Railfanning the UP Pratt Sub - Stratford, Tx 11-07-09

Part 1 covers Texhoma to Stratford. I was fortunate that within 5 minutes of arriving at Stratford, there was a southbound BNSF train crossing the diamond. Then 15 minutes later there was an eastbound UP that crossed. From Stratford I went to Dalhart for more UP action, then south to Amarillo for some BNSF action. Watch for parts 2 and 3 to see the entire trip.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• UP
• BNSF
• diamond
• Stratford
• Texhoma
• oklahoma
• kansas
• gevo
• train
• ztrain
• stack
• sd90
• texas

[Doobie1975]

Which line is busier between the BNSF line or the UP line at the Diamond?

[AJ67901]

@Doobie1975 I would say the UP line by quite a ways. The BNSF line is dark and operates under track warrants. There's some switching and a local or two, but a southbound coal train from Wyoming to the power plant at Amarillo is the main traffic. Empty coal trains return north on the BNSF line through Dalhart.

[Doobie1975]

@AJ67901 Was the BNSF line formally owned by BN or ATSF? My guess would be BN, I did notice that the BNSF train used the older locos on that line.

[AJ67901]

@Doobie1975 According to a 1990 ATSF map, Santa Fe owned the line. It connected with other ATSF branches at Boise City, Ok and Pritchett, Colo.

[TrainTrackTrav]

WOW! It is FLAT out there! I'm from Cali and we wouldn't know flat land if it slapped us in the face! Great vid.

[AJ67901]

@TrainTrackTrav Yes it is very flat, in my area you can see grain elevators 12-15 miles distant.  thanks for the comment!

[AJ67901]

Thanks Nathan, we'll make it someday before (or after) the snow flies!

[AJ67901]

Thanks Sylvester. I thought my trip was going to be a wash until I got into Texas. Saw lots of cool stuff. Watch for the BNSF stuff in part 3!

[BNSF7776]

Nice/Lucky I went to Ashland last weekend I didn't see sqawt on UP at Minneola. I've seen one of those old silver ATSF reefers on the local before. 5/5