Grist for the mill. Simpson engineer Sterling takes a few moments to give a his engine a walk-around while logs are taken off the train to be stacked and sorted by a pair of loader machines. (pe... (more)

Simpson power waits while the loaders take log bundles off the train to cold deck. Lots of logs up at the dry sort yard right now, and more coming, means job security. (permission to be on prope... (more)

Alco smoke show heading downhill toward Snowflake Junction.

Stacker making the climb westbound out of Seligman on the first fall afternoon of 2012.

After the Apache finishes its interchange at Holbrook it leaves the yard limit south of town full steam ahead, on its way to Farmer John's pig farm.

Breakfast is being served on the Southwest Chief as it enters New Mexico eastbound on the Transcon at 8:43 AM MT.

Down at the loading dock it's nearly departure time. After the log train clears the switch Dave will align it for the 1202 which will then move up and tack onto the rear. (permission to be on pr... (more)

At "Knights" the log job is returning empties after the morning run up to Mill 5.

At the crossing with a logging road known as Smith Lane, the grade levels off and the lead engine notches down after the 2.2% ascent of the Sand Cut. Two pushers are on the rear, but one will cut... (more)

Mill 5 bound, the 1201 is blasting up the hill above Goldsborough Creek near the Carman road. Many of the logs were barnacle-coated from being in the seawater for a while.

Stack train passing by "Railfan Rock", dynamics whirring, on the east bound down-grade from Stevens Pass, WA. in the Cascade Mountains.

Nearly at the end of a run up the hill with a train of logs for the sort yard and Mill 5. MT Rainier is in the picture today, too.

A rail train was roaming the sub between Gold Bar, WA and points east of Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains on the weekend that I was there. I was told that they are stockpiling new rail for t... (more)

Empty coal drifting downgrade eastbound off the Nason Creek trestle in the Cascade Mountains. Rock Mountain is in the background.

Near the end of a run from town, as the train tops the grade with A-frames in front of the waterwood, Nick and Brandon are probably discussing how they'll efficiently make their cuts at Mill 5 and... (more)