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January 1st of 2021 was an overcast, cold, and windy day here, so with the promise of better weather and the movement of the ex-Northern Pacific private cars on Saturday the 2nd I chose to wait for my first photos of the year. With permission from the landowner I planned to catch Amtrak 21 passing over the Brazos River south of Rio Vista. I left home around 1:00 pm to allow adequate time to get into position.

South of Rio Vista I heard a meet occurring at Blum, the next siding to the south. The sun angle was terrible for northbounds, so I found a spot along Highway 174 that I could try for a broadside view of an empty coal train. So without further adieu, my first train of 2021, the BNSF 9123 North.

I crossed the road for a much better lighted view of the two DPU’s. Four aces for my first train, I hope that is a good omen.

I heard there was a second northbound at Kopperl with the BNSF 681 leading in faded out red and silver warbonnet. I decided to pass as the lighting would once again not be optimal and I had my primary goal of being in position for the Webb Rail ex-NP cars. I was in position and ready thirty minutes before the arrival of Amtrak 21.

I used the idle time to watch the constant parade of high speed fishing? boats up and down the Brazos River. Not what I remember from fishing as a boy.

At 3:08 pm I spotted the train approaching the bridge.

I could have used the drone and saved myself the effort of getting to this spot, but with a train moving at roughly 70 mph the best I would have been able to get was one really good shot, assuming the radio shutter trigger did not fail as it has occasionally in the past. Instead I went with the reliable DSLR’s for this satisfying sequence spanning around 10 seconds.

And my personal favorite showing the entire perspective.

Secure in the experienced knowledge that I would never overtake Amtrak, I turned away and made my way back to the SUV. On the way back home in Cleburne I spotted consecutively numbered and immaculate Fort Worth & Western SD40-2’s 2016 and 2017 in switching service.

Not high number of trains for my first outing of 2021 but what I lacked in quantity I feel I made up for in quality.