On Saturday February 20th I made a one-day trip to Sweetwater and back on family business. The sky was overcast on the way west, but I still took time out to exit I20 and head down to Brazos when the radio indicated the eastbound Abilene local was there waiting on a westbound “Z” train. He was stopped short of the main crossing with the usual two GP60’s for power.
I drove on to the rural crossing just west of the west switch at Brazos where I set up this shot of the UP 7814 West a few minutes later.
Getting back on I20 I overtook the “Z” train and got off again at Eastland when the radio indicated another meet would take place there in the next few minutes. An eastbound manifest train pulled down to the east end of the siding, and shortly the UP 7814 West came around the curve at track speed.
UP conductor Don Moore was on the ground to check the “Z” train by with a friendly wave.
The “Z” train passed quickly, and then it was the mainfest train’s turn to roll out of the siding back to the main.
As soon as the DPU cleared the switch it throttled up to shove the train on towards Fort Worth.
From here it was smooth sailing on to Sweetwater where I hoped for a few more shots after taking care of business.
