Thoroughbred Meetup
Thanks to info and ongoing updates from a buddy, I was well-informed of the leaders on NS D36 - the famed NS6173, plus the 6122 trailing. The 6173 is exactly the motor I picture when thinking about the NS Bloomington District. The former N&amp;W unit looks very much as it did when it was built, with the long-hood bell, long-hood-forward control stand (though the second stand is no more), lack of &quot;front&quot; plow.. and plenty of dirt and rust to boot on the old thoroughbred paint. It hasn't seen a dot of new paint since it first got its Norfolk Southern colours. It's clapped out beyond belief, but it's still chugging along and sounds real nice.

As radio confirmed to my buddy the crew was done working Gibson City and they'd be heading south shortly, I was getting in my car as work ended to head out that way and nab a shot at Osman. ATCS is presently non-functional on the Bloomington (temporary, I think), however just enough data slips through when dispatch sends commands that you can get a minute or two to see what's happening. I was checking it and noted Osman was lined into the siding for a northbound, and that Lodge &amp; Mansfield were flashing green for one as well...

Turns out, NS D09, led by NS9574/2717, was meeting D36 here at Osman. What a wonderful treat! I arrived plenty early to get set up and watch D09 pass by - not in the best light, spring and northbounds and all - then see 36 meet. Lights off for the meet, but they flicked on just as the crew throttled up when the 6122 cleared the three-header at Osman. The sound of a pair of EMDs powering up, even having just spent a few days up north listening to them, never truly gets old.

Right, now to race down to CP Mills... right?
trains railroad railroadphotography railways signal osman ns6173 nsbloomingtondistrict ns norfolksouthern sd402 emd searchlight railroadsignal illinois midwest codeline