Ha! I had such a good time last
week in St Cloud I decided to go again. Mrs. TS-USA had a long
appointment at the hairdressers sceduled followed by the grocery
shopping. She would be out for 3 hours. Time enough to go to St Cloud
get a couple of hours spotting in and still be back before she got
home...
As I arrived and pulled into the depot car park I could sense there was
something up. I looked to the north and could see a caboose. Unusual
any time, more so on a staurday. I wondered if the Northern lines were
at work. The Caboose got closer. Not so, it was a BN track maintenance
crew laying down sleepers (ties)
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|
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| The caboose
passed me and the maintenance train went through the station and pulled
onto the other
running line. Something was definitely afoot. Not having my scanner
(again!!) I was totally in the dark. After a few moments a headlight
appeared in the distance as It go closer I could see that it was
running on the wrong line. if it didn't stop it would crash into the PW
train just south of the station. Not to worry it pulled into the depot
and stopped at the level crossing* and waited. Giving me quite some
time to set up a take this shot. |
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| "What next?"
I wondered. We all waited. then in the distance the headlight of
another train this one running on the correct line. Another container
and trailer train moving at speed. I saw an opportunity for a great
picture. The two trains passing in the station! But the Railroad
photography gods were not on my side for as the train pulled alongside
my camera took it upon itself to go into sleep mode! I couldn't believe
it. Now my camera wakes up pretty quickly, but even so the moment was
gone. I cursed my luck and headed back to the car and as I reached the
car the PW train passed me by heading back north. |
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So, Not a
great day. But there will be better ones to come I'm sure.
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*
grade crossing
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