Streamliners At Spencer, Part II: May 31

#train #railroad #northcarolina #travel The weather was a little brighter and a lot less rainforest-like for the second day of Streamliners At Spencer, so I didn't hesitate to take advantage. Part II includes more spins on the turntable, a look at the photo freight (Alco-powered!) and the passenger excursion running on the museum trackage, a new lineup in the power parade, and a return to the roundhouse at sunset as locomotives are positioned for the night photo session. 0:00 - Spinning On The Turntable Locomotives are shuffled in and out of the roundhouse while the event announcer describes each unit in detail. 18:37 - The Photo Freight Motive power for the freight changed daily; on this day it was powered by Canadian National Alco/MLW FPA4 6789, the only operable Alco at the event. 23:28 - Parade Of Power The parade kicks off with Nickel Plate 190 (Alco PA-1) taking the lead. The 190 doesn't run (yet!), so propulsion was provided by the museum's 25-ton GE switcher, wearing the livery of its former occupation at Duke Power's Buck Steam Plant. 41:24 - The Passenger Excursion The photo freight swapped places in the afternoon with the passenger excursion. The train was operated pull-pull style; on the 31st power was provided by Burlington E5 9911-A 'Silver Pilot' on one end and New Haven FL9 2019 on the other. Handicapped-accessible space in the consist was provided by Norfolk & Western combine 1506. The other coaches sported a Chicago & North Western paint scheme they wore when they were used in scenes for the movie 'Leatherheads'. 42:50 - Return To The Roundhouse Back to the roundhouse at sunset as locomotives are positioned for the night photo session, where all of the EMD F-units would pose around the turntable. While the units were being reshuffled, Union Pacific 949 provided some bonus entertainment. The 949's minders had found and corrected a mechanical issue earlier in the afternoon and now finished their work with a load test, running the prime mover up to full throttle and holding it there for several minutes. The video ends with Iowa Pacific E8 515 trundling off to the yard to play its part in the night photo session. Kudos again to the staff of the NC Transportation Museum, the supporting organizations who brought their locomotives from all over the country, and the participating railroads and other sponsors for making the event possible!