It had been a few months since we visited our friends David and Rachel Cantlin in Sallisaw so arrangements were made and on May 16th, I started the drive and we reached the first rest area on Interstate 44 and switched.
We found our first train at Watts, Oklahoma.
Canadian Pacific AC4400CW 9751, built by General Electric in 2003.
Kansas City Southern ES44AC 4797, built by General Electric in 2012.
The rear of the train, after which we drove the rest of the way to Sallisaw and visited with David and Rachel, whose home is across the tracks from the Kansas City Southern main line.
I caught the very end of a Union Pacific train crossing the Kansas City Southern tracks.
As we knew would happen, Kansas City Southern 4797 South came through Sallisaw.
Canadian Pacific 9751.
Canadian Pacific ES44AC 8886, built by General Electric in 2008.
The rear of that train.
One of the family's cats, Titus, enjoying himself on Elizabeth's lap on their patio.
A little while later, this northbound train passed through led by Canadian Pacific AC4400CW 9815, built in General Electric in 2004.
Canadian Pacific AC4400CW 9723, built by General Electric in 2002.
The end of the train. Rachel and Elizabeth then went to Braum's and brought back dinner. In the evening and throughout the rest of our visit, Elizabeth updated David's booklist, helped him sort out a few things and looked at his most recent photo book compilations. In other words, she had a fun time, but also enjoyed the trains. Later, we drove up to their daughter Rebekah and son-in-law, James, house for the first of three nights and gave their cats and dogs plenty of attention when we were there.
5/17/2025 The next morning, the four of us went to Sherry's Country Kitchen where I had French Toast and bacon and Elizabeth had an omelette.
In CPKC's yard opposite David's house was CPKC track equipment 3206-10. David then suggested that we go for a drive in his golf cart to Jay Reynolds Park and hope for some trains.
Kansas City Southern 4594 North.
Kansas City Southern AC4400CW 4594, built by General Electric in 1999.
Canadian Pacific AC4400CW 9979, built by General Electric in 2003.
David and his golf cart.
More of KCS 4594 north.
Canadian Pacific 8026:2 built by General Electric in 2007.
The rear of that train.
Back at the house, Kansas City Southern concrete milepost 259 and the rosebush.
It was not too long until we heard another horn and here came Kansas City Southern ES44AC 4796, built by General Electric with Canadian Pacific 8760, built by General Electric in 2006.
Canadian Pacific 8760.
The end of that train.
Kansas City Southern Lnes on the maintenance-of-way building door across the street from David's house. The four of us went to Ruger's for dinner then Elizabeth and I returned to Rebekah and James' and during the night, we had very heavy rain and thunderstorms.
5/18/2025 We drove back down to David's house and Rachel made us breakfast for all of us then David drove the golf cart around the neighbourhood and Elizabeth helped him with odds and ends.
Kansas City Southern SD70ACe 4009, built by Electro-Motive Division in 2005, which was painted in a special scheme in May 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With American and Mexican flags on both sides, "Resilient and Essential - Saluting KCS Heroes" is written in English on the conductor's side while the engineer's side is written in Spanish. A compass is featured under the cab on both sides, pointed north on the conductor's and south on the engineer's. Prior to receiving this paint scheme, this was one of the last battleship gray SD70ACe's on the railway.
Kansas City Southern ES44AC 4670, built General Electric in 2007.
Canadian Pacific 8955 North.
Kansas City Southern ES44AC 4831, built by General Electric in 2014 as DPU.
Kansas City Southern 4804 South.
Kansas City Southern ES44AC 4792, built by General Electric in 2012.
Canadian Pacific AC4400CWM 8210:3, built by General Electric in 1998 as mid-train DPU.
Kansas City Southern SD70ACe 4194, built by General Electric in 1994 as rear DPU.
Kansas City Southern ES444AC 4841, built by General Electric in 2014 as rear DPU.
The DPUs on their way south. That evening, we went to Braum's and Elizabeth and Rachel brought dinner back to the house then later, we returned to Rebekah and James' for the night.
5/19/2014 Everyone met at Sherry's Country Kitchen where I had French Toast and bacon. After saying goodbye to David, Rachel, Rebekah and James, I started the drive home and we switched a couple of times with Elizabeth finishing the journey home, arriving late afternoon.
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