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.









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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

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