The Rail Fanatic
There's nothing like the feel... there's nothing like the sound... unfortunately, the feel and sound I hoped for is still absent. But it's not going to be for much longer if the crew at the A & A has anything to say about it. After working with computers as much as I have, I've gotten to this point where I need breaks from the technology of the new millenium and prefer to hang around the technology of the past.
So I went to the town of Acrade yesterday and spent a nice 4 hour period around the (semi) famous Arcade and Attica short line. For those of you who are NOT familiar, the Arcade and Attica is a 15 mile long short-line railroad that starts in the town of Arcade and goes to North Java. At one time, the line extended a further 15 miles to the town of Attica (site of the Attica state prison, among other things) though they closed that section a while back due to a big washout some time during the 50s. Today the line still operates with one major freight customer and does weekend excursions. In the past (until 2001) they pulled most of those excursions with engine 18 or (prior to 1987) engine 14, two classic steam locomotive examples. In 2001, 18 was remanded to the shops by the FRA for an overhaul, and since 1987, 14 has been in need of serious overhaul work. So there is currently no steam - but the excursion still goes on, pulled by either number 111, a GE 44 ton switch engine used for freight, or it's larger sibling, number 112, a 65 ton switcher also used for freight.
Number 18 is due to return to service soon, and I intend to be there for it.
But for now, here are some photos of my day by 112.
Photo Page
So I went to the town of Acrade yesterday and spent a nice 4 hour period around the (semi) famous Arcade and Attica short line. For those of you who are NOT familiar, the Arcade and Attica is a 15 mile long short-line railroad that starts in the town of Arcade and goes to North Java. At one time, the line extended a further 15 miles to the town of Attica (site of the Attica state prison, among other things) though they closed that section a while back due to a big washout some time during the 50s. Today the line still operates with one major freight customer and does weekend excursions. In the past (until 2001) they pulled most of those excursions with engine 18 or (prior to 1987) engine 14, two classic steam locomotive examples. In 2001, 18 was remanded to the shops by the FRA for an overhaul, and since 1987, 14 has been in need of serious overhaul work. So there is currently no steam - but the excursion still goes on, pulled by either number 111, a GE 44 ton switch engine used for freight, or it's larger sibling, number 112, a 65 ton switcher also used for freight.
Number 18 is due to return to service soon, and I intend to be there for it.
But for now, here are some photos of my day by 112.
Photo Page
