Railfanning in Effingham, IL on 5-9 (Day before National Train Day)

[DaftStrings]

You didn't see any CSX? I've always thought that line was quite busy.

[BNSF9192]

@DaftStrings Out of the 5 times I've been there, only twice has there been any action on the CSX. When there was, there was a good 3 - 6 trains in 2 hours. I think it just so happened that there was a lull. We were only there between Amtraks. Not long at all.

[jeff561964]

Sometime I will have to upload a picture of DEAN DYER icrr operator looking

out the south window as a freight train is going by.

[jeff561964]

For those of you who remember the ICRR OPERATORS who controlled rail

traffic at the old depot & who also prepared hand written train orders you might

well have see them holding watch out the south windows .

They were BUD 1ST TRICK OP,MIKE 2ND TRICK,DEAN DYER swing shift, &

Carl midnights. "DEAN WAS THE COOLEST OF THEM ALL..r.i.p."

Jeff Auxier

[jeff561964]

Prior to Oct. 1979 on a christmas eve I was working as an AMTRAK TICKET AGENT

here in the old depot,the weather was bad & most our passenger trains were off

schedule,...so.....I had train #30 THE NATL. LIMITED w-bound,#31 e-bound,

#392 The Shawnee n-bound & #59 The city of neworleans s-bound at the

station all at the same time. Jeff Auxier Nashville,IL.

[BNSF9192]

@jeff561964 Now that is amazing. It's such a pitty that things are not the same as what they used to be back then before my time. I'm sure you loved every bit of it.

[jeff561964]

@BNSF9192 Yes , I really miss those days...........The station no longer has

Operators who originally were called telegraph operators, or an Amtrak ticket agent.

The depot now being used was once part of the old baggage room and signal dept.

Last time I visited there it was unrecognizable,I also miss Mike & Dean.

I enjoy your site, Thanks Jeff

[crail4ever]

i might take a trip up to effingham this summer

[eelb53]

Effingham was once a passenger train hotspot. Pre-Amtrak, the IC ran about 14 trains a day. The Pensylvania likewise on the St. Louis-NYC run. I recall taking the IC from Carbondale, and changing to the PRR eastbound at Effingham. This was in the mid-1960's. I know CSX owns the old Pennsy (Conrail) track now. I wonder how many freight trains they still run on that route?

[TrollKing2009]

Is it ok to use the parking lot at the train station?

[BNSF9192]

I don't know. We ride the Amtrak Saluki up and take the S.B. Saluki down again. It only gives us about 2 hours there.

[juvmol]

nice stuff up there great comp of videos 5 * bro

[BNSFbeagrett9647]

That GP9 was AWSOME!!! Do you know how many are left?

[Guser223]

Are, you talking about for just that railroad, or in general for all?

[bcanedy]

I like the Amtrak Dash 8 catch. I'm also amazed that they let that crunched auto rack operate in a normal train like that. I didn't think they could.

[Guser223]

Yeah that's surprised me also

[Guser223]

On train 2 the CN train, take a look at the 1 GT Autrorack, it's a little torn apart there. Nice video!!!

[juvmol]

but its not loaded aint?? probably was heading for repairs or junk yard ??

[Guser223]

Probably

[IC1034]

You got some good stuff in Effingham, great video Max.

[heelblocks]

Holy P32-BWH Gotta love 60 MPH Across the Crossings Maxy, Nice Video, Great Shots

[BNSF9192]

haha yeah.  Thanks Andrew.

[hawkeyetherailfan]

Awesome shots!

[BNSF9192]

Thanks