November 6th- Riding Trains with Jim Willis

Post date: Nov 08, 2014 5:21:6 PM

Tonight we will ride along with Jim Willis (below, file photo) as he runs Train 75 a north bound freight, Train 166, the return leg of the Sue City to Shreveport turn and Train 311 an north bound express freight from Underworld to Shreveport.

TRAIN 75- A NORTHBOUND FREIGHT

We first see Train 75, as the lead engine, Dorcheat & Lake Bistineau (D&LB) #2399, noses past to depot at Robert's Crossing. This town is named for by brother, Robert Thomas Kamm, who lives in Destin, Florida.

As Train 75, a northbound freight, leaves Robert's Crossing, it will pass by the cut and fill at Crawley's Ridge, a area near Forrest City, Arkansas. It is the sight of the Technical College with my dad, affectionately known as "Pap" taught electrical and plumbing courses after his retirement.

Arriving in Sue City,Train 75 is on the west mainline.

Sue City is named for my wife, Sue, and is the most important city on the layout.

As you look at Sue City, it changes from the oldest on the far right or south end

to the newest on the far left or north end.

On the Sue Line, the south is always RIGHT and the and the north is what is  LEFT!!!

Another shot of Train 75 in Sue City.  All the track work is a gift from Malcolm Vordenbaum, a great friend and modeler from Wichita Fall, Texas. We would draw the trackage out on 2 x 8 sheets of homasote and take them to Wichita Falls. When Malcolm finish the track, we would go get them and leave another piece. All the track was build on Malcolm's kitchen table, with the loving approval of Malcolm's wife, Ferne.

Train 75 is seen pulling into the town of Robinson, which was named for

another good friend and modeler, Cliff Robinson, of Dallas, Texas.

Train 75 (above, main track) has been joined by Train 21 (above, siding).

Train 21 has just finished delivering cars to the Stokes Automobile Facility, which

is named for Sue Line Crew member Dillon Stokes.

Train 75 is seen entering Union Street Yard which is

a part of the Shreveport Terminal Complex.

TRAIN 166- THE RETURN LEG OF THE SUE CITY TO SHREVEPORT TURN

Sue Line GP-39 #3919 as just pick of the transfer caboose in BUSY Yard

and is ready to return to Sue City. Daily the turn runs from Sue City,

through Robinson and Brandon to BUSY Yard of the Shreveport Terminal

Complex and later returns.

Train 166 has orders to pick up a load of sheet steel with is on a flatcar

spotted at Cook's Scrap in Brandon. This facility was scratch built by

former member and hobby shop owner, Lew Cook. Lew carefully measured

this space available, went home and built the facility. When he

brought it back, he had built it on the wrong side of the homasote,

He had to take it back home and rebuilt it on the other side!!!

The car is seen at the back of the Depot in Brandon.

Train 166 is seen leaving Brandon. With no other work it will run directly to Sue City,

spot the car and  put the power and caboose away until the next time it is needed.

TRAIN 311 EXPRESS FREIGHT FROM UNDERWORLD TO SHREVEPORT

We first see Train 311, the north bound express freight, in Sue City.

It looks as if the Water and Sewerage Department is busy today.

Train 311 has a couple of Sue Line GP-35's on the lead as

it leaves Sue City and runs non-stop to Shreveport.

AROUND THE SUE LINE

It appears that a recent storm has had an effect

on the pine trees near the high voltage electric lines.

Traffic looks heavy on the state road between Robinson and Sue City.....

but, traffic is nil on the parish road

between Brandon and Robert's Crossing.

It looks like the tree cutting cut has some work to do.

Looks like the Sue Line has finally scrapped on of their old locomotives.

Sitting on the line between Brandon and Underworld,

the crew shed appears to still be in use.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO JIM WILLIS FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS SESSION.

NEXT WEEK, MY WIFE AND I WILL BE WITH OUT NEW GRANDSON

IN ST. LOUIS, BUT THERE WILL BE A SESSION.