Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Union Station in Little Rock, Arkansas. A little excitement today as a train went into emergency in front of the station after two cars became uncoupled. Plus a rare Sunday Little Rock & Western train passed the station. Inluded today:

1) 11:15 a.m. - train separated after becoming uncoupled.
2) 11:26 a.m. - UP/SP 2715 on southbound.
3) 12:18 p.m. - UP 5692 with LRWN train rounding curve in background.
4) 12:22 p.m. - LRWN 102, Arkansas Midland 722
5) 12:28 p.m. - UP 5469
6) 12:32 p.m. - UP 8645
7) 12:42 p.m. - LRWN train taken from the Cantrell Road overpass.
8) 1:19 p.m. - UP 5345
9) 1:21 p.m. - UP/SP 9647, former SP 8183, a GE C44-9W, the last SP 8100-series not painted in UP yellow.
10) 1:35 p.m. - UP 5345, AKMD 722, UP 6836, al 3 trains in one photo
11) 1:44 p.m. - UP 5925DPU, AKMD 722 and UP 5345 all on one photo.

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About 11:15, this train went into emergency after the couplers came apart, separating the air hoses. We heard the loud hissing sound-pop, then both the front half of the train and the following half of the train went into emergency. The front half pulled about 1 or 2 car-lengths ahead of the loose cars, then the loose cars slowly closed the gap (both halves still in emergency). Both halves stopped about the same time, about 1 car-length apart, as seen in the photos.
   The engines were already around the curve on the Baring Cross bridge and couldn't see the separated cars. All they knew was that there was loss of air pressure and we could hear them trying to get the pressure back up. In a few minutes, a member of the crew walked to the separation, told the engineer to back up about 1 car length to hook up again and they got the air back up. After the crew member continued walking the rest of the train (which was around another corner at South Union Station), the train proceeded. It took a total of 12-15 minutes to start moving again from the time the break occurred.


LEFT-UP/SP 2715, 11:26 a.m. RIGHT-UP5692 with AKMD 722 and LRWN Alco 102 heading a Little Rock and Western train in the background.


The Little Rock and Western rare Sunday train (from Perry, Arkansas) had a very long train for them. While I didn't get to count the cars, there were 23 on the straight section in the forground and I'd estimate at least 20 more around the curve.


LEFT-Waiting to cross the Arknasas River to go to UP's  North Little Rock yards and their own track in those yards. RIGHT-UP 5469, 12:28 p.m.


LEFT-Bright and shiny UP 8645. RIGHT-Taken from the Cantrell Road overpass looking at the waiting LRWN train at 12:42 p.m.




LEFT-UP 5345 and SP/UP 9647 head a grain train at 1:21 p.m. RIGHT-SP-UP and a Santa Fe hopper on the LRWN.


LEFT-UP/SP 9647, possibly the last SP 8100-series C44-9W not painted in UP yellow. RIGHT-You can see the old SP number of 8183 under the UP number in this enhanced black and white photo.


LEFT-Three trains at once at the station, a relatively rare sight. Seen are UP 5345, AKMD 722 and an approaching UP coal train headed by UP 6836 at 1:35 p.m. RIGHT-Passing UP trains.


LEFT-Two railfans watching the action. RIGHT-UP 5825 was the DPU on the coal train, seen along with UP 5345 and the LRWN train.



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