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Even more M&ET in the fog
Author: Steve Sloan
Date: 04-18-2010 - 07:15
It makes me happy folks are enjoying these black and whites. Thanks for the great comments so far.
I am really regretting that I didn't focus attention on this little gem of a railroad until late 2008 early 2009. Even then, it was hard with my busy work schedule to concentrate time on it. But, I managed a few trips out there before the 70-tonners were put out to pasture.
M&ET 70-tonner 605 is on the east end of the 607-603-605 set with the engineer in the 607 and a switchman on the 605 near Spenker Ave. and Lapham Dr. in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008.
The 607-603-605 set switches near 1814 Lapham Dr. in Modesto, CA on Dec 30, 2008. HowK Systems is in the background on Yosemite Avenue.
The 607-603-605 set goes around the curve heading toward Empire Ave. and the end of Lapham Drive in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008.
I will admit I started photographing the M&ET because the locomotives they were running were really neat and were going away. What I found was that the M&ET wasn't just a railroad with really cool old locomotives. It is also a really cool railroad.
At first it was frustrating. Harry Wong once commented that chasing the M&ET was like playing Whack-A-Mole with an SUV. But, after spending time there and starting to get a feel for how the railroad operates you realize it is very logical and well run.
In this age of point to point commodity railroading and double stacks it is very refreshing to spend time chasing a well run profitable industrial switching railroad. The 70-tonners may be gone. But, even if only because the owners take pride in running a railroad, the M&ET remains a blast from the past.
As always, comments, corrections and new information is appreciated!
~Steve Sloan
I am really regretting that I didn't focus attention on this little gem of a railroad until late 2008 early 2009. Even then, it was hard with my busy work schedule to concentrate time on it. But, I managed a few trips out there before the 70-tonners were put out to pasture.
M&ET 70-tonner 605 is on the east end of the 607-603-605 set with the engineer in the 607 and a switchman on the 605 near Spenker Ave. and Lapham Dr. in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008.
The 607-603-605 set switches near 1814 Lapham Dr. in Modesto, CA on Dec 30, 2008. HowK Systems is in the background on Yosemite Avenue.
The 607-603-605 set goes around the curve heading toward Empire Ave. and the end of Lapham Drive in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008.
I will admit I started photographing the M&ET because the locomotives they were running were really neat and were going away. What I found was that the M&ET wasn't just a railroad with really cool old locomotives. It is also a really cool railroad.
At first it was frustrating. Harry Wong once commented that chasing the M&ET was like playing Whack-A-Mole with an SUV. But, after spending time there and starting to get a feel for how the railroad operates you realize it is very logical and well run.
In this age of point to point commodity railroading and double stacks it is very refreshing to spend time chasing a well run profitable industrial switching railroad. The 70-tonners may be gone. But, even if only because the owners take pride in running a railroad, the M&ET remains a blast from the past.
As always, comments, corrections and new information is appreciated!
~Steve Sloan
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 Even more M&ET in the fog |
Steve Sloan | 04-18-2010 - 07:15 |
|
Re: Even more M&ET in the fog
|
Steven D. Johnson | 04-18-2010 - 15:28 |