This wild year of 2026 steams along and pulls in more directions than one can count. And so in a way it's refreshing to be seeing summer come to a close, to see the kids back to school, with solid positive starts for each of them. With the regularity that their schedule demands, we are glad to be back to regular operation on the Onondaga Cutoff, too.
Regulars here are familiar with the concept of role-playing prototype railroad operations. Operating sessions involve 12-16 guests that come over periodically to bring the OC to life, and they are amongst my favorite hobby moments.
It's 9:40pm on a humid, warm September 11, 1994. GE's of different series share time resting at Island Yard outside Syracuse, NY.
It is a date now that we all recognize, 9-11, but in a year long before that tragic loss of 9-11-2001. It is also incredible that even 2001 is now 25 years ago. (!) Still, one of the ways the Western world responded to 9-11 is by getting back to business, back to life, and learning to carry that heavy load.
B36-7 5056 rests at Midway, awaiting a revenue assignment. The auxiliary lights add so much! Following standard Conrail practice, the red marker lights are aglow on standing power.
Now it's 2:32am on September 12, 1994, and the Mohawk Dispatcher is momentarily alone at the desk controlling movements on the Onondaga Cutoff. It is never quiet for long.
After dawn breaks, trains are easier to photograph, and here with Ross at the throttle we have train BUSY, Buffalo-Syracuse, building air and about ready to leave with his pickup which today included SW-9 9213 and three camp cars - old flatcars converted to carry RV trailers for housing maintenance crews on site.
And, fittingly for 9-11, here is westbound military extra MIL-301 with Bradley fighting vehicles headed to Ft. Drum. SP power adds to a unique train!
It sure is nice to be back to regular operating sessions!
