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| Title: |
Just before dark |
| Description: |
I heard a horn blowing for one of the crossings south of town, and headed into town to see if there was a shot, There was just barely enough light to get this northbound empty TXUX train rolling through, a hint of sun on its flanks. |
| Photo Date: |
2/21/2024 Upload Date: 2/22/2024 4:22:10 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 8545(SD70ACe) KCSM 4761(ES44AC) NS 1036(SD70ACe) |
| Views: |
60 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Rolling into the night |
| Description: |
The DPU on the coal train, rolling away from me into the dusk. It will be well past dark by the time he gets to Kansas City |
| Photo Date: |
2/21/2024 Upload Date: 2/22/2024 4:26:28 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 9047(SD70ACe) CP 8717(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
77 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Crossing the moon |
| Description: |
A full moon is overseeing the crossing protection at Davidson Rd, north of Siloam Springs. |
| Photo Date: |
2/22/2024 Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:09:03 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Roster,Scenic,Signal |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
35 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Big tree |
| Description: |
I had gone out to get and oil change and a car wash on the RAV4, and decided, since there was still a little light left at 1730, to check the signals in town. Lo and behold, the automatic at Davidson Rd is high green!! I pulled off and waited, to be rewarded three minutes later by a southbound TXUX train, rolling past my favorite tree, dragging 125 cars uphill from Sleepy Hollow |
| Photo Date: |
2/22/2024 Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:14:26 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 9051(SD70ACe) KCS 4037(SD70ACe) |
| Views: |
50 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
High moon |
| Description: |
The full moon looks down on the coal trains leader. |
| Photo Date: |
2/22/2024 Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:18:36 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 9051(SD70ACe) |
| Views: |
36 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Beat him |
| Description: |
The trains at Davidson Rd are pulling a pretty stiff grade, and once I get the shot there, if I hustle, I can beat him to Country Club Rd for this shot of the train rolling past the Cobb feed mill. If I get a good enough lead, I can beat him to Tahlequah St, where the signals are for CP North Siloam Springs. |
| Photo Date: |
2/22/2024 Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:21:01 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 9051(SD70ACe) KCS 4037(SD70ACe) |
| Views: |
47 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Rolling into the sunset |
| Description: |
Literally and figuratively. The trains DPU is rolling southwest by compass into the setting sun, and will be in the dark by the time he reaches Westville. The Toyota at right has been the "railfan chase vehicle" for the last decade. I bought it new-24 miles on it-in April 2014, and have put 155,500 miles on it since then, chasing all over America for all kinds of things, and a lot of trains, too. This is its last such outing. We just acquired at Subaru Outback Touring XT, which has 105 miles on it, and will replace the Toyota. Its staying in the family, my wifes son is getting it, but were moving up to a newer ride. The Toyota served us well for ten years. But now weve been dog tested, dog approved, and moving onward. |
| Photo Date: |
2/22/2024 Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:26:46 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
KCSM 4553(AC44CW) CP 7044(SD70ACU) KCSM 4730(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
71 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
I heard him coming |
| Description: |
I can often hear trains climbing the hill from Watts. Its easier at night, when theres less ambient noise, but sometimes I can hear them during the day. So it was with this 261, which started out as a distant rumble. I stopped to try to confirm, then I heard him blow for State Line Rd. Off I go!! It took him almost 15 minutes to get to Siloam with a heavy train, but I was at Tahlequah St waiting as he crossed Lincoln, diesel after diesel emerging from behind the large tree next to the road. |
| Photo Date: |
7/12/2024 Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:31:07 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
21 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Eght units!! |
| Description: |
The full complement of power is now visible on the 261. Some of these units must be a power balancing move, since the unit trains are heavier going south, and DPUs sometimes get cut at Heavener, or Shreveport. For the second time in as many weeks, the 261 has eight units, more than needed for what is admittedly a big train, 90 freight, 34 autos, and two articulated racks. |
| Photo Date: |
7/12/2024 Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:42:11 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
22 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Five units deep, a surprise |
| Description: |
Fifth in the consist of eight was the Veterans unit, which I did not expect. It had been here twice in recent weeks, both times in darkness. Would have been better leading, but you cant have everything. |
| Photo Date: |
7/12/2024 Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:50:30 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Roster,Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
56 Comments: 2 |
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| Title: |
Better look |
| Description: |
A closer, better lit look at the Veterans unit on the Tahlequah St crossing. |
| Photo Date: |
7/12/2024 Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:56:56 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
42 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Peeking out |
| Description: |
The grain train I shot in Gentry has now made it to Siloam Springs, but is holding north of County Club Rd, most likely waiting on a meet. I had other things to do, so cut off the chase here, leaving my train hiding in the bushes next to the Cobb feed mill. |
| Photo Date: |
7/15/2024 Upload Date: 7/16/2024 5:58:31 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
43 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Headed to breakfast |
| Description: |
We got done with what I call "stretchy class," a senior low impact aerobic class that keeps us moving, and does some good for our old bones. We get done around 1030, so breakfast is the next order of business. Ill often take Davidson Rd out to Ark 59 if were going to Gentry, as we were this day. Aside from being a fairly quick ride out to the state highway, it also passes automatic 226-5, which was flashing yellow as we crossed the tracks. I set up, and this southbound grain train was on us a few minutes later, with an AC 44 that was pretending it was CP 2816. |
| Photo Date: |
7/31/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 4:59:04 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
KCS 4603(AC44CW) CP 8762(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
29 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Smoking it up now |
| Description: |
Davidson Road is at the top of a long climb out of a section called Sleepy Hollow, a dip between here and Gentry down into a creek valley. Unit trains really work here, and this 101 car grain train is no exception, and it shows as the leader smokes from a bad turbo as it makes a final push to crest the grade. |
| Photo Date: |
7/31/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:13:44 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
KCS 4603(AC44CW) CP 8762(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
40 Comments: 2 |
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| Title: |
Horsey away |
| Description: |
The DPU on the grain train had a surprise, this NS ET 44, rolling away south, the heavy lifting part of the run up from Gentry now over. |
| Photo Date: |
7/31/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:19:10 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 3672(ET44AC) CP 8844(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
40 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Long look |
| Description: |
A longer view shows the DPU pushing away, past the speed sign for the curve in the distance, and the relay case at left that houses the equipment for the defect detector, so far the only one I know of that announces, "CPKC detector...the others still announce KCS), that will shortly give me an axle count on the train. |
| Photo Date: |
7/31/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:23:22 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
NS 3672(ET44AC) CP 8844(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
35 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Appetizer |
| Description: |
We were headed up to Gentry for an early dinner-a local place there does a crab special on Thursday and Friday-and I was doing my usual run up to Davidson Rd for a signal check and quick run out to Ark 59. As we crossed the tracks south of the Cobb feed mill, three lights came around the corner. I pulled off quickly, and got this 126 car AEPX coal train. |
| Photo Date: |
8/1/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:33:38 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 8710(SD70ACe) UP 8077(AC45CCTE) UP 2739(ET44AH) |
| Views: |
54 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
DPU coming |
| Description: |
The DPU on the coal train approaches. |
| Photo Date: |
8/1/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:43:08 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 5648(AC44CWCTE) UP 6789(AC44CW) |
| Views: |
34 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
And away... |
| Description: |
The DPU has passed and is now rolling away toward Siloam Springs and Texas. Crab legs await!! |
| Photo Date: |
8/1/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:45:46 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 6789(AC44CW) UP 5648(AC44CWCTE) |
| Views: |
37 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Going for bagels |
| Description: |
I had called down to Pour Jons for a couple of bagels this morning, and headed for the shop when they texted me. As I came up over the US 412 overpass, I noted a train moving south over Lincoln St. I made a quick turn onto Kenwood, to see if the head end was there already. No, but there was what looked like MOW equipment in the siding. I did a quick run onto US 412, getting this shot from the bridge of a southbound 262. The train in the siding?? A northbound military extra. |
| Photo Date: |
8/6/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:57:48 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
KCS 5007(ET44AC) KCS 4145(SD70ACe) CP 8151(AC4400CWM) |
| Views: |
60 Comments: 2 |
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| Title: |
Got him!! |
| Description: |
After grabbing the 262 off the US 412 overpass, I shot uptown hoping to catch the head end of the northbound, knowing hed be restricted to 15 MPH coming off the siding. I was able to catch him at Country Club Rd, getting this shot at the crossing, with the Cheri Whitlock overpass in the distance. Of note, the US Army train is led by truly foreign power, a Canadian unit leading a Mexican unit. Go figure!! Not my preferred angle, but it was what I could get, and besides, my bagels were waiting. |
| Photo Date: |
8/6/2024 Upload Date: 8/11/2024 6:02:14 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
CP 8614(AC44CW) KCSM 4535(AC44CW) |
| Views: |
49 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
DPU waiting |
| Description: |
We were coming back from bingo, which is at the American Legion hall in town, to find a coal train sitting on the Main St overpass. I swung around at Lake Frances Rd to see what he had on the south end, which turned out to be this BNSF SD 70ACe and a well hidden KCS unit. He was off in the distance, clear in the siding, and canned. This was the shot, such as it is |
| Photo Date: |
8/12/2024 Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:35:44 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Signal,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 8472(SD70ACe) |
| Views: |
36 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Head end |
| Description: |
After dropping my wife home, I went back to see if I could find the head end. It was pulled up short of the Lincoln St crossing, seen here from the road, KCSM and CP units in charge |
| Photo Date: |
8/12/2024 Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:40:57 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
KCSM 4729(ES44AC) CP 8177(AC4400CWM) |
| Views: |
49 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Team track |
| Description: |
The sun had gone in behind a cloud bank, which didnt help the lighting, but it did even it out. I took the opportunity to get a shot from the team yard on the Lincoln St side of the tracks, getting a better angle on the power. |
| Photo Date: |
8/12/2024 Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:44:18 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
KCSM 4729(ES44AC) CP 8177(AC4400CWM) |
| Views: |
54 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
High clouds |
| Description: |
The south end of the train under a tall thunderhead. |
| Photo Date: |
8/12/2024 Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:50:31 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
BNSF 8472(SD70ACe) |
| Views: |
27 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Canned going north |
| Description: |
We were heading to breakfast after our senior light aerobics class, and saw this train sitting on the bridge, just like thea couple nights earlier. I had to go past the head end anyway, so I was able to get a shot, but it turned out it was now a second train, an empty AEPX train headed north. He had a UP leader, not unusual for these trains, and four more units trailing. When I came back the next day, the three trailing units had been picked up, leaving the two head end unit on the train. It sat here a good 36 hours before moving. |
| Photo Date: |
8/15/2024 Upload Date: 8/23/2024 6:02:57 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
UP 5729(AC44CWCTE) CP 8824(ES44AC) KCSM 4534(AC44CW) UP 6700(AC44CW) KCS 4892(ES44AC) |
| Views: |
60 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Sloshing about |
| Description: |
I had sanitized the fresh water tank on the Winnebago in preparation for an upcoming trip, and was riding around town to get good coverage of the bleach solution in the tank, That involved a lot of jostling, which meant as many railroad crossings as I could go over. When I hit Davidson Rd, the signal at 226-5 was flashing yellow. Oh, good, somethings coming. By the time I got turned around and back over the crossing, the train was climbing the hill. I beat him down to the Cobb mill, since Davidson was getting into the shadows, and caught this Texas Utilities train, with a KCSM leader passing the feed mill. |
| Photo Date: |
9/1/2024 Upload Date: 9/3/2024 6:43:29 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
KCSM 4884(ES44AC) BNSF 8766(SD70ACe) |
| Views: |
33 Comments: 2 |
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| Title: |
Close but no cigar |
| Description: |
As the famous TRP page goes. In this case, on a couple of fronts. First, I didnt get a clean shot of the engine. I typically shoot every unit in a consist, especially if its more than about three units, since I wont recall every diesel to log it later. I tend to blast quickly, just so I get the numbers, and dont pay much attention to the framing, etc, since these almost never make it to the web. The other close call is the engine number. The leader was CP 9780; this us BNSF 9783. Three numbers lower, Id have had the same engine number on consecutive units. What a hoot that would have been!! |
| Photo Date: |
10/17/2024 Upload Date: 10/18/2024 5:02:19 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
19 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
DPU |
| Description: |
The DPU on the empty coal train rolls away into the shadows behind Ozark Electronics. These units would have led south. There were five engines on the head end of this train, so some power balancing going on. |
| Photo Date: |
10/17/2024 Upload Date: 10/18/2024 5:27:25 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
14 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Late afternoon glint |
| Description: |
I heard a horn and beat it into town, catching this 100 car empty grain move going north. Should have gone farther up to Davidson Rd, the light would have been better. |
| Photo Date: |
10/30/2024 Upload Date: 11/18/2024 6:12:06 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
16 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
A few days later |
| Description: |
I had a similar situation, only this time a little better angle. CP 9831 with another empty grain train waits on the siding, short of the Lincoln St crossing. |
| Photo Date: |
11/6/2024 Upload Date: 11/18/2024 6:21:33 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
16 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Another day, another horn |
| Description: |
I heard a northbound coming up the hill from Watts, and took off, this time going to Davidson Rd, getting a better angle for the late afternoon. An empty TXUX train approaches the crossing behind a trio of BNSF units and a KCSM GE, 113 cars trailing. |
| Photo Date: |
11/9/2024 Upload Date: 11/18/2024 6:40:38 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
15 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
Into the woods |
| Description: |
The head end crosses Davidson Rd and heads down the grade into Sleepy Hollow, a few vestiges of fall color still visible as it makes its way into the trees. |
| Photo Date: |
11/9/2024 Upload Date: 11/18/2024 6:46:11 AM |
| Location: |
Siloam Springs, AR |
| Author: |
Tom Beckett |
| Categories: |
Scenic,Action |
| Locomotives: |
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| Views: |
17 Comments: 1 |
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