My Railfanning Trip Today

[Cody J]

Well, normally I wouldn't put my stories of railfanning trips on here but today i will because it was the most interesting trip of my life:
My brother and I went down to the NS Captina Secondary near Powhatan Point, OH. There are 3 trains running in push-pull style, generally SD40-2s. There are two mines which I will refer to as the East Mine and West Mine. The west mine is further west than the east mine. The trains carry coal to the River in Powhatan.
We started inb
Armstrong Mills and went west to the mine. On the way we passed a stopped EMPTY coal train (CO8) and at East Mine there was a train about 70% loaded. We heard on the scanner that the east end engineer of CO8 thought the switch was cracked so the NS MOW crew came out and inspected it and it was just cold. So CO8 headed back to the West Mine and we chased it there. Right before the train got to the last crossing before the mine the MOW truck came and parked by the tracks. The train came and we left with the truck still there. We passed CO6 which was almost done loading and went to Alledonia to start the chase. While we were waiting my brother looked out the mirror and here comes the MOW Hi-Railer racing down the track.
The train finished loading and was almost to Alledonia where it stopped for a crew change. so here comes the Renzenberger van for the crew change. While the van was coming past us after the change a NS Car Department truck came up. Apparently 3332 on the west end lost air pressure. So another 45 minutes to get that working again.
The train wsa finalyy on it's way and we chased it. At one point on it's journey it goes through a rock cut, I had wanted to climb the hill to get a shot from on top, well it's a good thing the ground was frozen because I would have fallen down a lot earlier. I got about 25 feet from the top and quit. I couldn't do anymore. So I retreatesd and got another shot. We then proceeded to the farm where I fell down the ballast waitingfor the train. After that we headed to Powhatan where we wanted a shot of it crossing Captina Creek. While waiting for the train I decided to test the thickness of the ice. Not smart because my foot fell through and now i smell like dirty creek.
Even though I almost fell down a hill and fell in a creek, it was a good day and i got some good shots.

[Cody J]

CO8 at Alledonia. 3330 was on east end. Train is going away from me.


CO8 at the last crossing before West Mine. MOW truck can be seen here.



Smokin' It Up. 3335 throttles up as it starts after the 45 minute stop.


3332 at Allednoia. Train CO6.


3332 and car


CO8 (3335) at Armstong Mills


3332 crossing the Scenic Bridge


3332 at Rock Cut

[jettrainfan]

Those are some pretty cool pics u got their, Great job!

[Cody J]

Thanks. It was definately an interesting day

[jward]

just thought you'd like to know that you made a good choice. it was pretty dead out here on the mainline until this afternoon. only 13 trains past the house up to 8 pm. 12 of those were after 12 noon. 6 of those 12 were after dark.