K648_Rotterdam_Junction_NY_9-1-08

For me, railfanning the Selkirk and Mohawk Subs on CSX’s Chicago Line on a Monday in September proved to be ALL about missing trains. Barely any morning intermodals, then 5 trains going through in a 10 minute interval while I was on the road parallel to the tracks trying to find my way to the bridge over the Mohawk River. THEN you get that shot thats just about worth EVERYTHING. Here, two UP’s sandwich an ex-SP AC4400CW leading a loaded ethanol train east through Rotterdam Junction NY. This train will cross the Mohawk River and continue its way east on the Selkirk Sub to Selkirk Yard, where it will most likely be routed south down the CSX River Line to points in New Jersey. Shot on the CSX Mohawk Subdivision in Rotterdam Junction, NY on 9/1/08 by Mike Antal.

Q390_Fullers_NY_9-1-08

Can’t complain at all when your first train of the day happens to have UP run-through power! Here a UP “flag” AC4400CW leads a C40-8W elephant style with a manifest east over the French’s Mill Trestles in Fullers, NY on CSX’s Selkirk Sub, part of the Chicago Line. Shot on 9/1/08 by Mike Antal.

CSX Q702 in Autumn Brilliance at Iona Island

On the morning of October 26th, 2008, railfans in the Hudson Valley were blessed with a cloudless sky, perfect fall foliage, beautiful scenery…and ONE train! CSX Q702 (…the trash train!) heads north over Iona Island and Fort Montgomery on its journey up the Hudson towards Selkirk. Shot on CSX’s River Subdivision at Bear Mountain, NY. Shot by Mike Antal.