Norfolk Southern D49 6-2-26

List,

Driving westbound on I-74, I heard radio chatter which took several glances to confirm it was the NS road channel (161.145mhz). I was able to turn around at Pinecrest.
 
It seemed that D49 was getting a track warrant from Farmdale to MP 379 (Good Yard), but as I neared N. Main Street with a clear view of the Bloomington District , I noticed the train was already rolling by Crandall and the TP&W crossing.
 
An attempt to beat the train to Deer Creek failed, so I elected to get back on I-74 at Goodfield and get ahead of it at Carlock. As you can see, my plan succeeded. 
 
Today's train was heavy, and probably the first since Thursday. Besides the four Caterpillar track-type tractor loads, we have the usual ADM traffic (two blocks) off the Iowa Interstate, plastic pellets off the Illinois & Midland, and alcohol, carbon dioxide refrigerated liquid and coiled wire rod loads from Tazewell & Peoria Railroad-served industries.


CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL turn) is shown racing through Carlock, Illinois on its return leg to Good Yard at Normal. NS 6923, NS 6968, NS 6972 and NS 6963 ("GoRail") have 81 cars. Four Caterpillar track-type tractor loads for export are on the head end.

-  David P. Jordan

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