24 hours of trains

During Memorial Day weekend, I attended part of an event sponsored by the North Texas Chapter of the NRHS. This was their 3rd annual "24 hour train watching party" in Saginaw, Texas. Held on the Friday and Saturday before Memorial Day, fans are invited to come watch BNSF, UP, and Amtrak trains roll past the Saginaw Heritage Center for part or all of a 24-hour period beginning at 7 pm on Friday.

UP 1915 makes a late night move past the depot...

Shadowy figures and a southbound rock train.

All train movements were logged on the official train sheet.

To help pass time between trains, NRHS chapter president and event coordinator Skip Waters scheduled video and slide presentations, trivia contests, door prizes and give-aways, and even a horn-blowing demonstration.

Setting up for a digital slide show

I did NOT stay for the whole 24 hours; I had to work second shift on Friday and Saturday (dammit!) But I logged a few hours on Friday night after work, and then returned with the kids on Saturday afternoon for the horn-honk.

High sun photo line... don't worry, guys... the light will be better in about six hours.

Auto-Maxes, lawn chairs, and mullets. Oh my!

There must be a train coming...

Hey Dad, when is Troy gonna let ME blow the horn?

M always likes to hang around on the caboose.

Thanks to Skip Waters, the North Texas chapter of the NRHS, and the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce for hosting a very enjoyable event. It was a nice time for fun and fellowship; many attendees -- both locals and out-of-towners -- are on the Railspot and Texoma Railfans lists, so it's one of those times to put names with faces and just enjoy the comaraderie without worrying so much about "getting the shot".

Railspotter LnCS (if that IS his real name), visiting the D-F-Dub from Aggieland, posted photos and videos from the event in near "real time"... here, take a look:

http://tinyurl.com/3nhfxa

WSC

np: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder - "Get up, John"