Latta Laments: Hawthorn Mine Run Part 1

Special Edition: Hawthorn Mine Run

On Monday Jan 4 1999, I decided to ride with train 67, the Hawthorn Turn, down to Hawthorn Mine.
The following are the pictures from that trip. Click on the small picture to download a full-sized version.

67 is called for 10:00 to taxi to Latta, get power and 50 empties for loading, and spot the mine. Due to cold weather delays, the CSX hasn't delivered the Cayuga train yet so we take the 50 Fayettes and spot them for loading on track 5. After arriving at Van and assembling the crew, we depart in the cab.

After arriving at Latta and assembling all the paperwork, we head for the power. We have the Soo 4403 and the Soo 4452. the 4452 is the last GP38-2 purchased by the Soo so it is unique in its own right. The crew on this trip is also unique. The engineer, Don Mc Cauley, is the senior engineer on the Latta sub with 35 years of service. The conductor, Don Gibbons, is the senior conductor with almost 40 years of service. Truly living legends. And today David Lawson, conductor trainee, is along breaking in.

The adventures of the Soo 4452 begin.

Engineer Mc Cauley ("Mac") ponders the verities of life as we prepare to depart. Yes, the cab heaters are working quite well today as it's -5 degrees outside and about 72 degrees in the cab.

After picking up our train, Conductor Gibbons calls the ISRR for a warrant as Mac eases the train towards Linton.

A brief stop gives David Lawson a chance to pose with the 4452.

Passing the INRD diamond at Linton...

David Lawson looks on as we run through the connection at Beehunter...

...cross the bridge near Marco...

...and head for the mine.

Conductor Gibbons calls the ISRR and releases the warrant as we plod on towards the mine.

The day is becoming long as the sun creeps across the inside of the cab.

We come through Sandborn...

...as Mac eases the train along at 10 mph.

Conductor trainee Lawson learns the fine art of flagging the crossing...

...and we enter the final leg of the trip...

...as Conductor Gibbons looks for ice build-up across the rails.

Finally we come up to the weigh-in-motion scale at Hawthorn.

And after what seems an eternity, we arrive at Hawthorn.

Top On to part two Back to the Latta Laments index

	67 is called for 10:00 to taxi to Latta, get power and 50 empties for loading, and spot the mine. Due to cold weather delays, the CSX hasn't delivered the Cayuga train yet so we take the 50 Fayettes and spot them for loading on track 5. After arriving at Van and assembling the crew, we depart in the cab.
	After arriving at Latta and assembling all the paperwork, we head for the power. We have the Soo 4403 and the Soo 4452. the 4452 is the last GP38-2 purchased by the Soo so it is unique in its own right. The crew on this trip is also unique. The engineer, Don Mc Cauley, is the senior engineer on the Latta sub with 35 years of service. The conductor, Don Gibbons, is the senior conductor with almost 40 years of service. Truly living legends. And today David Lawson, conductor trainee, is along breaking in.
	The adventures of the Soo 4452 begin.
	Engineer Mc Cauley ("Mac") ponders the verities of life as we prepare to depart. Yes, the cab heaters are working quite well today as it's -5 degrees outside and about 72 degrees in the cab.
	After picking up our train, Conductor Gibbons calls the ISRR for a warrant as Mac eases the train towards Linton.
	A brief stop gives David Lawson a chance to pose with the 4452.
	Passing the INRD diamond at Linton...
	David Lawson looks on as we run through the connection at Beehunter...
	...cross the bridge near Marco...
	...and head for the mine.
	Conductor Gibbons calls the ISRR and releases the warrant as we plod on towards the mine.
	The day is becoming long as the sun creeps across the inside of the cab.
	We come through Sandborn...
	...as Mac eases the train along at 10 mph.
	Conductor trainee Lawson learns the fine art of flagging the crossing...
	...and we enter the final leg of the trip...
	...as Conductor Gibbons looks for ice build-up across the rails.
	Finally we come up to the weigh-in-motion scale at Hawthorn.
	And after what seems an eternity, we arrive at Hawthorn.