Ditch Light Curse
With temperatures well below zero during the overnights, NSM implemented their cold weather operating pattern of running shorter, but more frequent, trains. A heads up from Mel Wilson noted that the leased SD9043MACs were down with various ailments and that NSM had two three-unit SD40-type sets in service (apparently the GEs are still down).
With this knowledge Gus and I made the trip north to milepost 23 after having spent time shooting boats in Two Harbors earlier in the morning. Based on radio detector transmissions it became apparent that empties and loads were both on the move. The first to arrive was the empty set behind gray 661 and nice (figures) 651 trailing. I'm not sure what happened to the third SD40 in this set. The weather was a mix of sun, ice fog and snow showers.
As the empties rolled past creating a moving ground blizzard, the loads came into view and the two met just west of the overpass. Of course what should be leading the loads but 662 with nice (figures) 652 in the middle. In Mel's defense, he did tell me that both the gray beasts had burned-out ditch lights. Not sure what it is about NSM, but there always seems to be at least one unit with a burned-out ditch light. Payback I guess for nailing the SD90s in fresh snow and sun earlier this winter.
Oh, the detector at MP 34 reported an air temp of -17F. Both trains had around 110 cars versus the normal 156.
Ditch Light Curse
With temperatures well below zero during the overnights, NSM implemented their cold weather operating pattern of running shorter, but more frequent, trains. A heads up from Mel Wilson noted that the leased SD9043MACs were down with various ailments and that NSM had two three-unit SD40-type sets in service (apparently the GEs are still down).
With this knowledge Gus and I made the trip north to milepost 23 after having spent time shooting boats in Two Harbors earlier in the morning. Based on radio detector transmissions it became apparent that empties and loads were both on the move. The first to arrive was the empty set behind gray 661 and nice (figures) 651 trailing. I'm not sure what happened to the third SD40 in this set. The weather was a mix of sun, ice fog and snow showers.
As the empties rolled past creating a moving ground blizzard, the loads came into view and the two met just west of the overpass. Of course what should be leading the loads but 662 with nice (figures) 652 in the middle. In Mel's defense, he did tell me that both the gray beasts had burned-out ditch lights. Not sure what it is about NSM, but there always seems to be at least one unit with a burned-out ditch light. Payback I guess for nailing the SD90s in fresh snow and sun earlier this winter.
Oh, the detector at MP 34 reported an air temp of -17F. Both trains had around 110 cars versus the normal 156.