Posts Tagged ‘South Side’
It’s a train!
Wednesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After scuttling about for nearly an hour along the waterfront in Pittsburgh’s South Side section, a humble narrator found himself at an ‘at grade’ rail crossing. Contrary to normal habit, I decided to sit down and wait. I played with my phone for about twenty minutes until I heard the train horn in the distance and then the signal arms descended.
That’s a CSX freight train, and it was hauling minerals. Specifically, the cars were labeled with the screed “Coke Express,” so there you are.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The locomotive is of the General Electric ES44DC type, manufactured sometime between 2004 and 2010, which provides about 4,400 HP of locomotive power. If interested in the nitty gritty – check out this railfan page. I like taking pictures of trains, but don’t really “nerd out” about the things.
The cars that the train was pulling were filled with hot Coke, which is what you can turn coal into via an industrial process. It left behind a contrail of coal and coke dust, and the park smelled like an unlit BBQ after it passed by for quite a few minutes and until the prevailing wind blew the odor away.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After walking back to the Mobile Oppression Platform, which is what I call the car, I drove back up the hill towards HQ. Stuck at a red light, I couldn’t resist getting a shot of what the locals refer to as “heavy traffic” leading into the Liberty Tunnel. Said tunnel is bored through Mount Washington and leads to the South Hills region where HQ is located.
Back tomorrow with something different.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Scuttle in South Side
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Desirous of some exercise, and needing to take a walk, I found myself back on the South Side of Pittsburgh. There’s ‘rail trails’ here, along with a park and a lot of very modern redevelopment which attempts to fill the space left behind by a former Steel Mill. Statuary is installed within the park commemorating the former occupation of the land.
There’s a sweet dog park here as well, which made me miss my beloved Zuzu the dog, but I wasn’t here to reminisce. As mentioned, some exercise was on my menu.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The Monongahela River flows past this spot, and the Tug Winnie C was towing mineral barges eastwards. It doesn’t matter if they’re pushing, tied up ‘on the hip,’ or pulling barges it’s always called “towing.”
This is from under the Birmingham Bridge, if you’re curious. I’ve been down here before, when I visited the 3 Rivers Heritage Trail back in February.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A boatload of Cops were setting up a couple of officers to do some diving while their patrol boat was tied up along the shoreline. From the look of it, they were in training mode rather than actively doing Cop stuff. Scuba gear was observed.
Back tomorrow.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 