A pair of BNSF Dash 9's sits uncoupled from their train on the TRRA's line into Granite City, just outside of Madison Yard. Canon 350D, 75-300mm.

A UP AC4400CW serving as the DPU on this train, rolls through Illinois farmland on the was to Dupo.

One of several UP manifests on the day comes past Kirkwood station, I could hear the conductor on this train even through the static on the scanner, as he had a booming voice.

As twilight comes to an end, and the night slowly creeps in, this UP stack train roars past AKBASX 25 just outside of Dupo, IL.

A trio of SD60's, with a winged leader, leads the MTRKS out the Eads Main crossing IL Rte. 3 and heading towards Q Tower. Canon 350D.

As the sun sets into a firey sky, this UP manifest runs through Pacific as the last daylight freight. Canon 350D.

UP rack train AMXASB 06 gets permission from the A&S yardmaster to make a poke out of Gateway Yard, with the landmark Arch in the background. The St. Louis Arch is 40 years old this year, 1965-200... (more)

The Jeff City Local is getting a late return to the yard as it waits for another train to clear Gratiot in the heart of Downtown St. Louis. Canon 350D, 28-80mm. f/5.6 @ 3.2 sec.

Here, the crew on YDU41 16 takes a pair of newer SD70M's and three bad order hoppers out of the Cotton Belt yard and down to Dupo at the blistering speed of 10 MPH.

Wayback ALCO Machine: No longer on the roster, MNNR 314 heads back to the Commercial roundhouse after switching Midway Yard. The high hood GE is actually a yard slug, T-3, and MNNR 314 is f... (more)

Walking through Imperial at 50 MPH, this loaded BNSF iron ore train momentarily breaks the silence in this small town.

Another UP empty coal drag flies through Kirkwood, en route to Kansas City. In another week, the fall colors should peak.

ALCO Safari Day 1: First stop on my ALCO Safari trip was the local Minnesota Commercial, who still have a couple of active ALCO and MLW products on the roster. Here the Hennepin Job, #52, a... (more)

Plenty of power waits at St. Paul yard for its next call to duty. A pair of former SOO geeps and a CSX motor sit on the clean-out track after setting out a damaged hi-cube box for repair. Taken wh... (more)

A UP coal drag splits the signals at Kirk Jct. Train was CNATH9 29.