Once upon a time in North Dakota . . . J52 pulls up to the control point at Drake and pauses to have a conversation with another local working the yard about how to make their moves.

The local from Max to Drake, ND pulls high to a cut of their 111 car train, consisting of mostly frac sand empties, into the yard at Drake. They needed the light twice to get the entire train put... (more)

The CPKC Golden Spike Special flies past the old grain elevator in Drake, ND.

An extra Harvey Switch rolls east toward Harvey, ND after picking up cars at Drake, ND where the New Town Sub meets the mainline.

An 'Extra Harvey Switch' departs Drake, ND for Harvey, ND with 23 loaded cars off the New Town Sub.

The mercury hovers around 0 degrees Fahrenheit while two dirty beavers lead a long #293 out of Drake, kicking up the fresh powder.

ABA F9's depart Drake leading the Royal Canadian Pacific, meanwhile passing a mural on the elevator.

The Royal Canadian Pacific heads West on ex-Soo Line trackage destined for New Town.

A CP eastbound reflects light from a pastel sunset.

One of two jobs working to keep the New Town sub clear. The Russell should continue to operate for the next two days. The 900186 was beefed up this summer at R M Johnson Railcar in Kimball, MN.

With 570 photos in hand from my trip out to North Dakota from the last 5 days, I capture my last train at sunset before driving 10 hours home. Here train 198 creeps along at restricted speed east ... (more)

Hotshot train 198 rolls into Drake as the day comes to an end in central North Dakota. This eastbound is only a couple miles west of Drake as they past over highway 14. This 7800 foot train is abo... (more)

Exhaust off 3 GE's pour out as 199 accelerates west of Drake after meeting train 330 there. This train is working up to track speed of 49 mph. This is the hot shot train west of St. Paul. Although... (more)