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2025 Sandpoint
Written by Lindsay Korst
gngoat@gngoat.org
Saturday, August 2nd (mostly) and bits of Wednesday June
25th.
Chasing trains up and down the
BNSF Kootenai River Sub.
Post Falls
Setting out at the crack of dawn,
Union Pacific's
former
Spokane International line displayed green for a westbound before I was even
two miles from my house.
Three
Kansas City Southern units (2-GE's up front, 1-EMD as DPU pushing) led a
grain train towards Spokane and points south.
Rathdrum
At beautiful downtown Rathdrum, I found a BNSF loaded unit grain awaiting its
turn through the
Hauser
refueling depot.
As I followed the tracks north, signals were DARK all the way to Sandpoint. I
had picked a Saturday, because I reasoned MOW work would be at a minimum.
Around Cocolalla, I started hearing the Dispatcher talking a "weed-sprayer" unit
into the siding at Colburn. He mentioned a westbound Z train was leaving
Naples and heading towards him.
Sandpoint
I waited a good 30 minutes at Bottle Bay Road/Poulin Drive. What should
come along first, but an eastbound empty grain train on Main 2, slowly crossing
the double track trestle. He came to a stop at the north bridge
crossovers. Then things started to HAPPEN.
Here comes that Naples Z train on Main 1 for a meet. My grab shots
were partially blocked by that grainer. Am I crazy enough to try and catch this
hotshot at another location? I am.
Valley View Ranch
Rocketing down US 95, I slid to a stop in the driveway of the ranch. I had only
seconds to set up this shot in morning light. Meh. I chose poorly. I'll do
better next time. Promise.
Reasor Crossovers
I checked out this location for the first time. It is just north of the Lake
Cocolalla shot and appears recently rebuilt. You can just see the curve ahead,
if you squint. Notice the flashing yellow (advance approach) on Main 1
indicating something is following the Z.
Lake Cocolalla
Sure enough, a kayaker watches as BNSF 8407 (an
EMD SD70ACe --
I LOVE ACEs!) leads his grain train around the
curve. I give chase back to "the barn".
Valley View Ranch
Jackpot! With more time to compose, I was able to
work the entire barn into the frame. Beautiful fluffy clouds and a pure blue
sky. Arguably the best images of the trip.
Lake Cocolalla
Back here again, BNSF 3675 (a
GE ET44C4), totes a Vehicle train southward (railroad west) squeezed between
the lake and Highway 95. I've got these two morning shots KNOCKED.
Sandpoint
Yeah, yeah, these are backlit, as it's normally an evening shot from US 95, MP
473. They were having some sort of kayak race, which I wanted to work into my
pictures. Artsy-fartsy, dontcha know?
Newport, Washington
Every time I follow the old Great Northern
mainline over here, I seem to find the most lovely JUNK. These two units are
likely destined for the
POVA shops
in Usk, Washington. (What's an Usk?) Researching Junk....
e-yup, WRIX 5529 has a long history. It started life as
New York
Central 3040, an EMD GP40
built in 1965. Next railroad, was
Chicago & North Western as their 5529. Final owner was Western Rail, Inc.
keeping its C&NW number.
Bighorn Divide & Wyoming (BDW) 2001 is in a little better shape, at least
cosmetically. It is an EMD
GP38-2 built in 1977 for
Illinois
Terminal as their #2002. Note the "Cowboy State" logo on the chop nose.
Sandpoint
BNSF 3936 and
Canadian Pacific 9717 lead some grain empties east over Sand Creek and US 2.
This was the NP to GN connecting track built on account of the
BN Merger
in the early 1970s.
Just behind my camera is a crossing with the UP/Spokane International line which
roughly follows BNSF from Spokane to Bonners Ferry.
Sandpoint Depot
The ex-NP station has been nicely restored and it's always entertaining to read
the latest posting of the ghastly hours when
Amtrak's Empire Builder
comes calling. The platform is JUST long enough to spot ONE Superliner.
Elmira
That grain train I saw at the trestle this morning, has only made it this far.
BNSF 6998/8285/3940 (GE ES44C4/GE ES44C4/GE ET44C4) idle patiently in the siding,
waiting for a green light.
Just east of here, however, the westbound signal indication is clear as a BNSF/Canadian
National/BNSF trio move a manifest west. Looks like a sand car overturned.
Naples
From above or below, this is a great spot for 'fanning, especially if traffic is
hot and heavy, as on this Saturday. Here's the above (from old US 95 highway
bridge):
That grainer finally got out of the siding at Elmira and charges down the main
eastward. A second grainer, with a CP as 2nd unit, takes siding.
And here's the below: With a pair of GE's fore and aft, this grain train
features a Burlington Northern heritage hopper in its consist.
Deep Creek
Track panels intrude upon my grab shot of a BNSF 7752 DPU, ducking into the
1912-built tunnel.
Bonners Ferry
CSX 7569 (GE
CW44AH) leads a BNSF Z train into the curve under US 95. This train came up
so quickly and quietly, I wasn't able to get a properly-framed image.
Hey, does a CSX unit on the point of BNSF's hottest train, indicate merger talks
to offset NS + UP's shenanigans? <very big grin>. It's a fairly new
locomotive (see link) and I'm guessing BNSF is just testing it.
Here's something you don't see every day. Behold UP #1530 (an
EMD GP40M-2) and former SP 7295 nee C&O 3783, built 1971. Not so much for
the locomotive, (although that's pretty oochie heritage), but capturing a train
on this bridge over the Kootenai River is a rare event indeed.
This is the shot I wanted of the Z. Notice the 2nd engine. A high-numbered unit
is always a catch. Former Powder River Basin coal power is BNSF 9955, an EMD
SD70MAC. An "honorary" ACE.
Just outside Bonners Ferry are these boonie-looking wood signs on US 95. I'm
usually flying past them at 60+ chasing a train, but today I was in no hurry and
stopped.
Naples
Always worth a 2nd look, I caught this colorful S train (overseas containers) on
the ground at Naples. Both highway bridges are in the background.
As I got back up on the old US 95 bridge, what should amble by, but UP 1530 with
its 3 cars of wood. The tracks are quite close, but with so many trees, it's
hard to get a clear shot.
An eastbound takes siding with
Norfolk
Southern 7558 and BNSF 7774 pushing as DPUs.
In the last two frames, notice Mr. UPS Man is thwarted in BOTH directions,
attempting to cross the tracks.
Sandpoint
A Feisty Seagull has made his displeasure known on the metal post, preferring
his much more rustic and informal wooden perch.
BNSF 6108 leads visitor KCS de Mexico 4554 across Lake Pend Oreille with North
Dakota crude destined for Anacortes, Washington.
Late Afternoon light, means this is the best time of day to photograph the
double-track structure. Three ACEs and a GE, lead an empty coal train east, back
to the Powder River Basin.
North Pole
At the Silver crossovers, I once more catch the above westbound, with tank cars
as far as the eye can see.
Ramsey
This was an exceptionally lucky day. From Diagonal Road, I grab shot an
eastbound Z. This hot intermodal is passing underneath Ramsey Road. I'm
almost home.
THE END
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