Daylight move on the Lodi branch!(Images)

[rcbsd45]

The NYS&W today( 8/25) sent the WS-3 on to the Lodi branch in a rare daylight move. Power was the NS 5273 on one end, and the CSXT 2624 on the other, with about 20 or so gondolas in between. A BIG thanks to the source of the "heads up", as I have been wanting to capture some activity on this line for many years. As the images will indicate, the cloudsd followed the train down the branch(or so it would seem), but as this isn't an everyday move on the Southern Division, I suppose beggars
can't be choosy. That said, here we go with the images. Enjoy!

First, the branch at Essex st on a quiet afternoon:

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724870


Next, the WS-3 approaches and starts across the Essex St crossing.(Yes, Louis, the traffic lights DO tie into the flashers!):

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724872

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724873


Approaching Route 17:

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724875


Crossing Route 17:

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724876

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724877

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724882


Next, splitting up the cars between two tracks for storage:


http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724883

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724929

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724918


And finally, heading back up the branch towards the main and eventually back to the yard:


http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724930

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724931

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... id=1724932


Again, a big thanks to my source for the "heads up". Thats it for now... enjoy!

[airman00]

Awsome pictures!! 5-stars, thank you very much!

Where in lodi (or where on the branch line) does it split off into two tracks? I know there are still some old sidings by where the lodi DMV is. I also know then line doesn't go it's full extent, it gets cut off somewhere, I just don't know where.

Anyway, they should use that line more often, I love to see a train on that line!!

[BobLI]

Are there any "active" customers on that branch line? I'm not familiar with that area at all.

[SemperFidelis]

I remember my grandmother, when I was very young, used to tell me about the trains, loaded with giant paper rolls, that used to go all the way to the end of the branch in Lodi to the factory where she worked. Kind of off topic, but a nice memory.

[Steve F45]

It splits to 2 tracks about half way down gregg street and both dead end before the one paint company. There was 1 active customer on the line that received hoppers, but i believe they've stopped getting cars or went out of business. I have not seen a car there in well over a year. The tracks are mostly used for storage.

[airman00]

Someone said the line ended where there is currently a shoprite? There was a train station there at one point. Anyhow, some time back I went looking for that station not realizing it was gone...But saw where the line ran thru an apartment complex, kind of a narrow area, and just before that there was maybe 5-6 empty gondola cars.

I'm assuming the train ran thru that area, or is that too far down? And this gregg street...is that where the line officially ends now?

[Steve F45]

The line in its hey day ran all the way to where the Lodi Police station is now. If you use a mapping program you can make out the ROW for most of the area. If you use historicaerials.com you can view pics from the 50's till now. The line has stopped where it is now for sometime. About 6 years ago they finally ripped up the tracks crossing rt 46.

[MNR's #1 Conductor]

Awesome photos! Nice catch!!