Hamlet, NC
December 17, 2004
On Friday,
December 17, Kevin Foy and I went up to Hamlet, NC to watch trains. The
clouds were against us that day, but the trains were plentiful, as well
as the mix of power and paint schemes. Below are some of the better photos
I took that day, as well as a run down of all trains/engines we saw.
I also got a few pics up on railpictures.net, so they are linked as well.
ENJOY!
All photos: Chris Hamby
Notes: Kevin Foy
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Half an hour after arriving, we finally got our first train. This one came from the west with UP SD70M #5056 in the lead. Trailing behind it was CN SD40-2 #6068 (ex-Illinois Central) in Operation Lifesaver paint. |
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Next was also out of the west. UP SD70M #4913 followed by another SD70M #4602 and HLCX SD40-2 #8140 (ex-BN). |
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We had noticed people milling around outside the newly renovated Hamlet Depot and wondered if they were waiting on Amtrak. We went to investigate (as well as check out the station) and found that Northbound P42, The Silver Star was indeed about 4 hours late. It finally showed up about a half hour later with #129 on the point. |
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After Amtrak left the scene, CSX finally let the trains loose. They started with Q463. This one had brand new SD70ACe #4835 in the lead with CN SD40-3 #5942 (ex-GTW) behind it. |
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Much to our surprise, the next train out also had a new SD70ACe on it. This one was #4849 and had two lease units behind it. The second engine was HLCX SD40-2 #8160 (ex-BNSF) and behind that, HLCX SD40M-3 #6513. This train symbol was Q669. |
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Next, coming in from the west was CSX SD40-2 #8239 followed by CSX CW44AC #282. |
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Q484 came into town next with CEFX "Blue Bird" SD40-2 #3128 leading CSX C40-8 #7535. |
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F720 came out next to pick up some cars at East Junction siding and do some work down towards Lumberton. Leading was ex-Conrail SD50 #8650 and CSX SD40-2 #8334. |
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The next train headed out towards the west with CSX SD40-2 #8472 and HLCX SD40-2 #8143 (ex-BN). |
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We had lunch at The Seaboard Station restaurant, then took a drive down to the yard. At the fuel racks we spotted lots of power. Among these were BNSF SD70MAC #9742, FURX SD40-2 #3018, and CEFX SD40-2 #3120. We also saw a few other engines that were out of camera range, including a H1 BNSF Pumpkin and a Trona Railway engine. |
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AS we got back to downtown, we missed the tail end of what looked like a grain train leaving towards the east. Soon after, CSX SD70MAC #4800 came in from the east with CSX SD60I #8726 (ex-CR) behind it. #8726 had it's class lights on as it passed by me. Something I've never seen before... |
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The sky finally started to clear by around 2 pm and the trains kept rolling in. F701-17 came from the west with CSX GP38-2 #2767 leading 2 six axle engines: UP C40-8 #9254 and FURX SD40-2 #3046. |
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Outbound towards the east came Q493-17 with CEFX SD40-2 #3105 leading UP SD40T-2 #8721 (ex-SP with patch tunnel motor!) |
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We noticed a train pull up and park on the east departure tracks but couldn't tell what kind of engine it was. He finally came out and it turned out to be a CP SD40-2 #6601 (ex-SOO) followed by CSX SD50 #8603. This train also had a CSX "Technical Research Car" in it. Anyone know what it's used for? |
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The last train we caught before we had to head home was this one coming out of the yard heading west. It had CSX C40-8 #7495 and CSX SD60M #8778 (ex-Conrail). |
