Running around Miami today...

Earlier this afternoon I scouted some area industries in Miami proper and Hialeah for the usual excuses... Trainz research, keeping up with progress, model railroading, the works. Today went not as it was planned. Originally I was arranging to chase the Downtown Spur job, Y322, back to the yard around 7-something in the morning. I changed the plan to start with the usual "last chance" shot of the train at 10 AM and chase around town up until 4-5 PM. Sounded good, but didn't work out as good as it sounded.

This all Miami chase for me has become a popular item since Miami was essentially "rediscovered" as a busy terminal, for lack of a better term. It is supposedly even busier since FEC pioneers jobs 984-987 to shuttle rock for the Fort Lauderdale runway project.

This entry will point out the highlights and lowlights of my day as well as mention how the logistics are going on CSX.

Part I - Hialeah

I was looking for Train 202 on the FEC to head out to Jacksonville but it wouldn't and since I wasn't supposed to be hanging and putzing around in Hialeah, I skirted the exotic city and made headway for East Rail and the Downtown Spur. The industrial recon for the CSX side industries was on the list and I made good on checking on every customer south of Hialeah Yard. 

East rail was a desolate stretch of track save for Sentry Industries. They had six tanks. After tossing and turning through the streets around East Rail, I knew P625 was due in so I headed to 46th St to catch it at my secret spot. This is a great spot, especially the north side by the signal. But CSX needs to get on trimming those weeds.

Part II - Downtown Spur

This segment was the heart of the excursion. Originally we were supposed to dog Y322 on this line getting it where we could but the job came back when I was having REM sleep most likely. We visited an old friend at his shop for the first time in 2+ years since we were in the area and spotted around taking pics. My dad was fascinated with the Miami Canal area in particular but shots were damned tight and I said I'll leave it for another trip.

The Downtown lead is strong industriously with FP&T, Miami Iron (presumably), Sun-Gas, CBI, Family & Son, and Trujillo all full of cars. Of note was a broken gate/crossing malfunction here at N River Dr. In the meantime we lunched at a BK at 12th Av / 20th St in the medical district (and missed a chance to speak with an attractive girl waiting on her food - oh well). 

Part III - Hialeah (Again)

The most fail-ridden part of the trip was the look around Hialeah. Something was coming off of track-3 at Dania and I thought it best to check out the north side of the yard and bag it. Wrong. We waited there and my dad handled business matters but saw only track. We did manage to check out Hialeah Yard from the bridge. It's nice to see most of the yard tracks filled with cars, a  good sign.

Train 986 was narrowly missed (by a darn hair) and so was a Tri-Rail that left when we used the restroom at Amtrak Miami. O721 in the meantime was getting its train together.

Part IV - Chasing O721

I met up with Cesar (tonymagona334) at Aero Squadron to pick up the O721 I saw at the yard. This was our first time chasing together and our second time meeting in person. This midsize train passed us and we were able to chase it down to SW 12 ST. Nothing special on O721... overcast skies, 2 cars for Orr, and a lot of CYDX cars. We would run to La Carreta for snacks, camaraderie, and saying goodbye for the day and with the promise that we will chase again, in the future.

Our videos compiled together (I let him do it all) can be found here in this package: