Cloudy and Foamy Saturday

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and three amigos arose at dawn; they said it was time to foam, so they’d better get it on.  There were trains to shoot, but there were clouds in the sky, but no matter the weather, they’d give it a try.  This photographer was up to his same old tricks, and the results of his works are these presented pics.  Now you see what he does with his Canon toy, and the fruits of this work he hopes you enjoy.

Seen above and below is Norfolk Southern train 345 making the sharp turn onto the Back Belt.  At right is a BNSF job entering NS Oliver Yard.

The 345 becomes Union Pacific train MNSLI.  The crew change for today’s train occurred at Marconi.

Back To Alvar Street

These three foamers spotted an eastbound unit auto rack train entering the CSX trackage at L&N Junction.  So, away they went for the shot at Alvar Street.  However, there was something else happening there:

An NOPB job was returning to France Yard after servicing the industries on the eastern side of the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal.

CSX’s Gentilly Yard is to the right in the background.

Attention was quickly refocused on the approaching unit auto rack train which was now passing Louisa Street.

Swinging back the other way, a few more views were made of the NOPB job entering France Yard

The Florida Avenue Bridge, which also holds the track of the NS’s Chalmette Branch, can be seen in the distance.

Attention was quickly refocused on the approaching unit auto rack train which was now getting close to Alvar Street but was slowing to realign the crossover switches to normal position.

This train was the UP’s AARWXX, originating in Arlington, Texas, (where there is a GM plant), and bound for Waycross, Georgia, on the CSX.  The “X” suffix on the train indicates that it is an additional AARWX than the three that are scheduled weekly.

In the above picture, the conductor is preparing to get on the ground to line the switches.

Compare the below view with the view that ends this post.

Now, it was time to drop off one of the three amigos.  After that, the two remaining foamers saw this parked loaded NS grain train.

Where do these NS grain trains go?

Satisfaction At Sundown

Hours later, and now alone, this photographer fired a few more shots.  Below is seen NS train 141, which carries plenty of traffic bound for the Canadian National Railway along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, just before it enters NS Oliver Yard.

The Peoples Avenue Canal is to the left of the right-of-way, and to the right of the canal is Peoples Avenue.  I-10 is seen in the background.

Above is seen the connecting track between the NS north-south mainline and the Back Belt.  The track also serves as the north leg of the wye.

Glinty Goodness

This photographer had this shot in mind for a long time, and a regular AARWX allowed him to do it.  Compare it to the shot of the AARWXX earlier in the day.

With that, dear readers, has come the time, when this writer needs to stop this rhyme.  Here is presented yet another foamy post, and all too soon, the NOLA Post will be toast.  What you think of this site is none of this photographer’s business, but he would like to now wish you a Merry Christmas.

Word.

James A. Robichaux