15_the_circle | Monday: Q261-11

[OT from cottage renovations]

there's nothing special about this train. but then there's nothing about it that isn't special.

Q261 is the symbol for one of CSX's freight trains dedicated to the automotive business. it starts its run in Baltimore's Curtis Bay Yard, works the yard in Jessup MD and then passes the Grove on its way West. it goes via Cucumberland MD and Connellsville PA to Lordstown OH.

(click through this thumbnail for higher resolution image)

Aicheson Crossing

the time at which it comes through depends on when they make it out of Curtis Bay, how many cars they pick up in Jessup, the presence or absence of obstacles in the form of other trains or maintenance crews, and just dumb luck. these factors cause some variance in its operation but it's usually a safe bet for a run in daylight out the Metropolitan and Cumberland subdivisions.

so click through and what do you see? one immediate conclusion is that the railroad will spend top dollar on new locomotives but nothing on washing them once they're in service. there's also a pretty good sized dip in the foreground track just past the grade crossing. the arrangement of the lights on the crossing looks a bit odd but that's because Railroad Street crosses the tracks from the L and then joins Oakmont Avenue in a T intersection.

but, in the end, nothing special. but there's something about a train ...
it's not just out of dutiful obedience to the posted signs that when one comes by I always stop, look and listen. I couldn't not do it, even if I tried.