tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58781852024-02-19T19:40:02.836-05:00Thoughts from ClevelandtrainsSome thoughts from an outsider exploring the world of railroading.Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-31379587730591039662013-02-17T12:06:00.000-05:002013-02-17T12:06:19.193-05:00LTEX 1420<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/cvsr/1420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/cvsr/1420.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LTEX 1420. 2-16-2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I spent many nights riding around in LTEX 1420 before it went over to the CVSR. A decent little engine when it is dry outside and a little slippery when the rail is wet. The heater on the fireman's side only blows out luke warm air. Nothing is perfect, but you make do. Our freights were getting longer and heavier. Soon, the 1420 would be displaced by bigger units. Now surplus to us and the CVSR in need of power, the 1420 was prepared for shipment. Now on the CVSR, that little engine gets to handle passenger trains at 29 mph and that newly welded rail. I still run 1420 from time to time on the CVSR. I have many memories of those night trips I made on the 1420.....Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-60798102601008449792012-11-23T09:01:00.002-05:002012-11-23T09:01:20.584-05:00Me no speak......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznp80QYnjLaUj1CoqmIk0O_igHU2rGjj2xEDB_F4-kw8p7UqHWDfRIMfL48M-K3d9z4W9oYx6PrdJDuQafMJW0hMD2YuS5osfrqdrGYcnspW9hzOx-ofgLNEVDq36OX-3o8D6bA/s1600/107-0714_IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznp80QYnjLaUj1CoqmIk0O_igHU2rGjj2xEDB_F4-kw8p7UqHWDfRIMfL48M-K3d9z4W9oYx6PrdJDuQafMJW0hMD2YuS5osfrqdrGYcnspW9hzOx-ofgLNEVDq36OX-3o8D6bA/s320/107-0714_IMG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Back
in 2001, I went to Germany to study and learn some computer stuff. Now
a trip anywhere is not complete without foaming. I was somewhere in
Germany switching trains when I snapped this picture of this German
foamer. He saw me with my little camera and tried talking to me. We
just ended up pointing at each other since we had no real way of sharing
our train thoughts. </span></span></span></h5>
Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-16232204452645646412012-09-24T20:17:00.005-04:002012-09-24T20:19:04.246-04:00Two Late For Sures.......<br />
Not the best picture, but it does the
job for the story and history. Taken on a Saturday in July 1999 at the
Amtrak Station in Cleveland, sometime in the 6am time frame. After the
Conrail split, CSX and NS had a hell of a time getting Amtrak over the
road. On this day, both the east and west Lakeshore would outlaw in
Cleveland. The 49 came into the station first to pickup and drop off
passengers and then did a reverse move to get over to the other main to
allow 48 to come into the station. Both trains that day had a P42/F40
combo. F40 350 was only to be used as a B unit. The side windows were
blanked out and seats removed. I would get up at 5am on Saturdays and
call Amtrak Julie to check on the status of the trains. For the next few
months, I would witness dead trains on the law at the station. The
station is now down to one main and the only F40 units on Amtrak are
used as cab control units.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/amtrak/2lakeshores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/amtrak/2lakeshores.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amtraks' Lakeshores at Cleveland, Ohio. July 1999.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0Cleveland Amtrak, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA41.505787 -81.69617241.5043005 -81.6986395 41.5072735 -81.69370450000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-57036190696319113672012-08-01T22:33:00.000-04:002012-08-01T22:33:38.681-04:00Old Amtrak Coach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/amtrak/oldamtk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
When I walked into this coach, I got really excited. This reminds me so
much of my family's first Amtrak trip years ago. The red seats, brown
carpet and orange curtains. It even had that old heavy duty oil mixed
with must smell. The only thing that is missing is a pair of F40
units......<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/amtrak/oldamtk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/amtrak/oldamtk.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-74424761111269439072012-07-13T00:24:00.000-04:002012-07-13T00:24:00.618-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjv5FxRCJUMQ5UWwoa1ftF7qz0k1dpgExFcDKvsv2LrxJFO-LyT1m5s3PDWMcSCKYv62NzpynWc8Do4_eO2feeduuhMFy1l-rNZTVl4z-q8snaFsaj19jV7lZgo_5CsG26ljrqw/s1600/2377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjv5FxRCJUMQ5UWwoa1ftF7qz0k1dpgExFcDKvsv2LrxJFO-LyT1m5s3PDWMcSCKYv62NzpynWc8Do4_eO2feeduuhMFy1l-rNZTVl4z-q8snaFsaj19jV7lZgo_5CsG26ljrqw/s400/2377.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Cleveland is the city where I'm from. Born, raised and schooled; more
than one way. Once a midwest powerhouse. Factories used to run three
shifts. Fisher Body, LTV Steel, Kirby, Ford, Chevrolet, Sherwin
Williams, the list goes on. Some<span class="text_exposed_show"> are
still here, barely. Huge empty fields serve as reminders of the once
mighty powerhouse. Jobs started to go away. No work for the people,
Reaganomics was at it’s finest.. The “Just Say No To Drugs” campaign in
the mid-80s could not stop a new cheap, powerful drug. Crack-Cocaine
was introduced. What a money maker. Who could forget CSU’s Kevin
Mackey and the Brown’s Kevin Mack crack issues? It hit hard. Everyone.
Color, income, class; it did not matter. CPD was working around the
clock raiding spots. Gangs fighting over street corners to make that
money. This played out until the early 1990’s. Things started to
recover some. Terminal Tower was turned into Tower City in 90. Randall
Park Mall was where everyone wanted to be until the gang fights ran
people away. The court ordered busing to stop in 96. Go to your local
neighborhood school. More people are out of work. Small factories
closed. Huge industrial parks in town with vacant space. They make it
cheaper in China. Housing boom and crash. If your heart pumped blood,
you can get a loan for half a mil. Sign here. Still no real jobs.
People lacking skills for the New World Order. A lot left behind. Old
drugs are new again. People are still using. Not enough cops to make a
dent to get the supply off the streets. Cocaine wars in Mexico has
dropped the price to records lows. Watch out, that siding on your home
might be coming off soon. They don’t care what you had to do pay for
it. Oh, there is a shed that the railroad is not using any more.
Little by little, it started to walk away, even the fence. I’ll remove
that old crap from your home for cheap because I can dump it over there.
Maybe there will be some railcars with some metal in them worth
stealing when I dump. This will never end. The names will only change
and the location in town. The city will be the city, always. And it
will always be a little worse near the railroad tracks. Both sides are
on the wrong side of the tracks in the heart of the city.</span>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-71118709513564574372012-06-18T18:54:00.001-04:002012-06-18T18:54:39.726-04:00American Steamship Company's BuffaloFor those who wonder if I take pictures of things other than trains, you
are in for a treat. Here is a picture of the Buffalo, a ship used to
fiery Taconite from Whiskey Island to the Cleveland Works mill.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/boats/buffalo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/boats/buffalo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Steamship's Buffalo 6-4-2012. Cleveland, Ohio. Cuyahoga River.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-89734238199324188832012-04-30T20:29:00.000-04:002012-04-30T20:29:35.263-04:00The Wheeling Way<span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: x-small;">Wheeling's
663 crew has just secured their train on the Solon Branch after a long
day that started in Akron. Two rookie conductors were guided by a nine
year vet engineer. They did fine. Safety first, The Wheeling Way. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/we/we110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/we/we110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheeling GP35-3 110. Solon Branch. 3-29-12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-24941821008263603622012-02-26T09:04:00.000-05:002012-02-26T09:04:41.513-05:00BNSF SD9 6154<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/bnsf/6132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
On June 26, 2005, I was able to catch a BNSF SD9 working a CSXT mainline freight. The BNSF power policy that was in place at this time must have allowed anything that ran to pull any type train. These old classics started popping up all over the place, even Toronto. For about two or three weeks, BNSF SD9 6154 roamed around on CSX. I was able to catch it here in Ohio somewhere in Lake County. The engineer had the units notched out, but it was still not enough to make max track speed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/bnsf/6132.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/bnsf/6132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BNSF SD9 6154 trailing a leased SD40 on 6-26-2005.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-63512292832199567132012-02-13T22:28:00.000-05:002012-02-13T22:28:33.601-05:00Warbonnets passing through Collinwood<br />
From time to time on the Western board,
someone will post about BNSF GP60M units being used to power locals. I
will admit to getting excited when I see them being used with that
famous paint. Before BNSF decided to move these units from hotshots to
locals, they where still able to stretch their legs for a brief time
period. Not hauling time sensitive trailers anymore from Chicago to LA,
just general manifest freights now. Somehow, CSX would end up with
these BNSF Warbonnets on their freights. I'm pretty sure that CSX would
"borrow" them out of Chicago. On a storm filled Saturday morning on
June 28, 2003, I was surprised to catch GP60M units 161 & 151 with
CSX AC44 575. My only wish is that I had a better digital camera back
then to better capture these units......
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/csxt/sf161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/csxt/sf161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warbonnets at Quaker Tower, passing under old Cleveland Union Terminal/NYC cantery
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/csxt/sf161-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/csxt/sf161-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting down to business after a brief stop at the east fuel pad to top off.
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
More to come on BNSF four axle power passing through Cleveland.Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0Cleveland, OH, USA41.4994954 -81.695408841.3092209 -82.01126579999999 41.6897699 -81.3795518tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-55755895749726667932012-02-12T21:55:00.000-05:002012-02-12T21:56:46.994-05:00Wheeling & Lake Erie GP40-3 303<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From time to time, a Wheeling GP40 or SD40 can be found on the 663
local. And if that unit is in Rio Grande paint, it only makes the find
that much better. Only four units on the Wheeling currently remain in
Rio Grande paint. Born at EMD in October 1969 to become DRGW 3085. This
unit would only have a brief retirement. Uncle Pete put the 3085 on
the sideline in May 2001, the Wheeling picked it up that same year in
December. Maybe it was Larry Parsons 21 years with the Rio Grande that
played a deciding factor to bring the 3085 east for more action.
Rebuilt by Brewster in June 2005 to Q-tron dash-3 standards. The 303 is
no longer handling a hot Railblazer, only locals and manifest trains
for the Wheeling now.
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we303.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Wheeling and Lake Erie GP40-3 303 on the Solon Branch. 2-12-2012
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0Solon, OH, USA41.3897764 -81.441225941.3421259 -81.5201899 41.437426900000006 -81.362261900000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-39492974083333199432012-02-11T21:33:00.001-05:002012-02-11T21:35:16.337-05:00Last Eastbound Pennsylvanian in Cleveland (maybe)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/amtrak/amtkpenn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/amtrak/amtkpenn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amtrak's Pennsylvanian, train # 44. February 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is what I get for not taking notes when out. This is either the last or second to last eastbound for Amtrak's Pennsylvanian, train # 44 in February 2003. When I lived in the dorm at Cleveland State, I used to drive down to station and watch the westbound Pennsylvanian arrive, hoping that the second unit would be a beloved F40. Things started to heat up when news broke about Skyline Connection. If my memory serves me right, Norfolk Southern and Amtrak could not agree on a time slot that would allow this trains 45&46 to arrive in Cleveland and a few other cities during the day light. I even remember student engineers on the Pennsylvanian getting their hours in for the Skyline.Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-76271883849375898072012-02-07T10:43:00.001-05:002012-02-13T22:29:50.341-05:00Wheeling GP35-2 103<br />
One day in the future, these old GP35's
that currently roam on the Wheeling will be no more. Folks are
currently missing the good old days when the SD40 was the standard on
almost every train. Just wait, these 35s will be gone. Who knows what
will replace them when that time comes. They are indeed a rare beast in
today's modern world of EMD's 710Eco and GE's Evo fuel misers. Until
that day comes, I'll just keep on snagging these old EMD classics
hauling freight on the Wheeling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we103.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&LE GP35-3 103 at Falls Jct on 2-5-12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
W&LE GP35-3 at Falls Junction with the 663 on 2-5-12.<br />
<br />Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-83539588639704316482012-01-24T20:39:00.001-05:002012-02-11T21:38:39.783-05:00Wheeling GP35-3 106I don't know what it is about these Wheeling GP35 units I like to shoot
so much. There is nothing really fancy about them except the Q-Tron
system. The control stands are old school EMD, no AAR standard here.
Not too long ago, I had to move a trio of them onto a train we
interchanged to the WE to keep the air pumped up. No need to have
another conductor do a Class 1 test. I notched up that trio of 35s and
we started to move. Running these old high hood units is fun. There is
something about these old 35s that I can't explain.
<br />
<br />
Today, I caught 106 on the 663 local shoving cars up the Solon Branch at MP16.5<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we106.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheeling and Lake Erie GP35-3 106 1-22-12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0Glenwillow, OH, USA41.3617214 -81.469560241.3378859 -81.50904220000001 41.3855569 -81.4300782tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-83498725873978509632012-01-22T20:58:00.000-05:002012-01-22T20:58:13.174-05:00Wheeling and Lake Erie Hiring ConductorsFrom time to time, someone will come up my locomotive window and ask they can get hired on the railroad. If time permits, I explain to them what it is like to work for a railroad and what they should expect. Then they will receive the run down one the different railroads in the area. Well I just found out that the Wheeling is hiring conductors for the first time in years. For those that want to roam around on the WLE, you can find more at<a href="http://www.wlerwy.com/employment.htm"> http://www.wlerwy.com/employment.htm</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-16045915851831402612011-12-06T22:11:00.001-05:002011-12-06T22:22:09.684-05:00Steamtown's CN 3254<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Steamtown's CN 3254. Scranton, Pa. 12-27-07</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnthJwSxqTo3wC_ghsF0HBYoR94ptDCxyxqF7CqfYff8TyabJkXUJLx7vaeG_ZzjpHNvm7F5nus0IiOCkEgTU1tmFZl-UqNDehpg5YE3N-PwQG1QSHVIhfrxGTPVNPEpmQS-Feg/s640/3254-1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN 3254</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com1307 Cliff St, Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton, PA 18505, USA41.4082088 -75.672535741.396299299999995 -75.6922767 41.4201183 -75.6527947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-48983424628836882062011-11-08T12:40:00.003-05:002011-11-08T12:40:59.522-05:00Cleveland's Train StationsWhile eating lunch today, I happened to stumble upon this <a href="http://www.west2k.com/ohstations/cuyahoga.shtml">website</a> that list past and present train stations in the great Cleveland area. <br />
<br />
Enjoy! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-37887828689368776152011-07-07T22:51:00.000-04:002011-07-07T22:51:30.178-04:00Testing Hand BrakesBefore you tell your engineer " for the cut", you better test a car or cars hand brakes. You set enough hand brakes that will hold the cut of cars without moving once the engineer release both the automatic and independent brakes. Wait 60 seconds to all brakes to fully release. If the cut does not move, it is ok to cut away. If your current amount of hand brakes does not hold, you better set some more. Here is a great example of what happens when you do not test or set hand brakes. If you are wondering, no one was in that locomotive at impact. The locomotive was wrecked beyond any further use. <a href="http://www.granttribune.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4472:runaway-hopper-head-butts-train-nine-miles-down-track-&catid=57:featured-articles">Here is a link to an article written about the crash</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qX4M-35aIXw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-51433152664947231852011-06-24T23:15:00.000-04:002012-02-11T21:39:07.385-05:00Akron Jct B&O Signals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/blog/akrcpl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
Still standing tall after all these years. Working as intended. They have seen plenty of trains. I remember riding in the dome on an eastbound Capitol Limited all night to. Once on CSX, the show started. Knocking them down, signal after signal. All the way into DC. Just seeing these two signals brought back some great memories of that Amtrak trip.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/blog/akrcpl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/blog/akrcpl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Akron Junction AY CPL signals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-10226172832035274092011-05-01T23:24:00.000-04:002011-05-01T23:24:14.366-04:00P&LE's Gateway YardA reminder of the past from the P&LE. Picture taken on July 29, 2003, long before the vandals painted over the P&LE yard sign of whats left of the Gateway Yard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/blog/gateway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/blog/gateway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-83795096159578958582011-04-29T17:37:00.000-04:002011-04-29T17:37:44.050-04:00Wheeling 6355 @ Falls Junction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wheeling's SD40-2 6355 idling away at Falls Junction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we6355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/we6355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> W&LE SD40-2 6355. Falls Junction. 4-27-2011</div>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-24450521435850049402011-04-24T22:42:00.002-04:002011-04-28T13:22:12.482-04:00Second Career on the WheelingAfter serving 29 years on the Union Pacific, she was sent to the deadline at West Colton yard. No worries. This would only be a short rest from hauling freight. Purchased and shipped east to become part of the LTEX family of locomotives. Like kids trading baseball cards, the Wheeling and Lake Erie traded seven GP35 units for three SD40-2 units from Larry. Now part of the Wheeling family, it received some of that Brewster TLC to roar back to life. Renumbered to 6355 and in grey primer, hauling freight as intended for the Wheeling now. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/3655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/wle/3655.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewster Locomotive Shop 1/2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-10029938603257858072011-04-21T22:53:00.002-04:002011-04-22T08:42:03.826-04:00Indiana and Ohio Railway GP30 #87I have the honor of being a friend to a railroad guy who is a hardcore railroader. He has been doing this since he was 18 years old. While exchanging lines from the movie Pulp Fiction, "Do you read the Bible?" "No, I read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Code_of_Operating_Rules">GCOR</a>." Alrighty then. <br />
<br />
He started drinking that railroad issued Kool-Aid that was given to him by the folks at the old Indiana and Ohio Railway and has been sipping on it ever since. We all know that railroaders will never admit to liking trains. That would be a cardinal sin in the railroading circle. But we do have our favorite engines that we love to run. His was the I&O 87, an ex-C&O GP30. Here she is waiting at the Newburgh and South Shore's Marcelline Yard awaiting mechanical work.<br />
<br />
I'm still looking for that locomotive that I like to run.......<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/io/io87.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://clevelandtrains.net/emd710/io/io87.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I&O GP30 87 Summer 2007</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-18363012009982280072011-02-11T17:01:00.000-05:002011-02-11T17:01:39.166-05:00Tribute to Wheeling's GP35They have been here since the 1990 spin off from the Norfolk Southern. Hauling all type of trains over Wheeling tracks and gain over Sand Patch. Once the backbone for the fleet, the daily workhorse. One unit was ordered by the P&WV. Southern had theirs built with Alco trucks from RS3 trades. Pure Southern units to the bone, the overhead walkway lights can still be found in use some nights. Eventually, the best ones made it into the Brewster shop to receive a new lease on life. Some recently ended up at LTEX for three SD40-2 units. A sign in Brewster serves a small reminder about the role of the GP35 on the W&LE.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/gp35_sign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheeling & Lake Erie GP35 Sign. Brewster Locomotive Shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/gp35_sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<br />
</a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&LE GP35 200. Falls Junction Yard. Glenwillow, Ohio</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2665.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&LE GP35 2662 and 108. Falls Junction</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P&WV GP35 101. Falls Junction</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2662_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&LE GP35 2662. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2645.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&LE GP35 2645 at LTEX.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2664.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&LE GP35 2664 at LTEX.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/gp35/we2650.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&LE GP35 2650 at LTEX.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-65976258834060450712010-12-28T22:34:00.000-05:002010-12-28T22:34:21.380-05:00Bye Bye Kodachrome.......This past Sunday, <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/12/26/sunday/main7185884.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea">CBS's Sunday Morning show headline story</a> was about Kodak retiring it's Kodachrome film line. The film was known for its bright colors produced. I started photographing a few years before the digital camera boom. During my short few years using a 35mm film camera, I never used Kodachrome. Soon, my 35mm would be retired for a point and shoot digital camera.<br />
<br />
In 1984, the Southern Pacific Railroad and Santa Fe Railway purposed a merger of the two companies. Both railroads started painting locomotives yellow and red. These units would would earn the nickname "Kodachrome" due to the colors of the film's packaging colors. There would be no merger due to the lack of approval from the ICC. These units were short lived and would soon be repainted back into their home road colors. <br />
<br />
Over 10 years ago, the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway held an employee locomotive paint scheme contest. Somehow, the Kodachrome colors would win. Two GP35 locomotives would be painted red and yellow. Recently, the ranks were thinned to one. The one remaining unit will likely stay in the Kodachrome scheme until it goes to the Brewster shop for an overhaul.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/we/we26621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.clevelandtrains.net/emd710/we/we26621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Wheeling and Lake Erie GP35-3 2662 at Falls Junction. Glenwillow, Ohio 12/5/2010Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5878185.post-76659035977609522042010-10-18T17:07:00.003-04:002010-10-18T21:35:47.438-04:00Metra’s first female engineer retires after 38 years - Batavia Sun<a href="http://bataviasun.suntimes.com/1956969-419/neil-engineer-train-engine-metra.html">Metra’s first female engineer retires after 38 years - Batavia Sun</a><br />
<br />
I love railroad worker's stories. This is Vallorie O’Neil's story in print and in video.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%27http://bataviasun.suntimes.com/video/article/index.html?pid=2UCFtYEc35_LaADsQk4_19ckkPotmFwX%27%20height=%27300%27%20width=%27330%27%20frameborder=%270%27%3E%3C/iframe%3E"><br />
</a>Boomer Hogheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12568394608575541789noreply@blogger.com0