BNSF Railway has trackage rights over the UP Baird Subdivision between Fort Worth and Sweetwater but in recent years only uses them occasionally. Yesterday I learned too late that the UP ZAILC “Laser” westbound intermodal had three BNSF units paying back horsepower hours ahead of three UP units for head end power. Having missed that train, I was surprised to learn that today’s ZAILC had two BNSF units on the point ahead of three UP units. I had an errand to run to Ace Hardware so I timed it so I would be in Aledo when the train came through.
At first I had a wider view in mind by standing across the street from the fence between the road and the tracks, but as the train was on final approach at 2:58 pm, two dump trucks turned up the street and I was forced to quickly move up to the fence for this view.
Looking at the results I was pleased and with this one train for today in the bag I set off to complete my errand.
