FL9

I had researched the new “Music City Star” commuter rail for Nashville on the web before the start of our trip, and naturally when we passed through the area on the way home the feature article in Railfan & Railroad on this service was still a week or so away from being released.  I guessed the equipment would probably be tied down in the eastern terminus of Lebanon, TN on a Sunday morning since they do not operate on weekends.  We exited Interstate 40 on the west side of town and drove north towards the tracks on the GPS display until we happened upon the commuter rail platform.  There was a nice map showing all the stations on the route into Nashville.

The fare structure seems to be a little more expensive than what we are used to here in DFW.

Following the tracks east a few blocks later we came across the Nashville & Eastern’s depot office.

About a mile further east brought us to a locked gate at the entrance to the Nashville & Eastern shops and the west end of their yard.  A quick shot with the 400mm indicates the N&E prefers second-hand GE power.

Driving along city streets outside the fence we suddenly spotted my goal at the east end of the yard where the push-pull trainsets were parked with no one around.  A small rise outside the 6-foot chain link barbed wire fence allowed me to shoot over the top of it by holding my camera at arms length over my head.  Making full use of the instant review when shooting digital and by using various zoom lengths along with the autofocus I took about two dozen shots total while constantly judging them in the viewfinder.  The net result was these four views of three ex-Amtrak F40PH’s and their train sets silently at rest waiting for Monday morning.

With the goal for this stop having been completed successfully, we got back on I40 and drove east towards Nashville.