Lowell activity.

I just happened to see a train heading west thru the depot area today at work. So I grabbed my coat for a closer look. There led by the 610 PAN -AM and under power were the MEC 615 and two HLCX engines towing 4 Union Pacific 8000 series engines and maybe 15 cars mixed. The first one in tow the 8885 a had no engine cowlings. Looked like it wanted to drag. They all had a J that was newly stenciled under the windows. Looked different then the last three letters HLX/CLX TTX or whatever leasing company owns these. I'd imagine they are going somewhere for repair? Wonder did they take the Canada route to Maine. Yea the Conrails are of the colors you mention there is alot of swapping that goes thru here. They have been swapping at the Concord brige sometimes lately. 3 will pullin and hang at the bridge and then cut west thru Lowell. Then two or three different will hitch and carry on. Federal law has horn blowing rules for grade crossings. I believe it's 2 long and two short blast within a certian distance from grade crossings. The bells are optional except for commuter rail approaching a depot.I think? If I was operating a freight train I would blast that horn and ring that bell for all to hear. I did not use MPH as a measurment of train speed thru Wigginville in a recent post. I used MPS.

mulfreak wrote:They all had a J that was newly stenciled under the windows. Looked different then the last three letters HLX/CLX TTX or whatever leasing company owns these.

The reporting mark is JLCX, which belongs to J&L Consulting, Ltd.

You can read more about these four locomotives in the MMA forum: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=86909

Thank you MEC 607. I checked out the forum. Got to Maine in October. Lot of good speculation on where they are headed and for what? They did look big and the 8885 without the engine cowlings missing clearly had 2 seperate large diesels. The 4 engines that were towing them were all under power.

Happy New Year all. After further review I believe I was looking at just one large engine on the JLCX 8885. This morning the CSX 3161 and 3159 headed east thru Wigginville stopped about 50 yds east of my vantage point. Then they backed west only 150yds not quite to the Morton St. bridge. They then headed east again bout 5 min later with 60+ mixed. Did note many tanks with white placards. Then it stopped with the ATSF 315 30 3 bulk blocking my veiw of the next train thru here about 30 min later. Headed east also and clearing Wiggenville,the HLCX 8146,the Smurf's sister, MEC 615 and the everpresent HLCX 7842. Maybe 50 in tow mixed.

mulfreak wrote:I just happened to see a train heading west thru the depot area today at work. So I grabbed my coat for a closer look. There led by the 610 PAN -AM and under power were the MEC 615 and two HLCX engines towing 4 Union Pacific 8000 series engines and maybe 15 cars mixed. The first one in tow the 8885 a had no engine cowlings. Looked like it wanted to drag. They all had a J that was newly stenciled under the windows. Looked different then the last three letters HLX/CLX TTX or whatever leasing company owns these. I'd imagine they are going somewhere for repair? Wonder did they take the Canada route to Maine. Yea the Conrails are of the colors you mention there is alot of swapping that goes thru here. They have been swapping at the Concord brige sometimes lately. 3 will pullin and hang at the bridge and then cut west thru Lowell. Then two or three different will hitch and carry on. Federal law has horn blowing rules for grade crossings. I believe it's 2 long and two short blast within a certian distance from grade crossings. The bells are optional except for commuter rail approaching a depot.I think? If I was operating a freight train I would blast that horn and ring that bell for all to hear. I did not use MPH as a measurment of train speed thru Wigginville in a recent post. I used MPS.

2 long, 1 short, 1 long until lead engine passes grade crossing. Bells are also mandatory (most new units automatically ring when horn is sounded).

The Lowell depot area was a beehive of activity today. I stayed late at work until 5:30 and from 2:30 to when I left everytime I looked out the dock doors something was moving. The 7148 605 +604 soloed west after dropping of a cut then it got dark and at least 3 seperate trains went west. There was a Guilford engine going back and forth lining them up. Everything was headed west. Nothing thru Wigginville eastbound to report.

Nothing thru Wigginville at all yesterday. Thought there must be a bottleneck somwhere. So far today there was 1 that hung thru here about 9 AM. Did not see the power however I get a look at one of the new hazmats thru here. More HOKX (occidental) flaging white corrisive placards. "new" 1848 Propionic acid. These are new thru here. HMM??? The 604 and 609 came thru westbound with a ghost in the lead I did'nt see with 50 mixed

Does anyone know what the cars that have been parked on the mainline under the I495 bridge are for. Been there for about a week now and I believe they are gondolas (driving though can't get a good look).

LOSA - dirty dirt from the Wynn site (former Monsanto Chemical) in Everett. See related thread below.

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That was my feeling. Tough to tell if anything moves when your going by at highway speeds. Thanks for the prompt reply.

LA-? Rolled a bunch of cars at Shop today.

LA-3...flipped three cars over just inside of Shop Interlocking around 4PM-ish.

Going to be a long winter. I'm back. Two vantage points every day. Wigginvillet home and across from the Lowell Depot every day at work. Nothing really stands out that I have seen lately. Usual activity, maybe an uptick. Did see the Pine Tree caboose both in Lowell and Saint Mary's Ga. I'll keep in touch if you would like. Mul

Thanks, and we would like!

mulfreak wrote:Going to be a long winter. I'm back. Two vantage points every day. Wigginvillet home and across from the Lowell Depot every day at work. Nothing really stands out that I have seen lately. Usual activity, maybe an uptick. Did see the Pine Tree caboose both in Lowell and Saint Mary's Ga. I'll keep in touch if you would like. Mul

Yes, please