CSX - Santa dead-heads to the North Pole with the goodies - 11-17-2017
I took a day of vacation on Friday, but I didn’t realize the dead-head move of CRR 3632-800 north to Shelby with the Santa Train consist was going to be such a major railfan event. I expected it to pull in, and I would get a few shots on that beautiful Friday. I really didn’t expect a mob scene!!!
1. In mid-afternoon the Santa Train rolls into Shelby. That water tank and the flood light towers are the last steam-age structures left in Shelby. CRR 3632-800.
2. CRR acquired eight SD45s in a trade with SCL for their U36Cs, but their numbers went only as high as 3631. No. 3632 was originally SCL also, but I’m not sure of its owners since it left the CSX roster. Southern Appalachia Railway Museum in Oak Ridge TN did the wonderful repaint. CRR 3632-800. Shelby. View 2.
3. Q692 behind CSX 837-316-8368 pulls to a stop with 97 cars. CSX had evidently organized a photo line here, but only those wearing the green safety vests were allowed past the gate. I didn’t notice that until I had breached the line for my photo. Someone either employed or representing CSX told me I would have to get back, as it would be unfair to those wearing the vests. I told him I only wanted one shot, and I took it. I asked him for his credentials and identification, but he never produced them. CRR 3632-800. Shelby. View 3.
4. CRR 3632-800 detach. Shelby.
5. CRR 3632-800 head through the “Upper Crossover” to go to the east end of the yard. Shelby.
6. CRR 800-3632 come up yard track 2 to the east end. Shelby.
7. The Florence Dispatcher has to line CRR 800 out onto the main line. Shelby.
8. CRR 800 heads back down the main line to couple to the Santa Train for the next morning’s run south. Shelby.
More on that later.
Train images used by permission of Everett N Young