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| Title: |
AMTK 341 |
| Description: |
A very highly anticipated day had arrived, as today was the day that marked first run of the Union Pacifics "Big Boy" first run down the Villa Grove Subdivision to Saint Louis. With the Villa Grove Subdivision being the closest the locomotive would come to the state of Indiana, and being a fairly easy day trip, I met up with a friend and we made the trek out to Illinois along with the thousands of others who would be doing the same thing today. We started our day early to cram in all the other train action we could before the big arrival. Amtraks Cardinal was getting a warrant north out of Lafayette when we passed through Monticello, so we found a nice field shot south of Reynolds to document the train heading north on the ex-Monon as the sun began to rise. One of the newer long distance Chargers leads todays AMTK 51, the first I have ever caught leading a train. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 2:53:35 PM |
| Location: |
Reynolds, IN |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
AMTK 341(ALC-42) |
| Views: |
32 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CN 2794 |
| Description: |
With the Big Boys arrival into Watseka not being until 5 PM, we decided to begin our day in Illinois on the CN Chicago Subdivision. We were hoping for a deathstar leader on the daily local to Otto and back, but no such luck, as a SD70M-2 was assigned to that job that day. However, we did see a headlight for a road train when we crossed the tracks at north Gilman, so we raced north to Danforth and grabbed CN M335 coming by the elevator and depot with an ex-CITIRAIL GEVO on the head end. The first time either of us had shot one of these leading since CN acquired them. This day was starting out pretty well. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:03:32 PM |
| Location: |
Danforth, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
CN 2794(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
23 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CN 8864 |
| Description: |
After wyeing the train on the Clinton side, CN L568 bursts north out of Gilman passing the depot. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:06:06 PM |
| Location: |
Gilman, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
CN 8864(SD70M-2) |
| Views: |
14 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 582 |
| Description: |
With no IC power on the local, we decided to head back to the UP/CSX and hang around the Joint Line until the Big Boy showed. UPs LSB54 local was working Watseka when we were in Gilman, so we decided to head back there to grab it. However, before we got into town, they were ready to continue north to Saint Anne. They blasted north while we struggled to stay out ahead of them. We finally were able to get out ahead of them around Papineau, and we shot them across a field just south of Saint Anne. I actually had shot the local here last year with very similar power. But, whats wrong with doing the same thing twice? |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:10:46 PM |
| Location: |
Saint Anne, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 582(GP38-2) |
| Views: |
23 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 7066 |
| Description: |
We decided we were going to shoot the local going back south again, so we chose Martinton as our set-up location. I had always wanted to frame a southbound train under the old "Martinton" sign dating back from the MoPac days. And today was my day, just not with LSB54, rather with a short MPRNL with an AC4400CW leader that has so far avoided the rebuild program. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:14:57 PM |
| Location: |
Martinton, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 7066(AC4460CW) |
| Views: |
17 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CSX 3109 |
| Description: |
Shortly after heading north was CSX I128, running on an unusual morning schedule. I would assume this was to get the priority traffic out ahead and as close to Chicago before the Big Boys trip south, but Im not certain. I sure do love Martintons "saurcer" water tower. I still wonder why they built it that way. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:18:17 PM |
| Location: |
Martinton, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
CSX 3109(ES44AC-H) |
| Views: |
16 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CSX 358 |
| Description: |
Right on the tail of I128 was a short M648 with a pair of AC4400CWs. We are still unsure what that support beam on the left used to hold. Maybe the old grain elevator? |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:20:37 PM |
| Location: |
Martinton, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
CSX 358(AC44CW) |
| Views: |
17 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 1445 |
| Description: |
Some locals were already beginning to set up chairs along the tracks in anticipation of the Big Boys arrival. We talked with them for a bit, and finally UP LSB54 got the light to come back south, which we framed once again by the elevator in Martinton. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:22:43 PM |
| Location: |
Martinton, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 1445(GP40-2) |
| Views: |
23 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 1445 |
| Description: |
It turned out LSB54 had some interchange work to do with the TP&W in Watseka, so we got to see the train on the interchange track in town. That was something I had wanted to see for quite some time! |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:24:32 PM |
| Location: |
Watseka, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 1445(GP40-2) |
| Views: |
15 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
KBS 705 |
| Description: |
While eating, we heard a TPW crew call clear downtown Sheldon twice. Thinking the train might be a westbound working the yard, we moved west to try to find them. However, when we approached Webster Tower west of Sheldon, we found the KBS heading south on the ex-MILW to Danville. We intercepted them at CR 1600N north of the tiny community of Darrow, where the train would be spotting cars at the large grain elevator there. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:33:59 PM |
| Location: |
Darrow, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
KBS 705(GP38M-2) |
| Views: |
22 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
KBS 704 |
| Description: |
Two more units accompanied the three on the front on the rear. My friend gets his shots of KBS 704 "Larry". |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:36:41 PM |
| Location: |
Darrow, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
KBS 704(GP38M-2) |
| Views: |
18 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
KBS 701 |
| Description: |
KBS 701 "Paul" accompanies "Larry" on the rear. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:37:54 PM |
| Location: |
Darrow, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
KBS 701(GP38M-2) |
| Views: |
15 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
KBS 706 |
| Description: |
Since the KBS usually makes quick work of their jobs, we went back to Webster Tower to grab the power coming back north. One unit had been left behind, but KBS 706 "Tyler" leads 3 of the units back to home base in Iroquois passing the former MILW searchlight still guarding the tower. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:40:00 PM |
| Location: |
Sheldon, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
KBS 706(GP38M-2) |
| Views: |
21 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
KBS 704 |
| Description: |
Larry now trails on the rear of the 4 engine consist crossing the TP&W and passing Webster Tower heading back to home base in Iroquois. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:41:20 PM |
| Location: |
Sheldon, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
KBS 704(GP38M-2) |
| Views: |
17 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CSX 397 |
| Description: |
After the KBS, it was getting close to Big Boy time, so it was time to go stake out our location. We decided on Papineau to have a backdrop, and with my friend still having his tent on the bed of his pickup truck, we would be able to get plenty of elevation over the fence that lines the tracks there. When we arrived in Papineau, other people had already set up shop in other locations. CSX M500 was first to greet us in town with a duo of AC4400CWs. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:43:56 PM |
| Location: |
Papineau, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
CSX 397(AC44CW) |
| Views: |
20 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 4014 |
| Description: |
About 35 minutes later, people began streaming into town, and the finally, the moment we had waited for all day had arrived; the Big Boy stormed into Papineau bound for Villa Grove. I saw this locomotive twice back when it was on its first tour in 2019 in Iowa and Minnesota. It was just as captivating this time as it was the last time. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:46:43 PM |
| Location: |
Papineau, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 4014(4-8-8-4) |
| Views: |
32 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 4015 |
| Description: |
UP 4015 assists the Big Boy. A special UP 4015 emblem has been added to the lower cab of the engine. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:48:15 PM |
| Location: |
Papineau, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 4015(SD70M) |
| Views: |
48 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 4014 |
| Description: |
We had planned on stopping Watseka to see the locomotive as it was on display in town for a short time, but Watseka had grown about 10 times its population and by the time we would be able to find a place to park, the locomotive would already be on its way south again. So, we jumped it to Woodland where we caught PG3SL again. Woodland had probably quadrupled in size as well, but at least we were able to find parking here. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:52:23 PM |
| Location: |
Woodland, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 4014(4-8-8-4) |
| Views: |
24 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 4014 |
| Description: |
A wider shot of the Big Boy. Such an awesome locomotive! |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:54:00 PM |
| Location: |
Woodland, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 4014(4-8-8-4) |
| Views: |
32 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
Lincoln |
| Description: |
UP PG3SL blasts off with a full head of steam southbound out of Woodland toward Villa Grove with the Lincoln Observation Car on the rear of the train. What an amazing day its been! |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 3:57:35 PM |
| Location: |
Woodland, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
11 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
UP 3957 |
| Description: |
But the day wasnt completely over, as the small parade that had built up behind PG3SL was finally beginning to follow. We moved down to Woodland Junction where we grabbed UP MPRAS with one of UPs finest SD70Ms soloing the train. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 4:01:09 PM |
| Location: |
Woodland, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
UP 3957(SD70M) |
| Views: |
16 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CSX 870 |
| Description: |
Right behind MPRAS followed CSX M501 running with 1x1 GEVOS, which we shot by the elevator in town. |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 4:03:53 PM |
| Location: |
Woodland, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
CSX 870(ES44AC-H) |
| Views: |
14 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CSX 3328 |
| Description: |
CSX 3328 brings up the middle of CSX M501. This would end up being the last train we would see for the day. Unknown to us, but there was an intermodal that was following directly behind M501, which we didnt find out until we ran into its final cars once we got back to Watseka. From there, we got supper at a packed Steak n Shake in town and began the drive back home east. What a day! |
| Photo Date: |
9/9/2024 Upload Date: 9/10/2024 4:05:30 PM |
| Location: |
Woodland, IL |
| Author: |
Jacob Werling |
| Categories: |
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| Locomotives: |
CSX 3328(ET44AH) |
| Views: |
12 Comments: 0 |
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