May 27th, Northern Iowa area

Took a short trip through northern Iowa. First stop was Mason City, where I found the Iowa Traction Railroad # 54:

Next up was Union Pacific #697 GP38-2 switching cars.

Next up was CN 5777 just west of Cedar Falls leading a grain train.

Next up was the CN (ex. IC) Waterloo Yard in Waterloo, Iowa.

Finally, I caught a CN (IC 9520 GP38) train setting out some cars in Manchester. The train then tied down to wait.

Governor Bond Lake, May 12-16th

The crappie spawn is on right now. This is as easy as it will get, so I decided to take full advantage of it. Also of interest is the water temperature, which is up about 10 degrees and is finally at a more normal temperature. The bluegills are also starting to spawn, as well as the sunfish (pumpkinseeds). All in all its been a good time to fish.

Metro East Area of Saint Louis, May 8th

Today I decided to try and knock off the last two items on my list of train companies/engines in the Saint Louis area before I graduate from college. I was planning on starting out my trip in Dupo, Illinois, but it hit a bit of a surprise snag. That was a CSX train sitting under I-255 in Fairmont City. Of interest where the tanks on the head end. The train was lead by CSX 5410 (ES40DC)

 From there we (I went with a friend) went over towards the KCS East Saint Louis yard, but somehow ended up on the backside of the Alton and Southern Yard and caught this little scene:

We then headed over to the KCS yard and caught a couple of KCS units KCS 662 (SD40-2), 2812, and 2805 (both SD40-3s).

We than went up to Granite City and went to the Tri-City Port, where we caught several of the Respondek units; 3086 (SD40-2), 1800 (GP8), 14 (SW8), and 1239 (SW1200).

I then caught one of the Manufactures Railroad engines at the Cargill grain elevator in Granite City. That being the 255 (SW1500).

I then wondered down to 'Tower W' (Niedringhaus Ave crossing). The first train to show up showed up about 10 seconds before I did. That being a BNSF manifest lead by BNSF 6618 (ES44AC).

I then went back to the Niedringhaus Ave crossing and caught a BNSF lead coal drag, BNSF 9829 (SD70MAC).

That was followed quickly by a UP coal train lead by UP 5862 (AC44CWCTE).

Then 'the race' of sorts came through, a northbound Norfolk Southern manifest (NS 9875 C40-9W) and Amtrak (possibly the Texas Eagle).

That was followed by a UP northbound stacker lead by UP 4063 (SD70M) with a Ferromex unit (FXE 4685 (ES44AC) in the number two spot.

Then what I was looking for came through, a Terminal Railroad of Saint Louis switch move with TRRA 2005 and 2001 (GP38-3s).

That was followed by a UP coke train (UP 6459 AC44CW).

The only southbound of the day, a NS manifest was the next to come through. It was lead by NS 9292 (C40-9W) and two other NS units.

After that a loaded UP ballast train came through lead by UP 9329 (C40-8).

 The final movement I caught before my camera screwed up was a NS local lead by NS 6169 (SD40-2).

That is all, Matt.

Governor Bond Lake, May 7th

This trip was short, but proved that the bass are finally in the shallows. Went from 1800 to 1900 hrs, with a temp of 60ish. Caught 4 bass on a yellow spinner around the rip-rap.

Caught:
4 largemouth bass
1 crappie

That is all,
Matt

A Couple of Train Pictures

On my way back to school I caught this train on the NS Main just east of Raymond, IL (Montgomery County) lead by NS 7518 (ES40DC) and a leaser.

My next train excursion took me to Centralia, IL (Marion County). I went down there during a low in the white bass run in Carlyle, IL. My first order of business when I got down there was to look at the signals, which were lined up for a west bound NS train. Since I couldn't hear it coming I went over to the BNSF yard and caught a loaded coal train (BNSF 9927 SD70MAC) waiting to go west next to the Centralia Switcher (BNSF 1976 SD40-2).

After going to the BNSF yard I went on down to the CN (ex. IC) yard to see if anything was sitting out, sure enough several of the engines that CN bought of BNSF were sitting around the old turntable. Some in new paint and some in old ATSF paint with CN painted on the side. CN 2109 and CN 4929.

After that the NS train came through town lead by NS 8432 (C40-8W) and a catfish.

That is all
Matt M.

Governor Bond Lake Early May

Instead of listing every time I fish at Governor Bond separately I decided to lump them all together. Right now the lake is about 3 feet over flood stage, which has resulted in rather cold water that looks like coffee with creamer. This has resulted in the fishing off the dam stopping almost entirely. Since that is the case I have started fishing the docks more, which has resulted in about 3 crappies for every 15 mins or so of fishing.

Matt

May 2nd, Kaskaskia River

1300 to 1450 hrs
upper 50s with light rain
Went back down to see if this day would be like the last. It was, but not for the type of fish I was going after. Manged to catch 4 asian carp and snag several "shad" as well. Did manage to catch a couple whites as well. All where caught on a pair of 1/16oz jig heads with a 2" white twister tail on top and a white/green crappie tube on the bottom.

Caught:
4 Asian Carp
16 White Bass
7 Threadfin shad

May 1st, Kaskaskia River

Today was the day as far as white bass were concerned. Went down to Carlyle, Illinois to try my luck at fishing again. Went from 1300 to 1600 hrs. The temperature was in the low 60s, with lots of clouds and a little rain every once in awhile. My main objective of the day was to use up my minnows. It didn't take me long to use up all my minnows on crappies and white bass. I then decided to switch to jigs and that is where the fun really began. Lets just say that not catching a fish on a cast was a rarity.

Caught
108 white bass
22 crappies
1 sheaphead