CP in the Twin Cities 11

Ahh, the joy of telephoto once again. My last two DSLR's took up most of my budget, and thus not allowing me to buy good glass to go along with them. I acquired the cheaper 50-200mm(pentax) and 55-200mm(nikon) instead, which made me never want to use them because of the hideous distortions. But recently I acquired the Nikkor 75-300mm lens, built from 1989-1999, and uses the good Nikon glass that you don't get anymore unless you trade them a few limbs. Anyway, enough with the lens history. CP's HAT (Hoffman Ave Transfer) heads Westward on the West Runner (how fitting?) with the CP 6048 trailing.

Waiting for a ballast train and then 498, soon this manifest will reveal its middle unit!

Three GP38-2's drag this short Dresser Turn by Marshall St. in my futile morning glint attempt.

A shot I've been meaning to get for a long time, but its only possible in the summer, and ofcourse you need to get a train at the right time. Today 498 rolls across the SOO's Mississippi River bridge with the Minneapolis skyline in the distance.

Wow, let me just say that I couldn't even dream up something this wild! A former NBEC (originally CN) SD40 sits inbetween two AC44's on its way out to the DMVW's home rails.

A single GEVO drags 183 to its destination at Shoreham.

290 crests the top of the grade at Main St. with a consist that is somewhat interesting. The 1404 and 4406 are along for the trip back to Saint Paul this morning. Notice the cab height difference from the 4406 to the AC44!

CP 291 today sports a pair of GEVO's for power.

Engineer Thomes cranks em' up a notch as two SD40-2's depart Shoreham for the trip to Pigs Eye. This was my FIRST time shooting a CP Dash 2 in the lead on a road freight all summer, quite a contrast from last year....

With dynamics howling, two SD40-2's coax their 9000 plus ton train down the steep grade, nearing 7th St. I hadn't marked this shot off my "places to shoot" list before this, so I figured with power like this it would be the wise decision today.

A pair of 38-2's roll Westward towards Shortline Hill with a short transfer for the Commercial. Quite a nice looking Geep in the lead, for sure!

Finally, Im shooting the HLCX's on a train instead of sitting at Roseport! But, I wish they we're still using the 6081 and 6083 with these. Can't really complain about this though!

Coke loads bound for the INRD at Terre Haute get a roll on em' as they blow past Redrock with their two HLCX SD60's. A good way to end summer!

Two former CNW SD60's wind up as they near the Hastings Depot on the old Milwaukee. The second SD60's turbo seems to be running out of time, sure was howling as they passed by!

Empty GSNX cars roll Westward towards Saint Paul, passing the 4618 tied down for the day near the depot.

This dirty bird sits out front of the old Milwaukee Road Diesel shops.

With a new crew, CP 8822 continues its trek, and is seen here grinding up the Saint Paul sub near Como Ave.

An unknown CP train drifts down the hill with a pair of GEVO's after the sun has surrendered the sky to darkness. I was actually quite surprised I was able to stop this image without a tripod at 125 shutter speed.

Racing the sun to Midway, IC&E 4206 crests the steep grade at Main St. with three private coaches in tow.

Pausing at the station for a few minutes, which allowed me this image. Shortly after they would cut away from the cars and head East lite.

I hope someday soon these units will be able to frequent the Twin Cities area, as this one gets the honors to do this night.

496 shoves down into the yard at Humboldt with a consist that was not supposed to be. I knew something was wrong when over the radio I heard 496 address themselves as the 8544. This train showed leaving out of Glenwood with the 6010, obviously the crew had other ideas.

Haven't seen this particular duece in a few years, so I was pleased to find it on 496, even if it was supposed to be leading.

Two SD40-2's sit tied down, presumably with the return HAT, in the yard at Humboldt. It appears the engineer forgot to turn off the sanders.

59 Herzog's trail these three spartan cab 40's on their way up the former SOO mainline from Shoreham Yard to Stevens Point. Nothing like shooting a train in the first few minutes of sunshine.

On the return trip now, the loaded ballast train approaches Cardigan East in the midst of lingering fall color adorning the nearby foliage.

Drifting into town after waiting for the NTWGAL to clear with its high-wides in tow, CP 283 shows up with a pair of Geeps trailing the usual.

The HAT slides by with the usual pair of SD40-2's doing the honors.

290 pulls up towards Shoreham with a pair of Beavers (much to my delight.....), soon to cross over Marshall St.

What I presume to be 493 makes its way into Shoreham under parting clouds before the sun rises.

Two Dueces again.

An unusual symbol adorns this usual power as it twists around Foley Wye in early morning light. Ethanol bound for Chicago.

On home turf, this GP38-2 heads up the hill and onto the Ford line with 17 cars.

SOO 4515 splits a set of crossbucks, although the other side is the newer type, as it continues West for the Ford Plant.

This was my first real time actually chasing the Hauler, and boy how sad I will be to see it go. Two Geeps rumble through the small neigborhood early on a nice Saturday morning with a train of 17 cars.

The other GP38-2 in the consist.

As I followed the Hauler up to the plant here, I was greeted by another job shuffling cars around with the elusive 4452 with the honors.

A shot that I've wanted for the few days that I've known about it. Today, the Ford Hauler heads back to the plant with the same power as yesterday.

Two ICE/DME SD40-2's sit under the sanding towers while fog covers the yard in the background.

The sun makes an ever slight appearence as a GEVO leads three more under the signal bridge at Daytons Bluff.

The DME heads past CP Redrock with 68 loads and 22 empties behind the two SD's. A nice Thanksgiving surprise!

One of the many CP SD40-2's assigned to the DM&E.

A former CP SD40 leads current CP SD40-2 over the bridge in Hastings.

Idling with the short string of coke hoppers on SOO 2. My CSX drought finally ends, the last time I shot a CSX engine up in the cities here was on the last day of summer.

Well, once I knew this unit would be leading 891 up to Saint Paul today there was absolutely no way that I was going to miss it. Upon arriving I was happy to find it where I figured it would be, but surprised to find only one unit.

Yay, two AC44's.....298 rumbles through the West end of Humbolt before the sun fully rises.

Coming back from Shoreham with a short cut of cars.

A pair of Red and Whites roll along the riverfront, heading down some of the now rare industrialized zones still served by rail in the Twin Cities.

Trailing.

293 slides into Shoreham with a pair of AC44's and an SD60 helping out as well. Notice the turned away aspects on the first signal bridge, overshadowed by the new one installed weeks prior. Thanks to Northstar many of the old signals have been replaced.