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10/31/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tom Beckett
Dates:4/14/2023 - 2/29/2024
Album Info:Photos of former KCS trains since the merger with CP in April 2023, at Siloam Springs Ark
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Just before dark
Title:  Just before dark
Description:  I heard a horn blowing for one of the crossings south of town, and headed into town to see if there was a shot, There was just barely enough light to get this northbound empty TXUX train rolling through, a hint of sun on its flanks.
Photo Date:  2/21/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 4:22:10 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8545(SD70ACe) KCSM 4761(ES44AC) NS 1036(SD70ACe)
Views:  56   Comments: 1
Rolling into the night
Title:  Rolling into the night
Description:  The DPU on the coal train, rolling away from me into the dusk. It will be well past dark by the time he gets to Kansas City
Photo Date:  2/21/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 4:26:28 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9047(SD70ACe) CP 8717(ES44AC)
Views:  59   Comments: 1
Crossing the moon
Title:  Crossing the moon
Description:  A full moon is overseeing the crossing protection at Davidson Rd, north of Siloam Springs.
Photo Date:  2/22/2024  Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:09:03 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Roster,Scenic,Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  30   Comments: 1
Big tree
Title:  Big tree
Description:  I had gone out to get and oil change and a car wash on the RAV4, and decided, since there was still a little light left at 1730, to check the signals in town. Lo and behold, the automatic at Davidson Rd is high green!! I pulled off and waited, to be rewarded three minutes later by a southbound TXUX train, rolling past my favorite tree, dragging 125 cars uphill from Sleepy Hollow
Photo Date:  2/22/2024  Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:14:26 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9051(SD70ACe) KCS 4037(SD70ACe)
Views:  39   Comments: 1
High moon
Title:  High moon
Description:  The full moon looks down on the coal trains leader.
Photo Date:  2/22/2024  Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:18:36 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9051(SD70ACe)
Views:  30   Comments: 1
Beat him
Title:  Beat him
Description:  The trains at Davidson Rd are pulling a pretty stiff grade, and once I get the shot there, if I hustle, I can beat him to Country Club Rd for this shot of the train rolling past the Cobb feed mill. If I get a good enough lead, I can beat him to Tahlequah St, where the signals are for CP North Siloam Springs.
Photo Date:  2/22/2024  Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:21:01 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9051(SD70ACe) KCS 4037(SD70ACe)
Views:  37   Comments: 1
Rolling into the sunset
Title:  Rolling into the sunset
Description:  Literally and figuratively. The trains DPU is rolling southwest by compass into the setting sun, and will be in the dark by the time he reaches Westville. The Toyota at right has been the "railfan chase vehicle" for the last decade. I bought it new-24 miles on it-in April 2014, and have put 155,500 miles on it since then, chasing all over America for all kinds of things, and a lot of trains, too. This is its last such outing. We just acquired at Subaru Outback Touring XT, which has 105 miles on it, and will replace the Toyota. Its staying in the family, my wifes son is getting it, but were moving up to a newer ride. The Toyota served us well for ten years. But now weve been dog tested, dog approved, and moving onward.
Photo Date:  2/22/2024  Upload Date: 2/24/2024 5:26:46 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4553(AC44CW) CP 7044(SD70ACU) KCSM 4730(ES44AC)
Views:  63   Comments: 1
Going away
Title:  Going away
Description:  Id gone up into town for something-I dont recall what now-and saw a grain train heading south at Lake Frances Rd. I went to the tracks to see what his DPU was, and got this shot of a KCS/CP duo rolling away down the hill to Watts
Photo Date:  6/16/2024  Upload Date: 6/20/2024 5:57:30 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4857(ES44AC) CP 8625(AC44CW)
Views:  49   Comments: 1
They also serve
Title:  They also serve
Description:  Who sit and wait. We were coming back from bingo(I turned 65 in May, its mandatory) and saw coal hoppers on the Main St overpass. We swung around to see if there was a shot. There was, the power was pulled up short of the Lincoln St crossing, waiting on a meet. I got the shot in fading light. We hung around 20 minutes or so, but no southbound showed, and the light was going, so we left him to the gathering darkness.
Photo Date:  6/17/2024  Upload Date: 6/20/2024 5:53:41 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Night,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9300(SD70ACe) BNSF 5919(ES44AC) KCS 4175(SD70ACe) KCSM 4096(SD70ACe) CP 7031(SD70ACU)
Views:  60   Comments: 1
I heard him coming
Title:  I heard him coming
Description:  I can often hear trains climbing the hill from Watts. Its easier at night, when theres less ambient noise, but sometimes I can hear them during the day. So it was with this 261, which started out as a distant rumble. I stopped to try to confirm, then I heard him blow for State Line Rd. Off I go!! It took him almost 15 minutes to get to Siloam with a heavy train, but I was at Tahlequah St waiting as he crossed Lincoln, diesel after diesel emerging from behind the large tree next to the road.
Photo Date:  7/12/2024  Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:31:07 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  19   Comments: 1
Eght units!!
Title:  Eght units!!
Description:  The full complement of power is now visible on the 261. Some of these units must be a power balancing move, since the unit trains are heavier going south, and DPUs sometimes get cut at Heavener, or Shreveport. For the second time in as many weeks, the 261 has eight units, more than needed for what is admittedly a big train, 90 freight, 34 autos, and two articulated racks.
Photo Date:  7/12/2024  Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:42:11 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  20   Comments: 1
Five units deep, a surprise
Title:  Five units deep, a surprise
Description:  Fifth in the consist of eight was the Veterans unit, which I did not expect. It had been here twice in recent weeks, both times in darkness. Would have been better leading, but you cant have everything.
Photo Date:  7/12/2024  Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:50:30 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4006(SD70ACe)
Views:  53   Comments: 2
Better look
Title:  Better look
Description:  A closer, better lit look at the Veterans unit on the Tahlequah St crossing.
Photo Date:  7/12/2024  Upload Date: 7/15/2024 5:56:56 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4006(SD70ACe)
Views:  40   Comments: 1
Peeking out
Title:  Peeking out
Description:  The grain train I shot in Gentry has now made it to Siloam Springs, but is holding north of County Club Rd, most likely waiting on a meet. I had other things to do, so cut off the chase here, leaving my train hiding in the bushes next to the Cobb feed mill.
Photo Date:  7/15/2024  Upload Date: 7/16/2024 5:58:31 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4115(SD70ACe) CP 8718(ES44AC) KCSM 4657(ES44AC)
Views:  39   Comments: 1
Headed to breakfast
Title:  Headed to breakfast
Description:  We got done with what I call "stretchy class," a senior low impact aerobic class that keeps us moving, and does some good for our old bones. We get done around 1030, so breakfast is the next order of business. Ill often take Davidson Rd out to Ark 59 if were going to Gentry, as we were this day. Aside from being a fairly quick ride out to the state highway, it also passes automatic 226-5, which was flashing yellow as we crossed the tracks. I set up, and this southbound grain train was on us a few minutes later, with an AC 44 that was pretending it was CP 2816.
Photo Date:  7/31/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 4:59:04 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4603(AC44CW) CP 8762(ES44AC)
Views:  26   Comments: 1
Smoking it up now
Title:  Smoking it up now
Description:  Davidson Road is at the top of a long climb out of a section called Sleepy Hollow, a dip between here and Gentry down into a creek valley. Unit trains really work here, and this 101 car grain train is no exception, and it shows as the leader smokes from a bad turbo as it makes a final push to crest the grade.
Photo Date:  7/31/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:13:44 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4603(AC44CW) CP 8762(ES44AC)
Views:  34   Comments: 2
Horsey away
Title:  Horsey away
Description:  The DPU on the grain train had a surprise, this NS ET 44, rolling away south, the heavy lifting part of the run up from Gentry now over.
Photo Date:  7/31/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:19:10 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  NS 3672(ET44AC) CP 8844(ES44AC)
Views:  30   Comments: 1
Long look
Title:  Long look
Description:  A longer view shows the DPU pushing away, past the speed sign for the curve in the distance, and the relay case at left that houses the equipment for the defect detector, so far the only one I know of that announces, "CPKC detector...the others still announce KCS), that will shortly give me an axle count on the train.
Photo Date:  7/31/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:23:22 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  NS 3672(ET44AC) CP 8844(ES44AC)
Views:  25   Comments: 1
Appetizer
Title:  Appetizer
Description:  We were headed up to Gentry for an early dinner-a local place there does a crab special on Thursday and Friday-and I was doing my usual run up to Davidson Rd for a signal check and quick run out to Ark 59. As we crossed the tracks south of the Cobb feed mill, three lights came around the corner. I pulled off quickly, and got this 126 car AEPX coal train.
Photo Date:  8/1/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:33:38 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8710(SD70ACe) UP 8077(AC45CCTE) UP 2739(ET44AH)
Views:  42   Comments: 1
DPU coming
Title:  DPU coming
Description:  The DPU on the coal train approaches.
Photo Date:  8/1/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:43:08 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5648(AC44CWCTE) UP 6789(AC44CW)
Views:  25   Comments: 1
And away...
Title:  And away...
Description:  The DPU has passed and is now rolling away toward Siloam Springs and Texas. Crab legs await!!
Photo Date:  8/1/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:45:46 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 6789(AC44CW) UP 5648(AC44CWCTE)
Views:  27   Comments: 1
Going for bagels
Title:  Going for bagels
Description:  I had called down to Pour Jons for a couple of bagels this morning, and headed for the shop when they texted me. As I came up over the US 412 overpass, I noted a train moving south over Lincoln St. I made a quick turn onto Kenwood, to see if the head end was there already. No, but there was what looked like MOW equipment in the siding. I did a quick run onto US 412, getting this shot from the bridge of a southbound 262. The train in the siding?? A northbound military extra.
Photo Date:  8/6/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:57:48 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 5007(ET44AC) KCS 4145(SD70ACe) CP 8151(AC4400CWM) KCSM 4567(AC44CW)
Views:  45   Comments: 1
Got him!!
Title:  Got him!!
Description:  After grabbing the 262 off the US 412 overpass, I shot uptown hoping to catch the head end of the northbound, knowing hed be restricted to 15 MPH coming off the siding. I was able to catch him at Country Club Rd, getting this shot at the crossing, with the Cheri Whitlock overpass in the distance. Of note, the US Army train is led by truly foreign power, a Canadian unit leading a Mexican unit. Go figure!! Not my preferred angle, but it was what I could get, and besides, my bagels were waiting.
Photo Date:  8/6/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 6:02:14 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 8614(AC44CW) KCSM 4535(AC44CW)
Views:  35   Comments: 1
DPU waiting
Title:  DPU waiting
Description:  We were coming back from bingo, which is at the American Legion hall in town, to find a coal train sitting on the Main St overpass. I swung around at Lake Frances Rd to see what he had on the south end, which turned out to be this BNSF SD 70ACe and a well hidden KCS unit. He was off in the distance, clear in the siding, and canned. This was the shot, such as it is
Photo Date:  8/12/2024  Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:35:44 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8472(SD70ACe)
Views:  25   Comments: 1
Head end
Title:  Head end
Description:  After dropping my wife home, I went back to see if I could find the head end. It was pulled up short of the Lincoln St crossing, seen here from the road, KCSM and CP units in charge
Photo Date:  8/12/2024  Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:40:57 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4729(ES44AC) CP 8177(AC4400CWM)
Views:  33   Comments: 1
Team track
Title:  Team track
Description:  The sun had gone in behind a cloud bank, which didnt help the lighting, but it did even it out. I took the opportunity to get a shot from the team yard on the Lincoln St side of the tracks, getting a better angle on the power.
Photo Date:  8/12/2024  Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:44:18 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4729(ES44AC) CP 8177(AC4400CWM)
Views:  40   Comments: 1
High clouds
Title:  High clouds
Description:  The south end of the train under a tall thunderhead.
Photo Date:  8/12/2024  Upload Date: 8/23/2024 5:50:31 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8472(SD70ACe)
Views:  22   Comments: 1
Canned going north
Title:  Canned going north
Description:  We were heading to breakfast after our senior light aerobics class, and saw this train sitting on the bridge, just like thea couple nights earlier. I had to go past the head end anyway, so I was able to get a shot, but it turned out it was now a second train, an empty AEPX train headed north. He had a UP leader, not unusual for these trains, and four more units trailing. When I came back the next day, the three trailing units had been picked up, leaving the two head end unit on the train. It sat here a good 36 hours before moving.
Photo Date:  8/15/2024  Upload Date: 8/23/2024 6:02:57 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5729(AC44CWCTE) CP 8824(ES44AC) KCSM 4534(AC44CW) UP 6700(AC44CW) KCS 4892(ES44AC)
Views:  42   Comments: 1
Sloshing about
Title:  Sloshing about
Description:  I had sanitized the fresh water tank on the Winnebago in preparation for an upcoming trip, and was riding around town to get good coverage of the bleach solution in the tank, That involved a lot of jostling, which meant as many railroad crossings as I could go over. When I hit Davidson Rd, the signal at 226-5 was flashing yellow. Oh, good, somethings coming. By the time I got turned around and back over the crossing, the train was climbing the hill. I beat him down to the Cobb mill, since Davidson was getting into the shadows, and caught this Texas Utilities train, with a KCSM leader passing the feed mill.
Photo Date:  9/1/2024  Upload Date: 9/3/2024 6:43:29 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4884(ES44AC) BNSF 8766(SD70ACe)
Views:  22   Comments: 2
Why not??
Title:  Why not??
Description:  I was out in the driveway and heard the horn of a northbound. The light was getting low, and I thought I would not have much of a shot, if any. To my surprise, there was just enough light left at Tahlequah St to get the empty TXUX trains leader with the little bit of light left.
Photo Date:  10/17/2024  Upload Date: 10/18/2024 4:56:19 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 9780(AC44CW) BNSF 9783(SD70MAC) CP 8575(AC44CW) CP 9818(AC44CW) CP 8627(AC44CW)
Views:  16   Comments: 2
Close but no cigar
Title:  Close but no cigar
Description:  As the famous TRP page goes. In this case, on a couple of fronts. First, I didnt get a clean shot of the engine. I typically shoot every unit in a consist, especially if its more than about three units, since I wont recall every diesel to log it later. I tend to blast quickly, just so I get the numbers, and dont pay much attention to the framing, etc, since these almost never make it to the web. The other close call is the engine number. The leader was CP 9780; this us BNSF 9783. Three numbers lower, Id have had the same engine number on consecutive units. What a hoot that would have been!!
Photo Date:  10/17/2024  Upload Date: 10/18/2024 5:02:19 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9783(SD70MAC)
Views:  11   Comments: 1
DPU
Title:  DPU
Description:  The DPU on the empty coal train rolls away into the shadows behind Ozark Electronics. These units would have led south. There were five engines on the head end of this train, so some power balancing going on.
Photo Date:  10/17/2024  Upload Date: 10/18/2024 5:27:25 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4798(ES44AC) CP 8930(ES44AC)
Views:  10   Comments: 1


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