Recent Digital Photos
by Mike Condren

51 Years of Railroad Photography 1960-2011

Aug. 16

As we left Grand Island, a stack train with piggybacks was westbound on the parallel main next to US 30.

We saw a headlight in the distance and broke off the chase of the stack train to shoot this loaded unit coal train.

We then met this loaded unit coal train at Wood River, NE.

We found this ex-WSOR SD24 at the grain elevator at Wood River, NE.

This unit was switching the west end of the Cargill elevator complex in Wood River, NE.

There was a mechanized gang working around Shelton, NE.

These units were at a Cargill elevator at Sheldon, NE.

Triple track west of Sheldon, NE. Note the concrete crossties.

First we shot the DPU of a westbound stack track around Gibbon, NE.

We finally got ahead of it for this coming shot.

I discovered this strange switch stand across the tracks from the last shot.

Next were 3 loaded unit coal trains east of Kearney, NE.

A former Montana Rail Link unit was parked at this elevator in Kearney, NE

We ran into this local west of Kearney, NE

Another UP loaded unit coal train is east of Cozad, NE.

Our next loaded unit coal train was a BNSF east of Cozad, NE.

This switcher was parked along side the UP main in the shade of a tree next to the station/museum.

All three mains are occupied by moving trains or hi-rail truck in this shot at Cozad, NE.

Former UP station in Cozad, NE.

The loaded coal train's DPU appeared as we prepared to leave Cozad.

This new signal bridge was just west of Cozad, NE.

West of Cozad we spot an eastbound loaded unit coal train and crossed the tracks for these view.

Mile post on the UP main line.

We met this loaded unit coal train somewhere west of MP244.

The next train was at Willow Island, NE.

After checking into a Super 8 and having dinner at a Mexican restaurant, I headed trackside for some action. I first shot the switcher for the elevator.

This is a nice older style grain elevator in Gotenburg, NE

This eastbound surprised me.

Next was this westbound empty unit coal train.

The next westbound was a general freight.

Next was a westbound stack train.

Next was another empty unit coal train.

The coal train then met an eastbound general freight in the distance.

The next westbound was a vehicle train.

The last train of the day was the empty unit coal train.

Aug. 17

We left Gothenburg on our way to North Platte using US 30. This is the first train that we saw.

I missed getting this coming shot on this wonderful curve.

Action was very heavy as there was a train following us. We stopped in Brady, NE where there was a pedestrian overpass over the tracks and I got the following shots of 3 coal trains, 2 loads and 1 empty while Jan bought ice at a convenience store. How heavy was the action, I was finished before Jan had the ice.

After leaving Brady, we met another loaded unit coal train.

Then yet another loaded unit coal train.

The next train was the most unusual of the day, a unit wind turbine train. I shot through the windshield. Three of these huge blade are mounted on a tall tower to generate electricity with the aid of wind. There are lots of these wind turbines in IL and WI.

We then ran into a mechanized gang working on one of the tracks.

Here we view the triple track from the US 30 overpass just east of North Platte, NE. In the eastward shot, you can see another empty unit coal train approaching.

Here is that empty unit coal train.

This page was designed and is maintained by Mike Condren. If you have materials
that you would like to contribute, contact me at mcondren@cbu.edu