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4/27/2024
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Viewing Album:  BNSF's Parkman Hill
 
By:Marty Pfohl
Dates:8/31/2015 - 9/14/2015
Album Info:Parkman, Wyoming, very near the Wyoming-Montana border and a very small town on top of a natural divide, may not be well known but is definitely a place to catch some heavy duty helper action. It's claim to fame is the final 3 mile stretch known to the BNSF as 'Parkman Hill'. Uphill westbounds can make decent speed from Sheridan but past Ranchester momentum slows gradually, then drops like a rock from WY 383 to Parkman -'crawl @ Run 8' territory! Sheridan, Wyoming 25 miles southeast, is the major 'city' in the region and has all the services a visitor would need. North of Parkman, there are no big towns until Hardin, MT. 62 miles north. Sheridan is also the local BNSF hub and home base for the helpers which run the hill. Wyoming Hwy. 345 {old US Hwy. 87} closely follows the main line and has many good locations to photograph from. Much of the line from Sheridan to Parkman is east-west oriented, making mornings good for catching eastbound moves and afternoons on, good for westbounds. In between, the small town of Ranchester is a great place to gas up and get a bite without having to return to Sheridan. One can also park behind the town hall building and await a westbound to chase up the hill. The main line is quite straight and 'flat' [auctually a steady uphill] from Sheridan until nearing Parkman. From approximately the Hwy. 383 junction to Parkman the grade stiffens considerably and the rail line enters hilly and curvy terrain before summiting out at Parkman. All in all it's a place well deserving of more railfanning 'fame' of which I hope to share with everyone here in RRPA! Thx!
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Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Title:  Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Description:  At the top of Parkman Hill, in the tiny community of Parkman, this very old wood deck, 1 lane county road bridge makes an excellent photo platform to catch the action. Almost no traffic crosses it, and ample parking is available just off to the right side. Just up the road a bit, the town's only business, a bar/grill, offers a bite or libation without having to leave the area.
Photo Date:  8/30/2015  Upload Date: 10/7/2015 10:01:02 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  152   Comments: 0
West Ranchester
Title:  West Ranchester
Description:  The stair step terrain before Parkman Hill is readily apperent in this very smokey almost sunset view. Helper set 5686 & 9648 have completed thier shove job earlier and are rolling back to Sheridan just before going through Ranchester.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/7/2015 10:03:17 PM
Location:  Ranchester, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5686(AC44CW) BNSF 9648(SD70MAC)
Views:  383   Comments: 0
Ranchester
Title:  Ranchester
Description:  Fires throughout the west have tinted the sunset deeper orange as BNSF helpers 9648 & 5686 roll light through Ranchester.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/7/2015 10:05:18 PM
Location:  Ranchester, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9648(SD70MAC) BNSF 5686(AC44CW)
Views:  363   Comments: 1
Ranchester
Title:  Ranchester
Description:  East of Ranchester, CREX 1422 brings up DPU on a loaded westbounder catching the last rays of sunlight August 31st..considering the 5 or so minutes i was there and the fierce but invisible mosquito attack I endured to take this photo, it came out acceptably!
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/7/2015 10:06:38 PM
Location:  Ranchester, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CREX 1422(ES44AC)
Views:  193   Comments: 0
Ranchester
Title:  Ranchester
Description:  BNSF DPU set rolls EB through Ranchester. 8496 looks like a very new girl here! Photo taken from the town hall 'backlot' -public space and a good parking spot to wait for trains.
Photo Date:  9/14/2015  Upload Date: 10/7/2015 10:07:35 PM
Location:  Ranchester, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8496(SD70ACe) BNSF 8958(SD70MAC)
Views:  295   Comments: 1
Parkman Hill
Title:  Parkman Hill
Description:  Valley gives way to hilly as BNSF 6384 leans her coal loads into the final 3 mile climb up to the summit at Parkman.
Photo Date:  9/14/2015  Upload Date: 10/8/2015 11:11:52 PM
Location:  Parkman Hill, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6384(ES44AC)
Views:  166   Comments: 1
Parkman Hill
Title:  Parkman Hill
Description:  About 1 mile into the last of 3 to go, and 9302 + 9753 have all they can handle getting this loaded coaler up to Parkman on a smokey august 31st.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 9/11/2015 11:14:46 AM
Location:  Parkman Hill, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9302(SD70ACe) BNSF 9753(SD70MAC)
Views:  256   Comments: 0
Parkman Hill
Title:  Parkman Hill
Description:  Shoving hard and at a crawl, BNSF helpers 6012 & 6049 give an assist to the Citirail DPU on this loaded coaler nearing the summit.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/8/2015 11:16:07 PM
Location:  Parkman Hill, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6012(ES44AC) BNSF 6049(ES44AC)
Views:  271   Comments: 1
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  Late afternoon August 31 finds BNSF 6155West and a sister GE making the final push to summit, just ahead..this location works very well for some 'dramatic' photography..
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/8/2015 11:18:29 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6155(ES44AC)
Views:  248   Comments: 0
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  2 evolutions of SD70's power this loaded coaler and stir up a few birds too, as they make the final pull to the summit just ahead.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/8/2015 11:20:55 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9302(SD70ACe) BNSF 9753(SD70MAC)
Views:  315   Comments: 0
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  An EMD in a GE sandwich, 3 Elephants lug coal loads the final 1/3 mile to the summit of Parkman Hill.
Photo Date:  9/14/2015  Upload Date: 10/8/2015 11:19:57 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6384(ES44AC) BNSF 9810(SD70MAC) BNSF 5910(ES44AC)
Views:  184   Comments: 0
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  Making the summit..BNSF 5628 crawls around the final bend and onto the summit straightaway. The house track on the far right sure looks rough! [Photo from that cool old bridge!]
Photo Date:  8/30/2015  Upload Date: 10/8/2015 11:21:51 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5628(AC44CW)
Views:  151   Comments: 1
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  Coal loads on the summit stretch..BNSF 9282 is crawling but about to ease off as another westbound makes the hill...
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:08:22 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9282(SD70ACe)
Views:  283   Comments: 0
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  Skies were much clearer Sept 14 when 6384 crested Parkman Summit with westbound coal.
Photo Date:  9/14/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:10:56 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6384(ES44AC) BNSF 9810(SD70MAC) BNSF 5910(ES44AC)
Views:  239   Comments: 0
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  Skies thick with smoke from western wildfires wash out the scenery as BNSF helpers 6043 & 6012 start downhill and back to Sheridan after completing another assist.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:09:24 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6043(ES44AC) BNSF 6012(ES44AC)
Views:  289   Comments: 0
Parkman
Title:  Parkman
Description:  Skies thick with smoke from western wildfires wash out the scenery as BNSF helpers 6043 & 6012 start downhill and back to Sheridan after completing another assist.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:11:53 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6043(ES44AC)
Views:  175   Comments: 0
Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Title:  Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Description:  BNSF 6012 & 6043 have just finished helping a WB coal move and are starting the drift back to Sheridan. View from the north side of the county road bridge.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:12:49 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6012(ES44AC) BNSF 6043(ES44AC)
Views:  252   Comments: 0
Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Title:  Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Description:  9282 in detail passing under the county road bridge.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:13:35 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9282(SD70ACe)
Views:  251   Comments: 0
Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Title:  Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Description:  A clean fallen flag, BNSF 711's details show nicely under smokey sky-light.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:14:55 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 711(C44-9W)
Views:  216   Comments: 0
Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Title:  Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Description:  Looking north from the county road bridge. With the hill behind them this DPU set will cruise on into Montana on a relatively level track.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:15:52 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5939(ES44AC)
Views:  309   Comments: 0
Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Title:  Parkman Hill Summit bridge
Description:  DPU BNSF 9392 solo handles coal loads west, an capable job with the hill now behind her..
Photo Date:  9/14/2015  Upload Date: 10/9/2015 11:16:50 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9392(SD70ACe)
Views:  253   Comments: 0
Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..
Title:  Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..
Description:  Afternoon quiet is disrupted with 30 minutes of heavy action as Parkman's helper crew dismounts from WB DPU 8969 and prepares for thier return to Sheridan.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/10/2015 10:41:54 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8969(SD70MAC) BNSF 5686(AC44CW)
Views:  323   Comments: 0
Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..2
Title:  Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..2
Description:  Within moments 8969's train rolls forward..while the helpers just..wait!
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/10/2015 10:49:40 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8969(SD70MAC) BNSF 9648(SD70MAC) BNSF 5686(AC44CW)
Views:  313   Comments: 0
Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..3
Title:  Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..3
Description:  9648 & 5686 awaiting clearance to move.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/10/2015 10:50:54 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9648(SD70MAC) BNSF 5686(AC44CW)
Views:  382   Comments: 0
Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..4
Title:  Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..4
Description:  On the heels of 9648's assisted train, this stacker will now overtake the coaler just ahead and clear the line for our help to return..
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/10/2015 10:51:45 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9648(SD70MAC) BNSF 5686(AC44CW) BNSF 5324(C44-9W)
Views:  375   Comments: 1
Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..5
Title:  Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..5
Description:  Taken from the old bridge, timing just right..
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/10/2015 10:52:30 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9648(SD70MAC) BNSF 5324(C44-9W)
Views:  261   Comments: 0
Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..6
Title:  Afternoon "Rush Hour" at Parkman..6
Description:  Parkman Helpers 9648 & 5686 creep away as our stack train glides by...stacks dropping off down the drainage in the background give an accurate idea of the stiff climb to summit.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/10/2015 10:53:01 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9648(SD70MAC)
Views:  205   Comments: 0
Goin' Home..
Title:  Goin' Home..
Description:  The true scale of Parkman Hill country makes these helpers look quite insignificant as they roll back down towards Sheridan, another succesfull assist having been completed.
Photo Date:  8/31/2015  Upload Date: 10/10/2015 10:53:39 PM
Location:  Parkman, WY
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9648(SD70MAC) BNSF 5686(AC44CW)
Views:  371   Comments: 0

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