Eastbound coal loads string out beneath the once active coaling tower in Nelson, led by a pair of controlled tractive effort (CTE) AC44's.

An eastbound mixed bag with UP/NS power ducks underneath the CNW coaling tower in Nelson. Even though the tower's purpose has been served and is no longer needed on the UP, it remains standing bo... (more)

Westbound manifest train passes under the coaling tower at Nelson as they make their way west towards Clinton, IA. CNW 8632 was renumbered to UP 9696 in November 2004.

With the wind chills hovering around -20F, an eastbound Union Pacific stack train moves under the coaling tower at Nelson, IL.

In the final moments of light on the final day of January 2010, a UP loaded coal train rumbles on through Nelson, IL. Cl... (more)

This photo is dedicated to the memory of Roger Rassche, fellow railfan, photographer and modeler, who passed the next day after this image was taken. You're in a better place now Roger, but a l... (more)

An eastbound stack train threads the old coaling tower at Nelson.

A westbound UP stack train flashes by under the ex-C&NW signal bridge at Nelson.

Looking into a Xover switch on Main Two shows a switch heater of very simple design. Air heated by natural gas is directed into the moving parts of the switch, i.e., points, etc., to keep them fre... (more)

An eastbound manifest led by a single GE AC runs around a stack train on Main One at Nelson.

A lone GE pushes hard on a loaded coal train heading east through Nelson IL. The lead unit has just ducked under the signal bridge in the distance. Even with just two units on the train. The train... (more)

A westbound stacktrain just ducked under the massive coaling tower at Nelson IL. To see such a massive structure still standing these days is pretty impressive. Hopefully it will continue to stand... (more)

The Harsco train has just been holed up for the evening in the Nelson Yard at the northern terminus of UP's Peoria Sub.

8am Friday Morning, UP 4018 & 9058 lead mixed freight under the Nelson coal ing tower.