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5/11/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Jacob Werling
Dates:10/23/2023 - 10/26/2023
Album Info:I scored an unbelievably cheap deal for a 3 night stay at Great Wolf Lodge this past October, and I asked my best friend Trent if he would come along with me. While he isn't big into trains like I am, he did give me some time to spend by the tracks to watch trains to and from Sandusky. Enjoy!
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NS 5211
Title:  NS 5211
Description:  Back in August, Great Wolf Lodge was holding a major flash sale where rooms were starting at just $84 a night. Sales by GWL like this are very few and far between and I knew I couldnt pass up on a stay that would be insanely cheap compared to other times I had stayed. After staying on the computer for well over 22 hours just waiting to get my turn at booking a stay, I finally was able to get on just after 1 AM and get a 3 night stay booked for just over $400. Absolutely nuts. No trip to Great Wolf is really complete without a friend. My best friend Trent still had plenty of PTO to use, and had never been with me to Great Wolf, so I invited him and we went up to Sandusky. While going to and from Sandusky you run into plenty of railroads, and while Trent isnt big into train photography, he was cool with some intermittent train watching here and there. We started our day around 10 AM, and made our first stop at the yard in New Haven. Not much was going on, but we did manage to see the west end pulldown job (I want to say DN21 but Im not confident on that) with a sole high hood. NS 5211 has been a resident at East Wayne for some time now, but Ill never pass up a chance to get more shots of it!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 8:22:41 AM
Location:  New Haven, IN
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 5211(GP38-2)
Views:  23   Comments: 0
NS 4223
Title:  NS 4223
Description:  Since we were running a bit behind we left New Haven quicker than we would have if we were on time. A trio of westbounds were coming into New Haven, but we only managed to see the 3rd one, which was a grain train, out by Casad.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 8:27:24 AM
Location:  New Haven, IN
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 4223(AC44C6M)
Views:  18   Comments: 0
NS 5258
Title:  NS 5258
Description:  We decided to cut up State Road 101 to get to US 24, and as we approached Woodburn I noticed the cars of L91 at the BF Goodrich lead. We took a small detour and sure enough, there was L91 getting ready to shove some cars back to the ND&W interchange. NS 5258, the current resident admiral cab geep, was doing the honors today.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 8:29:05 AM
Location:  Woodburn, IN
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 5258(GP38-2)
Views:  16   Comments: 0
PREX 2045
Title:  PREX 2045
Description:  ND&W also happened to be working in Woodburn with some NS interchange. Im not the biggest fan of the Elkhart and Western GP20u, but the yellow stripes on the nose accented the trees around it nicely.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 12:19:01 PM
Location:  Woodburn, IN
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 2045(GP20u)
Views:  22   Comments: 0
CSX 3164
Title:  CSX 3164
Description:  Trent and I decided to eat lunch at McDonalds in Woodburn. After eating, we noticed the ND&W had began their trip east. We found them stopped again just west of Antwerp, and the conductor was talking with a MOW crew on the ground. Once again, since we were running behind we chose not to stick around and just continue moving on. I still had the scanner on, however, and we heard an eastbound CSX coming from Auburn. We set up shop for it in Defiance. It took way longer to get there than I had figured it would, but M368 did eventually show with the usual GEVO pair.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 12:29:49 PM
Location:  Defiance, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 3164(ES44AC-H)
Views:  9   Comments: 0
PREX 2026 and PREX 105
Title:  PREX 2026 and PREX 105
Description:  Of course, no visit to Defiance is complete without a visit to the ND&W yard. Both the Santa Fe painted GP20u and the Gettysburg GP9 were present. With the recent acquisition of Patriot Rail buying out Pioneer, it is uncertain how long the fleet of old EMDs will last on the ND&W. So, still shots or moving, it is best to get as many as I can.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 12:33:51 PM
Location:  Defiance, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 2026(GP20u) PREX 105(GP9)
Views:  29   Comments: 0
PREX 105
Title:  PREX 105
Description:  The Gettysburg unit along with the station to the left.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 12:34:40 PM
Location:  Defiance, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 105(GP9)
Views:  23   Comments: 0
PREX 3001
Title:  PREX 3001
Description:  After taking shots in the yard we continued on our way. US 24 parallels the ND&W all the way into Napoleon, and to our surprise, we ran into the train from Napoleon around Jewell. Despite rail upgrades, trains move pretty slow still, so we got back into town with plenty of time. This is the first time I have shot this unit out on the road in the "new" Pioneer scheme. It is sharp, but I sure do miss when 3001 was in ATSF paint.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 12:46:19 PM
Location:  Jewell, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 3001(GP20)
Views:  32   Comments: 0
PREX 3001
Title:  PREX 3001
Description:  We backtracked to the State Road 281 crossing just east of Defiance which had some nice yellow trees lining the tracks.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 5:22:41 PM
Location:  Defiance, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 3001(GP20)
Views:  23   Comments: 0
PREX 3001
Title:  PREX 3001
Description:  I had never managed to be able to shoot a ND&W train from the Ohio 66 overpass in downtown Defiance, and I knew with this train I had my chance. Trent was all good with us going back, so we did, and I got up to the bridge just in time to get my shot. Bucket list shot in the bag!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 5:30:55 PM
Location:  Defiance, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 3001(GP20)
Views:  19   Comments: 0
PREX 3001
Title:  PREX 3001
Description:  It took a full-out sprint, but I made it over to the bridge over the Maumee River just in time to grab one final shot of the train before it entered yard limits. Didnt expect this today, but sure glad we ran across it!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 5:36:50 PM
Location:  Defiance, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 3001(GP20)
Views:  31   Comments: 0
CSX 940
Title:  CSX 940
Description:  US 6 is the most direct way to get to Great Wolf (if you dont want to pay tolls), so after our chase of the ND&W, we continued east on US 24 to Napoleon then took the exit east onto US 6. I continued to have the radio on just to see if CSX was sending anything our way on the Toledo Sub, Branch, or the Pemberville Sub. When we reached Bradner, I could hear two different trains calling signals north of Fostoria. When we crossed the tracks, sure enough, there was a headlight to our south, and not very far down the track either. We made a dash north for Pemberville, but set up shop at Hill Road where the trees were pretty colorful. L358 chased us all the way up there, directly behind us, with a sole GEVO.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 7:55:36 PM
Location:  Pemberville, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 940(ES44AC-H)
Views:  29   Comments: 0
CSX 7018
Title:  CSX 7018
Description:  Directly behind the local on the opposite track was M215 with a pair of rebuilds; one GE and the other EMD. Unfortunately, the MAC was not the leader.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 7:57:53 PM
Location:  Pemberville, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 7018(AC4400CWM)
Views:  33   Comments: 0
Sunrise Coop Switcher
Title:  Sunrise Coop Switcher
Description:  Usually on most visits to Great Wolf in Sandusky I make a stop at Bellevue for a walk through of the museum and some train watching afterwards. Due to other obligations after our trip, we decided to hit Bellevue on the way there. I hadnt shot the little center cab GE at Sunrise Coop in Clyde for some time, so I decided to have us make a quick stop there. We got our shots, but unfortunately, we missed a grain train coming into town while we were down here. Oh well, cant win them all.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 8:10:02 PM
Location:  Clyde, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  31   Comments: 0
NKP 329
Title:  NKP 329
Description:  No visit to Bellevue is complete without a visit to the Mad River and Nickel Plate Museum. I had never been in the museum....until today. We had gotten there right after it had closed for the evening, but one of the caretakers was still there setting up decorations for a Halloween celebration that they would be having the following week, and she allowed us in. For free. We could not have been more thankful for her generosity! This was certainly a turn of events, but definitely for the better!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 8:13:24 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NKP 329(RSD12)
Views:  35   Comments: 0
BO 9096
Title:  BO 9096
Description:  A B&O endcab switcher sits on display by the original NKP station. Something that is hidden from the outside that I never knew was in here before!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 8:56:19 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BO 9096(S4)
Views:  34   Comments: 0
WAB 671
Title:  WAB 671
Description:  The Wabash F Unit sits on display in brilliant light at the Mad River and Nickel Plate Museum. We were allowed up in the unit, which was pretty cool!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/18/2024 8:57:40 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WAB 671(F7A)
Views:  31   Comments: 0
NS 7302
Title:  NS 7302
Description:  While walking around the museum, we could hear a horn coming from the northwest off the Fremont Side, so after thanking the caretaker endlessly for letting us have a free walk-through, we headed over to the other side of the streets to look at the other displays and catch the train. A short NS 331 showed up moments later with a NS SD70ACu leading a BNSF GEVO, coming by the PRR Atlas Car.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:16:40 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 7302(SD70ACU) PRR 2(Boxcab)
Views:  24   Comments: 0
BNSF 7205
Title:  BNSF 7205
Description:  BNSF 7205 trails 2nd on NS 331.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:19:08 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 7205(ES44DC)
Views:  16   Comments: 0
PRR 2
Title:  PRR 2
Description:  The PRR Atlas Car, or Larry, has always been one of my favorite display items at the Mad River and Nickel Plate Museum. This pusher car was built by Atlas Car in the 1920s and was used at the Sandusky Coaling docks just north of here all the way up into the NS era. Hard to believe that this little thing could shove heavy coal cars all day!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:20:53 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PRR 2(Boxcab)
Views:  24   Comments: 0
NS 7551
Title:  NS 7551
Description:  Right behind NS 331 was NS 51W. We grabbed that coming by the refurbished freight station and the jordan spreader.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:22:20 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 7551(ES44DC)
Views:  15   Comments: 0
NKP 757
Title:  NKP 757
Description:  Of course, the most impressive display at the Mad River and Nickel Plate Museum is NKP 757, the resident Berksire. According to the caretaker that was there that evening, the locomotive sits outside between the months of May and October now, and is moved back inside during the colder months. There was some nice red leaves across the street that I tried to get creative with. Glad Trent and I got to see it before it moves indoors for the year!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:24:43 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NKP 757(2-8-4)
Views:  21   Comments: 0
NS 3627 and PC Junker
Title:  NS 3627 and PC Junker
Description:  Another inbound train sits just outside the Mini Plant, this one being NS 861 awaiting a new crew before it continues south on the Sandusky District. It isnt uncommon for trains to pull up and park by the old PC E Unit that is privately owned by a dude across the street from the museum, but ever since "No Trespassing" was painted over the PC Logo on the locomotive, I havent felt too comfortable going back there to get shots of trains paired together there. Had to make due with what I could in this shot.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:27:49 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 3627(ET44AC)
Views:  20   Comments: 0
NS 5195, NS 1631, NS 6148, and NS 3220
Title:  NS 5195, NS 1631, NS 6148, and NS 3220
Description:  Een though the sun had officially set for the day, we still went up on the Ohio 4 overpass to overlook Moorman Yard. The engine shops were the emptiest I think that I have ever seen them. Just a few locomotives scattered here and there. A few high hoods, facing the wrong direction unfortunately.
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:45:45 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 5195(GP38-2) NS 1631(SD40-2) NS 6148(SD40-2) NS 3220(SD40-2)
Views:  29   Comments: 0
NS 6189, NS 857, and NS 6146
Title:  NS 6189, NS 857, and NS 6146
Description:  The hump job comes back down the hill before grabbing another set of cars to push up. That would conclude the first day train wise. Afterwards we checked into the hotel, grabbed some supper at Five Guys across the street, went to BAM at the mall, and came back and redeemed points for the arcade, bowled, and did some exploring. What a great first day! Never in a million years would we have guessed we would have gotten an impromptu walk-through of a railroad museum on this trip. Even Trent, who isnt big into trains, was impressed by that. The late start definitely went in our favor. Day 2 is next!
Photo Date:  10/23/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 3:49:23 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 6189(SD40-2) NS 857(MT6) NS 6146(SD40-2)
Views:  22   Comments: 0
WE 7015
Title:  WE 7015
Description:  The biggest attraction at Great Wolf by far is the waterpark, which is where Trent and I ended up spending a majority of the morning and early afternoon. In the afternoon, we decided to head over to Goofy Golf and play a few rounds of Mini Golf (both of which I won handily. A good thing too considering I was killed at bowling the night before). Trent is big into the anime and video game realm so we went to a few card trading stores and Gamestop before heading back to Great Wolf. It wasnt quite supper time before we got back, so Trent asked me if there was anything in particular that I wanted to do. I decided to fire up the scanner again and see if anything would capture my attention. Not even a few minutes passed before we heard a Wheeling train get a warrant from the yard in Hartland to Bellevue. With golden hour approaching, we both knew it was worth a shot at trying to run down to Bellevue and get it. We might have sped a little, but we made it just in time to see Wheeling 684 coming into town with a 3 pack of SD40-2s. And yes, the light was near perfect!
Photo Date:  10/24/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 4:16:15 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7015(SD40-2)
Views:  22   Comments: 0
WE 7002 and WE 7015
Title:  WE 7002 and WE 7015
Description:  Sitting in the siding on the other side of the road was another Wheeling train, this one being eastbound 224 from Toledo. A meet between two Wheeling trains was definitely not on the bingo card for this trip!
Photo Date:  10/24/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 5:02:57 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7002(SD40-2) WE 7015(SD40-2)
Views:  14   Comments: 0
WE 7002
Title:  WE 7002
Description:  A closer shot of WE 224.
Photo Date:  10/24/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 5:17:58 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7002(SD40-2)
Views:  9   Comments: 0
WE 7015
Title:  WE 7015
Description:  Wheeling 684, now Wheeling 90 on NS, enters the Mini Plant heading to Moorman Yard in Bellevue.
Photo Date:  10/24/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 5:22:28 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7015(SD40-2)
Views:  10   Comments: 0
WE 7024
Title:  WE 7024
Description:  Not sure exactly why, but WE 684 dropped off a unit on the east end of the siding on the east side of Bellevue. It was parked by a very nice red tree through which made for some good shots in golden light.
Photo Date:  10/24/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 5:29:21 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7024(SD40-2)
Views:  15   Comments: 0
WE 7024
Title:  WE 7024
Description:  Another shot of WE 7024, this time facing away from the sun. After this, we headed back to the lodge, ordered some pizza, and had some fun in the arcade and bowling again. Its been a phenomenal trip so far!
Photo Date:  10/24/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 5:42:35 PM
Location:  Bellevue, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WE 7024(SD40-2)
Views:  13   Comments: 0
BNSF 5447
Title:  BNSF 5447
Description:  One more full day at the lodge. Train wise, not a ton was going on, but NS 8100 was leading 22X east in the morning. Trent and I grabbed some breakfast at Wendys and went into the waterpark again for a bit before hopping back in the car and heading up to the Waterlevel Route. NS 22X had departed Toledo before we left, but trains were still coming left and right. NS 29P was up first with a H2 leader. We grabbed it coming by the old Meiers Wine Cellars building.
Photo Date:  10/25/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 7:09:29 PM
Location:  Sandusky, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 5417(C44-9W)
Views:  18   Comments: 0
BNSF 7314
Title:  BNSF 7314
Description:  Due to MOW Work east of the CP, the Chicago Line was down to 1 track. NS 28B was waiting for 29P down by the station, and after they passed, it was cleared to come east.
Photo Date:  10/25/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 7:20:09 PM
Location:  Sandusky, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 7314(ES44DC)
Views:  9   Comments: 0
NS 1093
Title:  NS 1093
Description:  Moving over to the Sandusky Cemetary we grabbed NS 260 with NS 1093 leading. Odd numberboards and odd horn.
Photo Date:  10/25/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 7:52:45 PM
Location:  Sandusky, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 1093(SD70ACe)
Views:  17   Comments: 0
NS 7615
Title:  NS 7615
Description:  L15, the Sandusky Bay Local, works the intermodal ramp and coal docks with headroom into the NYC yard at Sandusky. I was hoping theyd pull further than what they did, but they didnt.
Photo Date:  10/25/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 7:54:00 PM
Location:  Sandusky, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 7615(ES44DC)
Views:  15   Comments: 0
NS 8100
Title:  NS 8100
Description:  Then finally, NS 22X showed with NS 8100 on the front. The horn has been replaced with a P5 since the last time I saw it. I suppose these units are over 10 years old now. Things are going to begin wearing out on them. After this, Trent and I went back to the lodge to spend the rest of our final day in Sandusky. We splurged at the mall in the evening. and had a great supper at the Gitchigoomie Grill at GWL, and spent the remainder of the night reading. What a heck of a trip this was. Could not have asked for one much better!
Photo Date:  10/25/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 8:07:22 PM
Location:  Sandusky, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 8100(ES44AC)
Views:  19   Comments: 0
CSX 875
Title:  CSX 875
Description:  Despite having plans in the evening, Trent and I still managed to get a little time to grab a three way meet around Pemberville. This time, we actually went into town. I150 was the first of the 3 trains coming around the slight corner from the grain elevator.
Photo Date:  10/26/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 8:11:14 PM
Location:  Pemberville, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 875(ES44AC-H)
Views:  16   Comments: 0
CSX 64
Title:  CSX 64
Description:  After allowing I150 to pass it, CSX C516 fires up and follows it north. If I must be honest, this was the train that brought us up here in the first place. We stopped at the gas station along US 6 at Bradner for a bathroom break. I thought I had heard a train while I was in there. Sure enough, I was right. When I noticed it wasnt moving very quickly, I decided that we had enough time to grab a few more trains... XD
Photo Date:  10/26/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 8:13:45 PM
Location:  Pemberville, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 64(AC44CW)
Views:  13   Comments: 0
CSX 7202
Title:  CSX 7202
Description:  While most of the leaves had changed or fallen, the leaves in the woods where we shot the two northbounds the day before still looked pretty nice, especially on the south side, so that is where we set up for I151. After this, we went into Bowling Green for some lunch at Arbys and continued home.
Photo Date:  10/26/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 8:18:58 PM
Location:  Pemberville, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 7202(AC4400CWM)
Views:  13   Comments: 0
PREX 3001
Title:  PREX 3001
Description:  But train time wasnt quite over yet! We hopped onto US 24 at Napoleon and began making our way west. We looked over to our right and, sure enough, the ND&W was heading west out of town too! Ive never been lucky enough to catch them going to and from the lodge before! The 3001 was leading one again, but 2045 had been paired with it this time around, so my guess is whatever train they had brought in the day before or this morning was pretty lengthy. We were running out of time, so we decided on no chasing, but just one shot at Okolona. What a great way to end such a great trip! Really hoping we can do this again next year!
Photo Date:  10/26/2023  Upload Date: 2/20/2024 8:24:39 PM
Location:  Okolona, OH
Author:  Jacob Werling
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PREX 3001(GP20)
Views:  12   Comments: 0


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