What are the Odds?

We made a quick weekend trip to Fort Worth last month to visit family, and squeeze in some railfanning on Saturday.  Sunday was a travel day, but I wanted to squeeze in a few more shots. When we left the hotel, we made a quick run by the Tower 55 area, just to see what might be running.

BNSF 4725 crosses over in front of a UP train at Tower 55 on March 13, 2010

Upon arrival, BNSF 4725, the H AMSTEA1 13A (Manifest Amarillo, TX – Teague, TX) was crossing over in front of a UP northbound. After it cleared up, we waited a bit before deciding to hit the road. We had a good drive ahead of us, and we still needed to stop by and say goodbye to some family.

Fast forward about 4 hours. We decide to get off of I-45 at Corsicana, just to take a look at the town and see what might be there. The UP had 2 sets of local power there, GP38’s and GP60’s. After a few roster shots, we head back toward the freeway. Right before we get to the on-ramp, we hear a BNSF detector. Not knowing the area well, I drove back to the diamond formerly known as Tower 72. This is where the UP (ex SSW) crosses the BNSF (ex BN).

Soon enough I see a headlight pop into view in the distance. It’s a southbound BNSF train.

A southbound BNSF train approaches the BNSF/UP diamond in Corsicana, TX on March 13, 2010

As the train approached, I wondered if it could be the same train I saw as we were leaving Fort Worth. It could be, but what are the odds….?  No more time to think about it as I had to concentrate on getting the shot right.

BNSF train H-AMSTEA1 13A hits the UP (ex-SSW) diamond at Corsicana, Texas on March 13, 2010

The train comes by at a pretty good clip. As the train goes by me I notice the light is perfect for a going-away shot of the train.

BNSF 4725, an Amarillo to Teague, TX manifest, passes through Corsicana, TX on March 13, 2010

Going-away shots completed, I reviewed the images from earlier in the day and, sure enough, it was the same train I had photographed some 5 hours and 90 miles back.

Now I’ve intentionally chased a train or two in my day, but this is the first time I’ve chased a train, unintentionally, for 90 miles. What are the odds?