A special oil train with dignitaries, dubbed the "Mapco Express" pauses at Healy. Photo by Jim Satterwhite, from my collection.

Originally MP, thence to UP and looking great on a shortline. Photo by Tony Vanier, from my collection.

Just shy of the 10th anniversary of my first visit I made it back to the Alco shrine and found this ex D&H unit basking the soft northern Arkansas sun.

Business took me to Ft. Smith so only a slight detour was needed to do some railfanning and I found this. Freshly in from Essex Terminal but some what obscure. I find no shots of it on this site... (more)

Showing ample evidence of hard work these units awaiting assignment. Sad that this once prosperous shortline is now moribund. Photo by Jim Satterwhite, from my collection.

Watching this ancient radial coupler approach a coupling with a modern railcar I am wondering how many times this incredible survivor has done this. I'm not much of a trolley fan but I love inter... (more)

Before it went to L & C to be a slug this unit sets outside the shops, recently arrived from UP.

Coal and corn. Apparently still a 20-cylinder, this leaser has picked up a train of empties from INRD at Beehunter and is running SB on trackage rights. They will soon gain home rails at the jun... (more)

Conductor scrambles to get aboard as this long train is departing with "foreign" power.

A classic survivor in a classic paint sheme. Built for BN this unit endured grueling service and continues to do yeoman service in a somewhat less stressful environment. Weekend rest in beautifu... (more)

Built for PC in 1969 and looking much better than original, this unit is nicely posed in the Hoosier morning light on a cool and pleasant day. My kind of place, a yard out in the country. What's... (more)

Expecting a rinky dink operation we found instead a museum superior in every respect. Here SOU 2-8-0 401 is being moved into winter storage after she was fired up and blown down to evaporate wate... (more)

Coming from Cedar Rapids with ethanol this train will take the east leg of the wye at South Amana, drop the SD38 helper and proceed east. Quite a grade on this ex-MILW? line. I wonder why they p... (more)

A nifty little paint scheme decorates this 1941 Schenectady product and Army alumnus on a former IC line which Wikipedia says is embargoed but being reopened. Sadly, I doubt this one will be arou... (more)

I'm standing on the steps and the famous old tower, still manned at the time, probably sipping ice tea. Jay, the tower operator, allowed me to hang out in air conditioned comfort while waiting fo... (more)