Out & About – Nov. 25, 2012

I really didn’t intend to get out today, what with other matters clamoring for attention. But I just happened to take the radio and camera when making the breakfast run. I had just gotten out of the subdivision when I hear Amtrak #2 call out a signal. Typically when I hear Amtrak on the radio, it’s too late to get trackside. Fortunately, today was not typical.

It was 10:44 AM when the assistant engineer called diverging approach at CP SA029, about 8 miles west of me. The fact that the train was going in and out at Harlem due to MOW would give me the extra few minutes I’d need to beat the train to the Dulles Ave. grade crossing. It took me right at 10 minutes to get into position, with the eastbound Sunset Limited appearing 3 minutes later, right at 10:57 AM.

Railfanning done for the day, I got back on task, getting a bag of kolaches to go with our Sunday morning coffee.