Sue Line Train 75 is a north bound grain train. Tonight's engineer is Ken Ellison, let's jump on board for the ride.   When we first see train 75, just north of Alexandria we see that Ken Ellison, engineer for tonight, has been given a pair of units not frequently seen on this part of the Sue Line- an Allegheny Midland and a Missouri Southern The AM unit is a NKP which has been re-lettered using decals supplied by Tony Koester. The Missouri Southern is from Skipper Crews, son of Sue LIne original member Mose Crews.   Joseph, who now lives near St.Louis and is an avid N-scale modeler.  Just as we pull in on the mainline, a southbound local arrives on the siding.  A cut of cars is taken from our train and delivered to Buchanan Feed and Grain and cars from Buchanan Feed and Grain are added to Train 75. . Buchanan Feed and Grain was from the MUT Lines of the late Cliff Robinson of Dallas, Texas.  As the cars are spotted at Buchanan Feed and Grain, we can see the south bound local starting to switch the south end of Jeauxville as we return to the north end.  Here we see the locomotives of the south bound local a switching while we finish up and get ready to return to our train 75.  Soon the power is back on Train 75 and the train will be headed north towards Dutchman Falls.   Soon, Train 75 has pulled in to Dutchman Falls to begin switching.  Here we see Train 75 in Dutchman Falls.  This view shows Train 75 snaking thru Dutchman Falls. The train will be switched with the help of the local switcher.  Train 75 passes behind the Texaco Bulk Oil Plant and heads north again towards North Park. The Texaco Bulk Oil Plant was a gift from Keith Gutierrez of Dallas Texas, the inventor EasyDCC and Airwire.  Train 75 has pulled up onto Great Bridge at Stone Canyon. The bridge was a gift from the late Malcolm Vordenbaum. The wood was all hand cut and this is the only railroad the bridge was ever use on.   It did not take long to see why Train 75 was held on Great Bridge. Another south bound local is switching in North Park and it appears Train 75 will have no place to go for awhile.  Soon North Park is cleared up and Train 75 begins to get out cars at G & P Grain. This structure was named after my parents- their grandchildren, my children, always called them Granny and Pap and hence the "G & P" was born.  Soon Train 75 is back together and off to Maryville.   Train 75 has arrived in Maryville. This town was named for my mother- Mary. Happy Mothers Day Mom......  This is a view from the north of town as Train 75 waits for a clear signal.  Yet another view of Maryville, as Train 75 leaves town.   Train 75 goes through Crews Siding without stopping.  Very soon, Train 75 is headed under Black Bridge-- well it is a bridge and it is black!   Here we see Train 75 as it enters the town of Leming. This town was named for Jack Leming of Dallas, Texas. One of the major industries is Leming Gas- enough said.  Train 75 quickly sets about switching- why?  A south bound Through train comes roaring thru Leming.  As soon as the south bound clears the north end of Leming, Train 75 is off towards Sue City.   Train 75 passes through Robert's Crossing, a town named for ,my brother Robert who lives in Destin, Florida. So many train pass each day, the cows pay them no mind.   Train 75 enters Sue City. Here Train 75 will deliver all the remaining cars to the Sue City Operator who will spot them mostly at Trinity Grain. All of my children when to Trinity Heights School so this was as eacy name to place.   Having left all its cars at Sue City, Train 75 roars towards Shreveport. Here we see Train 75 in Brandon. This town was named for my nephew Brandon of Memphis, Tennessee, who is the son of by brother Robert. All of the structures are Brandon on one side and Robert's Crossing on the other!   Having made it to Shreveport, Arriving in Ginnings Yard, the caboose is placed on the caboose track.we see the remnants of Train 75 in River Front Yard.    and the locomotives are moved to the diesel facility. Thanks again to Ken Ellison for taking us along this week on Train 75. The members of the Sue Line crew are what make this railroad really come alive. I am very grateful too each and every one of them. Some, But Not All, of The People Who Make It Go  MOSE CREWS- RIVER FRONT YARD OPERATOR AND SHREVEPORT TERMINAL MASTER  DAVID COLVIN- TRAINMASTER AND ENGINEER  ROB ROBBINS- SHREVEPORT YARD OPERATOR  MARVIN BENNETT, JR- MARYVILLE OPERATOR AND ENGINEER  DANNY GARLAND- ENGINEER  RON DIXON- EXTRA BOARD ENGINEER  PAUL HARWELL (TALL PAUL)- SHREVEPORT PUBLIC BERT OPERATOR To the others, sorry, but I did not have a photo this week. Come back next week for another train ride----- |
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