Howdy from Havana ,Illinois.

This afternoon as we were leaving our apartment seen Rail cars moving west in the distance which caught me by surprise since i'm used to seeing them in the morning. Before I took my so called husband (rolls eyes) to his thing in Lewistown moving at a slow 45 mph pace die to a tire and rim making the car shake we take Cuba Blacktop so I could take photographs of this train. I set up to film it off Fifth Avenue in Canton at the crossing and noticed the lead was an Ex- ATSF locomotive which took me back 20 some to thirty years when seeing those kind were common when it was still TP&W and briefly for 5 or 6 years ATSF.  The line up included Prex #2032, #2018, #1750 and #1752.  I headed west a little after filming to take photographs in two locations.  I did manage to see two railfans and exchanged brief small talk.  The thing I had in my car couldn't be bothered to be social or get out of the vehicle.  Haha.  Sorry I have to use some sarcasm and humor not t...

This has just been one of those days where I have had the uncontrollable urge to snark on the community I live in for the decisions it has made for decades and the people who keep this town and area from expanding to economic growth.  According to these yokels Department and grocery stores as well as fast food joints is considered growth as well as gives people things to do if they have the money to do these things.  This town is saved a Dunkin Donuts was built praise the town gods.  For me it's just another eye roll and one of many in the past decade. This town needs better paying jobs and more variety than the crap we already have.  It isn't just a more jobs thing either it's about places to go and do as well as putting the town on the map for places people might like to go.  Right now everything we have so does Peoria, Pekin and other communities.  Yes people around here benefit from them instead of wasting gas driving to another county but it also ...

Yesterday was fun despite rain and me getting lost for a short time and ended up taking Route 57 up through Champaign.   I left Canton around 5:30 am so I could try to catch a NS train in East Peoria before it departed for Bloomington.  Needless to say it left so I left for Bloomington taking Route 150 over. I get to Bloomington and check all the tracks out before settling on Washington Street for a while to film trains.  I caught three Amtrak and one Union Pacific. I wanted to catch different power and the UP had Up,NS and CSX power so my wish was granted.  I didn't stick around for NS in the afternoon due to  pressed on time for wanting to do other things and travel time.  I checked out The Nickle Plate  and Southern Pacific display at Miller Park as well which had no idea was there.  Thanks to a friend on letting me know about that and  what to expect in Bloomington.  I probably came off as a pest.  I tried not to be.  ...