On August 25th, ex-CP SW1200RS 8166 was placed in service on the Port Harbor Railroad, which is owned by Terry Respondek, of Respondek Rail Corp. Terry is an Illinois Terminal Railroad fan, and has said he would like to paint this ex-CP switcher into an Illinois Terminal inspired green and yellow color scheme with Port Harbor Railroad lettering. Mark Mautner photographed the 8:00am Port Harbor Sunday switcher moving their ex-TRRA SW1200 1239 (built by EMD in 1965 ) onto track #3 so that they could use their newest acquisition, ex-CP SW1200RS 8166. Built by GMD-London in 1960, this marked the first revenue run of 8166 since purchased by Respondek Rail Corp from CP in late-June 2013 .
Ex CP SW1200RS 8166 is shown with a long string of inbounds for the port received from the Norfolk Southern, at America's Central Port in Granite City, IL August 25th. PHOTO CP 8166
By mid- September the Port Harbor Railroad they should have the ex-CP 4615 running as well, with ex-SOO 2064 (in MILW paint) undergoing repairs and prep work, the last of the three to enter service. In late-August, Respondek looked into purchasing DME GP38 3903 from CP, but later passed on it. PHOTO CP 2064
Norfolk Southern SD40-2!s 3499 & 3503 wearing new OLS paint were shot in Chattanooga, TN in late August by “NS Locos”. PHOTO NS 3499 and 3503
NS PR43C 4011 was spotted in Chattanooga TN the same day. PHOTO NS 4011
Norfolk Portsmouth Belt Line (NBPL) GP38-2 5260 is a former Conrail unit, and was photographed by NS Locos August 29th in the NS yard in Chattanooga, TN. The NBPL is a shortline located in Norfolk, VA. PHOTO BELT LINE 5260
NS locos snapped the NBPL 5260 before and after her overhaul and repaint. TWO PHOTOS BELT LINE 5260
NS Locos provided us this sneak peak at Southern Railway E8 6914 being overhauled, and then prepared for the paint shop at TVRM. August 27th, 2013. PHOTO NS 6914
On Labor Day weekend (September 3rd), Mark Mautner caught a former Mesabi SD38 (LTEX 210) at Homewood, IL. As well, IAIS (Rock Island painted) GE unit was snapped going thru Tinley Park Illinois.
The Illinois Railway Museum celebrated their 60th anniversary and Central Pacific Railroad (CP 4-4-0 #63) the “Leviathan” was one of the highlights. The UP DD40AX 6936 Centennial was also sent for display. The photos were taken on Labor Day Sept. 2nd.
NS Locos submitted newly renumbered NS B32-8 545 at Chattanooga, TN September 2nd. These units are being renumbered in a very inexpensive and practical way from the NS 3522-3566 series to the 522 to 566 series, which will open up the NS 3500 number series for more second hand SD40-2 purchases in the future. PHOTO NS 545
From previously hauling fast freights from Chicago, IL to Freemont, NE, This former CNW unit is now reduced to a hulk as she was stripped and picked clean by Metro East Industries. Ex-UP 2961 was built as Chicago Northwestern SD40-2 6812 before going to Union Pacific in the 1995 merger. Seen on MEI property waiting pickup by ALS for movement for final scrapping. Taken on MEI property with permission 8/08/20. PHOTO Cut Up UP 2961
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During August, GMTX 2205 and 2208 were delivered by CP to Vermont Rail System (VRS) to replace the two CEFX SD90Macs.
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CENTRAL MONTANA RAIL:
Jay Lentzner and Jeff Robertson organized a night photo session at the Central Manitoba Railway (CMR) shop. CMR GP9 1817, 1824 (nee Great Northern 662), and 1838 resting at peace within the Denton Shops while the rain pounded away outside. To be able to walk about and photograph with relative ease, really made for a magical opportunity that I will never forget. Again thanks to Carla, Jeff and Jay for this great memory. Following the impromptu shops session we reassembled by the shops that evening to conclude Friday’s activities with the planned exterior night photo session much like last year. Fortunately the weather gave us a break and saw the rain stop but replaced it with strong winds and a dropping temperature – this was going to be a challenge. Aided by Alan Burns and AJ Shewan acting as models and “gaffers” for Jeff, we managed to catch some of the mood despite Mother Nature’s best efforts to either blow us away or freeze us out. PoW #23-13 has CMR GP9’s 1824 and 1838 posing by the grain elevators while Alan showed us his lantern signal skills. Well done Alan! Some of you might say my image is a bit soft - I’m lucky I got this much between clattering teeth, fidgety fingers, and a cold wind.
NS 6920 sporting her handsome “Honoring our Veterans” commemorative uniform, is seen departing Chatanooga, TN on July 18th with train 15T.
NORFOLK SOUTHERN SD40-2 3502 looks great in her fresh OLS paint at Chattanooga, TN. Note there is no headlight yet. The NS shop removed the nose light and will eventually install a new light between the number boards. The locomotive is ex-CITX 3054 exx-CGFX 3054 nee-CP 5608. Reports indicate low nose headlight was plated over to permit logo application and high headlight will be installed before being released for service. (Photo NS 3502 OLS NS Locos)
GMTX MP15DC 304 (ex-Port of Montreal 8403 ) is one of four (GMTX 303 - 306) that are coming to Metro East Industries in East St Louis, IL. GMTX 304 and 305 were the first two to arrive on MEI property. (Mark Mautner photo) PHOTO GMTX 304
Louisville and Indiana (L&I 2001) pays tribute to the Pennsylvania Railroad livery as the 4th unit on an EB NS train 111 at Centralia, Il. May 16th.
Mark Mautner snapped MVPX GP38 3811 ( ex-KRR, exx-MKT 300) at TRRA Madison Yard in July. PHOTO MVPX 3811
MVPX GP40 4029 (ex-GSWR , exx-NW/NS 1352), was also at MEI in July for running repairs.
MVPX GP40 4005 (ex-AGR , nee-MKT 200), was at MEI for running repairs in early July. All four MVPX units will be cycled through MEI for running repairs over the summer.
HELM Leasing GP38-2 HLCX 1032 (ex-IC GP40 3038 , nee-UP 855 ) is seen in fresh paint and was shot by Mark Mautner in July at MEI in East St Louis, IL. PHOTO HLCX 1032
A sneak peak at ARKANSAS and MISSOURI Railroad’s newest power! It is not an ALCO! (Photo by Terry Redecker).
Dennis Webber caught BNSF Z-St.PCHC with BNSF 6316 and 6159 on July 20th. at Trempealeau, WI.
© CRO September 2013