BNSF 9273 Palmer Lake 18 Aug 12
After having moved away almost six months prior, I was back on familiar territory in the Summer of 2012 and set up at one of my favorite spots along the Joint Line when the first train I caught had an ACe on the point! Over the next four weeks though, this would be the only train I'd catch with this type of unit up front.
This particular spot is easy to get to assuming you're willing to walk a half mile or so out into the Greenland Open Space just north of the famed railfan town of Palmer Lake to get to it. From this little rise, you can see trains on both mains as trains come into and out of Palmer Lake. But in the summertime, your best option is to catch northbounds descending the grade out of town as seen here.
This location is very peaceful if you want to just sit back, relax, and watch trains as well since there is no vehicle or foot traffic to disturb you. And, if you happen to fall asleep while chilling out waiting for the next northbound train, you'll have plenty of time to get ready since you can hear them coming up the grade into Palmer Lake and when they blow their horn for the grade crossing on the north side of town!
As much as I love railfanning the Alaska Railroad, I did enjoy the increased action on the Joint Line as well as seeing an ACe up front. The SD70ACe is my favorite modern-day locomotive to catch, but I'm not sure I could see it wearing the Alaska Railroad scheme if they ever decide to purchase them for their next round of upgrades. I guess I could look at Florida East Coast's notch-nosed units in their blue and yellow, but I don't think the ACe could wear the ARR as well as the MAC...
BNSF 9273 Palmer Lake 18 Aug 12
After having moved away almost six months prior, I was back on familiar territory in the Summer of 2012 and set up at one of my favorite spots along the Joint Line when the first train I caught had an ACe on the point! Over the next four weeks though, this would be the only train I'd catch with this type of unit up front.
This particular spot is easy to get to assuming you're willing to walk a half mile or so out into the Greenland Open Space just north of the famed railfan town of Palmer Lake to get to it. From this little rise, you can see trains on both mains as trains come into and out of Palmer Lake. But in the summertime, your best option is to catch northbounds descending the grade out of town as seen here.
This location is very peaceful if you want to just sit back, relax, and watch trains as well since there is no vehicle or foot traffic to disturb you. And, if you happen to fall asleep while chilling out waiting for the next northbound train, you'll have plenty of time to get ready since you can hear them coming up the grade into Palmer Lake and when they blow their horn for the grade crossing on the north side of town!
As much as I love railfanning the Alaska Railroad, I did enjoy the increased action on the Joint Line as well as seeing an ACe up front. The SD70ACe is my favorite modern-day locomotive to catch, but I'm not sure I could see it wearing the Alaska Railroad scheme if they ever decide to purchase them for their next round of upgrades. I guess I could look at Florida East Coast's notch-nosed units in their blue and yellow, but I don't think the ACe could wear the ARR as well as the MAC...