If big power and big sky is what you want, it's here in Sealy
just a few miles due west of Houston. A BNSF intermodal heads
towards Rosenberg and eventually the Port of Houston. (Sealy,
1-3-2002) |
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A pair of SD90MACs pull out of Spring,
just north of Houston along IH45, heading north with a monster
load of plastic pellet hoppers. Modern power is the rule in
Houston, but you can also see just about anything still running
at some point in time here. (Spring, 12-20-2001) |
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On the northwest part of Houston are
several heavy metal fabrication businesses, mostly tied to oil
exploration and refinery operations. MP15 switchers are a common
sight servicing the heavy industries along the Hempstead Hwy
with coil cars and the occasional oversized load. (Near Tower
13, Houston, 7-3-2001) |
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An unusual and only partial view of the
UP SIT (Storage in Transit) yard in Spring, just north of Houston.
With capacity for several thousand hoppers, UP provides temporary
storage of plastic pellet products, many produced AND consumed
right in Houston. (Spring, 3-23-2001) |
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Old Town Spring welcomes all sorts of
tourists, CSX leads a fresh string of autoracks into town on
a gray Winter's day. But, hey, there's no snow here! (Spring,
1-3-2002) |
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Just south of Spring, UP services their
own Automobile Terminal as well as one for Gulf States Toyota
on a 24x7 basis. Just what we need: more cars in Houston! (Westfield,
10-25-2000) |
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As a major port city, Houston railroads
handle a wide variety of loads destined for foreign buyers.
It's not just plastic hoppers and tank cars here! (Belt Junction,
Houston, 2-24-2001) |
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Not all loads go oversees, Houston's
continuous growth calls for many trainloads of gravel and rock
products for highways and general construction locally. Originating
near Austin in central Texas, these "rock trains"
usually have older 6 axle power, and lots of it. The high humidity
adds to the haze on many days. (Eureka Yard, Houston, 2-24-2001) |
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The PRTA utilizes a fleet of rare MK
units power to handle anything and everything in the local area.
The MK units have oversized switcher style cabs with extra visibility
and a low short hood. They like Big Sky blue, too. (Belt Junction,
Houston, 11-7-2001) |
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And just to remind you that Texas is
still Texas, there's always horsepower to spare. (Spring, 9-12-2001) |
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Point Comfort and Northern runs mostly
grain trains with speedy 4 axle power of their own to give us
some variety from the "Big Two". They may get some
UP or SP power in the consist, but they always seem to put their
own on the lead. (Belt Junction, Houston, 7-8-2000) |
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Southwest of Houston, the last manned
tower in Texas keeps vigil in Rosenberg where BNSF and UP cross
at grade. This is a mainline for both roads, so traffic is constant,
modern and big like this BNSF grain empty. During infrequent
breaks, local BNSF and UP crews work the interchange and local
industries. (Rosenberg, 8-21-2001) |
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A big blue sky forms a backdrop for a
foursome of 4 axle units shifting hoppers in Spring. The SIT
yard in Spring has several GP38-2s and GP15s for switching duties,
but no SW or MP15 units at all. It's not uncommon to see 70+
loaded hoppers in a single yard move here. (Spring, 7-14-2001) |
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Heading out of town to the northwest,
the landscape adds a few hills and curves for a northbound BNSF
coal empty with DPU. About an hour from my home in Cypress,
Brenham is a great day trip, especially when the weather is
nice. (Near Brenham, 1-3-2002) |
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Article and photos by Ken
L. Whitehead.
From a railroading perspective, Texas has a very rich history
and continues to provide ample opportunities for railfans and photographers
alike. From the mountains of west Texas, the plains of north Texas
to the Piney Woods of east Texas, you name it, it's here.
One could, and many have written entire books on
Trains and Texas. I have been photographing trains in and around
Houston for several years, and have several favorite spots in this
particular part of the state.
Houston is the largest city in Texas (4th in the
USA) and is home of one of the largest ports in the USA, as well
as the unchallenged home of the petrochemical and petroleum industries.
Serving the port and these industries is a major
effort for the rail carriers in the area. Major carriers are UP
and BNSF, with significant traffic on KCS as well. Locally, PTRA
handles traffic around the port. Historical roads include ATSF,
MoPac, SP, Rock Island, and the beloved Miss Katy (MKT). TFM, CSX
and NS are frequent visitors.
So what can you see today? Just about anything,
let me show you some of the local flavor...
All images were taken with a Nikon Coolpix
950 digital camera, set to shutter priority 1/250 or 1/500 sec.
Images and article copyright ©2002 Ken L. Whitehead.
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