Photos from the UP JSW Industrial Lead



















last updated: 06/06/04


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© 2000-2004 Dave Honan
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David.Honan
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Huff - ZC280 (MP 280.90)

While heading towards Mount Vernon on IL-148, Lou & I noticed a few strings of empty hoppers on the branch line paralleling the road. At the north end of the last string were UP 7251 and SP 113, a pair of C44ACs. Just as we were walking over to the engines to snap a couple photos, a crew taxi arrived, and the friendly conductor informed us that they were taking the empties down to Rend Lake Mine. The chase was on! (McClellan, IL, February 09, 2002)
We easily beat UP 7251 south down to a grade crossing as they ran around the train. (McClellan, IL, February 09, 2002)
I noticed something scrawled in the grime on the side of the 7251: GE JUNK. (McClellan, IL, February 09, 2002)
While waiting at the south end of the siding for the crew to put the train together, Lou and I discovered why the power had been moving at only 10mph. It's not every day you find a pair of C44ACs riding on 90-lb rail manufactured in 1923! (McClellan, IL, February 09, 2002)
After getting the air up, the engineer cranked up the throttle and took the empties south out of the siding. (McClellan, IL, February 09, 2002)
Another view of the train as it crawls southward alongside IL-148. (McClellan, IL, February 09, 2002)

Rend Lake - MP 289.33

We broke off the "chase" to get ahead of the train and shoot it crossing Rend Lake. A stiff breeze was blowing, creating the choppy surface. (Elk Prairie, IL, February 09, 2002)
Another view of the train crossing the causeway, framed by two lonely, dead trees. (Elk Prairie, IL, February 09, 2002)

Inland #1 - ZC275 (MP 291.10)

Even though the train was only moving 10mph, a tail chase over unfamiliar roads (along with not knowing the train's exact destination) prevented us from beating it to this crossing, so we had to get the classic "backlit heading off into the sunset" closure shot. (Sesser, IL, February 09, 2002)