2008/05/26: Chasing NBEC Train 587

This is a repost, from May 2008. My original words are used, with modifications shown in italics.

As I mentioned, I saw and chased NBEC ore train 587 on Monday [May 26, 2008].

I first saw the train in Bathurst. The conductor changed the batteries on the EOT (End Of Train) device as they were getting low. Then the engineer pushed the train back into the yard to pick him up.

Once that was done, the conductor called the RTC and got permission to travel the short bit of main line to mile 106.6 where the switch to the Nepisiguit Subdivision is located.

The train had 34 cars (4 loads and 30 empties), and was 1787 feet long with1528 tons.

I zipped down the line a bit to wait for them at one of my favourite spots, the one-lane bridge over the tracks just west of highway 11 [Little River Drive, here].

Then the chase was on! I saw them stopped at the switch at Nepisiguit Junction, so I went to the first highway 430 crossing [here]. I decided to just shoot stills and do video with my Canon S3 here, since the light wasn’t great behind the trees.

I figured Sewell Street [here] would be a perfect spot to get the beautiful sunset light on the side of the train. However, a very aggressive dog was on the loose and I didn’t want him nipping at me while I was shooting the train. No owner in sight, I might add.

With my tail between my legs (figuratively speaking), I retreated and went to the second highway 430 crossing [here]. The bugs were getting pretty thick here as train 587 leaned into the curve.

For my last photo, I went to the last accessible straight section before the line goes into the woods [here]. A nice wave from the engineer, a rumble of Alcos, a clatter of freight cars, and that was it for train 587.

I went back to Nepisiguit Junction and photographed the VIA Rail “Ocean”, as described in this post. It was a very busy railfanning day and evening.

Do you like posts like these? Come to Real Rails 2025 where I’ll be talking about the New Brunswick East Coast Railway!