New Engine Spotted at North Ave. Yard

[TribuneFreightFanatic]

 Hello all,
I spent most of the morning following the North Ave. UP crew's usual actions. However, I noticed something was different. Was it the increase in CP Rail cars? No. That's been that way. The weather? Nah--usual Chi-town fall weather. Then it dawned on me: THE ENGINE! Yes, its the same good old GP-15 model we're all used to, but it wasn't the old rusty #547 engine. There is a new engine in the yard: UPY712 was seen doing the switch job today. Not sure if it is a permanent swap between the engines, or just a temporary usage. It was pretty nice to see the clean, new geep though-- a sign of progress in the seemingly dwindiling yard. I have attached a photo of UPY712 on this page.   

[tytrain]

I think it is indeed a "permanent" swap, as 712 was in the yard when I drove by on 11/11/12.

[cnwnorthline]

Just got to make my yearly thanksgiving trek down the city.  The yard was mostly empty but there were 5 UP engines!  Never saw that many before.  Wonder what the reason was.  Any thoughts?

-Matt

[tytrain]

There's yet another new engine down there - UPY 550, which I saw idling next to the CT unit on Sunday morning.

[Brianbobcat]

When does the North Ave. yard usually work?  Is it always the same time and same days, or is it really all up in the air and is based on just need?  What about the Tribune yard and Bloomer?

[tytrain]

Just got to make my yearly thanksgiving trek down the city.  The yard was mostly empty but there were 5 UP engines!  Never saw that many before.  Wonder what the reason was.  Any thoughts?

-Matt

Now I'm intrigued. Today I saw six (!!!) engines (UPY 552, 553, 705, 712, 738, and 739) sitting just north of the yard off I-90/94. Is this some sort of light engine move? If so, why were they parked there for several hours? (Saw them at 10 AMish and 2 PMish)

[Brianbobcat]

tytrain, I noticed that too.  I passed by there at 8:30PM, saw the engines all hooked up to box cars and other miscellaneous cars that frequent the North Ave. yard.  Must've just been the beginning of a long haul with those cars.  Anyone know where Tribune gets their newspaper from, or where the cars go after they leave North?