Chasing Trains down Route 66

[Claude_Dreyfus]

I have just returned from a three-week trip across America, driving Route 66 from Chicago to LA. So much to take in on this adventure, descriptions of which would probably fill the forum(!). There was also plenty of railway interest to keep me going, with a fair few pictures being taken. I am currently sorting through these, but the first set is below.

 

 

The Chicago Elevated Lines have long fascinated me; their appearance on various TV shows and films give the of impression a somewhat rattley, antiquated system. Of course, in reality I am sure it is anything but, however I like the structures which canny the lines, and the short stainless steel carriages; the noise they make as they pass over the streets. I did not get a chance to travel on one of these, but as there is so much to Chicago, I hope to return...so that is something to add to the list!

 

On the approaches to Chicago from the airport we passed a number of Metra trains; double-deck push-pull sets. In all the examples I saw, power was provided by F40 locos. This example was seen from a bar at the top of a hotel - needed quite a steady hand and a good zoom!

 

This switcher required more zoom-work! It was stabled beside the Mississippi, on the opposite bank to the St Louis arch. A little bit of digging around revealed that FTRL is a company providing contract rail services - such as switching duties.

 

Route 66 travels for about 20 miles total in Kansas. I did not expect too much there, but just over the state line this interesting loco appeared. Not in particularly good order, and marooned on a section of track. I saw any number of cabooses along the route, some had been restored, but most are in a poor state of repair, at best rusty, at worse in scrapyard condition.

 

The railway company I will associate with this trip is BNSF. I saw my first BNSF loco in Chicago, and they were a constant all the way down to California. At time the lines followed route 66 closely - occasionally the only company through the desert. The lines were heavily used, with frequent, giant freights; often using three or four locos. There was also another interesting practice for loco usage - we would pass sidings in the middle of the desert with two or three rakes of wagons just left there. At least once I saw a set of these passing me, only to be parked up further down the tracks. Is this how they are able to spare so many locos for assistance?

 

First up, a few snaps taken just outside of Tulsa. Indulging in a little shunting.

 

SD40-2 1648

 

GP60B 342

 

SD40-2 1613

 

1,300 miles west, and more shunting - this time at Barstow Ca. More SD40-2s

 

 

Finally, GP50 #3157 and GP60 #163, head east from Gallup.

 

 

Meanwhile, out from the rail centres, the bigger BNSF locos can be found with their enormous loads.

 

Foyil Oklahoma:

 

 

Claremore OK

 

One of the great experiences of Route 66 is chasing one of these trains across the countryside. We followed this particular train for about 15 miles - catching up with the locos and running along side for about 5 minutes (loco horning blasting away at every little crossing). Quite an experience!

 

Tucumcari NM

 

Just outside of Tucumcari, we were stopped at a level crossing for this giant. I missed the first three locos, but not the two in the middle of the consist or the two at the end!

 

 

Peach Springs Arizona

 

Super-power top and tail

 

Winslow Arizona

 

 

Seligman

 

 

Needles

 

[pH]

I hoped there were going to be pictures!

[Talltim]

The switcher in Galena is EL 315, an Alco S1 built sept 1947. This actual loco was available from Walthers/Proto 2000

[Claude_Dreyfus]

We'll start section two with more BNSF

 

Heading west from Needles.

 

Travelling east towards Albuquerque

 

Heading west near Seligman

 

East from Kingman - BNSF with a little Kansas City Southern thrown in for variety.

 

5101 and 5238 (both carrying the older BNSF livery) at Barstow.

 

CRX 1206 passing Amboy CA

 

Along side the regular freight trains, we passed a few plinthed throwbacks to the glory days of steam. Imagine seeing a brace of these beasts thundering across the desert.

 

#4500 - Tulsa

 

#5000 - Amarillo

 

#3759 - Kingman

 

Following days of passing trains by, a couple of days were spent at Williams AZ, for a visit to the Grand Canyon. We gave the car a break, and let the train take the strain. The Grand Canyon railway was opened in 1901by the ATSF, lasting until the late 60s for passenger trains. It is now operated as a tourist line, with steam operating on high-days and holidays. The mainstay of the motive power are three ​ex-Amtrak F40s.

 

Traction for our train; F40 #237. The coaching stock was a variety, mainly made up of very comfortable Budd carriages, plus some dome cars. No run-round provision for these trains; they use a turning Y to reverse. Whilst the F40s are the main source of power, a few of the older diesels are still serviceable. A couple were stabled at the depot, with one on display at Grand Canyon itself.

 

FPA 6776 at Grand Canyon

 

6773 at Williams

 

More stuffed and mounted steam engines at Williams. A number of the Grand Canyon steam engines are now out of service, being displayed in and around the station.

#539

 

Shay number 5

 

Back to the main line, and a couple more bits of interest. The Apache short-line at Holbrook. Not the best picture, but looked to be of interest.

 

The lead engine is an ex-CP C424 #99, leading #81 ex-Louisville and Nashville C420.

 

A collection of switchers at the outskirts of Gallup NM.

 

Just to the east of Victorville is the Cajon pass. A fearsome grade, hauling the line from sea level to the high desert. More good timing, this time for a Union Pacific train struggling up the hill. The sound of the four locomotives crawling up the valley, along with the squeal of the wagon wheels was an experience I won't forget.

 

A little bit of Cajon action!

 

Hopefully these pictures are of interest, and convey a little of the variety encountered on this fascinating visit.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

As a final little aside, as the BNSF locos were a constant companion on my trip, perhaps a little memento was in order.

 

 

My final couple of days were spent in LA, so a quick glance on the web for suitable model shops revealed Trainshack at Burbank. Duly back from the States came this rather nice sound-fitted Intermountain ES44ac. Now I get a chance to hear those wonderful sounds back at home!

[Adrian Wintle]

Those aren't F-units (which implies EMD F2/3/7 etc.), they are Alco FA/FPA (and an FB/FPB) units. I wonder if the coaches are still steam-heated. F40s don't have steam generators (but they do have HEP for electrical supply).

 

6776 and 6773 are FPA-4s and 6860 is an FPB-4 (it is nice when they put the type on the loco ). MLW*-built for CN, transferred to VIA - it looks like they still carry their original CN numbers.

 

*Montreal Locomotive Works

 

Nice pictures.

 

Adrian

[F-UnitMad]

Those aren't F-units (which implies EMD F2/3/7 etc.), they are Alco FA/FPA (and an FB/FPB) units.

As Adrian says - not F-Units:- please wash your mouth out!!!!

 

Other than that, nice photos!

[BR60103]

If you go to Williams near the end of the year, they run an evening "Polar Express" using some even older coaches. Coaches are filled with pajama-clad youngsters and parents. The trip does not go all the way to the canyon.

 

Williams claims the last stretch of Route 66 to be de-commissioned.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Thanks chaps. Post duly amended - knuckles rapped for carelessness! ;-)

[roundhouse]

Just

As a final little aside, as the BNSF locos were a constant companion on my trip, perhaps a little memento was in order.

 

Intermountain.jpg

 

My final couple of days were spent in LA, so a quick glance on the web for suitable model shops revealed Trainshack at Burbank. Duly back from the States came this rather nice sound-fitted Intermountain ES44ac. Now I get a chance to hear those wonderful sounds back at home!

Just turn up th volume when watching Rochelle on the Trains website!!