Thursday Proto Photo, Jul 9,2026

[Lenny53]

Montreal West, QC - Jul 2,2026
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I haven't gotten into the Big Boy hype but one of the things it did do for me was get me in touch with my old friend and college roommate Mike. He reached out to me asking about chasing the thing and I was like "lets get lunch". I talked him out of joining the zoo and attempting to chase it across PA and instead he ended up hanging out with @wm3798 , @DeltaBravo , @GonzoCRFan and I at Newport and doing some railfanning afterwards.

He, of course, brought his own unique style to the endeavor.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Ntrainz1]

CSX 7223 Schuylkill River Park

[wm3798]

Did somebody say Big Boy hype?  Yes, it was a splendid day at good old Newport.  The only drawback, other than the morons standing in the gauge and otherwise ruining the shot, was the apparent closure of our beloved Hard Hat.  It looked pretty bleak, and hopefully I'm wrong, but she was dark and locked when we stopped by.


After lunch at a decidedly much more pleasant cafe in Newport, my friend Paul Hutter and I headed west, since our mission was to deliver him home to Cumberland.  We paused at Mt. Union just in time to catch the train crossing the classic stone bridge over N. Jefferson Street.


From Mt. Union our trek took us to the Holy Land of eastern narrow gauge, the East Broad Top.  #16 was preparing to haul an evening charter back by the roundhouse.  I guess we caught both the Big Boy, and the Little Boy on the same afternoon.


We headed down the freshly graded track to the current end of the line at Saltillo to take in the newly reconstructed depot, a hybrid of the original building plan, and current building codes.  They've really knocked this out of the park.


Back at Orbisonia, we enjoyed the ambiance of this historic line.  That's Paul scoping out his next shot.  You may have seen his work under the name "Camera Totin' Idiot".  He's been shooting railroad subjects since the Chessie era.  Lots of quality work there.


It was great to have a little reunion at the ball field in Newport.  Between the CRHS Barbecues, the ballgames and the passing steam engine, the place was soggy with nostalgia.

Lee

[wcfn100]

Headed out to eastern Colorado for the last move of another Utah MK5000.  It was dead in tow getting to get set out for the UP in Limon to head to a museum in Utah.



Don't know if they did it on purpose, but the crew cut just ahead of the unit when they tied down.  Right after, the sun came out and we were able to get some good parting shots.



Jason

[samusi01]

Heading home, fresh paint.

[delamaize]

I haven't gotten into the Big Boy hype but one of the things it did do for me was get me in touch with my old friend and college roommate Mike.

I want to see it run, But I don't want to deal with the crowds, and the smoothbrain foamers.....