I started off my day by sitting at Pig's Eye then I decided to move over to Union Junction for a bit. I'm glad I did as I got to see a brief surge in rail traffic, particulary westbounders.

As I got situated and was going to start eating my lunch I already saw lights heading down towards me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnfladung/2590575233/

It wasn't long after that I saw more headlights and somewhat of an unusual consist came my way.

http://www.johnfladung.net/images/NS/061808NS8809.html

A couple of eastbounders went through and then after a brief wait coal empties arrived.

http://www.johnfladung.net/images/BNSF/ ... F8837.html

Wanting to try and beat the worst of the rush hour traffic I decided to head back towards home. I worked on the images you saw above, watched some TV then decided to get out once again since it was such a beautiful evening. I decided to go back down to the yard (it's close and you are guranteed to see something).

I grabbed this shot:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnfladung/2590905345/

Shortly after that shot was taken the SOO 60's pulled out with three cars then moments later a crew came to the BNSF 8251 and they departed. Approximately 10-15 minutes after the 8251 pulled out more coal empties with a GEVO and 60M came through the yard and were preparing to stop. When they got closer to Hoffman they got the signal and notched it up and never had to come to a complete stop.

I would probably be still out but work has me coming in early tomorrow. Thanks for looking/reading.

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John Fladung
Saint Paul, MN

nice john

The 6033 looks surprisingly good and the light is quite nice too. I saw four SOO SD60(M)s (1 white, 2 red, 1 white) today on my lunch break and neither of the white ones looked that good. In fact, the second white one looked pretty faded.

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John, I was up at Uni for a few hours. The 4844 led the GALNTW (odd to see a handful of stackers up front), the NS 8809 was on point of the NSINTW, and the BNSF 8837 was on the E-CXEATM.

I went out in hopes of catching the coal re-routes. CXE and E-PCTATM were what I caught. I also found the GREX ballast set pull out to Uni from the T-yard and head west. http://flickr.com/photos/tags/grexballast/

The Q-station doesn't have an up-to-date coal symbol list, CXE and PCT are not listed. Anyone know what the UP run-through was? UP 4046/UP 4003/UP 4038 @ 1538h.

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The railfan side

My pictures

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A BNSF fan by default.

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The railfan side

My pictures

The regular eastbound UP freight is the M-ITDM. Is that what you guys are wondering?

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The railfan side

My pictures

Last summer I viewed the 6033 while on top of the bridge at 35th ave, and it had new white paint and touched up SOO lettering on the side, which is why it may strike you as strange. I believe that is one of the best Red and White units of any type still on the roster.

Alec

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Wisconsin Central 1987-2001
EMD SD40 1966-1971

Nice shots, John. I'm from Calif. and will be railfanning the Twin Cities, starting Monday. I've looked on a map, but am confused as to exactly where these shots were taken. Where is Union Jct? Thanks for any help.

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John Fladung
Saint Paul, MN

Curt check this link for maps and more info related to railfanning in the cities, a great welth of info from our frinds at the U of M Railroad club

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~rrclubum/railfan.html

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Milwaukee Road Matt

Yes, that's a great site. I've already printed out the info and added it to my stack. Well, we're flying out tomorrow morning, and hopefully I'll be able to find my way around to all the great spots you guys have turned me on to. Thanks a lot for all the assistance! Gotta finish packing...video cameras, tripod, scanner, bug-spray...