Hey guys,
Today we went with our grandparents into Brainerd, so I thought it would be a good chance to do some railfanning. For those unfamiliar with this line, here is a, um, sorta brief outlook:
The BNSF Brainerd sub runs from Staples to Chub Lake, MN, there, it hooks onto the Cass Lake line to run into Superior, WI. The line sees on average 8 to 10 trains per day, and if you're thinking manifests or intermodal, FORGET IT! This is dubbed by me as the Coal Belt of MN. All the daily runs are coal trains from the PRB to either Cohasset, MN or the Midwest Energy plant in Superior, WI. One train is definately worth looking out for however, the Monday, Wednesday, Friday Brainerd Local. This train is guaranteed to be worth chasing, it is the only manifest (local) on this line and always has 4-axle power. This train runs from Superior, WI to either Pillager or Motley, MN and return, switching customers on the way. This line runs under TWC, and uses radio frequency 161.160.
Anywho, back to today's fun. When we were approaching Brainerd I heard a coal load led by SD70ACe 9330 at Staples getting a warrant to Aitkin. So after going to the gas station, we went to Baxter (just west of Brainerd) and set up. Only seconds after we arrived, the crossing activated, so I had to literally run to get the footage. I made it, and got that train.
After this we finished out business in Brainerd and headed back east. We stopped at Dairy Queen in Aitkin, but when we did, I heard SD70MAC 9591 on the radio giving the dispatcher their location. Hearing they were only 4 miles away, I went to the grade crossing. They had 9591, a EXEC. SD70MAC up front. Nice horn!! Too bad I didnt check the tape and taped over the 9330 I caught earlier, DOH!
Dan