FL9

Today we were scheduled to leave Sweetwater at 9:30am to run east with stops at Merkel, Abilene, and Clyde before returning back west.  Before we left the first train of the day was the UP 7619 West that came to a stop to change crews after we finished our morning safety meeting.

We had our largest passenger loading of the week so far, and we left the house track after meeting one train.  I was kept busy photographing the passengers from Sweetwater and Merkel, and did not pause until we were passing the old T&P depot in Abilene after meeting two westbounds at Bagdad.

We reversed course in Clyde before meeting another westbound train.  I took time to study the upholstry pattern common in all the UP cars on our train, and found it to be highly appropriate.

After our Abilene stop we went in the hole at Bagdad to let two eastbounds around us, and then met another two at Merkel after discharging passengers.  We then took the siding again at Eskota as the UP 5132 East came down the main while I watched from the dome car.

This was our last meet, and we sailed through Tecific while a BNSF coal train sat outside our window on the Lampassas Sub.

We arrived back at the Sweetwater depot two hours late due to all the meets, but everyone was very happy with the trip as they disembarked.  Later after sunset I returned for a night shot of the 4141 as light rain began to fall.

Tomorrow we make a round trip west to Colorado City, and when we return to Sweetwater the week’s travels will be done, and the train will leave empty to deadhead back to Fort Worth.  I will be at my father’s house tomorrow night with only a dialup connection, but I will try to post at least one photo if possible.  Saturday morning will find me on the road back to Fort Worth.