October 4, 2011

Tuesday: Olean, New York

WNYP 638 in Hinsdale, NY

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
RRPX 41 MLW M636
Various images, please click on links below to see specific images:
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:

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:

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.

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!

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