Challenger made a whistle stop in Lex. I shot this video of it leaving. I see the higher quality option finally showed up. If you have a fast connection, click on that, right under the picture.
Wow! Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
That’s cool. Being there must have been really awesome. Appreciate your sharing it.
Ralph
Sometimes it pays to be 1/2 mile from the main UP line,but the train sounds/whistle can get to one, especially visitors staying all nite. I hardly notice it anymore.
Here’s a couple of stills from the Challenger stop in Lexington. This one is a bit east of town, the Josslyn Mill and Elevator.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/jerrybarnes/UP%20Challenger/ChallJoslyn1sm.JPG)
This was in Lex, just as it started pulling out, then I started the video after I took it. Good light!
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/jerrybarnes/UP%20Challenger/ChallLex1sm.JPG)
Jerry and all:
I’d appreciate some info. on the what 'n how of the Challenger’s travels.
Here are some of the questions I have no answers for:
1 - Are there paying passengers on the train when it moves about? My guess is yes – do they “book” passage via some promotion? Invited to ride for $ donation?
2 - Are the train’s movements published – example in TRAINS magazine – so plans can be made to see it passing? For example, a friend spontaneously called me years ago and indicated it would be passing on nearby line leading into Los Angeles in about 45 minutes. Even with his assuring scanner conversations with others as to when it was arriving, we waited four hours for a 20 second passing at a crossing near Norwalk Calif. Others arrived ten minutes prior to the passage. Hmmm. What and how did they know?
3 - Does UP not encourage railfans interests by offering a time table and a Challenger route statement that they take pride in following – as if all watching along the route are considered to be important supportive railroad consumers.
Many thanks for the photos and any data.
Wendell
Jerry, thanks for the pics! Beautiful images of a magnificent machine!
That first one with the grain elevators almost looks like Marty’s layout.
Very kewl, Jerry.