Monday - Labor Day ...

[Sinifar]

So I got up, took care of the wife, I am care giver, and then finished up the morning stuff, then turned on the ATCS. Nothing moving on either the CN or the CP. From Forest Park, Ill, to Fond du Lac, from Chicago, to Winona MN, quiet. When the economy is down like this trains aren't running much. Back in the day, like a year and a half ago, you could see at least 20 to 25 trains a day thru Duplainville, the big CN - CP crossing. So went about other stuff, then after lunch checked the ATCS again. Well a few out now. One coming down from Shops North, (Fond du Lac) and a couple working their way up from Forest Park.

Checking Amtrak, #8 the eastbound Empire Builder was 1 hour and 45 minutes late out of Winona MN, and still had stops at La Crosse; Wisconsin Dells; Portage; Columbus; before hitting the long run to Milwaukee and on to Chicago. Well it was something at any rate, loaded the computer into the car, along with the rail radio and the camera gear. It as time for the day's train chase.

Northbound CN, 216 racks --


504 the local, and what has he got hooked behind him anyway? I took several shots of this big thing, it is on a schnabel flat car, (dual trucks fore and aft) --



Moved up the line from MP 102 to MP 110 ---
Peek a Boo 8! -- Remember, this is coming at you at 75 MPH, and i am just far enough from the tracks to get this, then jump back.



This was on the end of 8, If i had known this I would have stayed at Dupy and gotten a long shot of this one.



Private cars ride the back of Amtrak. So since this is summer, we see a lot of privates out roaming the rails at this time of year.

CP 199 today, racks and stacks ...



Cp Eastbound, 630 Ethanol unit train. This lead CSX looks almost new, or recently painted...



Last train of the day, Amtrak 7, westtbound Empire Builder, with a coach ahead of the baggage car, this is deadheading to someplace.



AND for 4 hours of sitting out this is what all came by my camera.

Hope you had a good Labor day, and it is time to start the work week ....

Sinifar

[mseifert]

Awesome photos .. Nice way to spend a sunny day..

[ltdbjd]

You're right about the economy affecting railway cargo traffic. I left locksmithing about 2 years ago to work as a through-freight conductor for Union Pacific. Shortly after, I was furloughed, and they said the furlough could be 2 to 4 years depending on the economy. So I went back into locksmithing. Kind of a bummer. All that training down the tubes.

Here we are about 2 years later and people that were in my class still aren't working. Which isn't a bad thing because even when things are good, traffic falls during the winter. They would have had to quit their interim jobs, go back to work, then get furloughed again a month or two later. At least if you work all year you can save up money for winter. You do make very good money working for the railroad. No question about that. So unless you have about 4 or 5 years of senority, you have to survive the winter living off savings. My class may not see work until next summer - about three years after they completed training and were furloughed.

It seems like you have to get on during a boom so you build enough seniority that a bust doesn't affect you.

[Squelchtone]

Great photos! Love me some train watchin..

Squelchtone