KCS – Two In A Row
We were headed to Houston on Hwy 90 on Oct. 31, 2010 when I saw an oncoming headlight at MP 15 of UP’s Glidden sub mainline. As I had the camera with me, I told my wife that I was going to turn around for a quick shot of this train.
I set up at CP SA019, the west switch of Missouri City for KCS 4684, a loaded 1×1 grain train.
With the grain train by me, I got back on Hwy. 90 to resume my journey to Houston. Approaching Heacker (CP SA 014), I saw another headlight. My first instinct was to let it go as we had things to do.
As I got closer, I could see it was stopped, and it had another KCS Belle on the point. What to do? Rhetorical question, for sure!
I pleaded my case that it wouldn’t take long to turn around (again) to get the shot, all the while my wife is rolling her eyes. I guess that means she’s heard that one before.
Anyhow, I interpreted the eye roll as a yes, so I u-turned and headed west to find an acceptable spot to set up. Not wanting to go too far , I stopped just west of the detector at MP 15.6 to wait for the next train.
As I reviewed the shot on the camera LCD , I was unhappy with the angle of my shot. Since the sun was fairly nosy, I should have gone for a more head-on view. But I wanted both Belles to be visible. What to do? Again.
The solution was to head further west, beyond MP 20, where I knew the sun angle would be better for a 3/4 angle wedgie.
As soon as I got in the car I was spinning. “The light was not good. I need to head back west to a better spot.” My wife made a face and mumbled something under her breath. I took that to be a yes.
I ended up going to a spot near MP 20.5 where the sun was much nicer for a 3/4 view of the train.
I typically don’t care for wide-angle views a locomotive, but I did like this next shot.
One last going-away view before I finally got the car headed toward our destination, vs. going the opposite direction!
The eye rolling and mumbling sound familiar. I think we are married to the same woman! Hope our wives never compare notes.
If these long-suffering souls should ever compare notes, they might conclude they are married to the same man.