Evening Action Featuring CN SD75IACC Rebuild 8302 Leading its First Train Past Carvel, Alberta!

After a full day of overcast and rain, a gap in the clouds opened up as the sound of a roaring EMD neared.  Through the viewfinder, I watched as the edges of the surrounding greenery turn gold - and not just with early signs of fall.  As if the first and only 3 minutes of sunlight (and golden hour at that) being right when the train came wasn't already a miracle, the fact that this was THE train certainly solidified the deal.  Upon leaving school, I had discovered that a brand new SD75IACC rebuild was leading its first train through Edmonton.  By the time I got to my car and out into rush hour traffic, I had no idea where the train was, or if it was already long gone.  I ventured out to Carvel nonetheless, and truly didn't even know if I was going to see the train, until the shiny unit highballed right past my lens, leaving only the smell of fresh paint and a smile on my face in its wake.  As soon as the sound of the wailing DPU faded into the distance, the sun slid behind the clouds once again.

CN 8302 wasn't the only action, though, as it was the middle of at three westbounds I saw while waiting over the course of roughly 40 minutes. I included the drone footage of the first westbound I saw, snaking past Mink Lake with another rebuild in the lead, but this time being the GE counterpart.

Train ID:
CN B75941 (Potash Loads)
CN Edson Subdivision

Locomotives:
CN AC44C6M 3304 (ex. CN 2572)
CN ES44AC 3931 (Ex. CREX)
CN ES44AC 2780 (End DPU) (Ex. CREX)

Train ID:
CN S74381 (Sand Loads)
CN Edson Subdivision

Locomotives:
CN SD75IACC 8302
CN ES44DC 2263

Canon EOS 90D | Canon 18-135 USM | DJI Mini 4 Pro

September 12th, 2024 - 6:49 PM MT