I've been really busy lately with work and family stuff. In fact, right now, I'm actually in the middle of working (waiting for some code to compile), so my train time has been limited. However, this morning, it was so nice I had to go out and see what CSX was temporarily not derailing under the pretense of getting some coffee.
Realizing that I had 12 minutes left before the end of breakfast hoagie time, I tossed on some clothes, let the dog in, grabbed my camera bag and bolted.
I wish I could say I set a new record to the Wawa, but I tied my best split time at 10 minutes and made it just in time: Victory #1.
Breakfast in hand, I headed down Route 40 for Bayview to enjoy the spoils of victory. I pulled into the lot, saw a hi-rail waiting clearance to go west and thought "Oh well, guess the storms ******** CSX. I'll just eat my hoagie and go." He finally departed as I was enjoying Wawa's finest, and just as I was finishing the last bite I heard a faint horn from his direction. Maybe not so bad after all.
I grabbed the camera, got ready, and shot a mediocre pic of Q034 pulling into the yard to do work. Victory #2.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103328750375507168249/BayviewAndCanton622012#5749498671014567506I've learned that after 034 makes his setoff, they often run a transfer directly down to Canton with the cars that have accumulated from various setoffs overnight with whatever's kicking around the yard. The last time I tried to shoot it it had a pair of GP38-2s on it (much more interesting to me than another GEVO). Today I had noticed that there was a GP15-1 and SD40-2 hanging around the yard office (as I had driven under the tracks), and thought "well, this might just work out".
Last time I had tried to shoot this train, I passed up a sure thing and got screwed by going to the wrong grade crossing in the confusing mess that is Canton (and my desire to be able to shoot him from the strip club parking lot). I wasn't going to let that happen again, so while he was making hist cut, I whipped out Google Maps and scouted out spots using Street View (a real help). I found a couple potentials over in Greektown and set off. Traffic was a mess because of the work they were doing on Monument St, and I thought I might've been screwed. Then I made another wrong turn and thought I was through. I then made my way to where I should've been, but missed my turn on Fait Ave, and had to drive down a rough construction road. I think I scared the crap out of some chick in a Prius coming the other way as I almost took a jump off of a huge gravel hump... she decided she couldn't make it and turned around. Wuss.).
Turns out, Fait Ave is a GREAT spot for stuff heading to Canton on CSX. I really wished I had more tele here though, because the bridge shot would've been awesome. Here's the establishing shot for you.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103328750375507168249/BayviewAndCanton622012#5749498642662632498I had thought though, because of my wrong turns, etc... that I had missed him. I was wrong though. I heard him before I could see him (those GP15-1s are loud!), and started shooting. Victory #3
https://picasaweb.google.com/103328750375507168249/BayviewAndCanton622012#5749498620340781282
https://picasaweb.google.com/103328750375507168249/BayviewAndCanton622012#5749498686393786642
https://picasaweb.google.com/103328750375507168249/BayviewAndCanton622012#5749498699490573938It's not every day you see a GP15-1 and an SD40-2 pulling an intermodal train, so I pressed my attack and headed down to Newkirk St. I wanted to get a better shot with the First Mariner building as he rounded the curve, by my autofocus blew it on me and I settled for this one. Victory #4.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103328750375507168249/BayviewAndCanton622012#5749498656776845234He was coming to a stop and there weren't any more well lit shots so I decided to pack it in. However, on the way out I got stuck at the crossing for the reason he was stopping, the Canton's 1501 had to clear up. The SW1500 snuck up on me, but I jumped out and shot him anyway. Bonus shot!
https://picasaweb.google.com/103328750375507168249/BayviewAndCanton622012#5749500250140905314