A pair of SD60M's lead the local back to Smithville from Taylor passing the historic Elgin Grain & Feed building in downtown Elgin.

The 4146 and 4147 head back west past the 1872 Houston and Texas Central Freight Depot, the oldest building in downtown Elgin.

Shoved into the seldom used furniture track, the morning sun shines on this old unit found surrounded by flowers. It was used in the film "Courage Under Fire" starring Denzel Washington. Unfortuna... (more)

Many shortlines have ended up in the hands of large holding companies and have lost that hometown identity, looking more like an aggressive Class 1. Then you have the Gulf, Colorado & San Saba tha... (more)

Entering a cut lined with prickly pear cactus, the 80-car loaded frac sand train heads down grade into the San Saba River Valley. Further down the line, all four GP15's will be put to the test to ... (more)

We laid down in the weeds many times, but always managed to be creative enough to over come the situation.

Another hot west Texas day is upon us when all you can wish for is a little of that hot air to keep a steady breeze and maybe a cloud to offer a bit of shade long enough to catch your breath. The ... (more)

A quiet morning in Elgin is briefly interrupted as the Austin Western makes an eastbound run through town toward Butler. The train is passing the restored Houston & Texas Central freight depot tha... (more)

Aggregate heading for Bulter, TX pounds the jointed rail of the East Subdivision.

A load of rendered chicken meal and a handful of aggregate empties head west toward Manor.

The San Antonio bound train #22 stops in Taylor where it exits the UP Waco Sub and heads down the UP Austin Sub. The station here consists of a covered bench on a concrete pad.

The throttle is opened as the heavy train begins to climb the multiple grades out of the San Saba River Valley towards the Colorado River.

Scheduled maintenance for the 412 places it out of the consist for Wabtec.

Pulling up track one, the outbound sand loads reach the BNSF interchange. The inbound sand loads and empties are along side on track three and soon they will depart towards Brady. The former Scoul... (more)

A lengthy train of sand loads powered by four clean GP15-1's nears the old depot location and the rarely used secondary. This railroad is at the center of the energy boom and proppant loading is r... (more)