Railfanning - 8-4 and 8-5-2013

Hi, I spent 2 days along NS between Harrisburg and Southfork, PA with friend Stan Short hoping to photograph heritage units. Our search began at Tipton, PA, a few miles north of Altoona. We were aware that the Central of Georgia Unit had left Baltimore the night before, but believed it had passed through the area before we arrived on Sunday.

A number of trains passed through Tipton while we were there, including this eastbound stack train on #2 track, 

#66D on the controlled siding, and

Amtrak's Pennsylvanian.

After this westbound ethanol train passed we headed east.

When we stopped for lunch in Huntingdon, PA we checked the heritage units web site and learned the train with the CofG unit had just passed Duncannon, PA, so after lunch we set up near the old tower in town.  Before the CofG passed through this eastbound intermodal showed up.

Shortly after the eastbound passed #23Z roared through town with the CofG unit leading.

Figuring the train was going too fast to chase, we headed directly to Altoona where we checked out the "brick yard" on the south end of town.  However, the sun was on the wrong side for a decent shot so we continued west and shot the train off the PA Rte 53 bridge just west of Gallitzen, PA.

The train was moving very slowly due to the steep downhill grade at this point so we gave chase.  However, by Cresson it had picked up speed and we were never able to get ahead.

So we gave up and stopped at Cassandra.  The locals have built a small park on both sides of the tracks here and there were probably a dozen railfans, some with family, hanging out.

The first train was eastbound #24W.

It was followed by #28Z,

#11G, and #16N (shown below).

#16N was a long drag and had a pair of helpers on the rear end.

Train #X4R, a Bakken crude oil train headed for Delaware City, DE, also had helpers.

The day ended where it began, at Tipton, with this westbound intermodal.

Having spent the night in Altoona we headed east, knowing the Monongahela heritage unit was east of us on an empty oil train.  Our first location was at the east end of Jack's Narrows on the west side of Mount Union where we caught #36A, and

were surprised by Amtrak's eastbound Pennsylvanian.

While waiting for the above 2 trains we heard the dispatcher tell a westbound that he would have to wait for 2 trains ahead of him to clear.  One was #C42 which we surmised was a local heading in at Mapleton, just west of us, to work the Pennsylvania Sand Plant.  We were correct but it took over 1 1/2 hours to get to a point where we could photograph it.

We were in contact with friend Bill Kalkman who was feeding us info on the Monongahela Unit which was till in Columbia.  Also, it appeared that the Savannah and Atlanta unit might still be sitting in Enola.  So we continued east.  On the way we found a boat launch at Granville, just west of Lewistown, and were rewarded with this westbound double stack.

As we approached Enola Bill called to let us know the Monongahela was leaving Columbia on the Port Road and would be headed toward Enola.  We quickly ducked into the yard and found the S&A unit parked on #Z4R.

For our last photo of the trip we moved over to Stelle Interlocking, about a mile east of the yard, just in time to photograph the Monongahela unit on #65R.

After dinner with Bill Kalkman we headed for home.  Thanks for looking.

Ships

Hi, My wife and I took a 14 day cruise on Celebrity Cruise Line's Infinity. The ship displaces about 93,000 tons of water, has 12 decks, carries about 2200 passengers and about 900 crew, and is about 950 feet long. We left Fort Lauderdale, FL on Sunday evening 12/7. six or seven cruise ships left port that day and we were next to last. Shown below is Celebrity'newest ship, Solstice.

After 3 nights at sea we arrived at Cartajena, Columbia, where the ship is shown docked below. All of the ports were working ports for fishing boats and commerce. None were true tourist destinations for cruise ships. This city and the port for Lima, Peru also hosted naval vessels.

The ship sailed in the late afternoon and we arrived at the Panama Canal early 2 mornings later. We started through the canal about 7:00 AM and completed our transit late in the afternoon. Below are a selection of photos taken as we transited the canal. Note that there were ships anchored at both ends, as well as in the Gatun Lake waiting for their turn.

After about an hour of very slow travel followed by careful positioning we arrived at and entered the Gatun Locks. This is a set of 6 locks set in 3 pairs side by side. The following photographs show us passing through the locks. Below we are approaching the lowest lock.

The next photo shows our ship waiting to enter the righthand lower lock while the ship ahead has just passed from the lowest to the middle lock. When the ship ahead is in the upper lock we will enter the lower lock. Clearance is about 3 feet on each side of the ship.

The ships entering the locks are assisted by tugs, such as the one below. They also are used for other chores in the canal.

Here a tanker prepares to enter the set of locks alongside the ones we were using. At this time all traffic through the locks was westbound. The photo was taken from the rear of the ship.

Behind us were at least 4 other ships. Below a pair of container ships are shown approaching the bottom locks.

Two of the electric mules used to guide the ships through the locks are assisting the tanker. They do not tow the ship. They merely keep it centered by tightening or loosening the cables and move with it through the locks. People on board communicate with the mules and guide their operations. Power is provided by a 3rd rail located between the outside rails; lionel style.

Here is one of the mules attached to the rear of our ship.

A freighter is entering Gatun Lake.

A container ship passes us in the Gaillard Cut.

Ships anchored in the Pacific outside Panama City waiting to transit the canal or for dock space.

Fishing boats drawn up on the shore in Manta, Ecuador.

I believe this old ship in Manta, Ecuador is a fishing factory ship. At any rate I thought it was interesting.

This container ship is about to pass through the breakwater and enter Lima's harbor. The photo was taken as we sailed.

Another container ship is unloading.

This small warship rode at anchor all day.

These old cranes were located in the port of Coquimbo, Chilee. I don't know if they were still in use.

As we left the port of Coquimbo a small freighter and a small container ship (the nearer vessel) lay at anchor.

We ended our trip in Valparaiso, Chile on December 21 where we disembarked and headed for the airport in Santiago about 8:00 AM. Those with evening departures had the opportunity to take shore excursions before leaving. Hope you enjoyed this non-rail blog.