Mother's Day in Milwaukee (AKA The Day After National Train Day)

Hi, Mom!...

Finally had a chance to spend several hours trackside on a relatively pleasant spring day.

I decided to check out a new shooting location, the interlocking off the east end of Maple Street on the CP. No sooner had I set up than GM42 announced its intent to shove east (geographically south) out of Muskego Yard. This was an extra Sunday local called to switch Jones Island and Sturtevant. Power was provided by Soo Line 2057, a GP40 still in Bandit Milwaukee Road colors!

They shoved clear of the switch at KK Bridge and took the branch line over to Jones Island. We see them cross Hilbert Street, drop off their intermodal cars at the Port of Milwaukee, and return to the south end of the island to do more switching.

On the main line at the National Avenue bridge, westbound 281 passed overhead with CP 8796 (ES44AC) leading CEFX 3166 and CITX 3054 (SD40-2).

Next, GM42 returned to the main line with 2057 in a covered hopper and centerbeam sandwich. This was caught passing the Track Terrace apartment building and over Kinnickinnic Avenue. Some real estate owners would view such close proximity to an active railroad line as a liability, but this place celebrates it. C&NW and Rock Island heralds adorn the other sides of the building.

Back at Maple Ave., a west (geographically north) bound Amtrak Hiawatha Service train is seen on its approach to the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. The power was AMTK 835, a P40DC. It is rather unusual to see one of these older Genesis locomotives in Wisconsin (P42DCs being far more common). NPCU AMTK 90221, a former EMD F40PH, was on the other end.

After that cleared, GM42 rolled up to the signal bridge, then reversed direction (they would eventually go to Sturtevant). Not far behind them was eastbound 282 coming out of Muskego Yard. SD40-2 CITX 3070 was leading CP 9656, an AC4400CW. Nice to finally get another CITX unit on the point!

A short time later, the Hiawatha reappeared as east(south) bound Amtrak train 338, with NPCU 90221 now leading.

The next two trains arrived at the same time - counterpart Empire Builders Amtrak 7 and 8! Normally I would have loved to catch this meet, but I was rather annoyed that #8 blocked my view of the two Hiawatha cars on #7, on their way back from National Train Day activities in Chicago.

I headed to 17th Street west of the depot for one more chance. Almost immediately, an eastbound unit grain train appeared. It was singlehandedly powered by CSXT 5281, an ES40DC. Another good catch!

Finally, #7 started back up, with the famous Hiawatha observation car "Cedar Rapids" bringing up the rear.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• train
• railroad
• railway
• railfan
• Canadian
• Pacific
• CP
• Rail
• Soo
• Line
• Milwaukee
• Road
• Hiawatha
• CITX
• Amtrak
• Empire
• Builder
• CSX
• Transportation
• EMD
• GP40
• SD40-2
• GE
• P40DC
• P42DC
• ES44AC
• ES40DC
• locomotive
• NPCU

[Trainz35]

I swear I caught that "Sunday Local" today in Jones Island today! Soo 2057 was sitting with Soo 4445 waiting for the ETD to be put on the end of an old Soo caboose.

[177987auprr1]

I like how you caught SOO 2057 pulling/pushing cars on both sides of the locomotive. Nice video!

[Trainspotter8824]

I saw train 281 in Portage a while later. The GEVO had to stop and fill up with water at the shed. Also saw #7 with super dome and cedar rapids. hope to upload that video soon.

[Trainmasterkreks]

cool video, lots of good stuff for ya, to bad that GEVO had to lead 281