I guess it’s been the theme of the week – taking the easy way out and heading down to Bound Brook, NJ to shoot in the off hours. Actually, on Thursday heading to Bound Brook was actually an afterthought – a result of horrid traffic on the highway. I was planning on heading down to the Elizabeth NJT station on the advice of Steve Barry for some nice shots along the Northeast Corridor. But the traffic changed those plans. So I was off to the usual spot. On a certain level, I’m glad I got caught in traffic.
I got there with nothing going on around the station. After a few minutes, a local fan, Allan, told me he thought somebody was working down in Manville yard, which was confirmed by radio traffic. But then something else came over the radio as a NJ Transit run was pulling into the station – it was something tripping the Conrail Middlesex detector to the east. Guess we had something coming this way! But the signals at CP-BOUND BROOK were all red – that meant they were stopping there waiting for other traffic.
A few minutes later a trio of headlights was visible in the distance – it ended up being NS train 33K slowly approaching the interlocking. But as they got closer, it was apparent the lead unit wasn’t the typical NS widecab – actually it wasn’t an NS locomotive at all! Nope, 33K had a BNSF leader
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113760] [cpg_imagefixthumb:113759] [cpg_imagefixthumb:113758]Which was paired with a NS SD60
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113757]While they were stopped, something jumped out on what turned out to be a number of cars – an odd warning sign. It looks like the cars were being fumigated during transit.
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113756]And during the stop, I got a couple other shots
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113755] [cpg_imagefixthumb:113754]Then a couple minutes later I saw headlights approaching from the west. We figured it would be best to get to the other side of the station for our shots.
While looking around for an angle, I noticed the sky to the west, with some ominous looking clouds and the sun peeking through. Would the timing work out to work that into the shot? I guess it was worth a shot – so I got my camera set with the wide angle, took a couple test shots, and with the settings just right, I waited for the train.
A couple minutes later, NS train 32A appeared alongside 33K
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113753]And as they approached, I got my shot with the clouds, sun and train
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113752]With them rolling past me, I swiveled around and got a going away shot
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113751]With them cleared, it was 33K’s turn to head through the interlocking. As they rolled past us at the station, one car caught my eye – a tie gondola
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113750]Then they were out of sight to the west.
With the scanner quiet, and the light fading, Allan decided to head out for the evening. We bid farewell, and I decided to stick around a bit longer. There was still some light remaining, and you never know what might show up.
A few minutes later, the scanner woke up with CSX train Q174 approaching Port Reading Junction. OK, got another eastbound coming this way. After a short wait, they came into view, and I got a shot of them pulling through CP-BOUND BROOK
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113749]Then a wide shot similar to the NS 32A shot above
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113748]And a going away shot
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113747]But as Q174 was still rolling past me, the Middlesex detector to the east tripped. I guess there was another westbound heading this way! But would Q174 clear before they got here?
Looking back at the signals, my guess is they would be clear before that westbound got within view – all the signals were showing red.
A few minutes later a trio of headlights appeared to the east, and as they got closer it was apparent that this was no ordinary NS or CSX powered train. Nope, it had a pair of Canadian Pacific GEs on the point! (I didn’t hear for sure on the radio, but I presume this was train 39Z)
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113746] [cpg_imagefixthumb:113745]But the second unit looks like it was recently in a fire
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113744]I got one more shot as they slowed down for the signal
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113743]But apparently they got a more favorable indication because they kept on going, and moved to the next track over, so I got a shot of them making the move
[cpg_imagefixthumb:113742]With that in the bag, I figured it was time to head out – the light was really fading, and I figured I had a good afternoon stop. I guess NJ traffic was a good thing on Thursday!
Thanks for looking!
Tom
