June 2007 Photographs Page Two
Note: Click on each picture to bring up a larger view.
Back in Tennessee after a trip to Wisconsin and Minnesota, I needed a southern train fix. We're planning to be home all summer, but you know how plans are...
	A south-bound 179 led by a new GE ES44DC "Evolution" locomotive past the Igou Ferry grade crossing. Friday, June 15, 2007
	An ex-Conrail GE pulls train 224 - "stacks and racks" - north past Igou Ferry Road. Friday, June 15, 2007
	Out at South Sale Creek, a pair of Catfish brings train 117 south for Chattanooga. Friday, June 15, 2007
	Train 170 northbound across the Hotwater Road grade crossing in old Soddy. Tuesday, June 19, 2007
	Over at CP Daisy, this SD70M has train 285 in charge. Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday morning I was on the back porch, listening to my scanner and just getting started on the Crossword Puzzle, when I hear the dispatcher say, "...two north and a south." "Hmmm," says I, "I wonder who he's talking to." I grab my grip, toss it into the Ford, and head for the tracks.
	I get to South Sale Creek and spot this south-bound freight hiding back in the weeds. "Aha!" I exclaim, "He's waiting for someone." I head back to Bakewell. Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 11:24AM
	A catfish and an SD60 have north-bound train 124 at road speed as they approach the Bakewell Equipment Defect Detector. "That's One!" Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 11:51AM
	I continue south on Back Valley Road and set up near the signal at MP 315, where I catch this north-bound 57Q, a unit grain train. Most of the cars carry CEFX reporting marks. Lousy light, but you do what you gotta do. "That's Two." Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 12:26AM
	And finally the south-bound train 123 pulls out the south end of the siding at Sale Creek. I catch him here passing the signal at MP 315; a pair of catfish and a new SD70M-2 have the train well in hand. Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 12:45PM
	He leans into the turn as he hauls for Chattanooga. And that's it for waiting. I wonder what else is at Sale Creek... Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 12:45PM
I head back for Sale Creek. I don't see anything at South Sale Creek, either on the siding or on the main, so I head down thinking to check the short "house track" where they sometimes store maintenance equipment. Before I can get there, I hear 5511 get clearance (no restrictions) in the Sale Creek Siding. Right away he gets a clear signal at South Sale Creek, so I hang a 180 and find a GP38-2 pushing a string of gondolas, a work train distributing ties.
	Out of South Sale Creek, the Tie Train shoves south on the single track toward Soddy Daisy. Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 1:05PM
	The conductor has taken a good vantage point and is watching for signals from his crossing guard.This shot is at the grade crossing at Bakewell. Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 1:08PM
	An MOW guy in a high-rail truck is protecting the crossings for the Tie Train. Here he watches at the Back Valley Road crossing near the Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church. Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 1:13PM
	They'll clear the crossing and stop here, by the church where they left off work yesterday, and resume dropping off ties to replace old ones. Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 1:13PM
	A shot of GP38-2 # 5511, in charge of the Tie Train today. Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 1:22PM
On Friday, I decide to head out earlier than usual to see what's become of the Tie Train.
	The scanner tips me off to a north-bound train, so I catch this 124 at North Sale Creek. I gotta start getting up earlier; the light is much better in the morning. Friday, June 22, 2007 - 8:47AM
	After this guy clears Sale Creek, the Tie Train 93T heads for Chattanooga with two gondolas and the Caterpillar. I chase to Thrasher Pike and spot a MOW crew working on track two down toward Cave Springs. Friday, June 22, 2007 - 8:47AM
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