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12/29/2024
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Viewing Album:   Nebraska's Crawford Hill and a Ghost of the CNW's Cowboy Line at Fort Robinson S.P.
 
By:Marty Pfohl
Dates:6/22/2014 - 6/24/2014
Album Info:Photos from a place I'll be visiting many more times...This little 'corner' of the state of Nebraska is, simply, Superlative! Railfan famous Crawford, NE, a pretty and very small town of about 1,000 souls. Set in an almost mountainous and unexpectedly beautiful section of the state, hosts a nonstop-heavy-action BNSF mainline with an active helper district [where You'd never expect to find one!]. It is an active interchange point with the DM&E, and very close by is a beautiful old 1880's era Army post now a historic state park, with a remanant of CNW's Cowboy Line to Wyoming cutting right through the site! The 'focus' of this album is this small area well worth making a trip to experience for yourself...I'm glad I did and am able to present it here!
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FtRbsn
Title:  FtRbsn
Description:  Rails of CNW's Cowboy Line cut right through Fort Robinson State Park. This is the old trackside sighn with a glimpse of the track among the thick grass. From here east to Crawford [about 3 miles] the old roadbed has been converted into a trail and bikeway.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 10:04:27 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  199   Comments: 0
CLtrk
Title:  CLtrk
Description:  Section of track in between 2 campground access driveways. Looking west towards a river bridge among all that brush.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 10:11:15 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  201   Comments: 0
CLBrg
Title:  CLBrg
Description:  Bridge section over the White River with rails and deck in place. As if imitating a crossing gate, a sapling on the opposite end has fallen across the ROW.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 10:17:27 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  202   Comments: 0
CLtrkdtl
Title:  CLtrkdtl
Description:  nature has done a beautiful job of reclaiming this section of track..this is the opposite abutment of the bridge section shown in the previous photo.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 10:24:28 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  159   Comments: 0
CLtrkdtls2
Title:  CLtrkdtls2
Description:  The tracks are barely visible among the grasses and wildflowers.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 10:28:50 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  125   Comments: 0
CLtrkdtls3
Title:  CLtrkdtls3
Description:  Detail of the 112# rail and joint, Fort Robinson. -I was originally going to show the tie plate too, but found this composition to be more interesting..it has been many many years since these rails last bore the weight of steel wheels...
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 10:33:56 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  145   Comments: 0
FtRbCmp
Title:  FtRbCmp
Description:  Right next to the old bridge was this lovely camp area..the host reccomended this as a good place to camp. I noticed upon pulling up, that indeed I would have the whole site to myself...pondering this, I quickly saw the probable reason why the place was wide open...-that night I could sleep next to the ghost of the CNW, and who knows whose other may ghost may come a 'callin here!!!! -Needless to say, I chose another spot quite a ways in the opposite direction!!!
Photo Date:  6/23/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 10:42:37 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  195   Comments: 2
CfdVCcbs
Title:  CfdVCcbs
Description:  A glimpse of what a modern BNSF caboose may have looked like, had they still been in use...this fine example is the Town of Crawford's roadside Visitor Center.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/26/2014 11:15:21 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  219   Comments: 0
BNSF 6060Cfd
Title:  BNSF 6060Cfd
Description:  Crawford Helpers; 2: ES44 6060 sits at the ready for her next call to duty. 'Love these ES44's Cyclopean rear headlights!
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/28/2014 12:14:21 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  BNSF 6060(ES44AC)
Views:  177   Comments: 0
BNSF 6428Cfd
Title:  BNSF 6428Cfd
Description:  Crawford Helpers; 3: Paired with the 9149, BNSF 6428 makes up 2 of 3 help sets stationed here.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/28/2014 12:13:19 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives: 
Views:  103   Comments: 0
BNSF 6040Cfd
Title:  BNSF 6040Cfd
Description:  Crawford Helpers; 4: Showing sighns of heavy use, ES44 6040 with companion 6215 takes a much needed rest awaiting thier next duty call. The 6040 is adorned with EOT equiptment as they sit at the 'north' end of the yard. [Interestingly, the numbering info for 6215 came from another contributor's photo of this same set, 4 days after this was taken!]
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/28/2014 12:15:36 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  BNSF 6040(ES44AC) BNSF 6215(ES44AC)
Views:  291   Comments: 0
DMExcCfd
Title:  DMExcCfd
Description:  BNSF SD70Mac 9513 is busy assembling a DM&E transfer run as she pushes past 2 helper sets.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/28/2014 12:17:00 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Yard,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6060(ES44AC) BNSF 9149(SD70ACe) BNSF 9513(SD70MAC)
Views:  323   Comments: 0
DMExcCfds2
Title:  DMExcCfds2
Description:  Obsured by summer heatwaves, Grienstien 9513 has backed her transfer cut out onto the main and will shortly come back through town heading out to Chadron.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/28/2014 12:18:08 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Yard,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9513(SD70MAC)
Views:  270   Comments: 0
PRnchSnCfd
Title:  PRnchSnCfd
Description:  'Found this informative sighn next to the Sawlog road ROW crossing. -I thought it would be 'legally prudent' to edit out the phone numbers..but they have a webpage, if You're interested.. [I checked it! - Ponederosaranch.net]
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 6/28/2014 1:29:02 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic
Locomotives: 
Views:  187   Comments: 0
BNSF 6266Cfd
Title:  BNSF 6266Cfd
Description:  A sighn of good things to come, this one came out very nice..I had barely gotten out onto the hill to start 'hunting' when I caught my first action, this light set drifting downhill at Sawlog Road. An ES44 paired to a '70Ace is the power here.
Photo Date:  6/23/2014  Upload Date: 6/28/2014 1:30:22 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6266(ES44AC)
Views:  243   Comments: 0
BNSF 6096StCfdS1
Title:  BNSF 6096StCfdS1
Description:  ES44 6096 is paired to SD70ACe 9136 as the lead power on this heavy coaler assaulting Crawford Hill.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 2:26:41 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6096(ES44AC) BNSF 9136(SD70ACe)
Views:  267   Comments: 0
BNSF 6097StCfdS2
Title:  BNSF 6097StCfdS2
Description:  6096 and train are at a crawl passing through this beautiful curve, with still a lot of climb to go.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 2:33:53 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6096(ES44AC) BNSF 9136(SD70ACe)
Views:  279   Comments: 0
BNSF 6096StCfdS3
Title:  BNSF 6096StCfdS3
Description:  Pulling hard at the head end 6096 and 9136 are spotlighted crossing a fill.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 3:17:48 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6096(ES44AC) BNSF 9136(SD70ACe)
Views:  315   Comments: 0
BNSF 6096StCfdS4
Title:  BNSF 6096StCfdS4
Description:  A couple hundred feet higher and few minutes later the 6096 is visibly slugging it out rounding the final knoll before disappearing into the horseshoe canyon.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 3:18:37 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6096(ES44AC) BNSF 9136(SD70ACe)
Views:  256   Comments: 0
BNSF 6068StS1
Title:  BNSF 6068StS1
Description:  Against signal set 14177 and the blue horizon of Fort Robinson State Park, 6096's DPU's and helpers crawl into viev at the rear of thier heavy coaler. Shiny new SD's 8572 and 3 make a 'new to the RRPA' matched set here! -the next few photos follow this power set to the summit at Belmont.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 2:44:54 AM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 8572(SD70ACe) BNSF 8573(SD70ACe) BNSF 6068(ES44AC) BNSF 9298(SD70ACe)
Views:  397   Comments: 0
BNSF 6068StS2
Title:  BNSF 6068StS2
Description:  A few moments later and the DPU+help set keeps the show going, catching good light.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 1:07:10 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6068(ES44AC) BNSF 9298(SD70ACe) BNSF 8572(SD70ACe) BNSF 8573(SD70ACe)
Views:  343   Comments: 2
BNSF 6068StS3
Title:  BNSF 6068StS3
Description:  This 'Pumpkin Patch' is about as pretty as you can get to catch them in action!!
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 1:08:53 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  117   Comments: 3
RfDtl
Title:  RfDtl
Description:  While editing photos for this album, I caught this sweet view of roofline details; 3 '70ACe's and a lone GE..
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/2/2014 1:41:24 PM
Location:  Crawford, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6068(ES44AC)
Views:  160   Comments: 0
BNSF6068StS6
Title:  BNSF6068StS6
Description:  With clearance to return light to Crawford 6068 and 9298 start thier drift back downhill from Belmont. The original single main track, now a siding, swings off to the right here; it follows the countour of the land in a long and wide curve before rejoining the double main about a mile downline. Both tracks nicely bracket our helper set in this view..
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/3/2014 2:09:20 PM
Location:  Belmont, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  112   Comments: 0
BNSF 9296Blmt
Title:  BNSF 9296Blmt
Description:  Crawford Hill Helpers BNSF 9298 and 6068 drift light throught the summit cut at Belmont on thier way back down for another run. A passing cloud gently softens and highlights the scene...
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/3/2014 2:33:46 PM
Location:  Belmont, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9296(SD70ACe) BNSF 6068(ES44AC)
Views:  241   Comments: 0
MoWBmt
Title:  MoWBmt
Description:  Maintenence of Way speeders and equiptment occupy the former main's siding at Belmont.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/3/2014 2:50:00 PM
Location:  Belmont, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  120   Comments: 3
BNSF 5250895Cfd
Title:  BNSF 5250895Cfd
Description:  BNSF 5250 with silverbonnet 895 bring thier train around Breezy Point partway up Crawford Hill. Upon seeing this set i did a turnaround and hasted to meet the train back at Belmont..[Again thx to another contributor's photo for clarifiying this location for me...]
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/3/2014 3:04:39 PM
Location:  Belmont, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5250(C44-9W) BNSF 895(C40-8W)
Views:  216   Comments: 0
BNSF 5250895CfdS2
Title:  BNSF 5250895CfdS2
Description:  This train had ample power to summit the Hill unassisted. Here they bring empty Boeing fuselage cars through the Summit Cut at Belmont. The path to the right is the original Right of Way leading to Nebraska's only Railroad tunnel.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/3/2014 3:15:03 PM
Location:  Belmont, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5250(C44-9W) BNSF 895(C40-8W)
Views:  304   Comments: 0
BNSF 5250895CfdS3
Title:  BNSF 5250895CfdS3
Description:  The county road bridge at scenic Belmont affords a fine view of BNSF action as seen here. [Parking is good, too!] Afternoon sun wonderfully highlights 5250 -it seems one of her roofline panels has been in fact, scavanged off a [hopefully-not-dead-yet!] silverbonnet..
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/3/2014 3:26:59 PM
Location:  Belmont, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5250(C44-9W) BNSF 895(C40-8W)
Views:  276   Comments: 1
BNSF 98689801SBlmt
Title:  BNSF 98689801SBlmt
Description:  This one almost got away..2 BNSF '70MACs crest the divide at Belmont and are throttling down for the drop to Crawford. -After a long wait at this prime spot and with nothing coming i was about to leave..driving east a short distance I came to a better view of anything coming from the south and, sure enough...I did a quick turnaround and hastened back to my spot with barely time to get off this shot...'just goes to show how wise the saying 'Just {wait} a minute more...'!!!
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 8/3/2014 3:21:11 PM
Location:  Crawford Hill, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9868(SD70MAC) BNSF 9801(SD70MAC)
Views:  299   Comments: 0
BNSF 98689801N Cfd
Title:  BNSF 98689801N Cfd
Description:  Now coming down off Crawford Hill, 9868 and train pass by in dynamic while yet another heavy coaler snakes up the hill behind them in this sweeping late day view.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 8/3/2014 3:10:25 PM
Location:  Crawford Hill, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9868(SD70MAC) BNSF 9801(SD70MAC)
Views:  237   Comments: 2
BNSF 6182,9447UCfd
Title:  BNSF 6182,9447UCfd
Description:  BNSF's 6182 and 9447 are on full Crawford Hill Assault, blasting clean exhaust and dropping a fine haze of sander dust as they lug another heavy coaler south.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/7/2014 1:42:14 AM
Location:  Crawford Hill, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6182(ES44AC) BNSF 9447(SD70MAC)
Views:  226   Comments: 0
BNSF 6182,9447UCfdS2
Title:  BNSF 6182,9447UCfdS2
Description:  A few minutes by and the 6182/9447 are now crossing a fill allowing for a good 'spotlight' photo as they crawl uphill.
Photo Date:  6/24/2014  Upload Date: 7/7/2014 1:42:47 AM
Location:  Crawford Hill, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6182(ES44AC) BNSF 9447(SD70MAC)
Views:  224   Comments: 0
BNSF 9772Blmt
Title:  BNSF 9772Blmt
Description:  Coated in sander dust, notching down and going into dynamic, BNSF veteran Grinstiener 9772 passes under the summit bridge at Belmont.
Photo Date:  7/14/2015  Upload Date: 8/12/2015 3:01:34 AM
Location:  Belmont, NE
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9772(SD70MAC)
Views:  175   Comments: 0

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