V932 has just pulled its loaded coal into the harbor as NS 5050 works as the harbor's yard goat for the day on a frigid December evening.

After one of the first snows of the year, 145 heads west toward St. Louis via the ex-NKP, now the NS Youngstown Line, with a one unit wonder - a Conrail SD50.

A regular at the HArbor, CSX GP38-2 2576 pushes empties in and around the loop.

A view of NS' Harbor Yard in Ashtabula.

Business is booming at NS' Harbor Yard in Ashtabula, Ohio. Coal/iron ore trains are staged awaiting loading/unloading, a pair of NS units thrown in amongst the many hoppers.

D810, made up of 43 empty hoppers and four engines, grinds through some tight curvature as it departs from the Harbor.

3 way meet at Ashtabula, V771 passes a loaded ore train fresh from the Docks, and a local waiting to enter the main. The local would end up waiting for 7 more trains to pass before being allowed o... (more)

Outlawed on the yard lead for Ashtabula Yard, Q393 sits in the summer heat awaiting a crew to take the train west. Two new BNSF deliveries are in consist, 7893 and 7899.

The NS Office Car Special, with President and CEO Wick Moorman on board, glides westbound across Ashtabula Trestle on a cloudy, humid summer day.

That's taconite coming off the Laker in the background. I thought this was a coal only complex. The NS Trainmaster explained the workings of the entire complex and I learned a heckuva lot.

CSX quintet comes in for a pick up. My first trip to this fascinating place. After talking with the Trainmaster of the complex, I was even more impressed.

W001, the geometry train, heads east under the 128 signal bridge.

6:36 AM - Amtrak at Ashtabula - slightly behind schedule the Lake Shore Limited races towards Erie, Pa. and the sunrise.

Westbound symbol Q393-08 clears Ashtabula with three new deliveries out of Erie for BNSF. The three new road numbers would be, BNSF 7353, 7356 and 7354.

A pair of Dash 9s hook up to a trainline of empty hoppers, while a pair of RCT HH GP38-2s sit awaiting their next assignment. This might have the muggiest day of the year!