A little UP action in Saginaw TX on Jan. 15 2023 leads off this weekend's proto fun. Always a good safe spot for watching and the big elevators make for neat backdrops.
From 42 years ago in March 1981, CR SDP-45 6695 (former E-L 3664) leads a westbound train off the DL&W's "Boonton Branch" at Denville, NJ. Although called a "branch", the line was actually a heavy duty, low grade cutoff, built by the DL&W to provide a bypass for freight trains to keep the mainline clear for passenger trains. The two tracks in the foreground are the electrified mainline which joined here. The junction was protected by Denville Tower, also shown.
A intersection at Hospital and Waco Mill roads received an innovative solution in Sandersville, Ga.: a roundabout with a railroad crossing transversing its center. It is the first of its kind in Georgia. have a wonderful weekend to all
Makes it more difficult, but not impossible, to try to beat the train. There is no straight shot at it. You would have to slow down to turn. But there are those out there who will undoubtedly try.
Traffic circles seem to now be the "in thing" in the south. I disliked them when I lived in NJ and now they're here. They installed one on a rural highway we use when going to the beach and when we were last there, we saw evidence of a pulpwood truck that in the darkness had taken the old route straight across the circle, smashing down several overhead lights in the process. Nobody was hurt. Another pulpwooder did the same several months later and the highway department decided the solution was to make the circle bigger.
That...looks like a horrible idea. Keep an eye on some of the traffic next time your in a traffic circle-some drivers still can't grasp the concept, then you throw a train in the middle?! Chaos will ensue, and/or someone will run into the train. Guaranteed.
Over in St-Eustache, a bit west of my home town, there was one for the longest time. Quebec drivers aren't the most courteous or respectful of the laws of the road (what laws?) so when traffic increased because of more people in the area, the place looked more like a demolition derby track than a traffic circle... I had the creepies every time I had to drive through there... Recently, they squared it off (a traffic square?) and put up traffic lights (there's a hint of the old curve in the top triangle): No more heebie-jeebies.
Where I'm forced to live now they are increasing in numbers. As well as accidents. I've had two on my motorcycle. The first because of loss 'blackened' grave on a small circle. Concussion, broken shoulder, broken arm, 9 broken ribs, punchered artery and collapsed lung. I got a citation because the hospital claimed I had Covid-19. Lost all vehicles and license for 10 years. The next one I was in the right lane to go through. A big van was in the left lane and decided to turn right. I was on an electric bicycle so I was going slow. I would make all effort to avoid such a dangerous "circle jurky". The train should go overhead.
Very cool shot Hemi! I want to get down to Sandersville one of these days to check out the operation there. Would be cool to get a shot of a train in the traffic circle. On the traffic circle subject, my favorite thing about them is seeing tire tracks going right across the center of them.
Today's little ground blizzard activity cleared up long enough to go check on a few things, and get this shot of an M train, just setting and waiting for ND to clear up. And some 'excess' power cooling their heels,
I'm guessing those are switch heaters and lit switch position indicators? You and others here who are out in that kind of cold deserve some sort of Frozen Fotographer merit badge.
I try to shoot from inside the truck on days like that, but will say I have been out on a day when I could tell that the truck's thermostat had opened- The temp guage would immediately take a headlong dive toward cold. Frozen Fotograper Merit Badge? Or maybe just a crazy railfan award? BadlandNP's photos have that cold look for sure.
Thanks guys, from a crazy loco ferroequinologist! "I'm guessing those are switch heaters and lit switch position indicators? You and others here who are out in that kind of cold deserve some sort of Frozen Fotographer merit badge. " The switches have both a switch heater and a pushbutton operated machine for 1 and 2 track and a few other places. Fun stuff!! And yes, I do like the snow and usually don't mind being out in it. Crazy? Maaaayyybbeeeee......???
I like the size of this example. There is plenty of room to maneuver. Ours are a mess, as they are kept so small that it is hard to merge into the traffic. And that makes traffic back up, causing congestion, with nice big headaches. That tiny size is also the reason truckers hate them. Where there is constant high volume, they simply do not work. They are a cheapo way to not build and overpass, etc. Around here they did not plan for the growth, in just a very few years, had to go back, tear them out and build interchanges. A big waste of money.
