A day in Portage, WI - part 2

After the slow start in part 1 I head back to the yard.
A large number of BNSF engines is sitting there, perhaps the result of recent detours because of heavy rains west of here.
As I linger, I hear the sound of non-turbocharged engines on the other side of the yard, obscured by cars. I head over there to find a trio of SOO units shuffling cars about.
Then, three BNSF units move about. I am wondering whether they might power a westbound and prepare to head west. Driving through side streets, I encounter a unique old looking motorcycle/sidecar combo. I grab the camera, get it ready, and push the trigger. The bike heads into a driveway and escapes capture. Oh well. A shot of a couple of pretty houses will have to do.
Heading out of town I notice a long westbound. Granted, I had heard something on the scanner.....
A couple of miles out I find a reasonable setting. Minus some horrible noise from a nearby industrial plant. But it will give me a long parting shot along an undulating right of way toward Wisconsin Dells. The train comes, 4 units in full cry accelerating their long train to track speed. They hammer through the crossing. Great! I swing around, settling for the parting shot.
Then comes the message-"MEMORY CARD FULL". Rats. At least I have the engines and the first few cars. Card change = location change. Plus subject change. As I head toward the first vantage point, the wild turkeys encountered in Part 1 roam the neighborhood. This time the camera is handy and they're mine. As I wander around the first location I become increasingly unhappy about it with respect to the hoped for encounter with the 2816.
I remember the mention of a railfan's favorite site - County P south of Portage.
As I arrive there, one gentleman already occupies the north side. I set up shop south of it all and catch a long eastbound freight. As it disappears, so does my tripod. It sinks into the soft soil, ruining my zoom shot with some serious wobble. A westbound follows my conversation with Jim.
Since he is waiting for 2816 also, I figure that I can run to the local department store to buy another memory card. Entering the store I hear something about ...16 on the scanner. Rats.
Oh well, at least Jim will be able to tell me whether I missed her. Actually, his absence will tell me. Turns out I didn't, as you can see here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI-dWqXRMmc
The Royal Hudson is next.....

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Canadian
• Pacific
• railroad
• railway
• railfan
• locomotive
• train

[trainlord11]

No way! I caught that 4 engine CP train waiting in La Crosse later that day! 5 star! Great video!

[MILW753]

Cool! (that you saw in in La Cross, I mean) Thanks for your comment and stars, too.

[railmogul2]

no amtrak?  :(

[MILW753]

There is some in part 1 and a mention of the westbound Empire Builder in text of that video:

"Almost Royalty comes to Portage, WI".

Sorry, can't link....you'll have to search for it,

[imprezzed42296]

You got lucky with catching CP 5911!

That's one of the only 2 remainig SD40-2's with the large Pac-Man logo!

[MILW753]

Cool, I didn't know that - and she's in the lead!

[gbotts1949]

jeez! that was jim bottoni of east troy wisconsin, up there in the engine drinking a tall cold budweiser beer! he is the consumate drunk, and pothead! i witnessed him smoking pot, and drinking beer while on duty with this r.r.! get into recovery jim bottoni, before you kill someone! if you think this is a lie, you don't know railroad people! drunks and potheads! the most of them are!!!

[admydragonch2]

soooooooooo

[bstep13]

The SOO Line!!!!!! My Grandpa i think used to work for that Freight Line i can't wait for MSTS 2 to come out i think it's supposed to come out next year!!!

[FlyBikes089]

WOW that's nice the video I love your video and I already add favorite your video!!!!!!!!

[mikegrubz32]

Pertaining to the shot on Industrial Road, my uncle's house is right behind to the right..pretty crazy.