News and photos from our American CRO contributors.
Mark Mautner submitted these photos to CRO. Freshly shopped Union Pacific GP60 1065 has been released from Quality Rail in Madison, IL and is seen with "fresh" GMTX/ADM SW1001 67 released from MEI, both in transit at TRRA Madison yard in Venice, IL November 4th.
Norfolk Southern is acquiring 80 SD40-2's from HELM that are still painted a variety of lineages, and in a variety of paint schemes. This photo of the NS patched units was taken by by Mark Mautner was taken on MEI property with permission on November 19th, and shows NS SD40-2's in BN, UP and HLCX paint schemes.
Norfolk Southern SD40-2 3533 (ex-HLCX, exx-BNSF, exxx-BN, nee-C&S 7921 ) is still wearing BN Cascade Green at Metro East Industries in East St Louis, IL November 19th, 2013. Taken by Mark Mautner on MEI property with permission.
On November 4th, Norfolk Southern SD40-2 3549 (ex-HLCX 7191, nee-BN ) is still in cascade green at Metro East Industries in East St Louis , IL (Taken on MEI property with permission)
Completed Helm Leasing HLCX GP40-2 4220 is ready to ship from Metro East Industries in East St Louis, IL o November 4th. This former Milwaukkee Road geep (SOO 2036), is ex-CP 4616. and is likely destined for lease on CSX, (Taken on MEI property with permission).
On November 2nd NS train 131 had former Conrail Cadillac NS SD80MAC 7209 leading at Chattanooga, TN. (NS Locos photo).
Fresh from repaint, CITX GP-38-2 406 and sibling were shot by Mike Garza at the IHB yard in Riverdale, IL on October 23rd.
The same day, Mike snapped the last two CNW painted units back together again, on a UP/CN transfer run at Homewood, IL.
On October 27th at Riverdale IL, Mike clicked brand new BNSF SD70ACe 8768 from their latest EMD order was the lead power of an ethanol train on the CSX,
On October 28th, EJ&E SD38’s were the latest consist for switching at the south end of CN Homewood Yard October 28th.
On November 4th, METRA train 507 is heading through the forest preserve in Tinley Park, IL. A few minutes later, CSX train Q556 then passed by the same spot in Tinley Park on the opposite track. The engine on the rear is used as a shoving platform when the train leaves Barr Yard. Mike Garza photos
On November 5th, NREX 1024 and two flashy painted siblings were snapped by George Redmond still stored at the NRE facility in Mt. Vernon, IL Those are former CNW GP50's rebuilt to GP38-2 specs and painted a decade ago for JAMALCO, the Jamaican Aluminum Company, The deal never guided to fruition, and the trio have been stored at NRE for many years.
Soon after their release, K.J. Larson snapped NREX 1016 back on June 24th, 2003 at UP's Proviso Yard in Chicago.
The same day, George bagged CN SD70M-2 8913 at the point of a SB coal empty at Thompsonville, IL, waiting n the siding on the CN Edgewood cutoff.
Kaimichi Railroad 3380 was the 4th unit on a northbound BNSF freight train at Centralia, IL. on November 2nd.
After returning to the NRE facility at Mt. Vernon, IL November 5th, George found LLPX GP38-2 2255 and 2250 still wearing ex-UP Armor Yellow and Harbor Mist Grey.
Two of the latest second hand Norfolk Southern (Ex- Helm Leasing) SD40-2`s 3543 and 3578 were photographed by NS Locos at Chattanooga , TN on November 16th.
CN SD70M-2 8014 leads SB train A432 at Neoga, IL on November 15th. (George Redmond photo).
Eastern Illinois Railroad Company (EIRC) GP9R 4541 is former CNW 1763 shown switching grain cars at Neoga, IL on November 15th. (George Redmond photo).
Former CP, UP and GTW (NREX) locos at the NRE facility in Mount Vernon, IL, snapped ny George Redmond on November 18th.
Savage SW1500 7400 (ex-UPY 1182, built for SP ) is fresh from overhaul and wearing new paint at Metro East Industries in East St Louis, IL Nov 19th 2013. Taken with permission of both locomotive owner Savage and MEI.
Progress Rail SD60M 8142 (ex-BN) is seen at MEI in East St Louis, IL on Nov 13th 2013. Taken by Mark Mautner on MEI property with permission.
With Watco's takeover of Wisconsin Southern a couple of years ago, it’s only a matter of time before the pure untouched WSOR paint scheme will be altered and patched. This photo shows a handsome trio of WSOR GP38-2's leading train L597-07 just east of Markesan WI November 7th, 2013, (Mark Mautner photos).
Wisconsin Southern train T4 is seen using trackage rights over Canadian National at Slinger, WI November 8th, 2013. T4 on this date has 120 cars and four SD40-2s for power! Railroading like it outta be!
Indiana Harbor Belt has recently leased a pair of GP38-2's from CIT. The view from Mark Mautner shows CITX 403 and 406 leading a IHB transfer eastbound thru Calumet City, IL on November 10th, 2013.
VIGNETTES U.S.A By Herb Iske:
SANTA FE Kodachrome painted SD45-2 5826 leads the easdbound TOFC freight through Cajon Summit with a recent dusting of fresh snow in the San Gabriel Mountains serving as a backdrop in 1987.
© CRO October 2013