm. They have a very eclectic locomotive roster, though all we see here are SD90MACs (including the Silver Anniversary unit) and an occasional Geep. Trains are never more than 100 cars long and usually less than 50. It's a cool line, especially because they keep their locomotives spotless and the scheme is beautiful presented as such, and although there is never foreign power as there aren't really many tracks in this part of the state, the 1-of-1 anniversary unit is always nice to catch. The line doesn't have that much action, though, with the 4-5 INRD trains a day being the only thing that comes through.
However, last night at about 3 a.m. I heard a horn in the distance from my house per usual, but to my ear it sounded very different from the normal INRD horns, which are always B major chords (I'm a musician, so the pitches are one of the ways I identify train horns). I was awake and about, so I decided to sprint to the nearby gate to catch it. (The nearest gate is at the top of a hill near my house, and if the train is going eastbound as this one was, it has to go through a few gates before it gets to mine, and if I hear the first horn I have just enough time to sprint full speed from my house and catch the train as it reaches the gate.)
I get to the gate just in time and what do I see?
Two back-to-back CSX GEVOs pulling a very clean matched consist of black hoppers. No INRD power in sight, and I've never seen those hoppers before on the line either (the INRD uses Bethgon gondolas). In addition, the INRD doesn't usually run at 3 in the morning. Looking at the most recent Indiana rail system map, there are CSX lines all around where I live (Bloomington), but they're all at least an hour north, south, or west of here. The nearest line is the Indiana Southern Railroad line that goes through Martinsville.
Has CSX signed a deal with INRD to share trackage rights for the line through Bloomington, as a different route to move trains between Indianapolis to their north-south line at Sullivan? If so, is it temporary or permanent? Either way, I'm hoping this means Bloomington is about to get more rail action. I have been noticing a lot more night running than before lately, but haven't been home or awake to catch them (just hear them from elsewhere in town) until last night. Will update if more happens!
- 15,096
- Grandville Mi
- Gotbeefboy564
- Got beef boy564
What did I just watch. 
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
- 15,096
- Grandville Mi
- Gotbeefboy564
- Got beef boy564
I need to go back to this museum. I haven't been there since I was little, I remember being scared by their trolley horn. It's a long drive for me though.
- 13,153
- GTPlanet
- Street-King-07
- Quattro Saltire
Recently been checking out the new Union Pearson Express before I head out to Toronto in July.
It'll be the first time I've ever travelled by train abroad.
It'll be the first time I've ever travelled by train abroad.
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
Here's an interesting video....steam in regular service in Japan. No idea on the year though.
- 13,153
- GTPlanet
- Street-King-07
- Quattro Saltire
I think that video is giving an 80's vibe.
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
Here's a little something from a channel I'm subscribed too to liven up the place here. 
- 153
- Australia
- revhead_1000
W
Why do you have a full sized train moving in the centre of your road????
Here's a little something from a channel I'm subscribed too to liven up the place here.
Why do you have a full sized train moving in the centre of your road????
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
Street running is fantastic quite frankly. Speed limit is always around 5-10 through those bits. It was a more common occurrence many years ago, but slowly street running locations have dwindled in number from being rerouted. Would have been amazing in the steam era down there in Cali' with the SP.
- 13,153
- GTPlanet
- Street-King-07
- Quattro Saltire
Speaking of street running, here was when the Flying Scotsman went down Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco during her ill fated USA tour in 1972.
- 153
- Australia
- revhead_1000
Street running is fantastic quite frankly. Speed limit is always around 5-10 through those bits. It was a more common occurrence many years ago, but slowly street running locations have dwindled in number from being rerouted. Would have been amazing in the steam era down there in Cali' with the SP.
Are there any still existing cause I live in Australia and that would never be allowed.
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
Uh of course there are, like that location in California that the Barham and Baily extra went through. It's hell of a lot of work and nightmarish mainline closures to reroute a mainline. There's even some in San Diego. It's not unusual for us, as for many there's there interurbans which did the same thing. Most of the abandoned ones were on branches or abandoned mainlines. Any existing ones are probably going to continue to operate into the foreseeable future.
Last edited:
- 153
- Australia
- revhead_1000
Wow thats insane. Isn't any one concerned with the safety of having 100 tonne trains running right next to fragile little hatchbacks?
- 1,325
- England
- Doomotron
Sorry for bumping, but I've got an interesting thing to talk about.
(Not my photos)
On the Isle Of Wight, just south of Southampton, which is in Britain, there is a small railway line which currently uses trains from 1938. In 2038, these will be in 100 years of service, although they are currently the oldest trains used on mainline service in Britain, and soon the world.
But these aren't any trains. These are trains from the London Underground. The reason they use them when swankier trains exist is because of a tunnel which is too small, but perfect for Underground trains.
Here is a picture of the train I am talking about:
Very Underground-y. Now, recently Underground stock are coming out of service, and are up for sale. Some are being made into cheap EMUs, some of those maybe can be sent to Island Line Trains (I think they can fit in the tunnel).
Here's a picture of the trains being withdrawn:
And here's the proof of them being made into 'new' trains.
(Not my photos)
On the Isle Of Wight, just south of Southampton, which is in Britain, there is a small railway line which currently uses trains from 1938. In 2038, these will be in 100 years of service, although they are currently the oldest trains used on mainline service in Britain, and soon the world.
But these aren't any trains. These are trains from the London Underground. The reason they use them when swankier trains exist is because of a tunnel which is too small, but perfect for Underground trains.
Here is a picture of the train I am talking about:
Very Underground-y. Now, recently Underground stock are coming out of service, and are up for sale. Some are being made into cheap EMUs, some of those maybe can be sent to Island Line Trains (I think they can fit in the tunnel).
Here's a picture of the trains being withdrawn:
And here's the proof of them being made into 'new' trains.
- 5,429
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
- 153
- Australia
- revhead_1000
Trains don't tend to swerve much so it shouldn't be an issue.
I grew up in a town where we had a cane line running through the main street, and cars kept breaking down across the line. Having a bigger train just seems like it would be worst. But yeah I guess they don't swerve as much. Haha.
- 6,376
- Shropshire
- IfAndOr
Cue the Weymouth harbour tramway (UK). The cars are very close. Too close in places.
Interesting thread by the way. 👍
- 153
- Australia
- revhead_1000
- 6,376
- Shropshire
- IfAndOr
A combination of this would be - "Steam Racing". (OK it's not quite racing)
I didn't know it existed but came upon it on YouTube. Apparently it's a yearly event where they run tandem locomotives along the valley routes.
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
That's more of a ceremonial/great photo thing. We had a better version here in the states...twice! 
CSX mainline, the famous NHRS convention of 1991.
Owosso, Michigan, and the 2009 trainfest thang.
Lima products side by side...utter pron.
CSX mainline, the famous NHRS convention of 1991.
Owosso, Michigan, and the 2009 trainfest thang.
Lima products side by side...utter pron.
- 6,228
- Ottawa
- Pyano1132
Hey!
I'm not a fan of trains, but ever since I was a little kid, I always thought they were pretty cool. When I heard the ringing of the crossing lines lights, I always ran to see this particular train. The F40 something.
The livery is pretty cool on the via rail model. It looks like the FEISAR livery from Wipeout HD.
I'm not a fan of trains, but ever since I was a little kid, I always thought they were pretty cool. When I heard the ringing of the crossing lines lights, I always ran to see this particular train. The F40 something.
The livery is pretty cool on the via rail model. It looks like the FEISAR livery from Wipeout HD.
Last edited:
- 9,554
- Vermont
- catamount39
- 4,193
- UK
Nice find. 👍That's a quite difficult question to answer as the UK has a lot of preserved engines of almost every class; http://www.onlineweb.com/rail/locomotive_listing.htm
Although I would've liked to have seen this bad boy preserved.
Big Bertha, an LMS Fowler 0-10-0, specially built for banking heavy freight trains on the Lickey Incline.
I would've said the original LNER Gresley P2 Mikado as well, but No. 2007 Prince of Wales is due to be finished by 2021, so that makes that irrelevant.
It's only just dawned on me, one of the pubs on the housing estate I grew up on, was named after the trains of the Lickey incline, 'The Lickey Banker'.
Here's another vid of the Lickey incline. I'm sure there's a lot steeper inclines around the world, but once you see the train reach the summit/brow of the hill, it gives more of an idea of the gradient.
