Skip to main content

Grand Trunk Western Locomotives on the Canadian National Railway in Baton Rouge

One of the great things about working in Baton Rouge is watching all the different types of locomotives in operation on the Canadian National. I have to tip my hat off to the CN for not repainting all of their locomotives in their signature colors like all other railroads. I love to drive by the CN engine facilities near downtown because I never know what I'm going to see in the yard. 

It's kinda like playing railroad roulette.

Canadian National Railway (Railroad Color History) Hardcover - $26.99 @ Amazon.com

In my time working in the Louisiana capitol I have seen locomotives from the old Illinois Central, The Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway and The Grand Trunk Western. The Illinois Central power is right at home in Baton Rouge because the CN is operating on their old trackage which they acquired via merger in 1999. Likewise 'The Jay' became part of the CN system in 2007. It's the sheer volume of Grand Trunk locomotives in the area that I find most fascinating.

Sometimes I feel like I am located just off the banks of Lake Michigan instead of the Mississippi River.

It is not uncommon to spot local CN trains with an entire consist of Grand Trunk power. Likewise, a vast majority of switching duties are handled by these units as well.

These series of photographs illustrate this quite well. For local railfans these scenes will seen all too common but for enthusiasts across the country and around the globe these should be a real treat.









Check Out:

Louisiana Through My Lens - Railroading Around Baton Rouge

This is kind of a no nothing post this morning. I just wanted to share a bunch of railroad photos that I took in Baton Rouge with my phone over the past couple of weeks. I just thought that my railfan buddies would like to see them. - READ MORE

Louisiana Through My Lens - A Canadian National Freight Train Along The Mississippi River

Today I drove through downtown Baton Rouge and I spotted this Canadian National freight train sitting idle along the banks of the Mississippi River. Being a train geek I couldn't resist pulling over and taking a few photos. I feel like I was able to get some interesting perspectives and angles due to the fact that it was up on the raised levy along the river. - READ MORE

On this past Saturday a group of twenty-two such intrepid volunteers gathered in the cold and wet early  hours to begin working on the remains of the Red River & Gulf Railroad. A railroad that had ceased operation long before any of them were born. Their goal for the day was to begin laying the groundwork for a new - READ MORE

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Toys By Roy - Winrock Center Mall, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1961-88)

If you grew up in the desert metropolis of Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 60s, 70s or 80s you probably have fond memories of Toys By Roy. This Article Has Moved To Our New Blog At: Toys By Roy - Winrock Center Mall - Albuquerque, New Mexico - A Trip Down Memory Lane

Abandoned Louisiana - The Pirate's Cove Water Park / Resort in Iowa

 About ten minutes east of the city of Lake Charles are the remains of an abandoned water park . The decaying structures are clearly visible from the busy I-10 freeway and for years drivers have wondered about it's history and why it was left for dead.   The Pirate's Cove Water Park actually has a rather interesting story behind it. A story that has been repeated over and over again, unfortunately, here in Louisiana. It's just another example of how government bureaucracy in this state killed an enterprise before it could ever get off the ground. Construction on the park began in 2008 and it was scheduled to open sometime in 2010. The sprawling complex was envisioned as an oasis from the hot summer heat that would feature luxurious amenities like a 900 foot long lazy river, a giant splash pad for the kids and eventually a five star hotel. The Pirate's Cove would have been an obvious tourist destination that could have brought much needed tax dollars and employment oppo...

Abandoned Louisiana - The Old Hightower Family Home in Dodson

I have to admit that I have been hanging on to these photos for a couple of months now just looking for the right minute to post them. Back in November I was traveling up to El Dorado, Arkansas and I passed through the small town of Dodson. While driving through town my eyes spotted a very attractive old house up on a hill and I just had to stop and take a few photos of it. I honestly don't know the history of this house, but I'm sure some local will send me message telling me all about it (and someone did see the UPDATE ), and it's not as cool as an abandoned railroad locomotive or old movie house but it really spoke to me. I have to wonder about the people who used to live in it and how it ended up in the state it is now. Anyone can see that it was a beautiful house long ago. What happened? How did such a grand residence end up like this? Those are questions that I can't answer unfortunately.  Unfortunately a site like this isn't all that uncommon here in Louisian...