LEFT-Little Rock River Market stop of Central Arkansas Transit's River Rail Streetcar No. 411, 12:29 p.m. August 1, 2008. I also boarded here and went back across the Arkansas River to North Little Rock, where I had parked. Myself, along with John C. Jones, both members of the Arkansas Railroad Club, have several photos in the 2008 Streetcar calendar. I got an annual pass for my efforts. Normal fares are $1.00, .50 cents children under 5. RIGHT-Now it's Sunday, August 3 at the station in Little Rock. UP 5147 heads a mixed train at 8:56 a.m. northbound. It was 100-plus degrees later in the day, I think the 4th or 5th straight day it's been over 100. However, due to all the spring rains, Little Rock is over 4 inches above normal in rainfall in 2008 so far, thus the green grass and rather lush trees. This did make for a very high humidity level, however, which made Heat Index readings between 110 and 115 degrees during the past 4 afternoons. UP had a heat-related speed restriction through here and most of the system in Arkansas.
Note that this train is on the Amtrak siding due to a soutbouund coal train coming on the next track. In fact, there were 2 freights using this track today, very slowly.
LEFT-In Your Face sort of scene. RIGHT-Looking east into the sun.
Here's the coal train on the next track headed by UP 7198 at 9:05 a.m.
RIGHT-UP 6845 was the DPU.
LEFT-UP 4868 at 9:35 a.m. Yes, I included the other photograher on purpose for 'atmosphere.' There were 10 of us train nuts there, including two children. RIGHT-Green board for another approaching northbound at 9:46 a.m. The green dwarf signal means the train will switch over from Main Two to Main One (the second and third tracks from the right).
LEFT-UP 4370, 9:47 a.m. RIGHT-Here's our crew of fans, under the shade tree in the parking lot.
LEFT-Engine move from Biddle to the North Little Rock yards at 9:57 a.m. headed by UP 1930. RIGHT-These workhorses have been working these yards here for years: UP 1917-1370 and 1336.
UP 4767, 10:05 a.m.
LEFT-Two CSX units, 7780 and 7834, come by at 10:17 a.m. RIGHT-Old and worn SP hi-cube.
LEFT-Ashley, Drew & Northern boxcar (HS 30716). RIGHT-UP 5250, 10:57 a.m.
Long string of new (since the spring) CITX hoppers. "Williams Hayward Thermal Bond Exterior Applied Paragould (AR) 03-2008"
LEFT-Heading south with 7 locomotives at 11:25 a.m. RIGHT-UP-SP 2741, the second train to use the Amtrak siding, at 12:01 p.m.
RIGHT-Train and helicopter, probably a Medflight heading for Arkansas Children's Hospital.
