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"It’s a Wonderful Life" [Column_Tracksides]

hunter-harrison.jpg: Alpine, TX. Sep. 10, 2015

The wallet is always the problem. The problem occurs both on quality and quantity of our hobby. For example, more accuracy a product gains, the more the price increases. A model train with single ES44AC looks awkward.

It was when I was wondering if there is a way to make good use of my hobby information to aid my wallet, Warren Buffett bought BNSF. I see! I then bought some cheap railroad “related” shares. Here, related meant I could find their assets as model locomotives or equipment.

Years later, the results seem to represent a conclusion: while locomotives are performing well, hopper cars are damn. Moreover, more colorfully the hoppers are painted, the more awful the stock performs: Peabody, once well known by its brilliant yellow hoppers went bankrupt last year.

I don’t know whether Mr. Hunter Harrison is beloved or disliked by the industry, but I wonder if he not only shakeup CSX share but also bring back the brilliant Peabody hoppers and my lost assets.

chart_feb.2017.jpg: from Google Finance

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Flying the Rio Grande Route, part 1 - Colorado [Column_Tracksides]

Google Maps/Earth supply plenty of geographical information though, the real view surpasses them by comprehensibility, especially the relation between topography and the route thru it.

While taking a nice morning flight from Denver to San Francisco, I had a chance to chase after the former Rio Grande route from the sky, as far as Green River, Utah.

Here are some photos I took from the port side cabin window. Click and you can see Rio Grande route and approximate mileposts marked in photos:


aerial-snap_01.jpg: UP at Fort Lupton

Strictly speaking, this first photo is not the Rio Grande route. Just north of Denver, before level off, I found a moving southbound UP unit auto-rack train with three locomotives on the point at above city of Fort Lupton, Colorado (elev. 4,908'). I just chose this photo to show the relation between railroad track and the flat Great Plains.


aerial-snap_02.jpg: D&RGW at Rocky
fig3.jpg: arch of the Front Range restored[1]

Here, just after turning head west, I found the Big Ten Curve (elev. 6,348' at milepost 20). 2% grade looked tough enough even from the sky. As you can see, the Curve is located at the boundary of Great Plains and the Front Range.

It’s surprising that the wave of housing development is almost reaching the Front Range. Rocky Flats Spur is barely seen at the bottom of the photo.


aerial-snap_03.jpg: Big Ten Curve

Here, we see the Curve like a well-made model railroad layout. The photo shows how the curve occupies the unique terrace made of Benton shale[1].

Loaded hopper cars used as windbreak installed in 1971 are clearly seen. The layout of the hopper cars tells us that the wind blows down the slab of Dakota sandstone behind the terrace[1].

I lost sight of the route from west of Tunnel 1 onward.


aerial-snap_04.jpg: D&RGW at Dotsero
fig34.jpg: section across canyon of Colorado River at Shoshone[1]

The point I recovered the Rio Grande route was the wye at Dotsero (elev. 6,151'). The river from the left is the Eagle River merging into Colorado River. Upper end of the Glenwood Canyon carving the Park Range can be seen.

The grey flatland opposite the Eagle River near milepost 341 is the lava flow[1].

Finely eroded formation above milepost 342 to 345 is made of Leadville limestone: remember the next depot seven miles east is Gypsum[1]. The route dives into shadow of the canyon westward from this point.


aerial-snap_05.jpg: D&RGW at Glenwood Springs

The route came out of the shadow again at Glenwood Springs, Colorado (elev. 5,757'). Namesake hot spring wells up at opposite the depot near milepost 360 across the Colorado River.

The tight meandering of the river and the track near milepost 359 is the result of the move of a fault[2].

The yard west of the town seemed empty. After locating Parachute, the route went away south and I lost sight of the route.

All photos taken on Sep. 12, 2017.

[1] Campbell, Marius R., (1922) Guidebook of the Western United States Part E. The Denver & Rio Grande Western Route, Department of the Interior;
[2] Kirkham, Robert M., (2000) Guide to the Geology of the Glenwood Springs Area, Garfield County, Colorado, Colorado Geological Survey;
 
 

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Flying the Rio Grande Route, part 2 - Utah [Column_Tracksides]

Google Maps supplies plenty of geographical information though, the real look surpasses it by comprehensibility, especially the relationship between topography and the route thru it.

While taking a nice morning flight from Denver to San Francisco, I had a chance to chase after the former Rio Grande route from the sky, as far as Green River, Utah.

Here are some photos I took from the port side cabin window. Click and you can see Rio Grande route and approximate mileposts marked in photos:


aerial-snap_06.jpg: D&RGW at Mack
fig48.jpg: section across the valley at Fruita[1]

I recovered the former Rio Grande route at the west end of Grand Valley at Mack, Colorado (elev. 4,533'). Here, the route begins tagging into Ruby Canyon where Colorado River carves Uncompahgre Plateau.

The old narrow gauge Rio Grande route and the Uintah Railway used to follow Salt Creek on Mancos shale west of Mack[1].


aerial-snap_07.jpg: D&RGW at Cisco

After diverting Colorado River at Westwater, Utah (elev. 4,316'), the route follows the edge of fans made on McElmo formation (milepost 501 east) and Mancos shale (milepost 501 west) by several washes (from left to right: Danish, Cisco and Nash)[1].

The area is an oil & gas field called Greater Cisco Field including Harley Dome, Seiber Nose, Sage, Agate, Gravel, Cisco Townsite, Cisco Wash and Cisco Dome Field.

Dark mass in the foreground is the Book Cliffs covered by Mesaverde formation and the mass far right with clouds is the La Sal Mountains. Colorado River shows its bend at east of town of Cisco, Utah (elev. 4,370').


aerial-snap_08.jpg: D&RGW at Thompson
book-cliffs_01.jpg: Book Cliffs and the town of Thompson

Here is the aerial view of Thompson Hill (aka Thompson Cut, elev. 5,080' at milepost 526) and the town of Thompson, Utah (elev. 5,127').

As you can see, the Hill is located at the tip of the shale ridge eroded by both Salt Wash and Thompson Wash. Little round stones underfoot proved the shale was formed underwater.


aerial-snap_09.jpg: D&RGW at Desert
SRS-eastern-flank.jpg: section across San Rafael Swell[2]

Finally, the Rio Grande route meets San Rafael Swell and turns north to Soldier Summit (elev. 7,440') on Wasatch Mountains.

Vegetated area in the middle of Gunnison Valley at the left is the city of Green River, Utah (elev. 4,066'), the lowest point of the entire Rio Grande route. Woodside (elev. 4,635') is beneath my feet. Far right under the cloud is the Henry Mountains.


The joy of chasing after Rio Grande route thru the Rockies lasted nearly an hour. One more topic I should add to this two and a half hours flight route may be the Half Dome at Yosemite National Park appears at last twenty minutes: It flies right above of it. Or, how about the Infinite Loop of Apple? The diameter of both of them looks almost the same to me in Google Maps!

All photos were taken on Sep. 12, 2017.
revised, Feb 1, 2020

[1] Campbell, Marius R., (1922) Guidebook of the Western United States Part E. The Denver & Rio Grande Western Route, Department of the Interior;
[2] Share, Jack (2011) "Flight Plan: Part I – Geology of the San Rafael Swell", Written in Stone;

mancos-shale_01.jpg: surface of Mancos shale with dried Desert Trumpet at Thompson

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Vanishing Vista [Column_Tracksides]

lamy-agent_01.jpg: in the early afternoon at Lamy

According to April 30, 2018 Trains News Wire, Amtrak will eliminate the ticket agent at Lamy, New Mexico, to be effective August (as early as June, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican) 1st[1, 2]. The news seemed a surprise that even the Chicago Tribune reported the closure of the Lamy ticket window[3].

The news means that we also miss the clean and well-lighted waiting room and restroom, live information and so on, along with the checked baggage service and assistance for travelers with disabilities.

For the time being, admire the priceless service offered by the agent considered as pricey by the management: otherwise, we may lose the Chief itself[4].

All photos are taken on Sep. 13, 2015

[1] Johnston, Bob (2018) “Amtrak to eliminate 15 station agents on long-distance routes”, Trains news Wire;
[2] Apr. 29, 2018 “Lamy Amtrak Station Losing Ticket Window”, Santa Fe New Mexican;
[3] May 1, 2018 “Historic New Mexico Amtrak station closing ticket window”, Chicago Tribune;
[4] Mathews, Jim (2018) “RPA Letter in Response to Amtrak’s SW Chief Announcement” Rail Passengers Association;

lamy-agent_02.jpg: hand-written post-it tells the train #4 is 24 minutes late
lamy-agent_00.jpg: the agent contends with the Chief for the prize
lamy-agent_04.jpg: today's prizes are the two dark-blue baggage and a bike box tagged “LMY”
lamy-agent_05.jpg: immediately the Chief departs to make up for lost time
lamy-agent_03.jpg: and the luggage is off agent’s hands

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Unique Loads – 03 : Barley [Column_Tracksides]

coors_01.jpg

On a late afternoon at the end of industrial lead at Monte Vista, Colorado, we found a string of grain hoppers with a “men at work” placard and grain trailers lined up at the other side of the facility. It’s the Miller–Coors Barley Storage Facility.

San Luis Valley produces barley practically for Coors. The barley is sent by rail via La Veta Pass to the brewery at Golden, Colorado and converted into malt there. Grey-painted, stacked logo applied 4427-cubic-foot PS2 hoppers were used to haul barley in the Rio Grande era according to the book Rio Grande Color Guide to Passenger and Freight Equipment.

According to the movie by the contractor Halverson Company, the facility screens and stores 561,399 bushel of barley here[1]. Which proves the commodity carried here is the spilled crops between the rail, and the enormous birds aiming at them from its roof.

All photos were taken on Sep. 6, 2017

[1] “Miller-Coors – Barley Storage Facility”, Halverson Company web page;

coors_02.jpg
coors_03.jpg
 
 

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Steamworks [Column_Tracksides]

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steam-engine-lager_02.jpg: Sep. 7, 2017. Durango, CO

The barley grown in the San Louis Valley, Colorado is not only consumed by Coors but also by local breweries. Steamworks Brewing Co. uses malt produced from San Louis Valley barley by Proximity Malt at Monte Vista[1].

As the Brewery is located at downtown Durango, Colorado, they put railroad-oriented names and graphics on some of their products. Their STEAM ENGINE Lager, a California Common 5.1% ABV, has a picture of a spoked driver on its steampunk-taste label. But compared with those on D&SNG engines, it seems not the one from the inhabitants.

Conductor, an Imperial IPA 8.9% ABV, and Night Train, a Style Amber Lager 4.3% ABV, on the tap may also attract your interest. The taproom gets filled up soon after the arrival of the afternoon train: reserve, or get the pager at the reception.

Nearby Durango Brewing Company also features railroad in its trademark and tap room interior.

[1] McBride, Jerry, Sep. 4, 2017, “Steamworks reprises Colorado Proud Pale Ale”, The Durango Herald;
* Steamworks Brewing Co. homepage;
* Durango Brewing Company homepage;

steam-engine-lager_03.jpg: Sep. 7, 2017. Durango, CO

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Grand Junction Locals, part 1 [Column_Tracksides]

local_landmark_03.jpg: Sep. 11, 2017 Grand Junction, CO

The Rio Grande relied on bridge traffic. But, as we viewed in the previous posts, the Rio Grande at Grand Junction had quite a number of customers; industries or businesses served by the railroad at sidings or industry trackage.

The Rio Grande local trains originated in Grand Junction also served the customers along its route. They switched and picked up cars at remote sidings or industry trackage, brought to the East Yard and forwarded east or west to the final destination. The method continues to this day.

Unfortunately, however, as of Dec. 4, 2018, Trains News Wire, the introducing of Precision Scheduled Railroading at Union Pacific will be implemented by the middle of 2019. It is already announced that MNYRO/MRONY(manifests between North Yard at Denver and Roper Yard at Salt Lake City) was switched to tri-weekly MNYGJ/MGJNY since Dec. 2018. These may bring some changes to the local traffic at Grand Junction and its vicinity. Here, I represent my record of the local traffic at Grand Junction and its vicinity as of summer 2017.


Today, several local trains still originate and terminate at Grand Junction. Union Pacific local trains originate at East Yard and go east as far as Gypsum, go west as far as Potash, and go south as far as Montrose. BNSF local runs between Grand Valley and Railhead.

Google Map below shows the Grand Junction Locals territory. The green line shows the BNSF local and the others show UP locals.

local_map.jpg: map of Grand Junction Locals

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Grand Junction Locals, part 2 [Column_Tracksides]

local_landmark_01.jpg: Sep. 11, 2017. out(west)bound Landmark Local

The dairy trains MNYRO/MRONY serving Grand Junction were switched to tri-weekly MNYGJ/MGJNY in Dec. 2018.

These might bring some changes to the local traffic at Grand Junction and its vicinity. Here, I present my record of the local traffic at Grand Junction and its vicinity as of summer 2017.
 
 
Here are the UP local trains that originate and terminate at Grand Junction:

Landmark Local is the nickname of the UP local trains serving Grand Junction westward as far as Fruita Industrial Center at “Gary” siding. Both terms “Landmark” and “Gary” are named after the historical companies who operated the refinery there. Two four-axle locomotives on the point are the norm.

Between 1957 and 1973, American Gilsonite Co. processed Uintah Basin gilsonite at the refinery located next to the siding at MP 463+1711"[1]. The name of the siding was “Gilsonite” at least in 1960 according to the D&RGW Utah industry Map[2].

In 1973, Gary Energy purchased the American Gilsonite Co. facilities and renamed it to Gary Refinery. 1989 D&RGW Grade & Alignment Charts shows the siding as “Gary”. Later, Western Slope Refining Company in 1989, then Landmark Petroleum in 1991 became the operator of the refinery. Unfortunately, the Landmark closed the refinery in 1996. The site was redeveloped as an industrial park afterward.

According to the latest information I could find on the web (2012), the outbound local train departs East Yard around 9:00 in the morning on Monday to Thursday. They will go further if there is an order. They return to Grand Junction in the afternoon between 12:00 and 3:00.

As of Sep. 11, 2017 morning, the outbound Landmark Local was consisted of:
UP GP60 #1019 and
UP GP40-2 #1348 (yes! its the former D&RGW #3126),
a bulkhead flatcar TTPX#830647 of steel plates,
a covered hopper FURX#830647,
two tank cars UTLX#206583 and TILX#318012 of alcohol,
and a tank car SHPX#221695 of butadiene,
in order.

local_landmark_movie.jpg: Landmark Local out of Grand Junction


Minturn Local is the nickname of the UP local trains serving Grand Junction eastward as far as Lacy Industrial Park at Lacy or American Gypsum Co. at Gypsum: they don’t reach Minturn anymore. Two six-axle locomotives on the point are the norm.

According to the latest information I could find on the web (2017), the outbound local train departs East Yard in the morning from Sunday to Thursday. The train only goes as far as Lacy except for Monday and Wednesday: on Monday, the train reaches Glenwood Springs between 9:00 and 11:00 with some tank cars, and on Wednesday, the train reaches Gypsum with some center-beam flat cars to handle wallboards. The train also switches soda ash plant at Parachute and returns to Grand Junction in a day.


Montrose Local is the nickname of the UP local trains serving Grand Junction southward as far as Alpine Lumber at Montrose. The other industries served by the locals are/were Foster Farms at Delta, Colorado Stone Quarries at the south of Delta, Louisiana-Pacific at the north of Olathe, Producers Co-Op at Olathe, and Russell Stover Chocolates LLC at Montrose. Two four-axle locomotives on the point are the norm.

According to the latest information I could find on the web (2020), the outbound local train departs East Yard early Thursday morning at 6:30 and returns to Grand Junction the next afternoon. The chocolate plant at Montrose operated since 1973 was closed in 2021.


local_potash_01.jpg: Sep. 10, 2017. out(west)bound Potash Turn

Potash Turn is the nickname of the UP local train serving Grand Junction westward as far as Intrepid Potash Inc. at Potash on Cane Creek Branch. It's the only local train out of Grand Junction to have the train symbol: LDG51B. Two six-axle locomotives on the point are the norm.

According to July 2021 Trains magazine, the outbound local train departs East Yard around 9:00 every Friday morning: it was on Sunday when I visited in 2017. They return to Grand Junction in the late afternoon of the same day between 5:00 and 7:00.

The Turn occasionally drops/picks up tank cars for Desert Mountain Corp. and locomotives assigned to UNTRA dirt trains at Brendel.

As of Sep. 10, 2017, the outbound Potash Turn was consisted of UP SD60 #2197 and SD40N #2031, both conventional cab units, and seventeen covered hopper cars including ACF center flow cars lettered MP and WP. It went through Thompson at around 11:30AM.

There are another two locals on Cane Creek Branch: moving low-level radioactive tailings from Emkay on Sunday to Thursday and moving sulfuric acid to Seven Mile on Saturday, as of June 12, 2021.


Aspen Turn, which served Carbondale, Woody Creek, and Aspen on the D&RGW Aspen Branch, also used to originate at Grand Junction. Two four-axle locomotives on the point were the norm.

Construction materials by a covered gondola or lumbers by a boxcar for Aspen, iron ore by drop-bottom gondolas or hoppers for CF&I at Pueblo from Woody Creek, and coal by drop-bottom gondolas or hoppers for Provo from Carbondale were the task in 1968[3]. Iron ore was produced at Pitkin Iron Corp. mine above Ashcroft from 1960 to the late 80s. Mid-Continent Resources coal from Carbondale was gone in 1991. Entire branch was sold in 1997[4].
revised, Jun. 19, 2020
revised, Sep. 28, 2020
revised, May 17, 2021
revised, Jul. 2, 2021
revised, Feb. 17, 2022
revised, Dec. 16, 2023

[1] Stemrich, James J., “Fruita Refinery”, The Confluence, Colorado Plateau River Guides;
[2] 1960 D&RGW Utah Industry Map;
[3] Zurcher, Victor, (2020) Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, Facebook;
[4] NDHolmes, (2011) Aspen Branch, DRGW.net;

local_brendel_01.jpg: Sep. 11, 2014. Brendel, Utah
 
 

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Grand Junction Locals, part 3 [Column_Tracksides]

local_bnsf_01.jpg: Sep. 11, 2017. Westbound BNSF Local

As of Dec. 4, 2018, Trains News Wire, the introducing of Precision Scheduled Railroading at Union Pacific will be implemented by the middle of 2019.
It is already announced that MNYRO/MRONY was switched to tri-weekly MNYGJ/MGJNY since Dec. 2018.
These may bring some changes to the local traffic at Grand Junction and its vicinity. Here, I represent my record of the local traffic at Grand Junction and its vicinity as of summer 2017.


Here are the BNSF local trains originate and terminate at Grand Junction:

BNSF Local is the nickname of the local trains serving BNSF Parachute Yard at Grand Valley and Suncor Energy Inc. at Railhead. Two six-axle locomotives on the point are the norm.

According to the latest information I could find on the web (2017), the local departs Grand Junction station in the morning five days a week. After arriving light at BNSF Parachute Yard, they switch the yard and industry trackage, picks up cars, and heads westbound for Railhead. After switching the industry trackage, they return light again to Grand Junction in a day. A caboose BN#12517, used as a shoving platform at former American Soda industry trackage, is stationed at Parachute Yard.

As of Sep. 11, 2017, the westbound BNSF Local was consisted of:
BNSF ES44C4 #6890 and #6612,
ten, maybe sodium bicarbonate, hopper cars SMNX#44540, ASHX#1346, SMNX#44531, SMNX#44521, SMNX#44443, ASHX#1713, SMNX#44603, SMNX#44607, ASHX#1258 and ASHX#1152,
two gasoline(UN-1203) tank cars UTLX#203040 and UTLX#203039,
twenty-four flammable liquid(1993) tank cars UTLX#903154, UTLX#41011, UTLX#206724, UTLX#203086, UTLX#206744, UTLX#206729, UTLX#206754, UTLX#203110, UTLX#203053, UTLX#203113, UTLX#203034, UTLX#203083, UTLX#203088, UTLX#903174, UTLX#201206, UTLX#208138, TOTX#1027, UTLX#209904, UTLX#41010, TOTX#1003, UTLX#903135, UTLX#212634, TOTX#1030 and TOTX#1029,
eight alcohol(UN-1987) tank cars TILX#199471, TILX#192786, TILX#193954, TILX#199368, TILX#192893, TILX#199013, TCBX#195011 and TILX#198710
in order from the head end, total of forty-four cars.
It went through Palisade on around 12:00AM.

bnsflocal_movie.jpg: BNSF Local at Palisade
local_bnsf_02.jpg: BNSF corporate office at S 5th St, Grand Junction

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Utopia – Quest for the Perfection, part 1 [Column_Tracksides]

jacksonhouse.jpg: Gary, IN. Sep. 5, 2019

Last summer, our family visited several places in the United States where it thought to be utopias.

Here, utopia means a commune that quests for the perfection of economy, government, and/or justice through orderly and spartan communal living. Many regard it as fantasy or sometimes criticize it as dystopia because of its tendency to dehumanize. But, it is also said that even the remnants of the utopia attract us. Let me introduce the remnants of the utopias we visited:


2300 Jackson St. Gary, Indiana
The two-bedroom house shown above at the corner of the Jackson Family Blvd. and the Jackson St. in Gary, IN is the Michael Jackson Birthplace.

His parents bought the house in 1950, Michael was born in 1958, and the family left the house for Los Angeles in 1969. It is, of course, not listed in Utopias in America by National Park Service[1]. But, the story of the family’s quest for the musical perfection unfolded in the living room of this house brought us here[2].


Zoar, Ohio
zoar_01.jpg
zoar_03.jpg
zoar_02.jpg: Zoar, OH. Sep. 7, 2019

Zoar was a utopian community founded by the German Separatists, aka Zoarites, led by Joseph Bimeler(1778 - 1853) in 1817. The community thrived until 1898[3].

Common garden and the glasshouse at the center of the commune are the highlights of this utopia.


New Harmony, IN
newharmony_01.jpg
newharmony_02.jpg
newharmony_03.jpg: New Harmony, IN. Sep. 11, 2019

New Harmony was a utopian community founded by the German Separatists, aka Harmonists, in 1814. The community thrived until 1824[4].

Similar to the Zoarites, the Harmonists led by Johann Georg Rapp(1757 - 1847) were also immigrants from Germany. They first established the colony named Harmony in Pennsylvania. New Harmony was their second practice, before their final abode named Economy, again in Pennsylvania.


Pleasant Hill, KY
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pleasanthill_02.jpg
pleasanthill_03.jpg: Shakertown, KY. Sep. 10, 2019

Shakertown at the Pleasant Hill was a utopian community founded by the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, aka the Shakers, in 1805[5]. The community thrived until 1910.

Shakers were the followers of the immigrant Ann Lee(1736 - 1784) from England. Their quest for the order throughout the life crystallized into the strong symmetry in their architecture.


Clearfield, KY
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m&nf_02.jpg
m&nf_03.jpg: Clearfield, KY. Sep. 9, 2019

Morehead & North Fork Railroad established in 1905 used to diverge south from the C&O Lexington Subdivision at Morehead, Kentucky. The M&NF headquarters and shops were located in Clearfield, just outside of the junction opposite the Triplett Creek[6].

The main shipment of the railroad was the log, lumber, and clay. In the early ’60s, until May 3, 1963, the railroad was well known among enthusiasts as one of the last railroads in the United States to use steam locomotives in dairy revenue operation[7]. The Jan. 1956 Trains magazine features the bygone days of steam powered M&NF.

In 1973, the owner of the railroad, Roy Hayes Cassity (1911 – 1988) ceased the operation due to the lack of shipment.

In 1974-76, by then the owner of the railroad, Clester Lee Armstrong (1920 – 2000) of Homer Gregory & Co. acquired four Baldwin S-12 locomotives and resumed the operation as Morehead & Morgan Fork. M&MF also held "Railfan Weekend", pulling steam locomotive M&NF #12 out of the roundhouse for photographers[8].

But, in 1984, the connecting C&O line was filed for abandonment, ceased operation in 1985, and was pulled up by Jan. 1986. Accordingly, the M&MF was landlocked and thus faded out into the weeds[9].

Since 1990, enthusiasts James Johnson and Joe Nugent began restoring the remnants[6]. They resumed annual two days celebrations named "M&NF Expo" in 1993 and 1994[10, 11]. The steam locomotive M&NF #12, a Baldwin S-12 lettered Durham & Southern #1201, a boxcar M&NF #500, and a caboose C&O #904055 were preserved/displayed at the Clearfield facilities[12, 13].

However, unfortunately, the only left at Clearfield today is the boxcar and the empty engine shed: #1201 was scrapped in 2010, and #12 was sold and moved to the Age of Steam Roundhouse in 2011[14, 15].
revised, Jun. 7, 2021
revised, Jul. 7, 2021

[1] National Park Service, Utopias in America web site;
[2] Bertram, Colin, (2019) Michael Jackson: Inside His Early Years in Gary, Indiana With His Musical Family, Biography;
[3] Historic Zoar Village web site;
[4] University of Southern Indiana web site;
[5] Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill web site;
[6] photos of M&NF facilities at Clearfield found at Morehead State university Camden-Carroll Library;
[7] Neubauer, James A., In the footsteps of David and Doc, Sep. 2003, Trains, Kalmbach
[8] Railroad News Photos, Oct. 1978, Trains, Kalmbach
[9] Nugent, Joe, (2011) Photo Comments, RailPictures.net web site;
[10] Schwieterman, Joseph, P., (2001) When the Railroad Leaves Town, Vol. 1, Truman State University Press;
[11] News photos, Oct. 1994, Trains, kalmbach
[12] 2008 photo of the property found at Flickr;
[13] Riggsby, Bryan. (2009) comments for the Abandoned Rails web site;
[14] Durham & Southern Railroad reference web site;
[15] Nov. 18, 2011, The Morehead News;
 
 

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Utopia – Quest for the Perfection, part 2 [Column_Tracksides]

Last summer, our family visited several places in the United States where it thought to be utopias.

Here, utopia means a commune that quests for the perfection of economy, government, and/or justice through orderly and spartan communal living. Many regard it as fantasy or sometimes criticize it as dystopia because of its tendency to dehumanize. But, the utopia attract us; let me introduce the still surviving utopias we visited:


The Abbey of Gethsemani
abbeyofgethsemani_03.jpg
abbeyofgethsemani_01.jpg
abbeyofgethsemani_02.jpg: Trappist, KY. Sep. 10, 2019

The Abbey of Gethsemani is a monastery founded by the Trappists in 1848[1]. It is the oldest continuously operating monastery in the United States.

We went there for their fruit cakes, but the five days retreat seems also an incredible experience.


The Monastery of the Immaculate Conception
st.benedictmonastery_01.jpg
st.benedictmonastery_02.jpg: Ferdinand, IN. Sep. 10, 2019

Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at Ferdinand, Indiana was built by the Benedictine women in 1886[2].

We went there for the craft beers at the St. Benedict’s Brew Works located in the monastery. The pizza served at the brewery was as excellent as their beers.


Age of Steam Roundhouse, OH
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m&nf_04.jpg: Sugar Creek, OH. Sep. 7, 2019

The Age of Steam Roundhouse is a facility founded by Jerry Joe Jacobson (1943 – 2017) in 2008[3].

The full-time fellows quest to maintain America’s railroad history alive through preserving, restoring, and repairing the equipment in Monday-to-Friday status. The Morehead & North Fork #12 from Clearfield, KY was completely restored to operatable status as shown above.

It seemed to me that the Roundhouse placed in the middle of Amish country, thought to be another utopian community, was more than coincidence.

ageofsteam_03.jpg: Sugar Creek, OH. Sep. 7, 2019

[1] Abbey of Gethsemani web site;
[2] Sisters of St. Benedict web site;
[3] Age of Steam Roundhouse web site;

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Unique Loads – 04 : Bricks [Column_Tracksides]

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beldenbrick_02.jpg
beldenbrick_03.jpg: Sugar Creek, OH. Sep. 7, 2019

After visiting the Age of Steam Roundhouse, we found a Columbus & Ohio River (CUOH) boxcar placed at the spur to the Kiln in the town of Sugar Creek, Ohio. Massive bricks were quietly waiting for loading; it was Saturday.

The kiln is operated by the Belden Brick Company, established by Henry S. Belden (1840 – 1921) in 1885. The Belden bricks are also used in constructing the Roundhouse.

ageofsteam_08.jpg: Sugar Creek, OH. Sep. 7, 2019

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Enthusiasm in the Museum [Column_Tracksides]

aic_monet.jpg: Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare

Our enthusiasm for the trains is always “on”, I believe. We cannot do without supplying them even when we are on holiday with our family. Accordingly, we have to select the ideal destination both for us and for our family. Chicago, the destination for our holiday last year, seemed one of them where a lot of trains were provided even in the art gallery.

The Art Institute of Chicago has a huge collection of art including some train-oriented pieces. It’s obvious in Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare (1877) by Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) as you can see above[1].


aic_beal.jpg: The Puff of Smoke

The Puff of Smoke (1912) by Gifford Beal (1879 – 1956) shown above represents only the smoke. But we can easily imagine the steam train may be passing under the viaduct. Indeed, the commentary made by the museum says the steam is probably from a passing train[2].


aic_kelly.jpg: Train Landscape

Train Landscape (1953) by Ellsworth Kelly (1923 – 2015) shown above is an abstract art showing nothing concrete. But the directly declared title reminded me of the late summer cornfield seen from the Amtrak Superliner coach. However, unfortunately, it represents the fields of lettuce, spinach, and mustard viewed from the French train, according to the caption added to the piece[3].


aic_hopper.jpg: Nighthawks

Nighthawks (1942) by Edward Hopper (1882 – 1967) shown above is a representational painting without any trains[4]. But as I mentioned before, it may provide us with useful information on making of the model and/or layout: what to adopt and what to omit when constructing the image.


aic_o'keeffe.jpg: The Black Place

The Black Place (1943) by Georgia O’Keeffe (1887 – 1986) is the another representational painting without any trains but may attract the enthusiasts[5]. I thought it would be a nice backdrop for the southwest-oriented layouts; not too much detailed but also not too much rough.

More accurate images of each painting are available at the Art Institute of Chicago web site shown below.


For the tired or bored enthusiasts, the Institute provides a wonderful view of the South Shore trains with the skyscrapers as the backdrop.

aic_csssb.jpg

[1] Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare commentary, The Art Institute of Chicago;
[2] The Puff of Smoke commentary, The Art Institute of Chicago;
[3] Train Landscape commentary, The Art Institute of Chicago;
[4] Nighthawks commentary, The Art Institute of Chicago;
[5] The Black Place commentary, The Art Institute of Chicago;

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Two-Lane Blacktop, Part 3 – Symmetry on the Midland Trail [Column_Tracksides]

thurmond_01.jpg: Hico, WV. Sep. 8, 2019
thurmond_06.jpg: New River Gorge, WV. Sep. 8, 2019

The word “symmetry” is a useful word to put the structure shortly. Even if there is little relation between the two, they are tightly tied up just as they are regarded as symmetrical. To show how the word “symmetry” works (or not), let me introduce a pair of Eastern and Western railroad-towns along the old Midland Trail which ran through Cisco, Utah, with the Mississippi River as the axis of symmetry.


Today, the Midland Trail extends through West Virginia along the New River as US Highway 60. About nine miles south of US Hwy 60, in the heart of the New River Gorge, lies the town of Thurmond.

The town of Thurmond was incorporated in 1903 along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway New River Subdivision completed in 1873[1, 2]. The town boasted two hotels and banks, restaurants, clothing stores, a jewelry store, a movie theater, and a post office at its heyday in the ’20s. The former C&O Loup Creek Branch, completed in 1893 diverts from here to the Contrua Energy coalmine at Pax, is operated by R. J. Corman today. The movie Matewan (1987) was shot here[3].

Today, National Park Service owns and maintains over twenty structures including the depot. Thurmond is a flag stop on Amtrak’s Cardinal operating three days a week between New York and Chicago, serves as the gateway to the New River Gorge National River. Feb. 1990 Railmodel Journal magazine has the plan of the whole town[4].


Hereupon, let me reintroduce the town of Thompson Springs, Utah as the western equivalent of the symmetry. Thompson Springs incorporated in 1883 is a town on the Midland Trail along the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

Thompson boasted hotels, restaurants, stores, gas service stations, and a post office at its heyday. Once, the Ballard & Thompson Railroad to Sego coal mine diverted from here. The movie Thelma & Louise (1991) was shot here, and it was the flag stop on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, served as the gateway to the Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.


You may agree with the symmetry or not, both the towns often appear in railroad-oriented books and magazines, maybe because of their picturesque scenery[5, 6, 7, 8].

[1] Thurmond, WV heart of the New River Gorge web site;
[2] Thurmond: WV heart of the New River Gorge, National Park Service brochure
[3] a scene from the movie Matewan at YouTube;
[4] Modeling Thurmond, West Virginia, part 1:, Feb. 1990, Railmodel Journal, Golden Bell Press;
[5] Lothes, Scott, (2008) A place worth a visit, Oct. 2008, Trains, Kalmbach Publishing Co.
[6] Scanlon, Kevin, (2013) Down by the tracks, Aug. 2013, Trains, Kalmbach Publishing Co.
[7] Hemphill, Mark W., (1985) The unknown Rio Grande, Jul. 1985, Trains, Kalmbach Publishing Co.
[8] Patrick, Mel, (2002) Desert Solitude, Jan. 2002, Trains, Kalmbach Publishing Co.

thurmond_02.jpg
thurmond_04.jpg
thurmond_05.jpg: Thurmond, WV. Sep. 8, 2019

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Two-Lane Blacktop, Part 4 – Symmetry on the US Highway 50 [Column_Tracksides]

grafton_01.jpg
grafton_02.jpg: Grafton, WV. Sep. 8, 2019

The word “symmetry” is a useful word to put the structure shortly. The two are tightly tied up just as they are regarded as symmetrical, even if there is little relation between them. To show how the word “symmetry” works (or not), let me introduce a pair of Eastern and Western railroad-towns along the old US Highway 50 ran through Cisco, Utah, with the Mississippi River as the axis of symmetry.


The “loneliest highway” US 50 extends through the city of Grafton, West Virginia. Grafton was incorporated in 1856 along the first trans-Appalachian railroad, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, completed in 1852[1]. It was one of the nation's first railroad towns: once the division headquarters/crew change point and is the helper station for the trains negotiating the Allegheny Mountains[2]. Until 1971, the aesthetic depot hosted B&O National Limited operated between New York and St. Louis. Amtrak Shenandoah left the depot for good in 1981.
Today, both the depot and the adjacent Willard Hotel are owned by Vandalia Heritage Foundation, waiting for the restoration and redevelopment[3].

Hereupon, let me reintroduce the city of Helper, Utah. It is a little off the US Highway 50, but I think it’s worthy of note as the western equivalent of the symmetry. Helper was settled in circa 1881 along the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad completed in 1882 in this region. It was once the division headquarters/crew change point and is the helper station for the trains negotiating the Soldier Summit. It hosts Amtrak California Zephyr to this day.
Today, the CONOCO Station, Strand Theatre, Lincoln Hotel, TXACO Filling Station, and Sinclair Service Station along the Main St. magnificently restored by Gary DeVincent shape the city’s future[4].
revised, May 7, 2021

[1] Our History, City of Grafton web page;
[2] Kroll, Kailee, (2021) B&O railroad valued in growth of Grafton and surrounding areas, Apr. 25, 2021, WVNews;
[3] Davis, Jim, (2015) B&O Railroad Station, Willard Hotel sit vacant as reminders of Grafton’s past, Jun. 28, The Exponent Telegram;
[4] Adams, Andrew, (2018) Man’s Love of the Past Now Helping to Shape Helper’s Future, Jul. 12, Local News, KSLTV;

grafton_03.jpg
grafton_04.jpg: Grafton, WV. Sep. 8, 2019

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Two-Lane Blacktop, Part 5 – Symmetry on the US Highway 6 [Column_Tracksides]

syracuse,in_01.jpg: Syracuse, IN. Sep. 5, 2019
corruna,in_01.jpg: Corunna, IN. Sep. 5, 2019

The word “symmetry” is a useful word to put the structure shortly. The two are tightly tied up just as they are regarded as symmetrical, even if there is little relation between them. To show how the word “symmetry” works (or not), let me introduce a pair of Eastern and Western railroad-towns along the old US Highway 6 ran through Cisco, Utah, with the Mississippi River as the axis of symmetry.


The US Highway 6 extends “from nowhere to nowhere” through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The only large city it reaches in this part of US Hwy 6 is the city of Cleveland, OH.

US Hwy 6 somewhat parallels the former New York Central Water Level Route. Two miles north of the US Hwy 6 at the westernmost part within Ohio on the Water Level Route lies the city of Bryan. It was once the western terminus of the interurban Toledo &Indiana Railway to Toledo. The modest depot hosts Amtrak Lake Shore Limited operating dairy between New York/Boston and Chicago.

Several Norfolk Southern geeps rested at sidings when we visited the depot in the late afternoon; there seem some local/switching assignments as far as Archbold, OH to the east and Millersburg, IN to the west. The Spangler Candy Company opposite the depot was once served by the railroad. The jewel for me was the high short hood GP38-2 NS #5209 with the “F” markings on the long hood end, and the bleached 40’ van trailer Conrail #CRZ202334.

Hereupon, let me reintroduce Grand Junction, Colorado as the western equivalent of the symmetry. The city of Grand Junction is located on US Hwy 6 at the westernmost part within Colorado on the Rio Grande main thru the Rockies. It was once the eastern terminus of the interurban Grand Junction & Grand River Valley Railway to Fruita. The depot sees Amtrak California Zephyr, several local trains, and some switching. The local out of Grand Junction once served Russell Stover Candy Company plant opened in 1973 at Montrose, CO: Russell Stover is the third-largest American chocolate manufacturer after Hershey and Mars.

bryan_01.jpg
bryan_02.jpg: Bryan, OH. Sep. 5, 2019


Well, the symmetry maybe not so strong compared with the previous ones: remember the US Hwy 6 is called “runs uncertainly from nowhere to nowhere”.

One of the few highlights of the US Hwy 6 maybe is the several blocks in Joliet, IL between McDonough St and Jefferson St where it shares the Chicago St with the famous Historic US Highway 66. However, unfortunately, it is obvious only in no-furyl road sign on the side of the street. Onetime, it also shared the Figueroa St near downtown Los Angeles, CA with US Hwy 66.
revised, Feb. 8, 2021
revised, Jun. 18, 2021

joliet,il_01.jpg: Joliet, IL. Sep. 12, 2019
la_01.jpg: Sunset Blvd and Figueroa St, LA. 1952. City of LA Archives

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Going, Going, Gone part 1 − Pedigree Geeps [Column_Tracksides]

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.

ns5209_02.jpg: Bryan, OH. Sep. 5, 2019
arr3001_01.jpg: Fairbanks, AK. 2012
arr_06.jpg: Fairbanks, AK. 2012

We seem almost missed the active "Pedigree Geeps". Here, Geeps mean four axes locomotives built by EMD from 1949 to the 90s, and pedigree means staying in one railroad without rebuilding, trading, or retiring since its inauguration.

For example, 28 GP38-2's are the only active pedigree Geeps on Union Pacific (UP/UPY) roster at the time of writing. It also lists several GP39-2's, GP40-2's and GP60's, but there isn't a pedigree Geep.

Another example is that out of 20 GP9's, 24 GP18's, 112 GP30's, 71 GP35's, 114 GP38's, 257 GP38-2's, 56 GP38AC's, 3 GP40X's, 6 GP49's, and 90 GP50's Southern Railway (SOU) brought to Norfolk Southern (NS) in 1982, only 102 GP38-2's survives today at the time of writing[1].

Accordingly, I'm taking photographs of every Geeps I meet during my holidays in the United States, but most of them were rebuilt, traded, or absorbed through the storm of mergers. The number of photos of pedigree Geeps I could get in this decade is only three; NS GP38-2 #5209 and ARR GP40-2 #3001, 3003. Let me introduce them:


NS GP38-2 #5209 is originally an SOU unit built in 1977 and currently stored, but is narrowly on the NS roster at the time of writing.

As I mentioned above, SOU rostered 257 hi-nose GP38-2s, and NS keeps 102 of them today. But 44 of them were rebuilt with low short hood and 25 units are stored[2]. Accordingly, the number of active pedigree GP38-2s, ignoring the type of control arrangement, on NS today is only 37. #5209 does keep the hi-nose and also the "bi-directional" control stand.

ARR #3001 and 3003 are the active ARR pedigree units. 15 units were built between 1975 and 1978. Only 3 units including #3001 and 3003 keep the original paint scheme. #2006 is a repainted former Conrail unit acquired in 1986.


I think the charm of the pedigree Geeps lives on details. See the bell, horn, and F marking on the long hood end of NS #5209. Still working marker lights and additional headlights on the cab roof of ARR units prove their pedigree. These details are often omitted in crossbred locomotives.

However, fortunately, some crossbreds still keep their details from their old days. UP GP40-2 #1348 barely shows the marks of the oscillating Mars Light from the Rio Grande days at its nose.

Not a Geep but SD, ECDC SD9 #4355 shown below keeps Light package base on the short hood and hump cowl behind the cab from the SP days.

[1] Toth, Chris R., (2020) Norfolk Southern 1982 to Present Diesel Locomotive Roster Summary, NSDash9.com;
[2] Toth, Chris R., (2020) Norfolk Southern Current Active Diesel Locomotive Roster Summary, NSDash9.com;

up1348_01.jpg: Grand Junction, CO. Sep. 11, 2017
drgw5371_04.jpg: Ogden, UT. Sep. 10, 2014

ecdc4355_01.jpg: East Carbon, UT Sep. 10, 2014
sp3769_02.jpg: Ogden, UT Sep. 10, 2014
  
  

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Going, Going, Gone part 2 − Boxcars [Column_Tracksides]

csx360_02.jpg: CSX “boxcar” logo

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.
 
 
Though boxcars with large logos and/or colorful heralds became extinct long ago, they still survive as one of the symbols of American railroading: CSX introduced the “boxcar” logo in 2016.

However, unfortunately, we seem rather missed the boxcars. Freight today is largely shipped by hopper cars and tank cars. “It’s now a niche player”, Bill Stephens described the boxcar in the Nov. 2019 Trains magazine.

As of the time of writing, North American boxcar fleet size has declined nearly 40% since 2000. Also is that the number of the order for the new boxcar has declined: 155,050 boxcars were built new between 1971 and 1980, but only 21,662 boxcars were built new between 2001 and 2010[1].


kcs17216_01.jpg: Bellevue, OH. Sep. 6, 2019
bnsf782579_01.jpg: El Paso, TX. Sep. 10, 2015
csxt124565_01.jpg: Bellevue, OH. Sep. 6, 2019

Here, represented above is the, so to say, vanishing equipment I took during my holidays. The first photo shows boxcar red boxcars owned by US class I railroads found in an NS manifest: UP, KCS, and NS boxcars from left to right.

BKTY #155468, ex-Chattahoochee Industrial Railroad(CIRR) #1125 exx-Marinette, Tomahawk and Western Railroad(MTW) #1125 nee-Cadiz Railroad(CAD) #1125 was built in the late 70s by Food Machinery & Chemicals(FMC)[2]. "B" stood for Bankers Leasing Company as a lessor. It's owned by UP today: MP and UP purchased the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in 1988, then UP resurrected the reporting mark BKTY in 1997.

KCS #172161 is genuine KCS equipment built in the 90s by Gunderson[3]. And, NS #412539 is former SOU #532023 built in 1981 by Pullman-Standard[4].

The second and third photos show boxcars owned by other US class I railroads:
BNSF #782579 is ex-BN, exx-C&S equipment built in 1965 at CB&Q Havelock Shops[5]. CSXT #124565 is a former SCL equipment built in 1971 by Pullman-Standard: ends and doors seems sometime rebuilt[6].

If we regard BKTY as UP, by these only three photos, we can cover all the United States-based class I freight railroads today. Notice that they are mostly quite old-timers.


In Japan, we saw the last revenue boxcar consist in 2012: no revenue boxcars are on the roster today. Some are sold, some are scraped, and some are stored ever since.
revised, Feb. 17, 2021

[1] Blaze, Jim, (2020) Fewer Freight Cars on the Horizon?, Feb. 12, 2020, Railway Age, Simmons-Boardman Publishing;
[2] 1979 photo of CAD #1135 at Fallen flags site;
[3] 2007 photo of KSC #172161 found at RRPictureArchives site;
[4] 2010 photo of SOU #532022 found at RRPictureArchives site;
[5] Spoor, Michel J., (1995) CB&Q Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, Morning Sun Books
[6] 1975 photo of SCL #23547 found at Fallen flags site;

trains_nov2019.jpeg: Nov. 2019 Trains

krr_dd5515_01.jpg: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Feb. 9, 1994
wamu8_02.jpg: Osaka, Japan. Feb 11, 1998.
wamu6_01.jpg: Chitose, Hokkaido. Aug. 28, 2018
 
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 3 − Street Running [Column_Tracksides]

csssb_c06.jpg: Michigan City, IN. Sep. 5, 2019
gjt_lead_06.jpg: Grand Junction, CO. Sep. 11, 2017

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.
 
 
Street running is thought to be one of the icons of railroading in the United States. Historically, many railroads ran in the middle of the streets around the world, but in the case of modern freight railroading, it largely remains in the United States.

But, it seems not secure anymore. Industrial spurs seem gradually losing their customers. The spur at Grand Junction, CO had a single customer in 2017.
Michigan City, IN decided to eliminate the single track street running of the South Shore commuter trains and converting it to double ballasted tracks. The project is planned to complete in 2024. The last street running commuter train departed 11th Street station on Feb. 28, 2022. Buses will be substituted until the completion of the project.

Represented above are these vanishing street running tracks I met during our holiday trips in this decade. The first photo shows a South Shore commuter train making its way down 10th St. in Michigan City, IN. The second photo shows the industrial spur operated by UP at Grand Junction, CO.

trains_apr2008.jpeg:Apr. 2008 Trains

The photos below show the gone street diamonds and street running tracks in Japan:

Two photos below show part of the Sagani Transportation & Warehouse Co.'s street running spur in Yokosuka serving the United States Navy Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Fuel tank cars used to travel over the diamond. It saw the last train in 1998 and was abandoned in 2006.

The last photo shows the diamond crossing on the street in Osaka Japan. Both the short portion of the Hankai Tramway line shown to the right and the diamond crossing was abandoned in 2015.
revised, May 7, 2021
revised, Mar 1, 2022

taura_1997_01.jpg
taura_1997_02.jpg: Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. Mar. 28, 1997
hankai_sumiyoshi_01.jpg: Sumiyoshi, Osaka, Japan Oct. 20, 2015
 
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 4 − Coal Trains [Column_Tracksides]

sou_28.jpg: Knoxville, TN. Winter, 1970
coal-train_03.jpg: Prince, WV. Sep. 9, 2019
up6921_01.jpg: Helper, UT. Sep. 10, 2014

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.
 
 
Hauling coal was supposed to be the earliest object of building a railroad. It was the biggest motive for the invention of the railroad. However, unfortunately, it is no more. Environmental and/or economic issues bundled the coal off from the leading role of energy to a bit player.


Coal trains, like a CSX one in the hole at Prince, WV, or a UP one departing Helper, UT with the manned helper, are relatively rare today.

Coal mines, like the one at Somerset, CO, on the former D&RGW North Fork Branch reduced calling coal hoppers for shipment. Coal mines along the former D&RGW Craig Branch used to call 4 to 8 coal trains a day, but there is none of them today.

Coal haulers like Utah Railway at Martin, UT, stored and later transferred their locomotives after losing their entire coal shipment.

The excess coal hopper cars are stored all across the county. Instead, railroads found a way to hauling intermodal units.


The Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad established in 1973, a 78 miles coal hauler in Arizona, was entirely shut down in 2019 due to the closure of the Navajo Generating Station. It was once introduced in Oct. 1974 Trains magazine as "America's finest railroad". The coal-burning Navajo Station was opened in 1976, but closed in 2019, and demolished in 2020.

somersetmine_01.jpg: Somerset, CO. Sep. 6, 2017
utah_martin_01.jpg: Martin, UT. Sep. 10, 2014
cnw135574_cisco.jpg: Cisco, UT. Sep. 10, 2017
coal-train_01.jpg: Kayenta, AZ. Sep. 13, 2014
coal-train_02.jpg: Page, AZ. Sep. 14, 2014
trains_apr2010.jpeg: Apr. 2010 Trains

The economic issue was the main cause of the fall of coal in Japan. Not a coal train is operated here in Japan today. The mining and shipping cost of domestic coal production could not win the competition with the imported coal.

The Mitsui-Ashibetsu Railway out of the coal mine at Ashibetsu, Hokkaido shown below was abandoned in 1989 due to the closure of the mine. Today, a locomotive and a hopper car are preserved on the bridge crossing the Tanzan (means coal mine in Japanese) River.

The generating station at Ebetsu, Hokkaido used to burn coal produced at the Akahira coal mine that existed near Ashibetsu. However, unfortunately, the generating station and the spur shown at the bottom ceased their operation in 1991.

ashibetsu_2018_01.jpg: Ashibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. Aug. 25, 2018
ebetsu_2018_01.jpg: Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. Aug. 26, 2018
  
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 5 − Jointed Rails and Wood Ties [Column_Tracksides]

carnegie-rail_00.jpg: Rowe, NM. Sep. 13, 2015
rowe_01.jpg: Rowe, NM. Sep. 13, 2015
depot_lamy_05.jpg: Lamy, NM. Sep. 13, 2015

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.
 
 
The clickety-clack of the trains is one of the essential elements of our enthusiasm. Have you ever put your ear to the rail in your childhood? However, unfortunately, replacing jointed rails with welded rails bundled it off from us.

The vintage jointed rail tracks left behind at former ATSF’s Raton Pass route are getting an upgrade little by little. As it’s the only major jointed track mainline section left where you can enjoy the rhythm of the jointed rails and wood ties on Amtrak routes, experience it while you can. You can also find several movies on Youtube.

beever_track_01.jpg: Beevers, NM. Sep. 9, 2015
valentine_track_01.jpg: Valentine, TX. Sep. 10, 2015

Wood ties used at mainline tracks are also in the process of replacing. One track of former ATSF's double-track Transcon route got its wood ties replaced with concrete ties at Beevers, NM in 2015. I wonder if the rides are different between the two. In the same year, former SP's Sunset route still kept wood ties at Valentine, TX.

carnegie-rail_06.jpg: Ebisucho, Osaka, Japan Oct. 20, 2015
naniwa_1980_01.jpg: Naniwa, Osaka, Japan. 1980s

Speaking of vintage rails, the old platform roof, which I represented in 2015, made of used rail produced at the Carnegie Edgar Thomson plant in 1897, was demolished in 2020 due to the relocation of the terminus itself. I don’t know whether it was preserved.

Moreover, a branch line which was shipping out new rails has entirely gone. the Japanese National Railways, later Japan Freight Railway Osaka Harbour Line and its Naniwa Station completed in 1928 was abandoned in 2006, ripped up in 2007, and redeveloped as a warehouse and muni-bus barn. There shows no sign of a shadow today. Once, the new rails brought from a steel mill by ships were stored and transferred to flat cars here.

trains_feb2016.jpeg: Feb. 2016 Trains
naniwa_2007_01.jpg: Naniwa, Osaka, Japan. 2007
 
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 6 − Interlocking and Blocking Signals [Column_Tracksides]

signal_helper_02.jpg: Helper, UT Sep. 10, 2014
atsf_semaphore.jpg: Chapelle, NM. Sep. 13, 2015
rowe_02.jpg: Rowe, NM. Sep. 13, 2015
depot_voghn_04.jpg: Voughn, NM. Sep. 12, 2015

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.


The Positive Train Control system (PTC) was introduced after the collision in 2008 at a suburb of Los Angeles that killed 25 people. The deadline for PTC implementation was Dec. 31, 2020. And the railroads made it. According to Apr. 2021 Trains magazine, thanks to the implement of PTC, the number of mainline train collisions fell more than 80% between 2005 and 2019: 79 in 2005 and 14 in 2019.
 

When we visited Helper, UT in 2014, the PTC implementation was on the way: the new signal set was established next to the one existing from the D&RGW days: the signal with a single head on the right is the D&RGW original and the signal with double head on the left is the newcomer.
 
The BNSF Raton Pass route was not a target of PTC implementation. But the improvement was on the way westward. However, fortunately, I could catch up with the active semaphore at Chapelle, NM, and also the active target signal at Rowe, NM when we visited in 2015. Rowe used to have semaphores according to September 1963 Trains magazine. On the other hand, PTC implementation seemed completed on the BNSF Southern Transcon corridor the same year.

In 2019, the implementation seemed completed at such enthusiast-oriented places as Bellevue, OH, or Thurmond, WV as shown below.
 

rule_03.jpg: D&RGW Rules and Regulations
 
My first impression of the PTC signals is big-boned. It seemed that the new system employed the traditional signal aspects and indications which we can date back to Rio Grande Rules days, not with three but with five to eight lits. According to my little experience, a non-red, mostly yellow, sometimes flashing signal light at any position, mostly top or middle, is the sign of the coming of a train.

The first photo below shows the trio of red lights guarding the coming northbound local train at Bellevue, OH. But a green light against the coming train is seen far away. I can't tell what that aspect means.

The second photo below shows a light engine set in the hole at Thurmond, WV. The yellow light on the middle position suggests that the long-awaited facing train is coming, and it did come shortly after.

The last photo shows the westbound Amtrak Cardinal hitting the green light on the top position at Thurmond. The track to the left guarded by a dwarf signal is the R. J. Corman Loup Creek Branch.


According to Feb. 2021 Trains magazine and Feb. 9,2021 Trains News-Wire, by adding the new Moving Block technology to this PTC system, the need for trackside signals evaporates[1]. Let's see what happens.
revised, May 11, 2021

[1] Stephens, Bill, (2021) BNSF receives patent for moving block system, Feb. 9, 2021, Trains News-Wire;

ptc-signal_01.jpg: Bellevue, OH. Sep. 9, 2019
ptc-signal_02.jpg: Thurmond, WV. Sep. 8, 2019
ptc-signal_03.jpg: Thurmond, WV. Sep. 8, 2019
trains_jul2018.jpeg: Jul. 2018 Trains  
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 7 − Men at Work [Column_Tracksides]

depot_durango_04.jpg: Durango, CO. Sep. 7, 2017
taura_1997_03.jpg: Yokosuka, Japan. Mar. 28, 1997
naniwa_1980_02.jpg: Naniwa, Osaka, Japan. 1980s

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.


While jointed tracks are replaced with welded rails, the way of and the tools used in maintaining tracks also made progress. Hand tools like beaters and man-powered equipment like hand cars used to maintain tracks are replaced by huge maintenance of way machines. The dancers and the gangs aren’t needed in the field anymore.

Introducing a new way of railroading like Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) might have reduced not only the number of trains but also the switching moves and the workforce engaged in them.

Introducing new technologies like Distributed Power Units (DPU) might have reduced the number of trainmen. Introducing the new way of train controlling like Positive Train Control (PTC) might have unmanned the towers.

Thus, the workforce employed by railroads is drastically shrinking. For example, the number of Union Pacific’s employees has dropped one-third, from 47457 employees in 2015 to 30960 in 2020. CSX dropped half of its workforce in this decade: 31344 in 2011 to 15700 in 2020.


Some of the icons of railroading like hand signals with lanterns are also going with the workforce in the field. The opportunities of using hand signals are decreased amid the expanse of the use of radios and remote controllers. A Union Pacific blue-globe lantern was sold for $46,200 at auction in 2021[1].

Another icon, the traditional working wears like bib overalls, bandannas, and engineer’s caps are also going. Safety jackets, earplugs, and hard caps are the norm today. Wearing masks are the latest "normal".

[1] Smith, Greg, (2021) ‘Packrat’ Cregut’s Railroadiana Collection Tracks Records At Soulis, Mar. 30, 2021, Antiques and the Arts Weekly The Bee Publishing;

bnsf2024_02.jpg: Vinton, TX. Sep. 10, 2015
drgw480_01.jpg: Durango, CO. Sep. 7, 2017
drgw480_02.jpg: Durango, CO. Sep. 7, 2017
trains_jul2007.jpeg: Jul. 2007 Trains

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Going, Going, Gone part 8 − Station Agents [Column_Tracksides]

prince_02.jpg: Prince, WV. Sep. 9, 2019
lamy-agent_00.jpg: Lamy, MN. Sep. 13, 2015
gn_havre.jpg: Glendive, MT. summer 1971
alpine_06.jpg: Alpine, TX. Sep. 10, 2015

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.


The shrinking of the workforce is not only distinct at freight railroads but also at passenger railroads. The severe cost-cutting by the Amtrak management brought the rural station agents to the point of extinction.


When we visited Lamy, NM in 2015, the single Amtrak agent was busy serving the passengers of one each eastbound and westbound Southwest Chiefs a day. However, unfortunately, the station lost the agent in August 2018. (Lamy regained agent in 2020.)

The Amtrak agent at Prince, WV served the passengers of the tri-weekly Cardinal. But the station lost the agent in April 2016. When we visited the former C&O station in 2019, there was nobody but the mosaic Chessie in the waiting room.

The Amtrak agent at Glendive, MT served the passengers of one each eastbound and westbound North Coast Hiawathas a day. But the station lost the agent in 1979 along with the train itself. When we visited the station in summer 1971, it was also quiet maybe because it was early in the evening; trains depart in the early in the morning and late in the evening at Glendive.

The checked baggage service came to an end in 1974 at Alpine, TX according to the Amtrak passenger timetable. But when we visited the station in 2015, an agent was on duty 24/7 serving the passengers of the tri-weekly Sunset Limited.


In Japan, the cost-cutting by the parent company management brought not only the station agent but the whole railway to the point of extinction. The Katakami Railway established in 1923 in Okayama Pref. was abandoned in 1991.

katakami_802_01.jpg: Wake, Okayama, Japan Mar. 15, 1990
 
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 9 − Asbestos [Column_Tracksides]

depot_greenriver_09.jpg: Green River, UT. Sep. 9, 2017

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.


Asbestos was a dream material when it was introduced in the 19th century as an insulator. It was used everywhere at railroad equipment and facilities. The evidence of such an application can be found in the warning seal applied on the door of Green River depot.

However, unfortunately, it was a nightmare and is prohibited to use today: it must be carefully removed. Preserved steam locomotives with naked boiler show the results of such removal. Structures regarded as worth preserving also got cleaned up. Thus, we must keep an eye on the razing of trackside structures left out of preservation because it's much easier razing than cleaning.


The depot, the section house, and the company house at Thompson, UT were such structures left unused for decades, regarded as no worth preserving, and finally demolished in 2016. They were built in 1945, 1881, and 1949 respectively when using asbestos was not prohibited. My guess for the object of demolition is to clean up asbestos used in the structures. I believe many unused historical trackside structures followed/will follow the same fate.

depot_thompson_01.jpg: Thompson, UT Sep. 11, 2014
depot_thompson_10.jpg: Thompson, UT Sep. 10, 2017

company-house_04.jpg: Thompson, UT Sep. 11, 2014
depot_thompson_11.jpg: Thompson, UT Sep. 10, 2017

gruver's-station_01.jpg: Thompson, UT Sep. 10, 2017
thompson_googlemaps.jpg: May 2019 Google maps street view of Gruver’s Station

Gruver’s Service Station at Thompson built in the early 40s was also demolished between 2017 and 2019 according to Google maps street view. It already lost its roof when we visited in 2017 but seemed asbestos was not used: I have no idea why it was demolished.

Historic brick buildings, built in 1917, 1906, and 1904 from left to right, at Thurmond, WV are preserved by the National Park Service. However, unfortunately, the entrances are locked, and entering the building is restricted maybe due to asbestos left inside.

thurmond_09.jpg
thurmond_08.jpg: Thurmond, WV. Sep. 8, 2019
 
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 10 − EMD, GE, and... [Column_Tracksides]

up5116_01.jpg: EMD SD70M Alpine, TX. Sep. 10, 2015
arr_04.jpg: EMD SD70MAC Fairbanks, AK. Feb. 14, 2014
csx3181_01.jpg: GE ES44 Grafton, WV. Sep. 8, 2019
csx3318_01.jpg: GE ET44 Prince, WV. Sep. 9, 2019
utah5003_01.jpg: Morrison-Knudsen MK-50-3 Martin, UT. Sep. 10, 2014

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.


Many railroad equipment manufacturers familiar to us are gone in these decades. The products they produced barely exist, but their names survive to this day. Let's see what we missed.


For me, EMD meant the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors succeeding the EMC. But, in 2005, it went through Greenbriar to Progress Rail, a Caterpillar subsidiary. It claimed Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. to retain the EMD initials. The last locomotives built by GM Electro-Motive Division were SD70ACe units for CSX.

For me, locomotives built by General Electric were the minority or more to say, GE's were hardly seen when I was in Knoxville, TN in the early 70s. ALCO's were also the minority, but they were somewhat major compared with GE's. Today, it looks like GE's conquered the scene.

Nevertheless, in 2019, GE spun-off its Transportation Unit to Wabtec Corp. which was formed in 1999 by the merger of Morrison-Knudsen spinoff MK Rail and Westinghouse Air Brake Company. The last locomotives built by GE were ES and ET44 series units.

trains_jan2011.jpeg: Jan. 2011 Trains


Furthermore, many freight equipment manufacturers which we still see their names in model catalogs issued by Athearn, Atlas, and other makers are also gone in these decades:

Mount Vernon Car Manufacturing Co. was acquired by H. K. Porter Co. in 1944.
Pressed Steel Car Co. was acquired by U.S. Steel Co. and went out of the rail car manufacturing business in 1954.
Gunderson Inc. was sold to Food Machinery and Chemical Corp. (FMC) in 1965.
Differential Car Co. (DIFCO) was acquired by Trinity Industries Inc. in 1966.
General American Transportation Corp. (GATC) was renamed GATX Corp. in 1975, but it went out of the rail car manufacturing business soon after that.
Southern Iron & Equip. Co. (SIECO) was acquired by Evans Products Co. in 1982.
International Car Co. was acquired by PACCAR Inc. in 1975, but it went out of the rail car manufacturing business in 1983.
Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Co., later Pullman Transportation Co. was acquired by Trinity in 1984.
Pacific Car & Foundry Co. (PC&F) was renamed PACCAR Inc. and the rail car plant became the PC&F Division in 1972, but it went out of the rail car manufacturing business in 1984.
Evans Products Co. was acquired by GE in 1984[1].
FMC rail equipment division was acquired by Greenbrier Companies in 1985.
Greenville Steel Car Co. (GSC) was acquired by Trinity in 1986.
North American Car Co. (NACC) was acquired by GE in 1986.
Ortner Freight Car Co. was acquired by Trinity in 1987.
An ACF spinoff, Berwick Forge & Fabricating Corp., then Berwick Freight Car Co. closed its doors in 1993.
Thrall Car Manufacturing Co. was acquired by Trinity in 2001.
The rail car division of Bethlehem Steel Corp. was acquired by Johnstown America Industries Inc. in 2001.


Here represented above are the latest models built by the original EMD, GE, and MK found in my photo archives:
EMD SD70M UP #5116 built in 2002,
EMD SD70MAC ARR #4319 built in 2004,
GE ES44AC-H CSX #3181 built in 2015,
GE ET44AH CSX #3318 also built in 2015,
and Morrison-Knudsen MK-50-3 UTAH #5003 built in 1994.

Represented below are some of the equipment found in my photo archives built by extinct manufacturers:
ARR #95304 gondola car built by Mt. Vernon in 1943.
DRGW #68998 boxcar built by Pressed Steel in 1941.
BNSF #901514 side dump car built by DIFCO in 1940.
DRGW #63043 boxcar built by GATC in 1968.
SP #1776 caboose built by International in 1967.
SOU #527342 boxcar built by Pullman-Standard in 1974.
DRGW #60705 insulated boxcar built by PC&F in 1960.
DRGW #63119 boxcar built by Evans in 1968.
CBC #1 caboose built by Thrall in 1960.
DRGW #12548 quad hopper car built by Bethlehem Steel in 1982.

[1] Self-insured employers list, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

arr_21.jpg: Mt. Vernon Fairbanks, AK, Feb. 14, 2012
drgw68998_01.jpg: Pressed Steel Monte Vista, CO. Sep. 6, 2017
bnsf901514_01.jpg: DIFCO Las Cruces. NM. Sep. 10, 2015
drgw63043_01.jpg: GATC Monte Vista, CO. Sep. 6, 2017
sp1776_02.jpg: International Sierra Blanca, TX. Sep. 10, 2015
sou527342_01.jpg: Pullman-Standard Price, UT Sep. 10, 2014
drgw60705_01.jpg: PC&F Gunnison, CO. Sep. 6, 2017
drgw63119_01.jpg: Evans Sevier County, UT Sep. 15, 2014
cbc_1_01.jpg: Thrall East Carbon, UT Sep. 10, 2014
drgw_12548_01.jpg: Bethlehem Steel Cisco, UT. Sep. 10, 2017
 
 

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Going, Going, Gone part 11 − Lakeshore, River, and Monument [Column_Tracksides]

csssb_07.jpg
indianadunesntlpark_01.jpg: Sep. 5, 2019

up8813_01.jpg
white-sands_02.jpg: Sep. 9, 2015

thurmond_10.jpg
newrivergorgentlpark_01.jpg: Sep. 8, 2019

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.


Not to mention Yellowstone, Glacier, or Grand Canyon, national parks are some of the prime destinations for passengers on board the trains in the United States from their beginnings. The number of “crown jewels” of the park system is still increasing to this day: the New River Gorge National River became the 63rd national park as New River Gorge National Park and Preserve last December.

Besides national parks, the National Park Service designates a total of 423 extensive series of protected areas: national monuments, preserves, historic sites, recreation areas, battlefields, seashores, lakeshores, rivers, riverways, memorials, and others. I’ve visited some of those designations in this decade when they weren’t re-designated as national parks yet. Let me introduce them here as the “missed” along with the adjacent railfanning recommendations.


Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was re-designated in Feb. 2019 to Indiana Dunes National Park. It is located at the southernmost end of Lake Michigan where sand dunes and wetlands run parallel to the shore for miles. The CSS&SB track forms the southern border of the park and its Dune Park station is one of the gateways to the park.

White Sands National Monument was re-designated in Dec. 2019 to White Sands National Park. It is located in the southern part of the state of New Mexico where white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. The former SP Golden State Route runs east of the park. Ghost town and depot of Ancho is located northeast of the park along the Golden State Route.

New River Gorge National River was re-designated in Dec. 2020 to the state's first national park, New River Gorge National Park. It is located in the southern part of the state of West Virginia where the New River carved the Appalachian mountains to create one of the deepest and longest canyons in the east. "New" meant the first westward-flowing river to be discovered in North America. The former C&O New River Subdivision, today CSX tracks run at the bottom of the gorge. Former C&O stations Prince and Thurmond are served by Amtrak to this day.

Bears Years National Monument was designated in Dec. 2016 but was broken by the Trump Administration. It is located in the southeastern part of the state of Utah, surrounded by Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Natural Bridges National Monument. The nearest railfanning spot used to be the Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad about 80 miles away but was also broken in 2019. The former D&RGW Cane Creek Branch near Moab which is scheduled to host the Rocky Mountaineer luxury trains in 2021 will be the successor.

coal-train_01.jpg: Kayenta, AZ. Sep. 13, 2014
bearsearsntlmonument_01.jpg: San Juan Co., UT. Sep. 9, 2017

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Going, Going, Gone part 12 − Printed Magazines [Column_Tracksides]

trains_nov1970.jpg: Nov. 1970 Trains, cover

The blog “Boxcar Red Collection” marked the 10th anniversary in February last year, before even I noticed it. Also is that many things are going or gone in this decade before I hardly noticed it. So, let me look back at what we’re missing or missed.


Kalmbach recently dropped the printed-edition-only subscription for the Trains magazine.

My first encounter with the Trains magazine took place at a bookstore in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. It was about half an hour walk from my apartment on Laurel Ave to the bookstore probably at the corner of Clinch Ave and Walnut St. Train-watching from the Clinch Ave viaduct on the way and examining the train brochures such as of Cass Scenic Railroad or Tweetsie Railroad at a travel agency also on the way were another excitements.

The very first issue of Trains I still keep is the Nov 1970 issue shown above that my dad bought me, and I have been a subscriber since Feb 1976. It was a delight to find a large brown envelope with a red rectangular logo in the mailbox. I could remember every photo published in the issue because it was the only source of my enthusiasm in those pre-internet days.


But, it’s not the only source these days, and I don’t have to recall the published photos any more when searching prototype photos for my model thanks to Railroad Photo Archives site, Fallen Flags and Other Railroad Photos site, and other online photo archives.

So, I wish Kalmbach do both the digitization and the online searchable archiving of the past issues at the same time. If both had been realized, I would not hesitate to change my subscription to digital edition only. However, unfortunately, the search engine at the trains.com site doesn’t work well at the time of writing. Thus I will stick to the printed edition for the time being if the Railroad Magazine Index won't last.

* Trains magazine web site;
* N Scale Railroading magazine web site;
* Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine web site;
* Railroad Photo Archives site;
* Fallen Flags and Other Railroad Photos site;
* Railroad Magazine Index;

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Unique Loads − 05 : Chassis [Column_Tracksides]

ns6147_01.jpg: Bellevue, OH. Sep. 6, 2019

Shipping structural automotive components by rail may not be unique in the United States. But I didn't know it's not unique to carry new chassis on flat cars in an exposed manner without covers to keep rain and dust off: I had been convinced that the components are loaded in auto parts boxcars.

We met this train full of car chassis in the town of Bellevue, Ohio. They are produced at the Tower Automotive plant located on the southern outskirts of the town. The destination of the chassis is the Ford Ohio Assembly Plant at Sheffield/Avon Lake located only 40 miles east of Bellevue[1]. Maybe that’s the reason why they are carried in this manner. I eventually understood how to use that “stacked auto frame” parts sold at Shapeways.

The last photo shows a Ford F-550 in Georgetown Rail Equipment Co. (GREX) outfit and scheme I found in New Mexico, which might have been assembled at Avon Lake, Ohio.

[1] Ford Ohio Assembly Plant;

ns6147_02.jpg: Bellevue, OH. Sep. 6, 2019
grex_truck_01.jpg: Vaughn, NM. Sep. 12, 2015

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AI as an English Teacher [Column_Tracksides]

openai_logo.png

This post discusses about language translation. So the post itself is bi-lingual this time.
翻訳をテーマに記事を記そうとしたら、和英チャンポンになってしまいました。

In my previous post, I mentioned that Grammarly helps me a lot in improving my English. Today, I want to say that ChatGPT also does an excellent job after reviewing the revised introduction of my “Surfaces” column. While it may not be as useful for native writers and speakers, it has been helpful for me, a Japanese, in revising the style and/or tone of an essay. The following is a record of how I used AI technology in the revision process.

Grammarlyというアプリ(一部無料)が英文作成時にとても便利、と記したのが前回2月10日の投稿。その舌の根も乾かぬうちに紹介するのが、ChatGPTという、OpenAI社が2022年11月から提供している話題の無料Webサービスである。英語を母国語とするAIが、校正はもちろん文体についても対話形式で相談にのってくれる。筆者のコラム・Surfaces冒頭の英文は毎度Grammarlyから違う箇所を指摘される迷文だったので、早速ChatGPTに相談してみた。以下はそのやりとり。


Arx: Please check and rewrite my following essay(わたしの書いた文章を校正してください). Here, I introduce scanned images from my dad’s slides mostly taken in the early 70’s. 1964 Oldsmobile was our only choice for means of family trip to as north as Fairbanks, AK or to as south as Oaxaca, Mexico: we never used airlines. Accordingly, I decided to call this series of posts as “Surfaces”.

AI: "I am introducing scanned images from my dad's slides, mostly taken in the early 70s. The 1964 Oldsmobile was our only choice for family trips, whether it be as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska, or as far south as Oaxaca, Mexico. We never used airlines, which is why I have decided to call this series of posts "Surfaces."

Arx: Thanks. Can you make it more poetic(もうちょっと詩情豊かな文体にならないか)?

AI: "I present to you a nostalgic glimpse into the past, captured through scanned images of my father's slides. Taken in the early 70s, these photographs transport us to a time when the 1964 Oldsmobile was our trusty companion on family journeys, taking us as far north as the wilds of Fairbanks, Alaska, and as far south as the vibrant streets of Oaxaca, Mexico. We never took to the skies, preferring the road as our means of exploration. Thus, I have named this collection of memories, "Surfaces"."

Arx: I see. Can you make it short, about half length(なるほど。半分くらいの長さにはなる)?

AI: "I bring you a trip down memory lane with scanned images of my dad's 70's slides. The 1964 Oldsmobile was our vehicle of choice for family adventures from Fairbanks to Oaxaca. We never flew, thus I named this series "Surfaces."

Arx: Fine. Then how do you rewrite it if I ask you to make it more scientific or academic(いい感じ。じゃあ科学的・学術的にといったら)?

AI: "I am presenting a visual historical analysis through a collection of scanned images of my father's slides, primarily taken in the early 1970s. The photographs depict the utilization of the 1964 Oldsmobile as the primary mode of transportation for family excursions, ranging from northern destinations such as Fairbanks, Alaska to southern locations such as Oaxaca, Mexico. As air travel was not utilized during these trips, the collection has been titled "Surfaces" to reflect the emphasis on ground-based travel and the examination of the various surfaces encountered during the excursions."

Arx: OK. Can you make it shorter, to about half(もうちょっと手短にしたら)?

AI: "I present a visual analysis of 1970s family travel through scanned images of my father's slides. The use of a 1964 Oldsmobile for trips from Fairbanks to Oaxaca is highlighted, and the collection is titled "Surfaces" as it focuses on ground-based travel and the surfaces encountered during the excursions."

Arx: Thanks a lot.

AI: You're welcome! I'm glad I could help. Let me know if you need any further assistance.
 
 
As you see, I have to learn more about Style and Tone Prompts. But, it’s amazing! From the following “Surfaces” post, the introduction will be more “poetic”.

こんな調子でいくらでも相手してくれる。AIに尋ねるStyleやToneなど依頼(Prompt)のボキャブラリーを増やせばもっと便利そう。というか、その依頼(Prompt)こそすべてな気がする。あ、それ自体を尋ねればいいのか?そのかわり、われわれが書き込む迷文さえもAIは糧にするので、未発表の学術論文を丸ごと貼り付けるなどは控えた方がいいらしい。もっとも、われわれの記す趣味の文章など問題ないだろう。また、何でも「知ったか」で尤もらしく答えるので、鵜呑みは禁物とのこと。試してはいないが、和訳も可能。日本語でも文体が替えられるなら、石頭による硬い文章も読みやすくなるかも。

という訳で次のSurfacesコラムから、冒頭の定型文はpoeticな表現に改訂される。ちなみにこのシン定型文はGrammarlyのチェックをクリアした。

ChatGPT homepage;
ChatGPTのアカウント作成方法など;
依頼(Prompt)の文例集;
 
 
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