Texas State Railroad
August 31, 2013
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Before I returned from my last trip to Durango/Farmington, Everett Lueck asked me if I'd like to tag along to assist with a project he was working on for the Texas State Railroad. This would be less than 36 hours after arriving back in Houston. Well, I figured I could sleep when I'm dead and agreed to go.
We left Spring/The Woodlands about 0800 and got to Palestine in time to chat with Earl Knoob and watch the departure. We spent the day chasing over to Rusk and back. It was HOT, but a great day. |
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Chasin' Trains on the TSR
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Catching the departure of T&P 316 East from Palestine |
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Engineer Earl Knoob |
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County Road 399 - MP 17 |
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County Road 399 - MP 17 |
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County Road 399 - MP 17 |
MP 12 |
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MP 12 |
TSR 300 West coming out of Mewshaw Siding |
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MP 12 |
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T&P 316 East County Road 2122 MP 6.7 |
Fairchild Hill - ~MP 4.5 |
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After arriving in Rusk, we made our way to the TNO Junction/Interchange. This trackage has been recently cleared and will soon be put back into service for a new Rail-Park that will be constructed here. We started just east of the junction and hiked east through the cleared area. |
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Broken rail |
Cleared Cut |
This guy is going to have a GREAT view of the railroad. I sure hope he likes trains! |
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Heading back to the junction |
Broken rail |
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Near the junction. You can see the TSR Rusk Yard in the background. |
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I got the extremely rare treat of a cab ride aboard T&P 316 around the Rusk Wye. MANY thanks to Mr. Knoob. |
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Looking towards the TSR/TNO Interchange from the tender of T&P 316. |
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Engineer (and GM) Earl Knoob oiling around on 316 |
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T&P 316 West - Fairchild Hill - ~MP 4.5 |
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T&P 316 West - Fairchild Hill - ~MP 4.5 |
Maydelle, Texas MP 7.3 |
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Maydelle Depot |
Mr. Knoob is giving us a finger wag because we inadvertently placed our vehicle on the tracks a hundred yards in front of his slow-moving train. OOPS! |
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Future Railfans! |
Mrs. Knoob |
Mewshaw Siding - MP 11.6 |
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TSR 300 East is on the main while T&P 316 West is in the hole |
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Oakland - MP 2.5 |
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TSR 300 East at Oakland |
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While waiting to meet with Steve Butler at the Rusk Engine House, I encountered the Rusk Mouse Patrol. They looked well fed, but a little thirsty. It was a really hot day and the air was stifling in the engine house, so I gave them some water. They seemed to like it. |
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Crew area |
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TSR 300 backs into the Engine House over the Inspection Pit for a daily check |
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Easing in |
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TSR 300 & Magma Arizona 7 |
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Back in Palestine |
TSR 7 |
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After meeting with Steve Butler (cool guy), we rushed back over to Palestine to meet Earl and Marlene for dinner. Hanging out with Earl is akin to a teenager from the 80's hanging out with Aerosmith or Van Halen. It was pretty dang cool. |
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