(Not that I need any convincing!)
I was fortunate to be outside to hear the steam whistle, and I got to the grade crossing just in time!
Metro Transit has released the design of the locomotives for the new Nortstar Commuter Rail. You can view the press release here, which includes graphics showing the design.
According to the press release, the locomotives will be remanufactured MP-36 locomotives from Motive Power.
A good modeler (which would not be me) could probably make a model based off the graphics included with the press release. If anyone makes one, I'd like to see a photo!
I have created a store on CafePress. I am selling clothing and other items featuring photos I have taken of trains. Take a look and let me know what you think.
My store: Brian's Trains
A recent blog entry on the Yard Limits blog (by a member of the Microsoft Train Simulator development team) has a link to a video showing the current capabilities of the FSX platform at ground level. The new Microsoft Train Simulator will be based on the FSX platform, so this is what they are starting with. Take a look! I'm very impressed, and I have decided two things based on watching that video:
1) I have to get the new Microsoft Train Simulator when it is released! :-)
2) My current computer won't be able to handle it. :-(
Microsoft is working on a new version of the Microsoft Train Simulator. This will be based on technology used in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. You can read about it on the Microsoft Train Simulator website. There isn't much information right now, but there are links to the blogs of some of the development team.
Some more pictures from Wayzata, September 9, 2006.
These first pictures are taken from the train. This was on the way back from Howard Lake, so the train was being pulled by the diesel. It didn't occur to me to take pictures toward the other end of the train to get the 261 steam locomotive.
Next are some shots from when we were back in Wayzata.
You can see the locomotives (steam and diesel) in the previous post, "Locomotives."
If you'd like to see more pictures of this train or of the freight train in the previous post, let me know. I have some more I can post!
Some pictures I took on September 9, 2006 in Wayzata, Minnesota:
BNSF GP60M #108
BNSF GP60M #108
The locomotive above was at the end of a passenger train, and it was used to pull the train back since there was no place to turn the train around. At the front of the train was a steam locomotive:
Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261
After the passenger train left, a freight train came through:
BNSF C44-9W #5031
Norfolk Southern C44-9W #9398
What's wrong with this picture?
Do you see the two people by the track? It looks like they are going to cross. Notice the diesel locomotive approaching.
They got across safely this time:
What if one of them had tripped? How long does it take to get back up and off the tracks? In this case, they would have only had about 20 seconds. This picture was taken 23 seconds later:
This isn't safe. Wait for the train to pass, and then cross the tracks after you are positive there are no more trains coming. Also, you should cross at a grade crossing, where the sidewalk and road are at the same level as the tracks. Otherwise, you should never be on the tracks, as it is not public property. It is owned by the railroad company. These two individuals were trespassing on BNSF property.
This was in Wayzata, Minnesota on September 9, 2006 during the James J. Hill Days.
