choochooloco
CSL Laurentien and NYC on the Calumet River
We finished yarding our train, 23M, at Colehour yard about 30 minutes ago. Evidently, Park Manor is short on power and we're instructed to take our locomotives there.
Hoping for a quick move, our hopes are dashed by the dispatcher. We are told that a ship is ready for departure and has asked that the bridge be raised.
On average, from the time that the bridge begins to open until it locks back in place is 30 minutes to an hour. At first, I was not pleased at the prospect of one more delay. But as the old saying goes, When you have lemons, make lemonade!
From where I stopped the engines at CP 509 to the bridge required about a quarter mile walk. I made a quick stop at the bridge tender's shanty to share a hello, introduce myself, and have a job briefing. Then it was time to scope out a few photo ops and start clicking the shutter.
The boat, CSL Laurentien, was backing down the Calumet River. Tug boats were positioned for and aft keeping the ship centered as it approached the bridge. It was amazing to watch the tugs work in unison as they navigated the ship through the narrow confines of the waterway. The men and women who work the waterway are talented and well skilled in their crafts.
Here we see the bridge of the Laurentien passing by one of the long unused NYC spans. As I stood here watching the ship, I tried to imagine Great Lake ships of the past waiting in the river for the 20th Century Limited to pass by. But that was decades ago and now this bridge sees nothing. The rails are gone, ties lead to nowhere.
While I am not a ship fan, I do see the allure. It was a fascinating experience watching the Laurentien head towards Lake Michigan. I hope you enjoy this up close experience showing how a major rail line coordinates operations with a completely different mode of transportation.
CSL Laurentien and NYC on the Calumet River
We finished yarding our train, 23M, at Colehour yard about 30 minutes ago. Evidently, Park Manor is short on power and we're instructed to take our locomotives there.
Hoping for a quick move, our hopes are dashed by the dispatcher. We are told that a ship is ready for departure and has asked that the bridge be raised.
On average, from the time that the bridge begins to open until it locks back in place is 30 minutes to an hour. At first, I was not pleased at the prospect of one more delay. But as the old saying goes, When you have lemons, make lemonade!
From where I stopped the engines at CP 509 to the bridge required about a quarter mile walk. I made a quick stop at the bridge tender's shanty to share a hello, introduce myself, and have a job briefing. Then it was time to scope out a few photo ops and start clicking the shutter.
The boat, CSL Laurentien, was backing down the Calumet River. Tug boats were positioned for and aft keeping the ship centered as it approached the bridge. It was amazing to watch the tugs work in unison as they navigated the ship through the narrow confines of the waterway. The men and women who work the waterway are talented and well skilled in their crafts.
Here we see the bridge of the Laurentien passing by one of the long unused NYC spans. As I stood here watching the ship, I tried to imagine Great Lake ships of the past waiting in the river for the 20th Century Limited to pass by. But that was decades ago and now this bridge sees nothing. The rails are gone, ties lead to nowhere.
While I am not a ship fan, I do see the allure. It was a fascinating experience watching the Laurentien head towards Lake Michigan. I hope you enjoy this up close experience showing how a major rail line coordinates operations with a completely different mode of transportation.