Its the week of April 11th 2015, and Norfolk Southern Freight Trains NS 38E and 39E are making their final runs between Wayne Michigan and Jackson Michigan. These freight trains run from Elkhart Indiana to Jackson Michigan via Toledo Ohio, and Wayne Michigan and return. This will be the end of an era for freight service on the Michigan line, and be the first time in the history of the Michigan line that no regular road freight service will happen between Wayne Michigan and Jackson Michigan.
The start of the week was on 38E-11 (4-11-15). 38E was led by a former BN SD60M "triclops" unit. This train is seen heading west past mp30 on the Amtrak Michigan Line. Later that day 39E-11 is seen as Amtrak train 350 races past at Townline Junction in Dearborn Michigan.
38E-12 had some foreign power on point, in the form of a UP SD70ACe making the west bound run just before darkness completely set in. Late at night 39E returned as a power move back to Wayne.
The next day on the 13th 38E ran west at a near perfect time, running into sunset with four locomotives and six box cars. This is probably my favorite shot form the week as my favorite freight train ran into the sunset. 39E-13 returned with a slightly healthier train, and less power.
On April 14th the freight ran as an extra, and used they symbol W8E. On this night I shot the train in depot town with a couple of my good railfanning friends. We would spend the evenings here watching the three trains pass by the old depot and station. This was the last night we would see all three trains together. That was a special way to end an era with my friends.
The next morning we were treated to a surprise, as another W8E called, this time with Union Pacific power. This train made its run just after sunrise, which made for a pretty neat shot. They then surprised us and came back quickly as a W9E power move.
Later that evening another freight was run this time it was 38E-15. A freshly painted dash 9 was second out in this consist.
On the 16th, more Union Pacific power made an appearance. This is Thursdays edition of the train. This was supposed to be the last edition, but thankfully they ran another two days.
On Friday we caught the 39E heading east, standard NS power on point for this run, but that's fine by me. After this there were only two trips left.
On Saturday the 18th the final runs of NS 38E and 39E were here. 38E ran west around 10:20pm, a decent sized train was following a pair of dash 9's. Later that night 39E returned back east light power. That ended an era of freight service on the Michigan Line. The light power was a fitting end to the freight trains 38E and 39E running west of Wayne. Farewell 38E and 39E, thanks for the memories.
Here are the photos from the week:
Meet at CP Townline by Michigan Central Lines, on Flickr
38E Beyond Last Light by Michigan Central Lines, on Flickr
NS W8E Ypsilanti by Michigan Central Lines, on Flickr
NS W8E Giving Its All by Michigan Central Lines, on Flickr
NS W9E Union Pacific SD70M by Michigan Central Lines, on Flickr
My Final Photograph NS 38E by Michigan Central Lines, on FlickrThanks for watching and reading!
