A stormy sky is clearing just in time for the U-Boats of Franklin Industrial Minerals to begin their daily task of hauling limestone to the Norfolk Southern interchange in Rockwood.
FMIX's plant switcher sits shutdown for the weekend on the loader lead. Note the cool old NW car. There where a couple on the property. I wonder if they are in captive service within the plant?
Morning run crosses one of the impressive wooden trestles along the line.
FMIX 4023 and sister #3138 depart the yard for the run to Rockwood, TN.
The eastbound train crosses one of the many wooden bridges alone the line to Rockwood. The former Franklin Industrial Minerals locomotives have been painted for Lhoist North America.
Franklin Industrial Minerals has recently repainted their locomotives into this new scheme representing parent company Lhoist North America, but still retaining “FIMX” reporting marks. FIMX 40... (more)
FIMX 3138 rests at Crab Orchard during Fourth of July weekend 2010. Built July 1978 as SCL 5149, this unit could be considered the "odd ball" B23-7 on the roster with its low-short hood and EMD tr... (more)
The journey down the mountain begins as two B23-7s depart Crab Orchard with loads for the NS interchange at Rockwood on a spectacular spring morning.
Rockwood turn heads west across the last wooden bridge from it's destination in Crab Orchard, Tn.
Just after sunrise, the 4021 (ex-SOU/NS) is seen kicking cars at Franklin Minerals' limestone mine and processing plant in Crab Orchard.
Building the train bound for Rockwood.
Re-editing some older shots, reflecting on how rare it is to see GEs this old.
A pair of FIMX B23-7's lead the road train downgrade over Fall Creek on one of the lines spectacular wooden trestles on a brilliant fall day.
A pair of FIMX B23-7's build their train at the companies Crab Orchard plant. Also visible is the plant switcher 45 tonner as well as former NS 3999, used for parts.
