A Trip Through the Valley

The forecast called for clouds blowing in on Sunday but things still looked good by late morning. After getting some tasks completed around the house I decided to take a trip out to the Brazos Valley and see what's new. I started my trip on the west end of the valley out by Varisco. Nothing moving at Varisco but it didn't take long to find something moving around.

With the winter season firmly in place the fields are barren and it is easy to spot moving objects at a distance. The first rail job was an autorack train out of Mumford and heading toward the climb out of the valley. My only chance on this guy was to take one of the oil field service roads and try to get chose but the timely is going to be difficult.


Southbound out of Mumford heading for Bryan

I got close but not really into position although honestly there really wasn't a good position with all the trees and such along the right of way. You do the best you can. The Norfolk Southern power is common place around here including in the lead position.

Next up was back to the blacktop and a drive on into Mumford itself. Mumford was quite and so I headed down to the east end. I don't recall seeing this "No Parking" sign before.


Do Not Block Crossings at Mumford

Finding a No Parking sign is pretty common around the country but how about a No Parking sign for trains? That's essentially what we have here. Looks like the farmers have complained enough to get the UP to put up a Do Not Block Crossings sign for their trains. Huh, now there's something you don't see everyday. Hmm, the signals at the double crossovers at Mumford are lit but nothing is cleared through.


Westbound approaching Mumford from Tatsie

Up the gravel road toward Tatsie and a headlight appears in the distance as well as a train stopped in the siding at Tatsie. Yep, one's on the way from Tatsie on the old MP main. The train is a general manifest with a large grouping of covered hopper and tank cars.

Ok, the afternoon is doing good but the clouds are now chasing me from behind and they are winning. There won't be a lot more direct sun time.

A Trip Through the Valley