My Re to Donovan's [trainchasers] A sign of life...
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I replied:
Join Train Chasers and enjoy these lively exchanges.
I replied:
Good luck on your afternoon. I was at West Switch at 10:15 and must have missed the Amtk going east. I stayed until 11:oo. A long misnamed train stopped dead at the switch, head end west. He told the dispatcher he was "tying her up", lights out. Before he said that I figured Amtk was coming along......nope. There he sat with the main line blocked. Evidently it was just a delayed crew change. I thought Amtk might head in at the siding and let the freight exit west like last time, but nothing showed up and I was cooking. Rode down to Cade and New Iberia and saw that Mexican and another engine pulling a small train. They were headed east. Then I made the mistake of heading back through Lafayette to the yard. I think that was my worst outing ever in my whole life. I have never been more grossed out by traffic and urban sprawl, yea,the time I got lost on the 610 in Houston in August with no AC in an ancient van with children crying. I guess that it affected me that way because I lived in Lafayette in the 60's and don't visit much except along the railroad and that's decay, not sprawl, a concept I understand. Got back to the yard and it was dead like a door nail. Hauled it home and here I sit thinking about how I should have been doing something else more enjoyable like painting or mowing. Anyway, if you go to the Pecan Grove crossing (west switch) you can park on the far north side (near the tracks) in Apple's towing or the north side of the tracks in that closed auto repair business. I talked to the guy that owns it and as long as you park near the street he doesn't care. 3:15 to 5:00 pm. Have fun. Bring an umbrella.
PS: I almost went west. I would have if that big freight had moved out. I enjoy easy pursuits and may have tried to get enough ahead to get through Jennings and beat him to Iowa Junction. I laugh when I see them mouth "geezus, it's that dude on the bike again".
Below are the pictures which go with the above text and then a little more text.
A couple of engines sat beneath the overpass (for shade?)
A small train was attached. They never did anything.
Several fellas were busying about.
I retired to West Switch where stuff happens. I'd missed
the Amtrak I think. Nothing much happened for a while.
There were workers down by one of the switches.
Finally, here came a freight.
One of the crew exited. Here we go again.
He piddled around and got back in. That's when I heard
the term "tied her down". I'm glad that was not broadcast
on the PD frequencies.
South of Lafayette, at Elks, the usual assemblage sat.
2000 and Mountain Laural also sat in the L&D yard poised to go.
From the looks of the cars they would be headed to Bayou Sale.
Returning to Old 90, I headed north and saw the Tres Amigos
train headed south in the direction of New Orleans.
I nailed a picture of "the Mexican".
Remember him in Sergio Leone's spaghetti western?
The rest of the story is not pretty so I'll spare you. Instead,
here are some Zoomies.
Here the train came. The light was on, there was hope.
Here the train is being "tied down". Hope dashed.
Having "tied the train down", he returned to report that
the train was "tied down". A discussion about their
limo ride followed. Yep, limos. 40ft. stretchers with 20 inch
wheels.
The two L&D engines waited in New Iberia.
Los Tres Amigos sped eastward. I sped to the yard through
spedless Lafayette and then home. I'm thinking this ride
was a game changer. Like, "find a new game". More or less
later. Don't bet on "more".
'Now for the song of the day by War: "Low Rider".
All my friends know the low rider
The low rider is a little higher
Low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer
Low rider knows every street yeah!
Low rider is the one to meet yeah!
Low rider don't use no gas now
Low rider don't drive too fast
Take a little trip
Take a little trip
Take a little trip and see
Take a little trip
Take a little trip
Take a little trip with me
Now, don't you feel chippy? I do.