Category: Chris Dees
Photo by Chris Dees.
A Mournful Morning in Mitchell – On a cold and blustery morning, GP38-2s 2640 and 2665 are westbound at Mitchell, IN with CSX local J780 from North Vernon, IN to Washington, IN. In a few moments, the train will cross the former Monon mainline, whose tracks are to be removed in 2018 when CSX abandons the line south to Louisville. Photo taken 27-Dec-2017 by Chris Dees.
On October 8, 2017 Coopersville & Marne’s Great Pumpkin Train departs Coopersville, MI, behind SW9 7014. Coopersville – a northwest suburb of Grand Rapids – is the hometown of Del Shannon, whose hit “Runaway” propelled him to fame in 1961. Photo by Chris Dees.
What’s In A Number? 3985… 765… 611… while simple numbers have a different meaning to different people, for railfans a number can be magical. Although not living the fabulous life of some of her sisters in the realm of railroad history, former Canadian National 1395 is seen on October 8, 2017 at Coopersville, MI awaiting one of two fates… rust & scrapping, or perhaps restoration one of these days. The locomotive is part of the Coopersville & Marne Railway’s museum collection. Both photos by Chris Dees.
Go North Young Man – Great Lakes Central GP38-2 number 395 prepares to depart on the advertised with The Northern Arrow excursion train between Kalkaska and Petoskey, Michigan on October 8, 2017. Sister GP38-2 390 is on the other end to facilitate the return trip. Although rainy and overcast, passengers enjoyed the beautiful fall colors of the northern Lower Peninsula on the day long event. Photo by Chris Dees
Blazing New Trails – Marquette Rail GP38-2 2040 and sister 2044 get ready to depart Ludington, MI on October 8, 2017 with the Baldwin Blazer. Enroute, they will pick up cars from Manistee at Walhalla, MI before proceeding east. At Baldwin, it will meet with the Sparta-Baldwin road freight powered by SD40-2 3389. Marquette Rail is now a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming’s Orange Empire. Photo by Chris Dees
Former Tuscola & Saginaw Bay RS1 number 2394 rusts away at Coopersville & Marne Railway on October 8, 2017. The former “Corkpine Express” began her career in 1951 for the Rutland Railroad. Photo by Chris Dees
Not to be outdone by other Alco outposts in the Empire State, tourist railroad and shortline Arcade and Attica Railroad operates this ninety-seven year old Alco 2-8-0 on weekend excursions. Number 18 is the only regularly operating steam locomotive in the state of New York. Seen here during the mid-point layover at Curriers, New York, Photo by Chris Dees taken August 27, 2017.
American Locomotive Company will always be remembered as the birthplace of the Century line of locomotives. Thirty-two years after the last new locomotive rolled off the production line, Alco fans can still get their fix in The Empire State. Seen at Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad’s shops in Olean, NY on August 27, 2017 are just a few examples: M636 number 643, C424 number 326, and RS3M number 406. Photos taken from public property by Chris Dees.
The classic curves of an EMD GP30 are always a crowd pleasing addition to any train, especially when its chrome (or in this case, nickel) – plated. On September 10, 2017, the Allen County, Ohio Historical Society hosted its annual Riding the Rails excursion from Lima, OH to Jackson Center, OH over the Indiana & Ohio Railway. The trackage is the former Detroit Toledo & Ironton mainline; power was Cincinnati Railway Company’s NKP GP30 number 901. Photo by Chris Dees.
