November 13, 2008 (Thursday) Proto Photo topic

[3rdrail]

I now have taken photographs of New Orleans streetcars for over a half century. I photgraphed my first about a month after I arrived there for the first time to attend Tulane University. The same cars slog on, having been rebuilt at least twice, but a few photos show their original appearance.

Here is NOPSI 804 street running on St. Charles Ave. between Canal St. and Lee Circle. Only change in from original scheme is smaller white numbers on ends. Taken October 1958:


NOPSI 827 on the outer end of St. Charles Ave., where the line is virtually a tunnel under the live oaks in the "neutral ground" (Noo Awlins speak for median strip). Taken October 1958:


NOPSI 836 at the foot of Carrollton Ave. and the end of St. Charles Ave., a 90 degree turn. In October 1958 the cars were operated by New Orleans Public Service, Inc. (NOPSI), which also provided electricity and gas to customers in the city.


Next week still more from New Orleans.

[davefoxx]

I finally had the opportunity to do some railfanning last Sunday for the first time in about seven months.  Unfortunately, I missed the peak of the fall colors here in Maryland, but I was able to catch four trains in just about an hour.

Here's eastbound Q216 (auto) passing through East Aiken on November 9, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. behind CSX C40-8 #s 7584 and 7568:


This is eastbound Q702 (trash empties) leaving East Aiken on November 9, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. behind CSX AC60CW #690 and CSX SD40-2 #8873.  The SD40-2 is former Conrail SD40-2R #6971 (ex-CR SD40 #6298/exx-PC SD40 #6045/nee PRR SD40 #6045), which was built in February 1966!:


Here's westbound Q703-08 (trash) approaching East Aiken on November 9, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. behind CSX ES44DC #306 and CSX C40-8 #7526.  It's really too bad that I can't make these pictures scratch and sniff, so that you could get the real enjoyment of a trash train passing just a few yards away!:


Finally, this is eastbound Q4720 (running light) leaving East Aiken on November 9, 2008 at 11:27 a.m.  The two locomotives are CSX SD70MAC #4720 and CSX ES44DC #5234:


Enjoy,
Dave Foxx

[wcfn100]

On my trip to Colorado Springs over the weekend I was able to get a few shots off (which I hard to do when your driving straight through).

Here are the highlights 










Unfortunately I just missed Amtrak on the way home (sleeping).


Jason

[Lenny53]

[MrKLUKE]

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