Rory Murchison wrote:
> Paul:
>
> One of my favorite spots to watch BNSF is in Galesburg. There are two
> terrific spots. One is a bridge that crosses the huge yard at
> Galesburg. It has parking lanes that you can pull over on and sit and
> watch the yard action. I have never been "hasseled" here, even though
> the police will drive by and check you out, none has ever stopped to
> ask what I was doing.
>
This is the bridge on Thirwell Rd. It is a very good recommendation for
watching the yard operations, which is usually a lot. Unusual equipment
seems to come through on a regular basis. I've seen CF-7s in ATSF (no
BNSF patches), EMD test units, clean 3 window BN SD60Ms unpatched (10
years post BNSF merger), GP40X's, strange looking carbon black hoppers,
non-BNSF power from what seems to be all over the planet, etc. Some
AMTRAK goes by there as well. One minor point, it is 'against-the-law'
to stop and hang out on the bridge except for emergencies (flat tires,
etc, hence the sidings on the fairly long bridge), but I have talked to
a local police officer who has said (paraphrased) --- don't be stupid,
and we'll leave you alone. They obviously recognize what is going on.
[BTW, just as a side note, this bridge replaced a very long UNDERPASS
that went under the yard. Honking your horn like a fool when driving
through it was a requirement back when I was in high school in the area].
Another view that might be of interest is a short distance away. On HW41
just west and then south of Thirwell bridge is the new Highway 41
overpass. It has no parking sidings, so you have to park low and climb,
but you can see and watch the tie plant in operation. There seems to be
constant motion there the times I get back and watch. Trackmobiles,
Cat-tractors, etc. I had no idea of the acreage involved until I got
this semi- birds eye view first time. A few summers ago I caught a 100T
quad hopper ( I suspect in captive service) still with Q reporting marks
and numbers! (no hint of a herald visible). Going under this bridge is a
very active east-west approach into Galesburg yard. The bridge was built
to get highway traffic over this rail traffic. Of course, doing this
presumes you have all the time in the world to see all the things we're
all recommending you see! LOL
Lyle Dowell
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