I spent 8/13 chasing 261.

The day started at Dayton's Bluff, where the weather sort of cooperated:
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=246686

I attempted to get ahead of it, but after making a bonehead move (waiting next to the wrong track - d'oh!), I wasn't able to get ahead of it until Red Wing.

Arriving in town:
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=246679

Getting some grease at the depot:
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=246678

A roster shot of AMTK 518, complete with Hiawatha logo:
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=246694

Detail shot of the builder plate:
http://flickr.com/photos/ottergoose/2760822699/

After it started rolling again in Red Wing, I hightailed it down the river to Maple Springs, where I got up the side of the bluff just in the nick of time:
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=246680

I took a short hike back to the car and started heading south again, passing 261 at Winona. I continued past without stopping so I'd have time to setup in La Crescent to catch it crossing the river into Wisconsin:
http://flickr.com/photos/ottergoose/2761999816/

After consulting a map, I decided to follow the BNSF main back home to Hudson, so I crossed the river and started driving through La Crosse. After realizing that 261 was stopped there, I got out for another round of pictures. I've been trying to get a shot of Cedar Rapids with a passenger in the window, and I halfway succeeded:
http://flickr.com/photos/ottergoose/2761075553/

As an added bonus to anyone who actually read this far, here's a nice wedgie of a pair of clean Cascade Green EMD's (with an SD60M on the point) at the head of a short manifest:
http://flickr.com/photos/ottergoose/2760954805/

It was certainly more fun than working.

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Nick Benson | | |

Looks like a pretty successful day. I would been out there getting some photos but I had an interview down in Waseca for a conductor position with DM&E. Hopefully I can get some shots on the return trip.

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My Pics: http://goldeneye98.rrpicturearchives.net/
My Vids: http://youtube.com/user/goldeneye98

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The railfan side

My pictures

Nice shots - and good luck on the job!

Thanks all.

Good luck w/ the job and your shots on the return trip - unfortunately I won't be able to shoot it on its westbound trip.

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Nick Benson | | |

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MyPhoto's
More of myPhoto's

Thanks for the pics Otter. I'll bet it was a fun road trip.

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Nick Benson | | |