Detroit Railfanning

[rogruth]

Dave, You do know that the ALCO stores are going out of business don't you?


Lucas,

Envy. We have one to six trains a day through my
area on the Georgia Central. That's better than none.Sometimes I even get to see one.

[J. S. Bach]

Dave, You do know that the ALCO stores are going out of business don't you?

A lot of closings:
http://retailindustry.about.com/od/USRetailStoreClosingInfoFAQs/fl/All-2014-Store-Closings-US-Retail-Industry-Chains-to-Close-Stores_4.htm
Some may be locations that are no longer profitable or newer, bigger stores that opened nearby.
Just some thoughts.

[rogruth]

We were told that all ALCO stores were closing.

[J. S. Bach]

I was referring to the entire list of businesses, not just ALCO; for example, the Radio Shack nearest to me happens to be one that is closing.

[ogauge47]

Some catches at Oakwood Yard this afternoon











Brand new CP GP20CC-ECO

[ogauge47]

A few catches from 2/11/15

[rogruth]

Back in the 1970s I had learned most of the characteristics of Diesel locos and could identify almost everything.
Today I live in a one railroad town with only one train on most days that has usually been pulled by a U-boat and
I don't get to see trains very often. When I trains on other railroads they all seem to be pulled with the same type
of loco. I know some are GE and some are EMD but they look almost the same. I don't see much variety today.
Mostly CSX and NS with a few UP and BNSF now and then. But it seems that they all use the same locos.
I know this is over simplified.

[chuck]

It's not oversimplified, its pretty much the truth. Used To be EMD, FM, ALCO, Baldwin, GE. Now its just GE and EMD. They both play to the same audience and the engineering is so refined that form follows function (or safety requirements) and the only differences are paint jobs. Three axle trucks, ~4,000 hp prime mover, wide vision cab at one end.

[rogruth]

Same thing has happened to motor vehicles.

[Roy]

Isn't EMD out, until their new prime mover is ready?

[chuck]

They're still making stuff.

http://www.emdiesels.com/emdweb/company ... y_news.jsp

Not clear what will be happening with Tier 4 standards. Even the GE units which meet Tier 4 off the assembly line aren't fairing too well after being on the road for a while or under more taxing circumstances (high altitude grades/tunnels).

[ogauge47]

Some more catches from the past two days







CN SD57I pulling a Triple Crown Roadrailer train long hood forward. They cut off from the trailers, presumably to turn the engine. I didn't stay around for long, it got to damn cold (a balmy -7 Fahrenheit)

[ogauge47]

Two more today

[ogauge47]

The Pontiac-Chicago Amtrak Wolverine in Royal Oak, MI with Superliner cars

[MYmoo]

Lucas,

Thank You for Honoring a request made a few months ago for more CN\GTW livery.

Your series in Durand,...frosting on the cake for me!
MANY 'special' memories for me, there.
Thank you, Again!

All your photos, ...You've got a 'knack', there, kid!

Carry on!