Meeting at Beech
June 24 and June 29
5:47 P.M. Tuesday, June 24
A northbound manifest is in the siding and has started rolling through
the siding switch toward Des Moines as the conductor on a southbound
holding the main re-boards the engine. Two CP units lead as the
train approaches and passes
under a wooden bridge over the UP's Spine Line. The second
CP loco even sports classification lights. After the head end
is into the corner south of the bridge, I take
a shot of the block of autos on the rear and the northbound
moving slowly out of sight.
6:41 A.M. Sunday, June 29
Early Sunday morning a southbound holds the main
at Beech and waits to execute the "after" line in their warrant.
The conductor has lined the switch for the siding and is on the ground
waiting to inspect an opposing train. The awaited northbound
arrives at 6:49 with a pair of Wisconsin Central engines on the point,
WC
6578 and 7525, the latter with Operation
Lifesaver, "Look Listen and Live", painted on the long hood.
The northbound rolls up to the switch as the
conductor seeks high ground and watches the train take
the siding. Compared to the pictures taken a few days ago at
the same location, it's obvious that Iowa's had some precipitation.
After the train is in the siding and the last
car clears, the southbound's conductor lines the switch
for the main. With the conductor back on the loco, the southbound
rolls just before 7:00. UP 2222 is followed by CN
2587 and UP 9695 as the train accelerates
away from Beech.
That's It!
