Train Photos

May 16th featured typical morning action in Greensboro. First, shown from overhead, is Amtrak Piedmont Train 73, led by NC DOT F59PHI no. 1755. Next was a nice set of matched SD60s on a Norfolk Southern local, harkening back to the late 80s. Amtrak Carolinian Train 80 followed along soon, clearing the mainline south of Greensboro for the local.

The Norfolk Southern mainline at the GTCC campus in Jamestown, NC is classic train watching spot. This Monday morning saw first the southbound Amtrak Piedmont Train 73, led by NC DOT locomotive no. 1792. Shortly thereafter was the northbound Amtrak Carolinian Train 80, led by P42DC no. 22.

Later in the morning was the odd sight of a Railmax rig, a multi-trailer semi-tractor pulled weed clearing vehicle. Lastly was a quick-moving southbound Norfolk Southern intermodal freight train, led by a trio of GE 4,000hp road diesels.

Two afternoon visits to Greensboro’s Pomona Yard yielded a variety of action. Forthcoming posts will cover local P30 dispatched along the K-line to Winston-Salem and the a coal train dispatched south down the CF-line. This post includes a few locomotive shots, as well as a departing mixed freight behind an ex-Conrail SD60M.

Returning to Greensboro yesterday, we had an opportunity to see a number of trains. First along was the Amtrak Piedmont Train 73 en route from Burlington. The piedmont had a typical three coaches, but had an unusual two locomotives. NC DOT F59PHI no. 1755, the “City of Salisbury” led, followed by the older GP40H-2 no. 1792, the “City of Raleigh.” It was not clear the reason for unusual pairing.

After the Piedmont cleared, a pair of Norfolk Southern freight trains moved on the mainline. First was a northbound train, led by three D9-40CWs, including no. 9024, seen on the NCRR the prior two days. Shortly after was a southbound intermodal headed by D9-40CW no. 9090.

The Carolinian was due next from High Point, running a few minutes behind schedule. After staking out a viewing spot, Norfolk Southern GP60 no. 7105 pulled by out of Pomona Yard with a single car of steel beams. Carolinian Train 80 then made its appearance, consisting of the prior evening’s equipment as well as the private car “Golden Tower.”

The first day of daylight savings time is a good occasion to catch some early evening action. Today at Haw River, we find the Carolinian Train 79 led by P42DC no. 10. The Carolinian included its standard 7 car Amfleet consist, and was late as usual, today by 40 minutes.

Unexpectedly, a radio call revealed that there was a westbound Norfolk Southern freight train following close behind the Amtrak after being passed at the Mebane siding. SD70 no. 2527 was led a particularly assorted group of locomotives, including two ex-Conrail units and a leased former Burlington Northern SD40-2. Three locomotives seen yesterday, including D9-40CW no. 9024, returned west on this train.

The original plan for today was to photograph the Amtrak Carolinian Train 80 at Burlington. However, a radio call from the MP 29.4 defect detector suggested NS freight moving eastbound ahead of the Amtrak. Sure enough, soon the NS pulled onto a siding to await the Carolinian. We almost managed to get to Funston/West Durham ahead of the Carolinian, but still caught a passing glimpse of P42DC no. 132 and its Amfleet consist.

Shortly thereafter, Norfolk Southern train 350, led by D9-40CW no. 9024 pulled off the siding and rounded the bend. 350 was mixed freight with four locomotives, including two ex-Conrail six-axle units.

Direct sun in Greensboro this morning made for interesting lighting conditions. As with most things, the strong shadows are a mixed bag, sometimes providing drama, sometimes washing out detail. First up is the Piedmont Train 73 on route from Burlington. Led by NCDOT F59PHI no. 1797, today’s Piedmont included 4 cars.

Turning back to Norfolk Southern freight action, we have D9-40CW no. 9322 and an intermodal consist waiting to move southbound. Shortly thereafter, ex-Conrail D8-40C NS no. 8309 pulls by with a mixed freight consist. 9322 and SD70M-2 no. 2685 then proceeded to Greensboro’s Pomona yard for switching.

  Last train for the day is a tardy Carolinian Train 80. The Carolinian included P42DC no. 43, a baggage car, and 5 Amfleet units (4 coachs and a cafe car).

Headed back out today after picking up a call on the scanner that a NS freight train was holding at Isom for the Amtrak Carolinian Train 80 out of Burlington. Unfortunately, there was no good vantage point for photographing the two trains passing. Nevertheless, it was possible to get some nice shots of the Norfolk Southern mixed freight led by D9-40CW no. 9365 once it set out. 

Out today contemplating viewing the Carolinian Train 80, it quickly became clear that the Amtrak train was significantly delayed. On top that, the weather was beginning to turn to snow, which isn’t so great for those of us not using weather sealed equipment. However, in place of the Amtrak, Norfolk  SD70M-2 no. 2677 led past a mixed freight train including an unusual 6-engine consist up front.

Mid-morning is particularly interesting time for train watching in Greensboro, as within roughly a one-hour span the Piedmont Train 73 from Raleigh and the Carolinian Train 80 from Charlotte pass through the NCRR/NS mainline junction. Often, several NS freight trains will be waiting out the passenger trains or clearing out of the yard.

Within moments of arriving trackside, NS nos. 9329 and 6650 appeared leading a mixed consist north on the mainline. Two trains were idling, one an intermodal with some Union Pacific power southbound on the mainline, the other a mixed freight on the NCRR passing track pointed east. Just after getting around the front the second train, Piedmont Train 73 arrived, roughly on time. Today’s Piedmont was a short two-car train, led by the NC DOT GP40H-2 no. 1792.

The waiting Norfolk Southern train then proceeded past, led by ES-40DC no. 7644. However, once another train led by ES-40DC no. 7505 headed north up the mainline, 7644 proceeded to back up a couple of miles to the edge of the yard and continued to idle.

About 15 minutes later, the Carolinian Train 80 arrived on time from Charlotte. P42DC no. 13 led a standard 7-car baggage and Amfleet consist. After the Amtrak cleared out, 7644 proceeded north on the mainline.