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1/28/2025
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Viewing Album:  CPKC The Chase Is On
 
By:Tom Beckett
Dates:4/14/2023 - 10/31/2023
Album Info:A post CP-KCS merger continuation of the original The Chase Is On album, after the April 14 2023 merger date. Mostly the Heavener Sub, but elsewhere too
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Butlers Bluff
Title:  Butlers Bluff
Description:  The 181 rolls under the rock formation just south of Noel, known as Butlers Bluff as it makes its way north. In passenger days, KCS used this location for publicity photos, about 1/2 mile to the south, where the bluff is more visible high above the train.
Photo Date:  3/10/2024  Upload Date: 3/14/2024 5:22:13 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8119(AC4400CWM) KCS 5014(ET44AC)
Views:  96   Comments: 1
Along the creek
Title:  Along the creek
Description:  The 181 rolls along Butler Creek.
Photo Date:  3/10/2024  Upload Date: 3/14/2024 5:28:18 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8119(AC4400CWM) KCS 5014(ET44AC)
Views:  91   Comments: 1
Straggler
Title:  Straggler
Description:  After shooting the 181 at Noel, I headed back home. The Heritage unit app said there was a coal train with a gray KCSM GE, but the report had it in Poteau several hours earlier, and I figured it either got past me, or it was stuck in Watts for a new crew To my surprise, I saw the signal at 219-2 showed clear, and I waited the five or so minutes for it to show, here at Y City Rd, just after the sun dipped below the trees.
Photo Date:  3/10/2024  Upload Date: 3/14/2024 5:33:33 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives:  UP 6670(AC44CW) CP 8019(AC4400CWM) KCSM 4517(AC44CW) UP 5559(AC44CWCTE)
Views:  109   Comments: 1
Lucky catch
Title:  Lucky catch
Description:  Some days you live right...wed gone to the local rock and gem show at the Siloam Springs armory. As we came out, I could hear a northbound takikng the siding for a meet. We went up to Tahlequah St to get the southbound, and hopefully the meet. As we crossed the tracks at Lincoln St, there was another fan. This is unusual. I can count on my fingers the fans I see chasing this line, so something was up. What was up was this southbound oil train, led by the Support the Troops unit.
Photo Date:  4/13/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 6:23:03 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  CP 7023(SD70ACU) BNSF 5940(ES44AC)
Views:  80   Comments: 2
Meet the coal
Title:  Meet the coal
Description:  The oil train blows past the northbound coal train, with a set of UP power.
Photo Date:  4/13/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 6:24:12 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7886(AC45CCTE) CP 7023(SD70ACU) BNSF 5940(ES44AC)
Views:  78   Comments: 1
Answer to the question
Title:  Answer to the question
Description:  Chasing a train through Siloam Springs is a challenge. Five traffic lights, and at least moderate traffic most of the time. Still, its usually the case I catch up to a southbound somewhere close to Watts, and right in Watts if theres a meet. I got down to Watts, and...nothing. No coal train, no northbound waiting, nothing. I ran down to Westville to see if hed really gotten away from me, but nope, no train. Finally, I decided maybe he had gotten by me, and I was going to make a run for Stilwell. I got most of the way to Westville, and here comes this northbound 261 train. OK, the coal train was still north of me, but where did he hide?? Must have been on the hill down into Watts, a strange place to hold up with a 17000 ton coal train. The 262 rolls past Chewie Rd behind a pair of dirty KCS units.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/16/2024 6:24:44 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4152(SD70ACe) KCSM 4710(ES44AC)
Views:  66   Comments: 1
Tagged
Title:  Tagged
Description:  The trailing unit on the 261 has seen some unauthorized painting action
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/16/2024 6:30:19 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4710(ES44AC) KCS 4152(SD70ACe)
Views:  106   Comments: 1
South end
Title:  South end
Description:  The DPU on the 261 has cleared the switch at the south end of Watts, and now waits for the coal train to reach that point.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/19/2024 6:27:53 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4650(ES44AC)
Views:  43   Comments: 1
South end meet
Title:  South end meet
Description:  The head end of the coal train has arrived at CP South Watts, where it will sit for a little bit, as there is another train to meet. The DPU on the 261 is about to pull away.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/19/2024 6:34:12 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4733(ES44AC) NS 4689(AC44C6M) KCSM 4650(ES44AC)
Views:  77   Comments: 1
Another northbound
Title:  Another northbound
Description:  The reason for the coal trains wait at South Watts is now apparent. I had gone south to see if I could intercept the next northbound, but he was farther up than I expected, and was only able to get this grab shot from the turn lane of US 59 of the approaching 181.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/19/2024 6:46:22 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 8019(AC4400CWM) KCS 4839(ES44AC)
Views:  61   Comments: 1
Ballard Creek
Title:  Ballard Creek
Description:  The 181 crosses Ballard Creek south of Watts with a typical set of power.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 5:49:42 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8019(AC4400CWM) KCS 4839(ES44AC)
Views:  58   Comments: 1
Rolling him by
Title:  Rolling him by
Description:  The crew of the coal train is on the ground to give the 181 a roll by as it meets them at CP South Watts.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 6:04:31 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4733(ES44AC) CP 8019(AC4400CWM) NS 4689(AC44C6M) KCS 4839(ES44AC)
Views:  80   Comments: 1
North ends meet
Title:  North ends meet
Description:  The 181 rolls slowly up the main, about to pass the coal trains DPU. On the other end, they are waiting for a signal to go south.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 6:14:30 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8106(AC4400CWM) KCS 4839(ES44AC) KCSM 4517(AC44CW) BNSF 8523(SD70ACe) CP 8019(AC4400CWM)
Views:  82   Comments: 1
Rolling along
Title:  Rolling along
Description:  The coal train, now able to proceed, rolls south along the sweeping curve near MP 239, its cars stretched through the curve.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 6:19:27 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  NS 4689(AC44C6M) KCSM 4733(ES44AC)
Views:  65   Comments: 2
Good place for an engine with a horse on it
Title:  Good place for an engine with a horse on it
Description:  The TXUX train passes the farm on CR 690, its NS horse passing by a quick lunch of hay, neatly stacked next to the tracks.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 6:25:17 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  NS 4689(AC44C6M) KCSM 4733(ES44AC)
Views:  72   Comments: 1
Pastoral scene
Title:  Pastoral scene
Description:  The wide view here shows some of the surrounding farm and the bucolic splendor of the area.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 6:28:27 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  NS 4689(AC44C6M) KCSM 4733(ES44AC)
Views:  59   Comments: 1
Flowery DPU
Title:  Flowery DPU
Description:  The coal trains DPU passes the farm, and a large flowery shrub in the process.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 6:40:52 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8523(SD70ACe) KCSM 4517(AC44CW) CP 8106(AC4400CWM)
Views:  76   Comments: 1
DPU and a disinterested cow
Title:  DPU and a disinterested cow
Description:  The DPU pulls away past the hay bales as a cow grazes, uninterested in the unfolding rail action.
Photo Date:  5/11/2024  Upload Date: 5/20/2024 6:50:11 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4517(AC44CW) CP 8106(AC4400CWM) BNSF 8523(SD70ACe)
Views:  88   Comments: 1
The chase continues
Title:  The chase continues
Description:  In an unusual twist, because I usually dont see a return trip, I caught the northbound empty move of the train I had seen the previous Saturday, now returning to the mine. The trailing unit, a CP GE, came off somewhere to the south, but the other four units stayed with the train. We had just finished breakfast in Gentry, when the train came through. We followed it up to just south of Decatur, getting it at a side road crossing south of town.
Photo Date:  5/15/2024  Upload Date: 5/29/2024 6:33:04 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  57   Comments: 1
DPU and a detector
Title:  DPU and a detector
Description:  The DPu-actually, the leaders on the southbound train-pulls away through the defect detector at MP 218.4. The NS/BNSF combo had led the train south the previous Saturday.
Photo Date:  5/15/2024  Upload Date: 5/29/2024 6:38:48 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  48   Comments: 1
Past the signal
Title:  Past the signal
Description:  The northbound rolls past the automatic at MP 238. The detector here will report 410 axles, which breaks down to five six axle diesels and 95 cars.
Photo Date:  6/6/2024  Upload Date: 6/11/2024 6:08:57 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4034(SD70ACe) KCS 4772(ES44AC) UP 7746(AC45CCTE) KCS 5023(ET44AC) KCS 4606(AC44CW)
Views:  85   Comments: 1
Meeting the southbound
Title:  Meeting the southbound
Description:  The empty grainer rolls past the power of the southbound, an ethanol train with BNSF and KCS power, at South Watts,
Photo Date:  6/6/2024  Upload Date: 6/11/2024 6:11:41 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4034(SD70ACe) KCS 4772(ES44AC) UP 7746(AC45CCTE) KCS 5023(ET44AC) KCS 4606(AC44CW) BNSF 9018(SD70ACe) KCS 5007(ET44AC)
Views:  111   Comments: 1
On the water
Title:  On the water
Description:  The northbound empty grain train crosses the Illinois River and starts into the climb to Siloam Springs
Photo Date:  6/6/2024  Upload Date: 6/11/2024 6:13:11 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4034(SD70ACe) KCS 4772(ES44AC) UP 7746(AC45CCTE) KCS 5023(ET44AC) KCS 4606(AC44CW)
Views:  107   Comments: 3
Second northbound
Title:  Second northbound
Description:  As the empty grain train was heading north, the dispatcher advised he would be meeting a southbound at Noe, followed by the remark to the southbound there that he would also be waiting for the 181. The 181 turned out to have a pair of gray KCSM GEs leading the usual gang of autoracks and stack cars. Here it is approaching Kings Highway with the aforementioned gray GEs
Photo Date:  6/18/2024  Upload Date: 6/22/2024 6:09:11 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  70   Comments: 2
And a little sky
Title:  And a little sky
Description:  Some of the puffy clouds that have been part of todays chase are overhead as the GEs approach. Hell meet a southbound oil train here.
Photo Date:  6/18/2024  Upload Date: 6/22/2024 6:13:48 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  80   Comments: 1
On the creek
Title:  On the creek
Description:  The southbound, an oil train, now rolls slowly out of the siding and heads south past a couple of kids playing in Butler Creek. Theres quite a bit of glint, as its now just late enough that the sun angle swings around catch the train obliquely.
Photo Date:  6/18/2024  Upload Date: 6/23/2024 6:17:59 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  51   Comments: 1
Tight
Title:  Tight
Description:  The shot here off the Ark 59 overpass used to be a lot more open, before the trees grew tall along Butler Creek. Now in full foliage, they almost shadow the train in this late day shot.
Photo Date:  6/18/2024  Upload Date: 6/22/2024 6:32:43 AM
Location:  Sulphur Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  56   Comments: 1
It starts when I hear a horn
Title:  It starts when I hear a horn
Description:  I was outside working in the yard when I heard a horn, this one coming from a train working up the grade from Watts. I took off, hoping to get a few shots in the fading light. There was enough left to get to Gravette, and it started here at Tahlequah St in Siloam, an ET 44 leading the 54 stack platforms, 10 articulated auto racks, and 7 standard racks of the 181. I was glad to see the ET 44, the second time in a week, since they don't seem to show up here often.
Photo Date:  10/6/2024  Upload Date: 10/8/2024 6:39:27 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 5021(ET44AC) KCSM 4722(ES44AC)
Views:  50   Comments: 1
Follow the flag
Title:  Follow the flag
Description:  Not the Wabash-though Id love to see that NS heritage unit here-but the American flags that line Gentrys main drag, a nice touch to the passing of the 181 train.
Photo Date:  10/6/2024  Upload Date: 10/8/2024 6:46:43 AM
Location:  Gentry, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 5021(ET44AC) KCSM 4722(ES44AC)
Views:  55   Comments: 1
Y City Rd
Title:  Y City Rd
Description:  When the day gets late, there are not many places to get good light, and some are already in shadow. I was just beating the sun here at Y City Rd south of Decatur, but had enough to get the power.
Photo Date:  10/6/2024  Upload Date: 10/8/2024 6:49:25 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 5021(ET44AC) KCSM 4722(ES44AC)
Views:  47   Comments: 1
Coal on the water
Title:  Coal on the water
Description:  We had come down from Gentry, crossing the tracks at Davidson Rd. The signal there showed approach, indicating a southbound on the way. I dropped my wife off at home, and beat it for Watts, getting there just as the dodger was arriving at the north end of the yard. I went to the south end, hoping to catch him working there, where the light would come around for a lit shot. As I reached the south end, here comes this northbound empty AEPX train around the curve. I flipped a U turn and gavew chase, getting ahead of him for this shot on the Illinois River.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:28:41 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8681(SD70ACe) UP 7174(AC44CW) CP 8630(AC44CW) KCS 4102(SD70ACe) KCS 4821(ES44AC)
Views:  10   Comments: 0
In the hollow
Title:  In the hollow
Description:  The next chance I got was up at Wolf Creek, just north of Dorsey siding, where the tracks run alongside Wolf Creek.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:32:13 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8681(SD70ACe) UP 7174(AC44CW) CP 8630(AC44CW) KCS 4102(SD70ACe) KCS 4821(ES44AC)
Views:  5   Comments: 0
DPU too
Title:  DPU too
Description:  This CP unit was bringing up the rear of the empty train, rounding out its count of 536 axles-125 cars and six diesels. The 9752 has been bouncing up and down the Heavener Sub for several weeks.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:37:17 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 9752(AC44CW)
Views:  11   Comments: 0
Along the rocks
Title:  Along the rocks
Description:  The empty train rolls toward the Kings Highway crossing south of Noel, passing under Butlers Bluff, though its a better shot southbound.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:40:03 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8681(SD70ACe) UP 7174(AC44CW) CP 8630(AC44CW) KCS 4102(SD70ACe) KCS 4821(ES44AC)
Views:  5   Comments: 0
Stretched along the creek
Title:  Stretched along the creek
Description:  The train is stretched out, its 125 cars rolling along Butler Creek, which can be seen at far right flowing under the low water crossing.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:44:36 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8681(SD70ACe) UP 7174(AC44CW) CP 8630(AC44CW) KCS 4102(SD70ACe) KCS 4821(ES44AC)
Views:  18   Comments: 0
Rear view
Title:  Rear view
Description:  The DPU crosses Kings Highway as it rolls toward Noel
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:48:12 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 9752(AC44CW)
Views:  9   Comments: 0
Just a little too late
Title:  Just a little too late
Description:  I had started to head back for home, when I spied the 181 through the trees. I was out of position to get him at Noel, so chased to Ginger Blue for a shot on the bridge. Its not sun side this time of year, and I was only able to get a shadow side shot.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:52:52 AM
Location:  Ginger Blue, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8756(ES44AC) CP 8838(ES44AC)
Views:  13   Comments: 0
Last sun
Title:  Last sun
Description:  I beat the 181 to Lanagan, where the last sun was peeking over the hill. The train rolls past the automatic at MP 195, and a stack of cast off concrete ties.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:56:19 AM
Location:  Lanagan, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8756(ES44AC) CP 8838(ES44AC)
Views:  8   Comments: 0
Better lit
Title:  Better lit
Description:  The lighting was better for the going away shot, and we see the power in a better light as it moves away from me,
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 6:58:49 AM
Location:  Lanagan, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 8756(ES44AC) CP 8838(ES44AC)
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Almost
Title:  Almost
Description:  The 181 and its 25 stack platforms has passed the last spot of sun along MO 59 south of Anderson, just a little too late to get some light on the power. Oh well...longer days are coming.
Photo Date:  1/22/2025  Upload Date: 1/24/2025 7:02:51 AM
Location:  Anderson, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8756(ES44AC) CP 8838(ES44AC)
Views:  14   Comments: 0

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