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Tom Beckett's Collection
 
6/14/2025
 
 
 
 
 
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Close up
Title:  Close up
Description:  The afternoon view at Lake Frances Rd is not the most photogenic. Theres some clutter, which restricts the angles, thus limiting the possibilities. The morning shot from the other side is more amenable. But, you have to work with what you have. This wider view is more appealing, but Id still like it better if there was more train.
Photo Date:  11/29/2022  Upload Date: 12/7/2022 6:12:28 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7802(AC45CCTE) UP 7612(ES44AC)
Views:  292   Comments: 2
DPU away
Title:  DPU away
Description:  The DPU-the leaders on the loaded trip south-roll away from me, through the signals at North Siloam Springs, its 125 cars headed back to Wyoming.
Photo Date:  5/9/2025  Upload Date: 5/11/2025 6:12:48 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8157(ES44AC-H) UP 7828(AC45CCTE)
Views:  42   Comments: 0
DPU
Title:  DPU
Description:  The DPU on this empty AEPX train was a collaborative effort. BNSF and UP power are nose to nose helping the 125 car train over the road.
Photo Date:  11/3/2020  Upload Date: 11/5/2020 5:30:31 AM
Location:  Gravette, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5783(ES44AC) UP 7841(AC45CCTE)
Views:  265   Comments: 1
DPUs
Title:  DPUs
Description:  I didnt get a good set up for this shot, as I was standing on the base for the light pole next to the parking lot, and was about to jump when I realized the DPU was coming up on me. So were a little cockeyed here. The DPUs are still doing their job, though, regardless of my orientation.
Photo Date:  1/24/2017  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 3:47:57 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7855(AC45CCTE) KCS 4593(AC44CW) KCS 4799(ES44AC)
Views:  530   Comments: 1
DPUs glint in the sun
Title:  DPUs glint in the sun
Description:  The sun angle is all wrong, but it does give me a glint shot as the DPUs on this southbound AEPX train roll away from me.
Photo Date:  1/24/2017  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 3:26:37 AM
Location:  Stilwell, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4799(ES44AC) KCS 4593(AC44CW) UP 7885(AC45CCTE)
Views:  599   Comments: 1
Meet the coal
Title:  Meet the coal
Description:  The oil train blows past the northbound coal train, with a set of UP power.
Photo Date:  4/13/2024  Upload Date: 4/26/2024 6:24:12 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7886(AC45CCTE) CP 7023(SD70ACU) BNSF 5940(ES44AC)
Views:  150   Comments: 1
Heres why
Title:  Heres why
Description:  The 98 car grain train had these two diesels placed 47 cars deep in the train as a DPU. There would also be a single unit trailing.
Photo Date:  3/9/2025  Upload Date: 3/14/2025 5:07:35 AM
Location:  Goodman, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4612(AC44CW) UP 7898(AC45CCTE)
Views:  100   Comments: 0
Mid DPU away
Title:  Mid DPU away
Description:  A view from County Road C nets us this view of the mid train DPU rolling away toward Splitlog.
Photo Date:  3/9/2025  Upload Date: 3/14/2025 5:09:24 AM
Location:  Goodman, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4612(AC44CW) UP 7898(AC45CCTE)
Views:  67   Comments: 0
DPU on the rocks
Title:  DPU on the rocks
Description:  The mid train DPU rolls south along the rocks, seen from the Ark 59 overpass.
Photo Date:  3/9/2025  Upload Date: 3/14/2025 5:35:18 AM
Location:  Sulphur Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4612(AC44CW) UP 7898(AC45CCTE)
Views:  64   Comments: 0
Face to face
Title:  Face to face
Description:  The coal train is now face to face with the waiting grain train, and will clear for him momentarily.
Photo Date:  2/18/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 5:57:25 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7899(AC45CCTE) BNSF 6299(ES44AC)
Views:  179   Comments: 1
Checking it out
Title:  Checking it out
Description:  The crew on the southbound greets their counterparts, and is ready to give them a roll by.
Photo Date:  2/18/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 6:00:58 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7899(AC45CCTE) BNSF 6299(ES44AC) KCS 4802(ES44AC) KCSM 4734(ES44AC)
Views:  210   Comments: 1
To the nines.
Title:  To the nines.
Description:  I headed down to Westville to see if I could catch the coal train coming north. After a bit of a wait, he showed, a TXUX train with a UP leader, and both units ending in "99". The power on coal trains mixes a lot more lately than it used to; these trains used to get solid BNSF consists, with KCS power added to get them over the hilly Heavener Sub. We see it north of Westville.
Photo Date:  2/18/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 5:30:31 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7899(AC45CCTE) BNSF 6299(ES44AC)
Views:  173   Comments: 1
Straightening out
Title:  Straightening out
Description:  The coal train has come through the S curve near Chewie Rd, and is taking to the more or less tangent north of the curve, though the train itself is still winding through it.
Photo Date:  2/18/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 5:36:35 AM
Location:  Westville, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7899(AC45CCTE) BNSF 6299(ES44AC)
Views:  181   Comments: 1
Shockeys
Title:  Shockeys
Description:  The northbound rolls past the tall tree outside Shockeys Farm, its 125 cars stretched into the distance.
Photo Date:  2/18/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 5:44:33 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7899(AC45CCTE) BNSF 6299(ES44AC)
Views:  116   Comments: 1
Taking the approach signal
Title:  Taking the approach signal
Description:  The coal train rolls toward an approach signal, letting him know hell be getting a red over yellow at South Watts, taking the siding there.
Photo Date:  2/18/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 5:49:19 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7899(AC45CCTE) BNSF 6299(ES44AC)
Views:  143   Comments: 2
Ready to head in
Title:  Ready to head in
Description:  The coal train has slowed to take the switch at CP South Watts, and will shortly be entering the siding. I get a sun glint shot as he rolls around the curve just to the south.
Photo Date:  2/18/2024  Upload Date: 2/22/2024 5:53:12 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7899(AC45CCTE) BNSF 6299(ES44AC)
Views:  106   Comments: 1
Bagel run
Title:  Bagel run
Description:  Theres a local coffee shop in town that has pretty tasty bagels-not the kind you get in New York, mind you, thats just not a reality here-but good nonetheless. I had texted in an order for Diane and me, and was on my way to pick them up. As I rolled up toward Kenwood St, I could see a train on the Lincoln Av crossing in the distance. I made a quick detour to US 412 west, stopping on the bridge in time to catch this southbound AEPX train with a pair of UP units.
Photo Date:  9/18/2022  Upload Date: 9/29/2022 4:54:34 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8182(ES44AC-H) UP 7904(AC45CCTE)
Views:  447   Comments: 1
Long freight
Title:  Long freight
Description:  After catching the oil train, I headed south on OK 88 toward Inola and US 412, when this guy showed up. I didnt get h car count, but he had to be at least two miles long. Four units up front kept the show in motion at a good 50 MPH.
Photo Date:  9/10/2016  Upload Date: 9/11/2016 4:00:16 AM
Location:  Tiawah, OK
Author:  Tom Bebkett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7915(AC45CCTE) UP 7750(ES44AC) UP 8980(SD70AH) UP 6674(AC44CW)
Views:  709   Comments: 2
To the Mopac we go
Title:  To the Mopac we go
Description:  This southbound coal train is on the ex MKT, taking the connection at Wagoner to get onto the ex MP to head east toward Ft Smith and Little Rock.
Photo Date:  11/13/2016  Upload Date: 11/15/2016 3:10:34 AM
Location:  Wagoner, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7932(AC45CCTE) UP 8336(SD70ACe)
Views:  507   Comments: 2
Changed direction
Title:  Changed direction
Description:  The power from the southbound coal train is now on the ex MP, and will roll east.
Photo Date:  11/13/2016  Upload Date: 11/15/2016 3:14:07 AM
Location:  Wagoner, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7932(AC45CCTE) UP 8336(SD70ACe)
Views:  405   Comments: 1
Intermodal DPU
Title:  Intermodal DPU
Description:  Intermodal trains dont get DPUs as a rule, though the practice is becoming more common. This one was tkward the end of a westbound vaulting over the BNSF.
Photo Date:  10/18/2014  Upload Date: 11/5/2014 4:05:36 AM
Location:  Kansas City, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7943(AC45CCTE)
Views:  316   Comments: 0
Waiting for the meet
Title:  Waiting for the meet
Description:  UP 796 sits in the siding at Noel, waiting for a southbound.
Photo Date:  2/18/2015  Upload Date: 2/22/2015 4:19:02 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7964(AC45CCTE) UP 7961(AC45CCTE) KCS 4827(ES44AC) KCS 4183(SD70ACe)
Views:  631   Comments: 0
Head end
Title:  Head end
Description:  The head end of the empty AEPX train has a surprise leader: the 5000th GE Evo unit. Well get a close up of that shortly
Photo Date:  2/18/2015  Upload Date: 2/22/2015 4:14:25 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7964(AC45CCTE) UP 7961(AC45CCTE) KCS 4827(ES44AC) KCS 4183(SD70ACe)
Views:  655   Comments: 1
Stretchee out
Title:  Stretchee out
Description:  The northbound H train has pulled up past the yard office, its train stretched out down toward Bakery Feeds. Its only a 54 car train-with7 units, though I think sohe of them are power balancing-but looks a lot longer as it glints in the late afternoon sun.
Photo Date:  8/25/2018  Upload Date: 8/29/2018 4:34:04 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Track,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4825(ES44AC) KCS 4701(ES44AC) UP 8666(SD70ACe) UP 8885(SD70AH) UP 7962(AC45CCTE) PRLX 223(SD75M) KCSM 4573(AC44CW)
Views:  842   Comments: 1
5000
Title:  5000
Description:  The cab of UP 7964, with the banner noting it as the 5000th GE Evolution Series unit
Photo Date:  2/18/2015  Upload Date: 2/22/2015 4:26:02 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7964(AC45CCTE)
Views:  206   Comments: 0
5000th radiator
Title:  5000th radiator
Description:  Besides the banner on the cab, there was also this notation on the radiator about the units significance.
Photo Date:  2/18/2015  Upload Date: 2/22/2015 4:29:45 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7964(AC45CCTE)
Views:  373   Comments: 0
Meet with H train
Title:  Meet with H train
Description:  The H train rolls south on the main past the empty coal train with a single Belle SD70ACe. It has another, 4170, on the rear.
Photo Date:  2/18/2015  Upload Date: 2/22/2015 4:32:14 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4126(SD70ACe) UP 7964(AC45CCTE)
Views:  311   Comments: 2
Second round
Title:  Second round
Description:  I went around the south end of the interlocking to see if there was anything else on the horizon, and to my surprise, there was a headlight coming up the MKT. I swung back around and set up. This time, its an empty ethanol train, with a couple of surprises.
Photo Date:  4/11/2021  Upload Date: 4/13/2021 5:35:11 AM
Location:  Wagoner, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7964(AC45CCTE) CSX 141(AC44CW)
Views:  278   Comments: 1
Closer
Title:  Closer
Description:  The empty ethanol train draws closer, passing this old corrugated metal building, a common sight in these parts. Second unit is a visitor from afar. Wish I'd gotten a shot of that Airslide hopper behind the power.
Photo Date:  4/11/2021  Upload Date: 4/13/2021 5:48:12 AM
Location:  Wagoner, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7964(AC45CCTE) CSX 141(AC44CW)
Views:  271   Comments: 0
DPU west
Title:  DPU west
Description:  I came up on a westbound grain train that was holding in a siding at Los Tanos, with a single unit DPU on the rear. This is a close up look at the power.
Photo Date:  12/8/2023  Upload Date: 1/4/2024 5:02:49 AM
Location:  Los Tanos, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7999(AC45CCTE)
Views:  207   Comments: 1
Long train
Title:  Long train
Description:  I didnt get a car count-its hard to count a long train of similar looking cars while riding down the interstate at 75 MPH-but it was a good sized train, with a GE bringing up the rear. The only reason I could stop and wait for the meet was that I was parked on the I 40 ramp
Photo Date:  12/8/2023  Upload Date: 1/4/2024 5:06:18 AM
Location:  Los Tanos, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 7999(AC45CCTE)
Views:  155   Comments: 0
Finally the eastbound
Title:  Finally the eastbound
Description:  When I stopped to get the shot of the DPU, I saw a headlight in the distance. Oh good, a meet, I thought, as the eastbound approached. I was expecting the eastbound to be moving with some dispatch, but he must have taken ten minutes to get there. Finally he arrived, a stack train behind a trio of GEs
Photo Date:  12/8/2023  Upload Date: 1/4/2024 5:43:05 AM
Location:  Los Tanos, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5616(AC44CWCTE) UP 5935(AC44CWCTE) UP 8244(ES44AC-H) UP 7999(AC45CCTE)
Views:  307   Comments: 1
Spanking new
Title:  Spanking new
Description:  A four unit set of brand new GEs leads a stack train on their maiden voyage west from Erie in a fall scene typical of the corn belt.
Photo Date:  9/29/2012  Upload Date: 10/17/2012 2:00:07 AM
Location:  Morrison, IL
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8008(AC45CCTE) UP 8010(AC45CCTE) UP 8007(AC45CCTE) UP 8001(AC45CCTE)
Views:  1064   Comments: 6
Toward the mill
Title:  Toward the mill
Description:  Northbound empty OGEX train rolls north in the fading light, about to pass the feed mill south of Anderson
Photo Date:  11/30/2021  Upload Date: 12/18/2021 5:40:30 AM
Location:  Anderson, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8013(AC45CCTE) UP 2534(ES44AC-H)
Views:  325   Comments: 0
Under the rocks
Title:  Under the rocks
Description:  The famous bluff that is the background for many KCS publicity photos also works for northbounds, though not quite as well. An empty AEPX train rolls north under the rocks.
Photo Date:  11/30/2021  Upload Date: 12/18/2021 5:46:09 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8013(AC45CCTE) UP 2534(ES44AC-H)
Views:  349   Comments: 1
Big picture
Title:  Big picture
Description:  The view here in a wide angle is also appealing, as the train approaches the Kings Highway grade crossing along Butler Creek. Empty AEPX headed for KC wiht 125 cars
Photo Date:  11/30/2021  Upload Date: 12/18/2021 5:55:36 AM
Location:  Noel, MO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8013(AC45CCTE) UP 2534(ES44AC-H)
Views:  348   Comments: 0
Westbound not quite where I wanted it
Title:  Westbound not quite where I wanted it
Description:  I was trying to get the signal and the old barn, and sorta missed. Oh well, some days are like that. UP power on the ex PRR.
Photo Date:  7/22/2014  Upload Date: 8/27/2014 2:43:12 AM
Location:  Altamont, IL
Author:  Tom Becket
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8020(AC45CCTE) UP 8492(SD70ACe)
Views:  297   Comments: 1
Long snake
Title:  Long snake
Description:  We were coming back from Rogers, and saw a northbound grain move at Lake Frances Rd, stretched out to the south, waiting on a meet. I rushed home, dropped my wife off, loaded the recycling, and headed back. By the time I got back to town, the grain train had gone north, and this southbound oil train was in the siding, the head end at Tahlequah St, the train snaked along down past Lincoln.
Photo Date:  5/9/2025  Upload Date: 5/11/2025 5:45:42 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 9706(AC44CW) UP 8054(AC45CCTE)
Views:  86   Comments: 1
A little wider
Title:  A little wider
Description:  A slightly wider angle shows the power and the water tower, a prominent feature of this part of town,
Photo Date:  5/9/2025  Upload Date: 5/11/2025 5:47:53 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 9706(AC44CW) UP 8054(AC45CCTE)
Views:  60   Comments: 0
Two out of three aint bad
Title:  Two out of three aint bad
Description:  The oil train was headed south, the lead power under the US 412 overpass, and not photographable, so I did the next best thing, and went to Tahlequah St to get the meet with the impending northbound, which we see approaching here, The grain train, an empty northbound, was just hitting the detector at Davidson Rd, 2 miles to the north, as I pulled up to get the first shot of this series. So I was able to get two of the three trains in this three way meet.
Photo Date:  5/9/2025  Upload Date: 5/11/2025 5:55:44 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CP 9706(AC44CW) UP 8054(AC45CCTE) UP 5616(AC44CWCTE)
Views:  48   Comments: 0
Appetizer
Title:  Appetizer
Description:  We were headed up to Gentry for an early dinner-a local place there does a crab special on Thursday and Friday-and I was doing my usual run up to Davidson Rd for a signal check and quick run out to Ark 59. As we crossed the tracks south of the Cobb feed mill, three lights came around the corner. I pulled off quickly, and got this 126 car AEPX coal train.
Photo Date:  8/1/2024  Upload Date: 8/11/2024 5:33:38 AM
Location:  Siloam Springs, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8710(SD70ACe) UP 8077(AC45CCTE) UP 2739(ET44AH)
Views:  255   Comments: 1
Empty coal
Title:  Empty coal
Description:  Sometimes I can hear trains all the way from Watts, though usually not til they get closer to me in Siloam Springs. I heard what sounded like a northbound climbing the hill, but a quick ride around town yielded no train. I headed up to Davidson Rd to see what was going on, and found a southbound oil train on the crossing. I made a quick turn, and beat it for Watts. The oil train had gone through, no surprise there, but had met this coal train there. I caught it on the Illinois River bridge in cruddy light. Still a pretty shot, though.
Photo Date:  1/6/2023  Upload Date: 1/12/2023 5:33:34 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6141(ES44AC) KCS 4599(AC44CW) KCS 4160(SD70ACe) KCS 4139(SD70ACe) UP 7164(AC44CW) UP 8105(AC45CCTE) KCS 4591(AC44CW) KCS 4701(ES44AC)
Views:  480   Comments: 2
Caught up
Title:  Caught up
Description:  I ran to catch the coal train one more time, mostly to get the engine numbers, since there were a lot of them, a total of six heading north. KCS must have been using this train to balance power. Typically, there are not nearly this many units on one train.
Photo Date:  1/6/2023  Upload Date: 1/12/2023 5:41:13 AM
Location:  Watts, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6141(ES44AC) KCS 4599(AC44CW) KCS 4160(SD70ACe) KCS 4139(SD70ACe) UP 7164(AC44CW) UP 8105(AC45CCTE) KCS 4591(AC44CW) KCS 4701(ES44AC)
Views:  500   Comments: 2


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