Recent Digital Photos
by Mike Condren

52 Years of Railroad Photography
1960-2012

Mike's Main Railroad Web Site

Dec. 12, 2012 | 12/12/12

Jan wanted to go to the library in Muskogee to look at some microfilm that she had ordered. I dropped her off and headed to the "Katy Station" parking lot. This switch engine was my first train. I saw it several more times at this end of the yard and the north end of the yard.

This unit appears to be an ex-SP unit with the panel for the rear lights.

The next train was this south bound tank train.

I then heard the BNSF blowing their horn for crossings on the way to the UP connection. Here we see the BNSF power waiting for permission to enter the UP mainline from the north leg of the wye which leads to the former tracks of the SLSF and MV. The Muskogee Branch of the Frisco was built as the Ozark & Cherokee Central which passed through Tahlequah until the summer of 1942.

In searching for a shot of the BNSF, I discovered this neat old White tractor and trailer.

The BNSF local finally gets permission to enterr the east UP mainline

After picking up a cut of cars in the UP yard, we see the local returning, passing under the Court Street overpass.

We now see the BNSF local taking the north leg of the wye back to their track.

I then heard that a loaded unit coal train was approaching from the north so I headed to Old Shawnee and caught the train coming under the Shawnee overpass.

The coal train was on the former KO&G mainline. Here we see the UP switcher set heading north approaching the point where the KO&G crossed the MKT mainline.

The next action was at the former Katy passenger station where a freight was north bound. I shot the BNSF local heading north as seen through the center beam cars followed by the DPU at the end of the freight.

Jan. 2, 2013

On my way to Ft. Smith, I caught this southbound train at Stilwell, OK.

In Van Buren I found the A&M switcher heading for the Port of Van Buren.

In Van Buren I also found a loaded unit coal train at the fueling station at South 28th Street.

After lunch at Jerry Neal's Bar-B-Que with friend David McDonald, I heard this Ft. Smith Railroad train returning from South Ft. Smith and shot it at Pheonix Ave.

Jan. 4, 2013

These units were at the fueling station at the north end of the yard in Heavener, OK.

Here is the head end power of the coal train which was getting its DPUs refueled.

These white tail deer are in the park just south of the yard office in Heavener.

A long time friend is the KCS flagman for the construction of the new bridge across the Red River at the OK/TX stateline just north of Texarkana. I got a personal tour of the construction site. This first shot is of the construction site from the east side of the bridge.
This is the machine which drills the holes for the piers.
This view of the east side of the current bridge shows 2 of the piers which have already been poured.
This is the reenforcing rod bundle which will be used in the next hole bored for a piet.
Here is another view of the construction site.
Here is our tour guide after he closed the cattle gate after taking us to the west side of the bridge.
The first train through Track Bulletin #: 87743 was this loaded BNSF unit coal train with what appears to be a brand new SD70ACe.
This is one of the cranes used in the construction.
A few minutes later this rock train appeared northbound.
The entrance to this construction site is through this gate. One should get permission to enter this site. I had such permission. I suspect that they are not kidding with their statement of "We Don't call 911" with the cut out of a rifle and 2 automatic pistols. Remember this is OK with a consealed carry law.

Jan. 5, 2013

Not the greatest shot but the best I could do. Apparently these units are on their way to northeastern Canada after being built in Mexico.

This is the Ashdown, AR switcher at the south end of the yard.

These pictures of snow on the top of Rich Mountain were taken from the grade crossing at Acorn, AR. There was snow from snow plows on the edge of the highway all the way over Rich Mountain along US59/270.

On our trip over Rich Mountain, Matt and I noticed this southbound train and turned around and went to this clearing just south of the Rich Mountain defect detector for some shots with snow on the ground..

Our last shot was in Heavener at the north end of the yard. Here we see a train with its power sticking out from beyond a cut of cars.

This page was designed and is maintained by Mike Condren.
Earlier issues of Recent Trains are available through the indexes.
If you would like to receive the next issue of Recent Trains,
request that your email address be put on the distribution list
by emailing me at mcondren@cbu.edu.