Alcos On Amtrak

Arkansas & Missouri; Seligman, Mo.; June 16, 2014

We're working our way through photos taken on a two-week trip circling the upper Midwest (and beyond) in conjunction with the 2014 convention of the National Railway Historical Society. So far we have ridden a photo freight charter with NRHS and visited some tourist railroads in the Ozarks. As part of the convention, Amtrak sent its display train (originally the 40th Anniversary Train for the birthday in 2011) to Springdale, Ark. Once the convention was over, the train departed Springdale to head to interchange with BNSF Railway in Monett, Mo., over the Arkansas & Missouri. And what better way to get the train over the railroad than behind two of A&M's classic Alco locomotives!

The train was parked in the shop area of the A&M with the rear of the train right up against the south doors of one of the buildings. The first order of business was to send two of the railroad's C420s into the north end of the building to couple onto the rear of the display train. On the south end was C420 No. 44, built by the American Locomotive Company in May 1965 for the Louisville & Nashville. On the north end (and leading the train) would be No. 52, built by Alco in December 1965 for the Lehigh & Hudson River. No. 52 pushed back into the shop to couple up.

Arkansas & Missouri; Springdale, Ark.; June 16, 2014

Getting out ahead of the road freight to Monett, Mo., (appropriately known as the "Monett Turn"), the train raced through downtown Rogers.

Arkansas & Missouri; Rogers, Ark.; June 16, 2014

Coming into Selgman, Mo., the two Alcos framed up nicely between some trees. While the Alcos looked good, it was hard to tell they were pulling an Amtrak consist. However...

Arkansas & Missouri; Seligman, Mo., June 16, 2014

... the going away view was the "money" shot as it showed the entire Amtrak train on the curve leading into downtown. On the rear of the train was NPCU (Non-Power Control Unit) No. 406; this was originally an F40PHR but has had its prime mover removed, making it an unpowered cab car. Between No. 406 and the train was P42DC No. 42, painted in a special U.S. Veterans commemorative scheme by Amtrak.

Amtrak (on A&M); Selgman, Mo.; June 16, 2014

North of Seligman the train passed some nice white flowers (top photo of this post). Since the train needed to be pointing east for BNSF Railway, it paused south of Butterfield to turn on the wye. This put No. 406 on the point as it headed through the feed mill north of Butterfield. Since No. 406 has no engine, No. 42 was doing all the work.

Amtrak (on A&M); Butterfield, Mo.; June 16, 2014

Finally the train arrived at the BNSF yard in Monett. The A&M makes a sharp turn as it enters the yard.

Amtrak (on A&M); Monett, Mo.; June 16, 2014

At this point the Alcos were only along for the ride. Once in the yard they would uncouple from the Amtrak consist and await the following Monett Turn to pick them up and take them back to Springdale. A BNSF crew would board the Amtrak consist and ferry it towards Chicago on the next leg of its journey that would ultimately see it next displayed in Harrington, Del.

Arkansas & Missouri; Monett, Mo.; June 16, 2014

More photos of this move can be found here.

Train Rides In the Ozarks

Silver Dollar City; June 11, 2014

As part of the 2014 convention of the National Railway Historical Society, we had the chance to visit three tourist railroads in the Ozark Mountains of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, each one quite different from the others. First up was Silver Dollar City outside Branson, Mo., and its Frisco Silver Dollar Railroad. Silver Dollar City is a family theme park established in 1960, and the steam-powered railroad is one of the oldest rides in the park. The two-foot gauge railroad uses foreign-built steam power such as No. 13 (above), built by Orenstein & Koppel in Germany in 1934.

During the busy summer season two trainsets are in service making the loop through the park. We see No. 43, built by Orestein & Koppel in 1938, as it backs out of the shop to begin its daily duties.

Silver Dollar City; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

The railroad has one U.S.-built locomotive, No. 76, which sits on display near the shop. This diminutive 4-4-2 was built by Davenport in 1922 and operated in New York state before coming to Silver Dollar City. Acquired in 1961, it was the park's first locomotive. It was retired in 1980.

Silver Dollar City; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

The line forms a circle and features impressive grades, some over six per cent. The little locomotives are realy put to the test on the route.

Silver Dollar City; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

Branson Scenic Railway; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

Branson Scenic Railway; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

Just a few miles away is a railroad that is an operational opposite of Silver Dollar City. the Branson Scenic Railway is a standard-gauge diesel-powered line that operates out of its namesake town using a streamlined passenger train.

The railroad operates over a freight short line, the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad. Like many short lines, the M&NA was spun off from a bigger railroad, in this case the Missouri Pacific (later part of Union Pacific) in 1992. Depending on freight needs, the Branson Scenic can operate in either direction out of Branson. It can head north to Galena, but lucky riders will get a trip south over the much more scenic part of the line to Barren Fork Trestle. The decision on whether to go north or south is made usually about 15 minutes before departure, so it's always a guessing game for both the rider and the chaser.

To facilitate moves in both directions, the train operates in pull-pull mode. On the north end is Electro-Motive Division F7 No. 98 (above crossing the White River). It was built in January 1951 as No. 369 for the Baltimore & Ohio, and later operated in commuter service for Maryland Area Commuter Rail (MARC) out of Washington, D.C. Interestingly, it has the nose from a Canadian National F9 after the original nose was damaged in a wreck. On the south end is EMD GP30 No. 99. This is also a former B&O locomotive, built as its 6973 in January 1963.

We finish off our tour of the Ozarks in north Arkansas at Eureka Springs on the appropriately named Eureka Springs & North Arkansas. This tourist operation was establisjed in 1981 on a branch line that was never part of a major rail system. Primary power for the railroad is EMD SW1 No. 4742, built by EMD in 1942.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

Three steam locomotives are scattered around the property, none of them serviceable. One of those locomotives is 2-6-0 No. 201, built by the American Locomotive Company in Paterson, N.J., in 1906. Among its claims to fame is it worked on the Panama Canal and is one of only three survivors from that service.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

Another steam locomotive on the property is a German-built 0-4-0T (Buescher & Sons, 1935).  This locomotive is mounted on top of a pedestal adjacent to the historic Eureka Springs depot. Reportedly, the locomotive can spin on its mount.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

In addition to the SW1, a 1951 Chevrolet track inspector's car is functional and can carry a passenger or two on special occasions.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

The ride covers about 2.5 very slow miles. Passengers are carried in  former Rock Island P70 coaches, of which there are six on the property. At the north end of the serviceable trackage the train takes one leg of a wye just before it finishes its journey. Both legs of the wye feature timber trestles.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

That concludes our look at three Ozark tourist railroads. Additional photos of all three lines can be found here.

The Scenic Arkansas & Missouri

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The 2014 Convention of the National Railway Historical Society was based out of Springdale, Ark., in early June, with most of the activity centered on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. Trips covered almost every inch of the line, but perhaps the most impressive was the afternoon trip on the convention's first day, June 10. Two of the A&M's diesels built by the American Locomotive Company led a mixed freight/passenger train south from Springdale, with several photo stops made in the scenic heart of the railroad between Winslow and Mountainburg.

The trips were planned by NRHS rail operations coordinator Bart Jennings, who really picked some good locations. Your writer assisted in keeping the photo lines organized. Despite a day that was 95 percent cloudy, most of the photo stops had the sun pop out at just the right time to make for some well-lit scenes.

The first stop of the trip was at Winslow Tunnel just south of its namesake town. Alco No. 44 led the train, a C420 built in May 1965 for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. The train was spotted in three different locations to give different perspectives of the train and tunnel (below).

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow Tunnel, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The second photo stop was at the first of three large bridges below Winslow. The sun came out nicely for this shot (top photo). As the passengers were reboarding the train, the clouds moved in and a slight drizzle started. By the time the train was moving, it was a full-blown gully washer. But as the train slowed for the next photo stop, at the second large bridge, the rain slowed to a drizzle. It stopped as passengers unloaded and by the time the train was backed into position on the bridge the sun was back out again.

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow, Ark.; June 10, 2014

All the photo stops up to this point had been just that -- stops for still photography. But with videographers on board, there was a need to do a full-blown runby with the train moving. This was accomplished at the location known as Schaberg, north of Chester. The first runby was zoinked by a cloud, but with plenty of time in the schedule a second runby was held in nice sunlight.

Arkansas & Missouri; Schaberg (Chester), Ark.; Juen 10, 2014

Not done with bridges yet, another stop was made at a lower bridge north of Chester. This was a "going away" view that allowed trailing unit No. 68 to be seen better. No. 68 is a C420 built in November 1964 for the Lehigh Valley. After the stop, the train was backed up for yet another video runby.

Arkansas & Missouri; Chester, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The train continued on to Mountainburg where some passengers were dropped off and others added for the return trip. The train pushed back to Chester, where the locomotives ran around the consist so No. 68 could lead north. With darkness falling, a night photo opportunity was held at Winslow Tunnel with No. 44 poking out of the south portal.

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow Tunnel, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The train then proceeded through the tunnel, with the final stop of the day just north of the north portal in Winslow. No. 68 posed next to a retaining wall for the final scene. From here, all the passengers were put on a bus for the return to Springdale.

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow, Ark.; June 10, 2014

Thanks to the folks at NRHS and the A&M for making this trip possible. It was a great chance to capture scenes that are well off the beaten path. More photos from the trip can be found here.

Along The Former Southern Main in North Carolina

Amtrak; Thomasville, N.C.; June 1, 2014

In the last post we visited Streamliners at Spencer at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Spencer is located just north of Salisbury along the former main line of the Southern Railway (now a part of Norfolk Southern). This afforded a few opportunities to get out and shoot NS and Amtrak action in the Tarheel State along the railroad that claimed "Southern Serves the South." We'll start north of Salisbury at Thomasville where we find a southbound Amtrak Piedmont train passing under a classic Southern Railway signal bridge. The train is paid for by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which provides the state-painted passenger equipment including F59PH No. 1810 (above).

Moving just a little bit south, we find a northbound Piedmont train passing through downtown Thomasville behind F59PH No. 1869. Thomasville is well-known as a furniture manufacturing city, and the giant chair at the main grade crossing in town is a landmark.

Amtrak; Thomasville, N.C.; June 1, 2014

Moving down to Salisbury, we find a visitor coming off the wye on the line to Asheville and entering the Southern main. Juniata Terminal's E8 No. 5809, proudly wearing the pinstripes of the Pennsylvania Railroad, ran a couple of Charlotte-Spencer round trips and turned on the wye each day for the trip back to Charlotte.

Pennsylvania 5809; Salisbury, N.C.; May 31, 2014

The Salisbury depot has been nicely restored. Many tracks have been removed over the years, especially those close in to the station, but a new walkway leads out to refurbished platforms at the main line. A Norfolk Southern freight behind SD70M-2 No. 2776 heads through the station.

Norfolk Southern; Salisbury, N.C.; May 31, 2014

Just south of the station are two overhead bridges. From the northernmost of the two bridges we see a southbound Piedmont train accelerating away from its station stop.

Amtrak; Salisbury, N.C.; May 29, 2014

Just south of the second bridge is an old ice house dating from the early 20th century. A freight led by BNSF Railway C44-9W No. 4183 heads south past the brick building.

BNSF Railway on NS; Salisbury, N.C.; May 31, 2014

Continuing south the next town is China Grove. We see a northbound NS freight with a BNSF locomotive tucked between two NS locomotives.

Norfolk Southern; China Grove, N.C.; May 29, 2014

At the same location we see a southbound Amtrak Piedmont train. Surprisingly, this train has two locomotives leading.

Amtrak; China Grove, N.C.; May 29, 2014

Moving from the fields between Salisbury and China Grove to the north end of China Grove, we once again encounter Pennsylvania Railroad E8 No. 5809. The train is heading north from Charlotte with NS dignitaries and others onboard bound for Streamliners at Spencer.

Pennsylvania Railroad 5809; China Grove, N.C.; May 30, 2014

Continuing south, we arrive at Landis. We see a southbound Amtrak Piedmont train rolling through the wide plaza that hosts the former Southern Railway main line.

Amtrak; Landis, N.C.; May 30, 2014

We now arrive in Kannapolis. The former Southern Railway freight house is still standing here, complete with its green SR sign. About a quarter mile south is the town's Amtrak station. C40-9W leads a southbound NS freight past the ex-Southern building.

Norfolk Southern; Kannapolis, N.C.; May 30, 2014

Turning around the other direction we see a northbound freight. This time we have power from Union Pacific on the point in the form of ES44AC No. 7491.

Union Pacific (on NS); Kannapolis, N.C.; May 30, 2014

Finally we wind up almost into the town of Concord. We see a Norfolk Southern work train heading south with empty rail cars trailing SD40-2 No. 3216.

Norfolk Southern; Concord, N.C.; May 30, 2014

And finally we turn around to see a northbound NS intermodal train at the same spot. C40-9W No. 9093 leads a double-stack train of J.B. Hunt containers.

Norfolk Southern; Concord, N.C.; May 30, 2014

More photos from along the former Southern Railway main line can be found scattered about in the various photo albums here.

Streamliners At Spencer

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 29, 2014

At the end of May one the biggest rail enthusiast events of the year took place; Streamliners At Spencer brought together one of the largest gathering of 1940s-1960s "cab units" built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) and the American Locomotive Company (Alco) for one colorful show. We'll take a day-by-day look at the event, starting with Thursday, May 29, as the locomotives began to gather around the turntable at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer. Reading F7 No. 284 came from the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey (above). Iowa Pacific E8 No. 515 was briefly disguised as Illinois Central No. 4035 on the first day (below).

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 29, 2014

Also in attendance was Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611, a streamlined steam locomotive. The J-Class locomotive had just arrived in Spencer where it will be restored to operation as part of the "Fire Up 611" campaign. It was given the position of honor on the turntable for the first night photo session.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 29, 2014

Highlighting the second day was a freight train powered by an A-B-A set of F3 locomotives representing the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. The two A units came from the Bangor & Aroostook, while the B unit is a converted F7B from the Boston & Maine. One A unit is owned by the Tri-State Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, while the other A and the B come from the Anthracite Railroads Historical Society. The F3s were the oldest operating units at Spencer.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 30, 2014

The three-unit set was used for the night photo session, and made a fine sight as they passed under the museum's restored signal bridge.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 30, 2014

Also a part of the night photo session was a multi-unit set-up in the field south of the roundhouse, highlighted by "Baltimore & Ohio" F7 No. 722 (former Bessemer & Lake Erie) and "Chesapeake & Ohio" F3 No. 8016 (former Clinchfield). Both are now owned by the Potomac Eagle Scenic in West Virginia.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 30, 2014

Day Three found Canadian National FPA4 No. 6789 on the photo freight. Like all the other locomotives in attendance, movement to Spencer was provided free of charge by Norfolk Southern. No. 6789 came from the Monticello Railway Museum in Illinois.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 31, 2014

An antique car show was part of the festivities at Spencer, and the car owners didn't need much encouragement to bring a car over to pose with the trains. New Haven FL9 No. 2019 from the Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston, Conn., passed at Studebaker. Both were built in the same year -- 1960.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 31, 2014

Locomotives came from all across the country and from not only museums but also Class I railroads. The roundhouse tracks included privately-owned "Nickel Plate Road" (former Santa Fe) No. 190 from Portland, Ore., Southern Railway No. 6900 (which lives at Spencer), Erie No. 833 from the New York & Greenwood Lake in Port Jervis, N.Y., Union Pacific No. 949 which is used by UP on its business trains and Norfolk Southern F9 No. 4271 which is used in business train service for NS.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 31, 2014

In attendance was Electro-Motive Corporation (a predecessor of EMD) FT No. 103, the very first streamliner built in 1939. It shared the roundhouse tracks with Southern FP7 No. 6133 (which resides at Spencer), Pan Am business train FP9 No. PAR-1, and Chicago & North Western F7 No. 411 from the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 31, 2014

Perhaps the most surprising attendee was "Nickel Plate Road" No. 190, one of only two surviving Alco PA locomotives in the United States. Privately owned by Doyle McCormack, the PA made a cross-country trip from Portland, Ore., (with BNSF Railway donating the move across the west) to be one of two Alcos at the Streamliner event (joining Canadian National FPA4 No. 6789 from Monticello, Ill.) No. 190 was used during the final night photo event.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; May 31, 2014

All good things must end, and Sunday, June 1, marked the end of Streamliners at Spencer. There were still a few photos to be had, however. North Carolina Transportation Museum's own Atlantic Coast Line E3 No. 503 took a morning spin on the turntable.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; June 1, 2014

Chicago & North Western F7 No. 411 from the Illinois Railway Museum was making morning passenger runs. IRM also sent Chicago, Burlington & Quincy E5 No. 9811 to the Streamliners event.

North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, N.C.; June 1, 2014

All in all, it was a well-run event. Thanks to the staff of the North Carolina Transportation Museum for all their hospitality. Also thanks to the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association for providing the lights at the night photo sessions. And thanks to all the railroads and museums who sent crews and equipment to Spencer. You can see more photos of Streamliners At Spencer here.