Today we start out on a cold December day in 1985 as a short westbound QLA train has just left Enid on its way to Avard. A light flurry leaves a dusting of snow that is kicked up by the fast moving train. Note the BN caboose bringing up the rear.
Further west is the town of Carmen where the Avard Sub crosses the AT&SF Altus District at grade. Here we see the AT&SF 8018 East coming through on the way to Enid as it is about to pound over the diamond behind me.
Trust me after living in the area for seven years I have plenty more where these came from, including Frisco days. For today we’ll stop at Avard, where the westbound QLA train led by future AT&SF bicentennial SD45-2 #5701 is about to round the curve onto the AT&SF transcon on July 5, 1980.
I’m sure Wes makes dispatching this busy railroad look easy!
One Comment
WOW!!!! Great stuff man, I love this route. I railfan this line three or four times a year, it has always been busy but it is SUPER BUSY, now. Lots of trains and Track Warrant Control. Nothing quite like it in my book. If you go all the way from Tulsa to Avard chasing a train it is awesome with a total change of scenery. You go from lusch green hill country and lakes to dry flat high plains with scrub vegitation. AWESOME!!!