Today I was meeting up with Marcus to head across the border to see what might be happening on CSX and Norfolk Southern west of Buffalo, New York. But first Missy and I went for our morning walk. Just as we were crossing Foss Road on our way back home train 254 arrived in town. As we were walking up my driveway the train stopped so I got my camera and proceeded to Chantler Road for a photograph.
- 0718 Fenwick - CP 254 south - CP 5919-CITX 3170-CP 8244-CP 6069
What do you know? CP 8244 was on its way back to the Delaware & Hudson. Not long after we got back home Marcus arrived and we started our drive. After an effortless border crossing we drove directly to Dunkirk, New York where we discovered some yard power parked on the bridge over Main Street.
- 1008 Dunkirk, NY - CSX Y124 power - CSXT 1545-CSXT 2506
Our primary destination for the day was Westfield, New York, so after finding nothing else to photograph in Dunkirk we drove to the small railfan park there. The park is situated between the CSX and Norfolk Southern tracks and is rather convenient. Then we waited. After an hour the first train finally arrived.
- 1131 Westfield, NY - CSX K698 east - CSXT 7568-CSXT 8619
- 1140 Westfield, NY - CSX Q114 east - CSXT 5213-CSXT 7782-CSXT 7816-CSXT 223
- 1155 Westfield, NY - NS 14M east - NS 9511-UP 9324
The Union Pacific C40-8 was one of a group leased to Norfolk Southern. A decal reading "NS Lease" was affixed to the cab. After the Norfolk Southern train passed it was time for another lull.
- 1309 Westfield, NY - CSX Q160 east - CSXT 7683-CSXT 8742
- 1320 Westfield, NY - CSX L115 west - CSXT 5487-CSXT 436-CSXT 7854
- 1340 Westfield, NY - NS 22K east - NS 9377-NS 9946-NS 7671
- 1343 Westfield, NY - CSX Q281 west - CSXT 7718-CSXT 8161
- 1403 Westfield, NY - NS 287 west - HLCX 5975-NS 8400
After the Helm led westbound on Norfolk Southern we determined that it was time for lunch. We headed into town to pick up some food but discovered another CSX westbound en route.
- 1416 Westfield, NY - CSX Q117 west - CSXT 5206-CSXT 5446-CSXT 564
After lunch we decided a change of scenery was warranted. We started heading farther west whilst keeping an eye on the tracks. Just west of Westfield we discovered an eastbound at Rogerville Road and a westbound soon after.
- 1502 Westfield, NY - CSX Q264 east - CSXT 4727-CSXT 840
- 1509 Westfield, NY - CSX Q109 west - CSXT 910-CSXT 739-CSXT 7898
As we drove along Route 20 we noticed a Norfolk Southern ballast train parked in Ripley siding. We stopped for a few photographs of it and the CSX freight that arrived while we were there.
- 1519 Ripley, NY - NS ballast train - NS 5178
- 1530 Ripley, NY - CSX K645 west - CSXT 5201-CSXT 9024
Eventually we found ourselves at Bort Road in North East, Pennsylvania waiting for another Norfolk Southern eastbound. We intentionally drove into the cloudy weather to enable a better photograph of this eastbound.
- 1619 North East, PA - NS 206 east - NS 2575-NS 6782
- 1648 North East, PA - CSX Q378 east - CSXT 4576-CSXT 5460
After waiting half an hour for a CSX train we decided to return east and hunt for clear skies again. When we arrived back at Westfield, New York the skies were partially cleared and we discovered a pair of CSX trains.
- 1718 Westfield, NY - CSX Q351 west - CSXT 4523-CSXT 4768
- 1720 Westfield, NY - CSX Q122 east - CSXT 5225-CSXT 4733-CSXT 7638
We continued on after the pair of CSX trains until we heard another train on the scanner. We stopped at the CSX tracks in Sheridan but apparently had just missed it. Naturally, while there a Norfolk Southern train also cruised through town so we missed two. Oh well. The day was waning so we pushed on toward home. As we drove through Silvercreek, New York we could see a parked CSX rail train above the Central Avenue overpass. We stopped for a couple photographs and also encountered a westbound Norfolk Southern coal train.
- 1828 Silvercreek, NY - CSX W019 rail train - CSXT 2330-CSXT 6412
- 1833 Silvercreek, NY - NS westbound coal - NS 9927-NS 9332-NS 9376
We stopped off at Blasdell, New York on the way home but nothing showed up. So we called it a day and drove back toward the border.
So the tally for the day was CSX 15 and Norfolk Southern 6. I broke two records that day. The first was for the most Norfolk Southern trains I've ever seen on the former Nickel Plate. The second albeit dubious record was for the fewest CSX trains I've ever seen on the former New York Central.
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