It was a good open house last weekend. I had 50 or so people, some who had not stopped by in a few years, and some first timers. Glad to talk and share the layout with those who made it.
Taking a break from the layout posts, here are some pictures from a rail fanning excursion. 2 years ago in October 2016 I was up in Bethlehem PA for a work event. I had a few hours to get trackside before the evening's events so I drove around a bit and found some good spots to catch trains. I saw plenty of trains, all Norfolk Southern. But lots of activity.
Going through pictures in my Photos app, I came across these and did a little editing on them and trashed the ones that did not come out too good. Here is a quick look at some of the shots from that afternoon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nRY_CStJtT-okNjNekU1NapHklfcIrkFteHu6aOh12gABBGcSvTNJvB4F7nWmyTbKDYJ4d-73x1BWrvKEGaHkPzsPC2FY4RwKkm8XRUcdJcXHWoEaRnA9W1MgrjMNAzsPRLo/s640/DSC_1850.jpg) |
It was a nice fall day to be out, a warm mid-October day, with some good colors in the sunshine. I came across these GP38-3's in the yard at Bethlehem. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdu7DA8vQWMLeaplzHSQ-6aaF4KUV2yhEGt0NdZx0YIs_a4wIzApHusW-e6iTE3F2oGCn1aIa5iqM3E2YBQxp_JWSOdsWZptmNT3DTfZWzMt52mc-4RDENXIPwFzbxCFaiupJ/s640/DSC_1858.jpg) |
Driving a bit further west I found a good spot where the main line came right up to the road. I'm sure it is a popular spot to watch trains, but I was the only one there that day. I saw quite a few trains and some light engine moves while I was there. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuZG8IkrnFww3z3RIvr24N3rgT3NKq30T3ODqZn8Ky948Ue8Voi3YfslyUaPaCiXGjInsUAS3rwOBfmoPcuIVa5JL2FfvswVAdGSo02GLVx5suG7FGsJzWB4pIZytJSowCBxO/s640/DSC_1868.jpg) |
And plenty of crew around as well, doing various things. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtrrilPw2hJ4R311KM1Dt8ue0qnX-YgGtCMX7zEDbxqqUTF8FkvCaJaJkLUyOLWWEhn4xeHNVv1jnWH9AB_v4bzzOFwJDIVpme5dtBEHqbOjPj5CbIYJG8M4JzgpcNY1YnPBq/s640/DSC_1886.jpg) |
Here was a crew change in progress. A van had pulled up and a crew came out. The crew on board had just dropped a trash bag out the locomotive window (the white spot in front of the lead truck). This was cool to watch the changeover. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIxAXVsDVMIGoZDnflJ__r-OVG7iu__8oVCIr2U03j1c9CARsc820zXxdIB7D2MaDHzQ1ZgTEYl83NGOz10v3UiCIt1czm_t36BkCl8tfNou7z7ntTrxx3sOe22eMQeVLmtTu/s640/DSC_1882.jpg) |
Further to the west was a large yard but I really could not find a way to get anywhere to easily take some photos. I could see things from the road as it elevated on the adjacent hillside, but there was not a good spot to pull over. A lot of engine movements came in and out this end of the yard. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9SwHhTBsfTYzUCLFPaQhq0PnhNyYH3bDrcetP05bO5dUWvAYYpDCHfQFKxc6hFMP9jpZDTIHk_dEzDqFa-xwj1CETkFe3Ma6ZFDdsmT9Os_zz9l_R5xnWWGS1Gq0WtX-uQN3/s640/DSC_1895.jpg) |
Hey, got one of those Spring Mill Depot PD3000 covered hoppers that needs some current day weathering? Here is one in a plain NAHX paint scheme. |
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This was an interesting movement. This was an RPU6 slug, attached to an SD40-2. More info on the RPU6s here. |
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The steel mill stacks in Bethlehem are easily seen from all over the area. |
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The old mill is now an interesting area with a museum, an outdoor theater, bar, restaurant, and more. It is adjacent to the casino. I have a lot of pics of the museum, but that could be a separate post really. Well worth a visit. |
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A nice elevated "park" gets you up close to the stacks and other parts of the mill. There are even a few old hopper cars here on some elevated track showing how coal was delivered. |