This heavy train is passing under one of the few remaining ATSF signal bridges in the area.

Storms were close, but luckily they didn't interfere with getting this photo at first light near Bucklin, Missouri.

This short train is moving along the banks of the Mississippi River at South Shore.

A hole in the fog lights up an average coal train, except for the SD70MAC leader. At 20 years old, this one is developing some character.

This UP stack train is cresting the hill at Wyaconda, Missouri on the BNSF Transcon. This locomotive is actually an SD70AH, which is a heavy versionof the SD70 for increased traction.

A northbound fast freight on track 1 gets an enthusiastic "Highball Z Train" after passing a pair of SD40-2s stopped on track 2.

North bound trains are stacked up as this south bounder pours it on at Valmeyer, Illinois on the UP Chester Sub.

This LORAM rail grinder is cleaning up a few rough spots near Machens, Missouri in the late afternoon sun. They were friendly guys, but at the time I was careful not to get too close, as not to g... (more)

The piece and quiet of Wyaconda is interrupted as a fast freight rolls through town.

This eastbounder is throttling back after cresting the hill at Wyaconda, Missouri.

I was up before dawn just to be in place here at West Medill when the sun came up. This eastbound Dash 9 is at track speed as it passes the Medill siding in the first good light of the day.

This BNSF train is headed south at Valmeyer on the UP Chester Sub. It will make its way to the Gateway Mine at Coulterville, Illinois via the Sparta Sub to pick up a load of coal.

An eagle circles overhead as UP 2002 moves at 10 mph past the stopped AARASX train at Bottom Road near Columbia, Illinois.

This Union Pacific auto rack train is headed south on one of the massive levies along the Mississippi River in Illinois south of St. Louis.

This loaded coal train is pulling away from a meet at Burns headed south (railroad west) on the Hannibal Sub.