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5/23/2024
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Viewing Album:  Another Tilt Board Trip: 8/2/2022
 
By:Jacob Werling
Dates:8/2/2022 - 8/2/2022
Album Info:One thing that I always took for granted watching trains as a child was passing up cool, old signals as a child. Unfortunately, most of the old signals I grew up with are gone now, but thankfully, some do remain in some places. One signal type in particular I have been hunting for this year have been tilt boards. There are very few active tilt boards left operating in the United States in main line revenue service. One in particular I had had my eyes on for this year was the tilt board that guarded the diamond between the OHCR and the RJC south of Justus, OH. While I had to get up crazy early and got home crazy late, I was not disappointed with anything that I got. Enjoy!
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WE 4003
Title:  WE 4003
Description:  I have had my eyes on documenting rare signals this year, in particular tilt boards. The Ohio Central Railroad still operates a handful of these signals at their intersecting diamonds with other railroads. One of which I stumbled across my last visit to Brewster, OH by accident. Because of that, I decided to make a full trip out of it today to finally get a train actually passing it. The RJ Corman and the Ohio Central operate the tilt board on the south side of Justus, OH and operate almost daily to the massive Wheeling and Lake Erie terminal in Brewster to interchange cars. However, according to the local railfans, it is a pretty rare occurrence to manage to capture all 3 short lines running in the same day. Prior to driving out, I was told that RJ Corman had cars to interchange with the Wheeling today and would go OD at 0700 out of New Philadelphia. Unfortunately for me, Brewster is a near 3 and a half hour drive from my house, so I had to leave my house no later than 0330. It was a very tiring drive, but I hoped it would be fulfilling. While the Corman and the OHCR only run one train most days, the Wheeling has several ops that run in and out of the Brewster Terminal in both directions, which would help fill the gap between arriving and seeing the train by the tilt board. It was a foggy morning, and being able to see the railroad tracks and even the road was a struggle, but I managed to arrive in to Brewster around 0700. I had not heard anything from the Corman over the radio, so I decided to sit along the Wheeling to see if I could get some quick morning Wheeling action. Not too long after my arrival, I heard a train preparing to clear a warrant from the east side of the yard. I rushed over there and saw the headlight from WE 625, the night job from Navarre to Brewster, preparing to come back into the yard with a single hopper. WE 4003 was the sole power for todays train. I was quite pleased to see that it was one of the SD40-2s that had the completely black frame. Not a lot of Wheeling SD40-2s have this scheme.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 11:28:14 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 4003(SD40-3)
Views:  75   Comments: 0
WE 4003
Title:  WE 4003
Description:  A closer shot of WE 4003. I had hoped to get a very foggy morning shot, but the rising sun was quickly burning away the remaining fog that was left. There was some left, however. An automatic switch is thrown and the train continues into the yard. It appears that the stripes on the front have a slightly darker color of orange as well.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 11:33:38 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 4003(SD40-3)
Views:  73   Comments: 0
WE 5412
Title:  WE 5412
Description:  I had heard from the Wheeling Dispatcher talking to a track worker that he had to get a train in and a train out on the west side of the yard. I headed over there and sure enough there was a westbound poised to go out. No sign of an eastbound however. The shadows were quite long still, and shooting it coming into the yard would have put the train under complete shadow. So I decided to go up to Elton Road which I knew had no obstructions in the way. Unfortunately, the road was closed and a Wheeling crew was working on replacing the crossing (which I assume was the MOW dude the dispatcher was talking with). I didnt want to get too far away from Brewster just in case the Corman popped into town, so I decided I had to stick it out and grab it coming into the yard. I waited and waited and waited and I almost gave up on it, until finally I heard a Wheeling defect detector go off. I checked a timetable to make sure it wasnt coming from the other direction, and thankfully MP numbers did match up and it was my eastbound. Sure enough, I heard a horn moments later. I got set up and sure enough minutes later WE 768 from Carey came around the corner. And to my utter shock, a DRGW Tunnel Motor was on the front! I thought I had heard dispatch talking with WE 5412 earlier and I was correct. And not only that, but the train took long enough that most of the shadows had come off the rails so the unit was in perfect morning sunshine. Im very relieved I decided to stick it out!
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 12:02:28 PM
Location:  Brewster, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 5412(SD40T-2)
Views:  92   Comments: 0
WE 7001
Title:  WE 7001
Description:  To add to the great consist, the 50 Years OLS Sticker unit was 2nd in command.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 12:13:41 PM
Location:  Brewster, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7001(SD40-2)
Views:  66   Comments: 0
WE 5411
Title:  WE 5411
Description:  The sun was essentially directly over the tracks at this time, so I wanted to make sure that I shot the westbound in a location where the tracks werent directly east/west. With Elton Road closed, I had to drive about 2 miles further north to Hackett Road where the tracks angle more north than run west. I drove pretty leisurely and wasnt aware that the train was directly behind me the entire time. I was quite surprised when I heard the sharp K5LLA down at the next crossing down, and was even more surprised to see the other 2 tunnel motors hosted on the roster leading the train. While I would have rather seen the DRGW lead, the UP one is pretty cool nonetheless. WE 237 was the symbol, and this train was basically a counterpart of the inbound train (heading to Carey) but this one had no stone cars.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 1:03:59 PM
Location:  Dalton, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 5411(SD40T-2)
Views:  71   Comments: 0
WE 5413
Title:  WE 5413
Description:  Im still in awe that these units have been basically untouched since they were retired from the DRGW. Both tunnel motors spent some time on NS back between 2008 and 2010, and I had multiple opportunities to see both of them, especially 5412 (at the time 5391), but never shot either of them more than once, which ironically was on the same day just like today. Now I have seen both of them once again in the same day 14 years later. Some of my favorite units in the Midwest for sure. Glad I got to see this one leading, however, back in March.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 1:26:40 PM
Location:  Dalton, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 5413(SD40T-2)
Views:  101   Comments: 0
OHCR 4094
Title:  OHCR 4094
Description:  In addition to neat signals around diamonds, the OHCR also still sports a fleet of B23-7 locomotives, some of the only ones left running in revenue service in the United States. It was a shame when I was told they more than likely would not run to Brewster during my visit. With the next Wheeling train coming from the east and still being back in Akron, I decided to head over to the diamond in Justus since Corman was still showing no signs of life. I sat for a while until I heard the very familiar Saint Albans dispatch tone go off over the radio. Sure enough, it was OHCR CNL-1 clearing up a track warrant from Coschoctan to Brewster. It made me sort of discouraged to find out I had missed them coming north by the tilt board, but at least I knew I would be able to get them coming south by it. After talking with the Wheeling dispatch, CNL1 came onto the Wheeling main with 3 units and no cars. It was a relief to see the Super 7 on the front. The added SD40-2s signified that they would be picking up a rock train that came out of Carey (more than likely from that 728 from earlier). While I would have preferred a corporate maroon SD40-2 to be the southbound leader, the CP SD40-2 is certainly better than anything in G&W orange!
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 1:34:11 PM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  OHCR 4094(B23-7R)
Views:  82   Comments: 0
OHCR 4094
Title:  OHCR 4094
Description:  Side shot of the Super 7. All 6 Super 7s on the OHCR roster have a different paint scheme. If memory serves me correctly this one came from the New Castle Industrial Railroad, and was just slightly modified in paint.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 2:06:28 PM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  OHCR 4094(B23-7R)
Views:  94   Comments: 0
OHCR 3305
Title:  OHCR 3305
Description:  The 3 units cross the RJ Corman and continue into Brewster Yard limits. I find myself pretty lucky to have two of the OHCRs rarest engines on the same train!
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 2:09:38 PM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  OHCR 3305(SD40-2)
Views:  87   Comments: 0
WE 6989
Title:  WE 6989
Description:  As CNL1 was pulling in, WE 213 recieved a restricting at the connection between the OHCR and the WE and creeped into the yard with a mix bag of power, including an ex-BNSF leader, an ex-KCS trailing last, and an AVR unit in the middle of the mess.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 2:16:13 PM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 6989(SD40-2)
Views:  78   Comments: 0
WE 4000
Title:  WE 4000
Description:  WE 4000 trails 2nd of 5 on WE 213. This is the only unit that I know of on the Wheeling roster that wears this paint scheme.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 2:18:54 PM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 4000(SD40-3)
Views:  78   Comments: 0
AVR 4002
Title:  AVR 4002
Description:  AVR 4002 trails 3rd of 5 on WE 213. Wheeling does repairs for the Allegheny Valley at Brewster so it is pretty common to see their power show up on Wheeling trains from time to time.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/26/2022 4:53:36 PM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  AVR 4002(GP40-3)
Views:  82   Comments: 0
WE 6982
Title:  WE 6982
Description:  Ax ex-KCS SD40-2 trails 5th of 5 on WE 213.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 7:53:15 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 6982(SD40-2)
Views:  63   Comments: 0
WE 6989, WE 4000, AVR 4002, WE 6354, and WE 6982
Title:  WE 6989, WE 4000, AVR 4002, WE 6354, and WE 6982
Description:  The train stops momentarily over the RJ Corman to clear up their track warrant and to let the Ohio Central get settled in the yard. Even after all these years that Wheeling has owned these lease units, it is still very possible to see these mix/matched consists.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 7:56:48 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 6989(SD40-2) WE 4000(SD40-3) AVR 4002(GP40-3) WE 6354(SD40-2) WE 6982(SD40-2)
Views:  71   Comments: 0
OHCR 3305
Title:  OHCR 3305
Description:  With 79 rock cars in tow and a single lumber car bringing up the rear, OHCR CNL1 comes back east out of the WE Brewster Terminal and back to home rails by the ex-NKP seachlight guarding the diamond with the RJ Corman. Ive always found the diamond at Justus to be quite interesting. B&O CPLs guard both sides for the RJ Corman, while on the WE side, a vader dwarf guards eastbound movements while this searchlight signals guards westbound movements. Cant find a lot of diamonds like that in the US!
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 7:59:43 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  OHCR 3305(SD40-2)
Views:  79   Comments: 0
OHCR 3305
Title:  OHCR 3305
Description:  Then finally after most of the morning of waiting, I got a train coming by the tilt board! CNL1 continues south back towards home base in Coshoctan.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 8:05:11 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  OHCR 3305(SD40-2)
Views:  93   Comments: 0
OHCR 3339
Title:  OHCR 3339
Description:  OHCR 3339 trails 2nd of 3 on CNL1.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 8:07:57 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  OHCR 3339(SD40-2)
Views:  113   Comments: 0
OHCR 4094
Title:  OHCR 4094
Description:  Hard to believe that for years this unit was paired with the Super 7 in the corporate orange G&W paint. I think I got lucky today!
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 8:13:00 AM
Location:  Justus, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  OHCR 4094(B23-7R)
Views:  115   Comments: 0
RJCR 4119
Title:  RJCR 4119
Description:  By now it was after noon and there was still no sign of the Corman at all. Since Wheeling seemed to be quiet, I figured it was worth a drive down to their home base in Dover, OH to see if I could check out the yard. I followed the line all the way south and didnt run into anything before I got into the yard. Sure enough, on the south end of the yard was my train. Crewless. Apparently they had changed their minds about making the interchange move today (my guess is they were aware that Ohio Central was doing their interchange work today and didnt want to mess around with it). So I grabbed some stills of it and the power behind me and went back up toward Brewster.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 8:17:01 AM
Location:  Dover, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  RJCR 4119(GP20E)
Views:  64   Comments: 0
RJCR 3001 and RJCR Y1410
Title:  RJCR 3001 and RJCR Y1410
Description:  Behind me was an end cab switcher and a geep that was recently acquired from the Lehigh Railroad still in Lehigh Railroad paint. Didnt expect to see a fallen flag today! It was unfortunate the Corman wasnt running, but at least that made me a little more confident that Id get home a bit earlier than I had anticipated I would.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 8:20:03 AM
Location:  Dover, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  RJCR 3001(GP40-2) RJCR 1410(MP15AC)
Views:  154   Comments: 0
WE 4025
Title:  WE 4025
Description:  Back at Brewster, WE 501 works the Brewster Terminal with a remote controlled SD40-2 with the small logo print on the side. After this I decided to call it a day in Brewster. I had gotten my tilt board as I wanted, so I wanted to see if I could get some more rare signals, specifically on the NS Fort Wayne Line and the CSX Greenwich Sub.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 8:27:17 AM
Location:  Brewster, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 4025(SD40-3)
Views:  59   Comments: 0
Orrville Intermediates
Title:  Orrville Intermediates
Description:  I decided to follow the Wheeling as far north as Orrville then grab the Fort Wayne Line from there. My eyes lightened up when I saw the intermediates at Back Orrville Road were lit, one of which was signifying that the block was occupied! I sat and waited and waited and waited and to no avail, a train never showed, and eventually the signals went back out. My assumption is either the train had passed already or MOW work was in the block. This is one of the only lines left in the US that has PLs about every block. Im thinking about making a day or two trip out here just to document signals, but thats still in consideration.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 8:31:03 AM
Location:  Orrville, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  64   Comments: 0
RJCR 1804
Title:  RJCR 1804
Description:  I could hear the Corman working in Wooster, but unfortunately I spent too long by the PLs at Orrville and they tied down before I could get there. They didnt tie down in their usual place either, but I eventually found their solo GP16 sitting all by itself awaiting another day of work.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 10:49:28 AM
Location:  Wooster, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  RJCR 1804(GP16)
Views:  120   Comments: 0
CSX 5264
Title:  CSX 5264
Description:  By around 3 PM I had made it to Greenwich where I planned to shoot trains for most of the remainder of the day. It was a slow start, but eventually I could hear CSX I137 calling signals on the New Castle Sub, so I decided to do a long portrait frame of the intermodal train crossing the diamond with the southbound facing trilight that guards the Mount Victory Sub. I walked back, but then I realized I didnt have my video equipment with me. I walked all the way back to my vehicle and searched and could not find it anywhere. Then it dawned on me. I hadnt put my camcorder or my tripod back in my SUV after shooting the Ohio Central! Which meant that it was still sitting outside in the wide open all the way back in Justus. Sixty-Five Miles away! By that point in time I137 was nearby so I shot it, and then made the drive all the way back to Justus.
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 10:55:50 AM
Location:  Greenwich, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 5264(ES40DC)
Views:  59   Comments: 0
WE 7001
Title:  WE 7001
Description:  When I arrived back to the location I left the tripod at it was gone. I thought I had lost it forever, but then I noticed a sign posted in the exact spot that a camera had been left there and to call that number to retrieve it. I did so, and a very nice gentleman came out and gave me back my camera. Ironically, it was the WE dispatcher from this morning who had found it. He knew exactly what it was for and what I was doing so far away from home. I couldnt have been more thankful for him and his generosity in keeping my camera safe. With that, I had my camera back, and Wheeling 221 was preparing to head west out of the yard for Bellevue. I decided to hang out at the Sommer-Kidron Elevator on the southwest side of Dalton for it. In no time at all, 4 tigers zoomed around the corner. Three of which were engines from this mornings stone train, including the Rio Grande Tunnel Motor and the 50 Years OLS Sticker (which was on the front).
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 11:02:33 AM
Location:  Dalton, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7001(SD40-2)
Views:  53   Comments: 0
WE 5412
Title:  WE 5412
Description:  Never can get enough of these!
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 11:05:54 AM
Location:  Dalton, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 5412(SD40T-2)
Views:  81   Comments: 0
CSX 160
Title:  CSX 160
Description:  I had pondered whether I just wanted to start going home after WE 221 or if I wanted to head back up to Greenwich since I would have a little more daylight to work with. I chose the foolish choice and followed the Wheeling up to Wellington and then back southwest to Greenwich. By this time, I only had about an hour and a half of shootable light. Unfortunately just as I was coming into New London an eastbound snuck up before I could get down to the trilight pair there in time, so I just followed CSX directly into Greenwich. And as things usually go, there wasnt a train until after sunset, but almost right after the sun had set, CSX I169 came off the Greenwich Sub and onto the Willard Sub, passing some of the trilights that still guard the diamond. That would end up being my final train of the day. I finally stumbled back into the house around 12:30 AM. One of the longest train days in my life. While the photo opportunities were well worth it, running on that much sleep was not, so next time, I think Ill consider staying in a hotel over the night instead of trying to make the drive back if I ever decide to be this crazy again! Still, while it had its ups and downs, I had a good day, and Im really glad I was able to get a train by that tilt board! Mission accomplished!
Photo Date:  8/2/2022  Upload Date: 11/27/2022 6:52:10 PM
Location:  Greenwich, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 160(AC44CW)
Views:  50   Comments: 0

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