On April 21st, 2025, I had plans to head to Fort Worth to take some drone stills north of Tower 55. I had a stop to make first as I learned the UP’s Western Pacific heritage unit number 1983 was leaving Fort Worth westbound leading an intermodal train. I drove over to Iona and found a spot next to where the old west end of the siding was located before it was extended to over 12,000 feet.
I only had to wait a few minutes for the train to pass me at 11:07 am. I had chosen this spot on purpose as I had reasonable side lighting here on the 1983.
Off to a good start, I drove on to Fort Worth and had adequate time to launch the drone to capture Amtrak Train 22 just out of Fort Worth Central Station on its way to Dallas. The track on the far right is exclusive to TEXRail; the track occupied by Train 22 is dedicated to Trinity Railway Express and Amtrak; and the single track on the far left belongs to UP on its way from Tower 55 to ex-Rock Island Peach Yard.
A few seconds later at 2:39 pm, Amtrak Train 22 is passing through Purina Junction as it curves off to the right towards Dallas.
Next up at 2:42 pm I sighted a southbound BNSF loaded coal train pulling down to Tower 55 and recorded it passing by Trinity Metro’s headquarters in the old Tindal Records building.
Over the radio I heard Amtrak Train 22 meeting Amtrak Train 21 at Sylvania siding on the TRE. At 2:55 pm I recorded Train 21 heading upgrade under Trinity Metro’s building and into Central Station.
Pleased with the results for the day, I headed back home.
