Took another trip down to the CP, but this time I went with my father for some bonding time. Our plan was to chase some trains around the Marquette Iowa area on the 15th and 16th of July.
First we checked out small yard at River Junction. There was no train sitting there, so we started to swim our way up stream to see if we could meet 170, the daily SB down to Marquette. We saw a few WBs go by, and one even had a pair of Blue and Gold IC&E units which I missed. At Homer I ran into a very late running 276 which had a trio of SOO SD60s. This train had to be caught in good light. I grabbed them at Dakota and hightailed it down to the La Crosse depot. While we were waiting for 276 to pick up their paperwork we heard 170 get a warrant on the scanner south from River Junction to Marquette. I wanted to get 276, so I waited hoping 170 wouldn't get too far ahead. Finally 276 showed up with it's sweet consist.
A SOOper Consist by
WCfan, on Flickr
My father and I booked it across the river to try and catch up to 276. It took us an hour, but we finally caught up to 170 on the other side of Lansing. This 170 had a pair of SOO SD60s, a DM&E SD40-3, and a CP SD40-2.
Snaking by
WCfan, on Flickr
We ran down the river to Harper's Ferry but were only able to grab a backlit shot. Here I ran into Noah Hofrichter, Bob Welke, and Alex Silka. I made my way down to Marquette Iowa and bagged them coming into town.
I also was able to do a ultra wide of the SOO power once they tied up. These SOO red and white hockey stick units are looking a little worse for wear.
My father and I ran into another rail fan who informed us that a B50/B15 was working the yard. I had no idea what the trains in the area where called, but I knew I was looking for a 570 train and that was no it. So when I saw it leave I figured we would catch another WB out of Marquette. I was wrong, and that was the only WB out of Marquette for the day. So while hanging around Marquette waiting for something to happen, I got a call from Alex Silka informing me that a SB ethanol train was heading my way. So I ran up north to catch it. I caught them just north of Lansing, so I high tailed it back to get some shots of the street running. Quite a few cars on this Sunday afternoon.
A wider angle of the train.
I chased him down to the curves south of town, but the shot was backlit, so I won't post it on here. I was able to bag them south of Harpers Ferry on some more curves.
Upon arriving in Marquette I quickly found out that an EB ethanol had arrived with a trio of Blue and Golds with a DME red bomb trailing. Not long afterwards the CP ethanol train arrived and quickly got a warrant south to Dubuque. The ethanol with the three Blue and Golds would be radio blocking behind them, so I decided to chase them. I made my way to McGregor to get them at the classic shot in town.
Three Pack by
WCfan, on Flickr
I ran south to Clayton, but that shot was also backlit. My next spot was Guttenburg, and it would be my last stop for this train. I wanted to make this shot a little more interesting, but I didn't have time. So we will just have to settle for this average view.
We headed back to the Marquette, and crossed the river and hung out on the BNSF for a little bit before calling it a day.
On the 16th we woke up and made out way up the CP side of the river hoping to run into another 170 train. Just across the Iowa/Minnesota boarder we caught them and turned around. South of New Albin Iowa the tracks turn to the south east allowing for a nice morning shot. It was an impressive consist with a nice surprise towards the end. CP 8275 a former SOO GP9.
There's More To It by
WCfan, on Flickr
I chased them south and caught them at a curve just north of Lansing IA. This shot showcases the power a little more.
Next I caught them in Lansing Iowa. I choose to stay on the dark side so I could make a quick get away to the south end of Lansing. The shot turn out ok, but I wish I could have done it differently.
My dad and I raced to the south edge of town, back to the curves. Here you can see across the river where I bagged one of my favorite shots of the trip.
River Town by
WCfan, on Flickr
Shortly afterwards 170 made it's way by me. This shot is more for a fall or winter morning. Maybe later this year I can repeat it.
My dad and I called it quits after this and crossed the river at Lansing where we had some luck and caught a EB BNSF stack train.
We headed up the river and didn't find to much in terms of trains. So we packed it up and went home. Enjoy!
Marquette IA Trip 07/15/2012-07/16/2012