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12/23/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tom Beckett
Dates:3/1/2023 - 3/31/2024
Album Info:Chases from my house in Siloam Springs that followed a train away, and caught another coming back home.
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Anticipation
Title:  Anticipation
Description:  I was working in the yard when I heard a northbound approaching. A quick pit stop and grab a soda later, and I was on my way. There was a 181 going north as I got into town, but far enough ahead of me, and moving well enough to beat me to Gentry. I got ahead of him at Y City Rd south of Decatur, and pulled up for the shot, to see an approach as I crossed the tracks. Hell have an approach medium at 216-8 in Decatur, and will take the siding at Dorsey.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 5:33:09 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 0
The quarry
Title:  The quarry
Description:  The 181 I chased was not far behind, and I shot it here crossing Y City Rd, passing the old paddock. Hes slowing for the signal, and will take the siding in another five minutes or so.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 5:41:44 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4714(ES44AC) KCSM 4658(ES44AC)
Views:  71   Comments: 0
Stop and proceed
Title:  Stop and proceed
Description:  The 181 has passed, 39 stack platforms and 28 autoracks, leaving the block occupied. The signal is still lit, an indication there is more going on.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 5:49:21 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  43   Comments: 0
Why the 181 is in the siding
Title:  Why the 181 is in the siding
Description:  I went to the crossing on Mt Olive Rd, north of Dorsey siding, to wait for the meet. I wasnt to be disappointed; the southbound showed in five minutes, a grain train behind a UP/KCS power set. Hes passing MP 213 with 93 cars.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 5:56:51 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7731(AC45CCTE) KCSM 4509(AC44CW)
Views:  54   Comments: 0
Pushing them along
Title:  Pushing them along
Description:  The DPU, a now common mixing of KCS and CP power, pushes the 93 hoppers south along Wolf Creek
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:01:27 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4693(ES44AC) CP 8125(AC4400CWM)
Views:  46   Comments: 0
Heading north
Title:  Heading north
Description:  The grain train having passed, the 181 was cleared out of the siding, and approached my position next to Wolf Creek.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:04:21 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4714(ES44AC) KCSM 4658(ES44AC)
Views:  61   Comments: 0
Wider view
Title:  Wider view
Description:  A wider look at the northbound and the creek, the light just enough to keep the train out of shadow.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:08:42 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4714(ES44AC) KCSM 4658(ES44AC)
Views:  53   Comments: 0
Railfan chase vehicle
Title:  Railfan chase vehicle
Description:  In a recent set in the "The Chase Is On" album, I have a shot of my Toyota RAV4, a 2013 that I recently gave up to my wifes son, who was needing a newer car. This is what replaced it, a 2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT. I plan on doing a lot of touring and chasing in it. Its next to the lead unit on the 181 train at Wolf Creek
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:13:20 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4714(ES44AC) KCSM 4658(ES44AC)
Views:  71   Comments: 0
Took a bit
Title:  Took a bit
Description:  Theres a short, but stiff grade coming up into Decatur that usually slows a heavy unit train, such as this one. He must have been inspired, as I usually catch them by Y City Rd, that we saw earlier. It was not to be. I went all the way down to Floyd Moore Rd before I caught him. The grain train rounds a curve along Ark 59 approaching Gentry
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:17:22 AM
Location:  Gentry, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7731(AC45CCTE) KCSM 4509(AC44CW)
Views:  58   Comments: 0
Approach Medium
Title:  Approach Medium
Description:  The yellow is lit as the signal flashes-see next frame-for the grain train to take a restricting at North Siloam Springs.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:21:33 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  33   Comments: 0
Dark phase
Title:  Dark phase
Description:  The yellow is fading out, to return shortly. The train will arrive momentarily.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:24:09 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  30   Comments: 0
Climbing up
Title:  Climbing up
Description:  The grain train makes its way uphill into Davidson Rd, passing the large trackside tree, and an oblivious horse in the adjacent pasture.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:26:39 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7731(AC45CCTE) KCSM 4509(AC44CW)
Views:  51   Comments: 0
Past the Cobb mill
Title:  Past the Cobb mill
Description:  A quick turn and burn, and I beat the train, slowing for the switch at North Siloam, and I was able to get the train passing the Cobb feed mill in fading light, just catching the last sun.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/9/2024 6:30:39 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7731(AC45CCTE) KCSM 4509(AC44CW)
Views:  67   Comments: 0
Downtown
Title:  Downtown
Description:  The grain train rolls slowly down the main, about to cross Jefferson St. The northbound will be rolling up the siding shortly.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/10/2024 5:50:43 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7731(AC45CCTE) KCSM 4509(AC44CW)
Views:  59   Comments: 1
DPU on the move
Title:  DPU on the move
Description:  I quickly moved to Lincoln Av, getting the DPU as it rolled over the crossing there, much to the relief of the waiting motorists, who had to wait on a slow moving train.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/10/2024 5:58:15 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4693(ES44AC) CP 8125(AC4400CWM)
Views:  55   Comments: 1
Towering view
Title:  Towering view
Description:  The northbound now rolls into view, passing the Siloam Springs water tower, which is just to the south of the crossing in this telephoto view
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/10/2024 6:01:18 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8159(AC4400CWM) KCS 5002(ET44AC)
Views:  53   Comments: 1
In the pink
Title:  In the pink
Description:  The northbound, the 261 train, rolls under a sky turning pink as the light fades.
Photo Date:  3/3/2024  Upload Date: 3/10/2024 6:14:07 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8159(AC4400CWM) KCS 5002(ET44AC)
Views:  55   Comments: 1
First catch
Title:  First catch
Description:  I heard a southbound from the house, and took off. I cant get through Siloam and still catch one of these trains, so I usually take Ark 59 south and US 62 to Westville, which allows me to get the across the field farm shot most of the time. It worked today, I caught this southbound grain train here in bucolic splendor rolling 100 cars of midwest grain toward Mexico.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/18/2024 6:21:13 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  54   Comments: 1
Panoramic view
Title:  Panoramic view
Description:  The power on the grain train rolls south, having crosseed CR 690, and passed the patch of hay bales in this view looking south toward the Ozarks.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/18/2024 6:25:04 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  54   Comments: 1
Grain DPU
Title:  Grain DPU
Description:  The DPU on the grain train rolls south past a lone tree in the pasture north of CR 690
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/18/2024 6:32:21 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  38   Comments: 1
Ozark view
Title:  Ozark view
Description:  The grain train rolls away toward downtown Westville, passing this long view at the Arkansas Ozarks.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/18/2024 6:34:22 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  39   Comments: 1
Didnt quite make it
Title:  Didnt quite make it
Description:  I like the shots at Baron, since there is a long tangent approaching from the north, allowing several views here. Sometimes I dont get them all; even with a 65 MPH speed limit on US 59, its two lane, and there are an amazing(to me) number of people who are content to run 50 MPH there. So I dont always get the tele shot. Still, the shot is pretty good there, and I did OK for getting sandbagged by a slowpoke en route.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/18/2024 6:40:29 AM
Location:  Baron, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  54   Comments: 2
Wider view
Title:  Wider view
Description:  A closer and wider angle view of the northbound.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/20/2024 6:13:57 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  72   Comments: 1
Waiting for the clear board
Title:  Waiting for the clear board
Description:  The signal at CP North Stilwell is still showing red as the 181 approaches, waiting for the dispatcher to reverse the switch, and clear the signal. It will go momentarily.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/20/2024 6:22:48 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 1
Clear board!!
Title:  Clear board!!
Description:  The switch at the north end of the siding has cleared, and the 181 will be on its way north
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/20/2024 6:24:55 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 1
Going....
Title:  Going....
Description:  The end of the 181 is almost on the main, its racks wobbling through the turnout.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/21/2024 6:38:39 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  34   Comments: 1
Going....
Title:  Going....
Description:  A little closer to all on the main track
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/21/2024 6:44:39 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 1
Last one
Title:  Last one
Description:  The last car of the 181 train rolls through the switch.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/22/2024 5:45:50 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  35   Comments: 1
Away...
Title:  Away...
Description:  The train is now fully on the main track, and rolls away toward Kansas City and Chicago.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/22/2024 6:11:55 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  35   Comments: 1
Over the creek
Title:  Over the creek
Description:  The 181 rolls across Barren Fork Creek in the late afternoon sun. This was the last shot Id get, as Id promised my wife Id be home for dinner by 1900. A good way to end. Id get a surprise at Watts, but that would be a quick shot and run.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/22/2024 6:15:19 AM
Location:  Baron, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  66   Comments: 1
Waiting
Title:  Waiting
Description:  When I got to Watts, there was a grain train in the siding, holding for the 181. I didnt have time to wait for the meet, but did get the waiting southbound. The leader had been on a northbound empty train a week earlier.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/22/2024 6:21:12 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  52   Comments: 1
Bringing up the rear
Title:  Bringing up the rear
Description:  Up at 7th St, the DPU holds on while the train waits.
Photo Date:  4/4/2024  Upload Date: 4/22/2024 6:26:44 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  50   Comments: 1
Surprise
Title:  Surprise
Description:  I had heard a horn from the house, and took off for my usual quick ride to Westville. I was getting set up for the southbound I knew about, when I heard a train call the signal for Westville. Turned out to be the 181. The southbound was at Watts, waiting on this guy, who is now passing me going north, with a pair of KCSM GE"s leading 64 stack platforms, 6 autos and 27 articulated auto racks.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/23/2024 6:39:23 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4532(AC44CW) KCSM 4559(AC44CW)
Views:  67   Comments: 1
By the mill
Title:  By the mill
Description:  The 181 rolls past the H J Baker feed mill
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/23/2024 6:46:41 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4532(AC44CW) KCSM 4559(AC44CW)
Views:  60   Comments: 1
Wide view
Title:  Wide view
Description:  The 181 rolls through a pastoral scene north of Westville, with a long view toward the Ozarks in the background.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/23/2024 6:49:01 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4532(AC44CW) KCSM 4559(AC44CW)
Views:  60   Comments: 1
Dodging the shadows
Title:  Dodging the shadows
Description:  The grainer dodges the clouds as it passes the barn and hay bales north of Westville.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/25/2024 6:22:29 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  62   Comments: 1
Long view and a big tree
Title:  Long view and a big tree
Description:  There are several shots at Baron for different length lenses. This shot is a tele view, 250mm, that gives you the stretched out train and a view of a large trackside tree, which at this date has not started to green up. One of my great frustrations with the KCS is the lack of colorful trees. Almost no redbuds, and few Bradford pears for spring color.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/25/2024 6:29:04 AM
Location:  Baron, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  69   Comments: 1
MP 250
Title:  MP 250
Description:  A closer up look has the train rolling past MP 250, the white concrete post to the left of the train, and the "lift plow" sign as it approaches the crossing.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/25/2024 6:31:42 AM
Location:  Baron, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  64   Comments: 1
250-0
Title:  250-0
Description:  The wide angle shot here is of the train passing signal 250-0, which KCS relocated here from an earlier position a bit to the north a few years ago, which made it much more accessible for the C&S forces. They did a similar move a couple miles south with the signal at MP 252, which was moved from a position on an embankment, to the crossing just south of that milepost.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/25/2024 6:39:47 AM
Location:  Baron, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  62   Comments: 1
DPU on the bridge
Title:  DPU on the bridge
Description:  After Baron, there arent any good photo spots til you get into Stilwell, but there is the bridge over Barren Fork Creek, a plate girder affair that connects to a through truss. Its better for a northbound, or a southbound with a DPU, which is what we have here. I wont beat him to the next spot, a county road crossing about 1.5 miles south, but the shot here is worth doing. The two unit DPU, a pair of CP Golden Rodents filling out this all CP, all GE power consist, rolls south, seen from adjacent US 59.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/25/2024 6:46:59 AM
Location:  Baron, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  CP 9776(AC44CW) CP 9780(AC44CW)
Views:  62   Comments: 1
County barn
Title:  County barn
Description:  There used to be a body shop here. Adair county picked up the property when the shop folded, and now uses it for a maintenance base for road equipment. The tracks here are on a short steep grade, coming out of a speed restricted curve that slows them considerably. Its kind of a straight on shot, but an easy one. The slow speed also makes getting ahead of the train for a shot at the signals at CP North Stilwell easy, or passing the station, about 1.5 mile south.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/25/2024 6:51:40 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  70   Comments: 0
The northbound
Title:  The northbound
Description:  The dispatcher said the grain train was to meet a northbound at Stilwell. I was hoping for an actual train, so was sorta disappointed when it turned out to be just four lite engines, now in the siding as they are about to meet the southbound. Oh well....though one of them did turn out to be notable.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:29:28 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8629(AC44CW) CP 8013(AC4400CWM) KCS 4575(AC44CW) KCSM 4735(ES44AC)
Views:  57   Comments: 1
Lite power by the station
Title:  Lite power by the station
Description:  The lite power move rolls up the siding as the grain train approaches on the main, holding back so he wont have to come to a complete stop at the home signal.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:31:33 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8013(AC4400CWM) KCS 4575(AC44CW) CP 8629(AC44CW)
Views:  59   Comments: 1
A little closer
Title:  A little closer
Description:  The rear end of the lite power continues up the siding, as the grainer gets closer
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:33:29 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4735(ES44AC) KCS 4575(AC44CW) CP 8013(AC4400CWM) CP 8629(AC44CW) CP 8877(ES44AC)
Views:  64   Comments: 1
Side by each
Title:  Side by each
Description:  The lite power move is overshadowed by the grain train as it rolls away north.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:35:25 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM) KCSM 4735(ES44AC)
Views:  64   Comments: 1
Slow roll
Title:  Slow roll
Description:  The grain train was to meet a northbound move here at Stilwell, and is doing a slow roll down to the signal as the northbound rolls up the siding behind it.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:13:55 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  77   Comments: 1
From the bridge
Title:  From the bridge
Description:  The grain train was held up long enough waiting for the dispatcher to clear the signal that I had time to beat it up to the US 59 overpass a half mile south for this tele view of the train picking up speed as he rolled for Cave Springs and south. Id follow the lite power back to Watts.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:37:37 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Station,Signal
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  61   Comments: 1
Into the shade
Title:  Into the shade
Description:  The wider angle view shows the southbound rolling into the curve, and into the shadow of the US 59 overpass, its 102 cars stretched out behind.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:39:42 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8877(ES44AC) CP 8044(AC4400CWM)
Views:  48   Comments: 1
Dwarfed
Title:  Dwarfed
Description:  The four unit move is dwarfed by the landscape as it rolls north past the hay bales north of Westville. Someone needs to do something with that tree!!
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:43:38 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8629(AC44CW) CP 8013(AC4400CWM) KCS 4575(AC44CW) KCSM 4735(ES44AC)
Views:  64   Comments: 0
Swinging on through
Title:  Swinging on through
Description:  The lite power rolls through the S curve at Chewie Rd.
Photo Date:  4/11/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 4:55:21 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 8629(AC44CW) CP 8013(AC4400CWM) KCS 4575(AC44CW) KCSM 4735(ES44AC)
Views:  68   Comments: 1


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