Chasing the Train 5/12/07

UP 844 came to town this weekend, and Martin and I were waiting. And waiting. I think we waited for over two hours on that bridge in Troutdale. But finally, a signal turned green, we waited, there was a puff of smoke on the other side of the Sandy River Bridge, and here came the 844, looking just like it does in all the photos. And what a beautiful train trailing it, 18 Union Pacific Armour Yellow streamlined beauties, including four domws and two (yes, two) observation cars. Don't see a train like that very often.

We took off after it and chased it up into NE Portland, near 11th and Killingsworth, where they greased the engine while it sat and sat on a siding. Then here it came again chuffing through the crossing and making the earth shake.

We headed up to Vancouver to the Amtrak station. Made a pit stop along the way and called home, as the train was 2 or 3 hours late. Lots of people at the Vancouver Amtrak. Coast Starlight pulled through for a station stop. Then pretty soon we heard from people that it was coming, double heading with the SP 4449. This is how the train looked coming across the bridge. It was a cloudy day, so I have brightened this picture a bit.

The train stopped at the platform while a few people got on and off. Martin wanted me to take a picture of the 844's elephant ears. The picture he requested is below. A couple of toots from the 844, then the 4449, and off they went. What a sound! This is why I am a railfan.

Progress report, May 07

Here is a picture Martin took of the layout:

This is a view of a C&O passenger train blocking the Bridge Street crossing. I'm still working on the road, but this is probably the most complete scenery on the layout. It's interesting that Martin took this picture.

Ops session 4/29/07
We had an operating session on Sunday afternoon, April 29th. Ken and Alan were the crews. We ran: West Side turn, C&O passenger, C&O outbound freight, Fisher turn, and GR6 (right at the end). Have installed Blue Points at the throat of the North Yard. Ken brought over some brackets for low clearance mounting of the Blue Points too, still have to figure out where/how to use them.

I haven't been making much progress on the layout since the opeon houses in March. Am perhaps a little burned out. Also trying to sell a few things on ebay, to raise money for decoders and other things I can't afford. Am selling surplus cars, since I can see now that I have way too many. Not that this will make me rich, or empty out the basement.