October 4, 2011
Tuesday: Olean, New York
Western New York and Pennsylvania
In the Yard at Olean, NY
On the morning of October 4, 2011 I remember texting, "Don't pinch me I do not want to wake up!" I have before been in situations where I was surrounded by hard working Alcos in the 21st century, but it was always a dream before. This was real.
After chasing Alcos on the SP, ATSF, BN and BCR so very long ago it was hard to believe I was doing so again in the second decade of the 21st Century. And, the day was young; very young!
Tuesday the fourth was a great day to be in Olean, NY. In an occurrence I am told is unusual, the WNYP ran both a Driftwood Turn and a Hornell Turn out of Olean that day. My east coast buddy Dan and I had to make a choice. The Hornell Turn heads east and the Driftwood Turn heads south. Which one do we chase?
Photos
Please click on the following links to see photos taken around Olean NY:
- WNYP 630 MLW C630m
- WNYP MLW built (ex-AM 70, CP 4500) C630M 630. Various views as described below, please click on links to view more related photos:
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.219- On the morning of October 4, 2011 WNYP MLW built (ex-AM 70, CP 4500) C630M 630 and M636s 638 and RRPX 85 are at the engine house in Olean, NY.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.219 - On the morning of October 4, 2011 MLW built C630M WNYP 630 is at the engine house in Olean, NY.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.231
- On the morning of October 4, 2011 WNYP MLW built (ex-AM 70, CP 4500) C630M 630 and M636s 638 and RRPX 85 are at the engine house in Olean, NY.
- RRPX 41 MLW M636
- Various images, please click on links below to see specific images:
- The sun breaks through the clouds as Railroad Power Leasing LLC (RRPX) M636s 41 and 43 pause between moves at on the WNYP at Olean, NY on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.278
- The sun breaks through the clouds as Railroad Power Leasing LLC (RRPX) M636s 41 and 43 pause between moves at on the WNYP at Olean, NY on October 4, 2011.
- RRPX 85 MLW M636
- On the morning of October 4, 2011 MLW built M636 RRPX 85 is at the engine house in Olean, NY on the WNYP.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.248 - WNYP 4228 MLW C424
- Western New York and Pennsylvania Alco C424 4228; ex-ME, DL, QGRY, CP 4228. Various views as described below, please click on links to view more related photos:
- WNYP C424 4228 leads fellow MLW builts M636s RRPX 43 and 41 down the runner track at Olean, NY on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.278
- WNYP C424 4228 leads fellow MLW builts M636s RRPX 43 and 41 down the runner track at Olean, NY on October 4, 2011.
The Eastbound Hornell Turn
Dan and I decided to chase the Hornell Turn on October 4 for a couple of reasons.
First, it left first. Second, it was a train that ran less frequently. Since it was overcast and shadowless; light angles were not a concern. This was a good thing because if it had been sunny, the train would have been nose dark!
The chase was on!
We were not really expecting a Hornell turn that day. I had been told the train ran once a week and a turn had run the previous day. Dan was driving his Jeep while I was shotgun, navigating on my Apple iPad. This worked very well. On the iPad we could see little side roads that led to the tracks. The iPad's digital map showed us right where we were on the map in relation to the tracks and the access roads. Using e-mail on the iPad and my iPhone I was in virtual contact via a Yahoo group with other railfans who had been there before. We were able to discuss photo locations whith the remote foamers in close to real time. We were chasing a 1970's train with 2011 technology!
The Fall colors were screaming reds, golds, browns and yellows as we chased the Hornell Turn on it's journey toward the NS Southern Tier line in Hornell, NY.
Photos
Please click on the following links to see pictures related to our chase of the Western New York and Pennsylvania's eastbound Hornell Turn:
- The Eastbound Hornell Turn, WNYP 638 MLW M636
- WNYP MLW built M636 638 (ex-NYSW 3672, SIXX 75, QCM 75). Various views as described below, please click on links to view more related photos:
- On the morning of October 4, 2011 638 and C630m 630 are at the engine house in Olean, NY.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.237 - M636s WNYP 638 and RRPX 85 prepare for their day's assignment outside the WNYP Operation's Office in Olean, NY on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.258 - Two trains, each with two former Cartier M636s. The Driftwood Turn and Hornell Turn prepare their trains at 12:40 p.m. on the east end of the WNYP yard in Olean, NY on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.339 - WNYP Olean job OL-3, running as the Hornell Turn, blasts through Hinsdale, NY at 2:08 p.m. on October 4, 2011. MLW M636s WNYP 638 and RRPX 85 are in charge of 32 cars, 2 tank cars and the rest hoppers. The train is passing former Erie milepost JC (for Jersey City) 389.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.356 - WNYP Hornell Turn, blasts through Cuba, NY at 2:23 p.m. on October 4, 2011. MLW M636s WNYP 638 and RRPX 85 are in charge of 32 cars. Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.376
- WNYP M636 638 leads a Hornell Turn past a corn field, eastbound toward Pine Rd. east of Friendship, NY at 2:47 p.m. on October 4, 2011.
Digital Image: 2011100501.392 - Against a backdrop of Fall color, at 3:32 p.m. on October 4, 2011 the eastbound WNYP Hornell Turn passes a pond full of geese east of Wellsville, NY.
Digital Image: 2011100501.430 - WNYP M636 638 leads the 32 car eastbound Hornell Turn (Job OL-3) towards the junction with the Norfolk Southern's Southern Tier at CP Cass in Hornell, NY, at 4:40 p.m. on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.440
- On the morning of October 4, 2011 638 and C630m 630 are at the engine house in Olean, NY.
The Westbound Hornell Turn
We have followed the Hornel Turn from Olean, NY to Hornell. Once in Hornell, after the train went onto the Southern Tier, Dan and I had a bit of time to grab a quick bite before our return to Olean. Then the train started it's journey from Hornell back to Olean.
Photos
Please click on the following links to see pictures related to our chase of the Western New York and Pennsylvania's westbound Hornell Turn:
- The Westbound Hornell Turn, (Job OL-3) RRPX 85 MLW M636
- The light was starting to wane as WNYP job OL-3, running as the Hornell Turn, crept off the Southern Tier and onto the former Erie line to Olean.
- Heading westbound after working Hornell, NY, Railroad Power Leasing LLC (RRPX) M636 85 is leading an eight car WNYP Hornell Turn at CP Cass in Hornell, NY at 6:13 p.m. on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.455 - Heading westbound past Andover Pond near Andover, NY, RRPX M636 85 is leading an eight car WNYP Hornell Turn in last light, 6:52 p.m. on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.472 - Andover Pond near Andover, NY, RRPX M636 85 is leading an eight car WNYP Hornell Turn at 6:52 p.m. on October 4, 2011.
Nikon D300s Digital Image: 2011100501.478
- Heading westbound after working Hornell, NY, Railroad Power Leasing LLC (RRPX) M636 85 is leading an eight car WNYP Hornell Turn at CP Cass in Hornell, NY at 6:13 p.m. on October 4, 2011.
Related Links
Click on the following links to see other posts related to this:
- The Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP)
- The Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad makes extensive use of equipment from RRPX.
- Livonia Avon and Lakeville Railroad (rail operations)
- The LAL is the parent company of the WNYP as well as a rail operation out of Lakeville, NY.
- RR Power Leasing LLC (RRPX)
- Railroad equipment owned by RRPX is leased to WNYP.
- Trip to New York and Pennsylvainia, October 2011
- This is the trip chasing Alcos and MLWs in Western New York and Pennsylvainia in Octtober 2011.
- Trip to New York and Pennsylvainia, June 2010
- This is the trip chasing Alcos and MLWs in New York and Pennsylvainia in June 2010.
- New York and More, 2010 Vol 1 on Facebook
- These are from my trip to western New York and elsewhere chasing trains and being a tourist.
Special Thanks
All the great folks who helped me out with information for these Web pages!