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2/23/2025
 
 
 
 
 
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Not too many of these left
Title:  Not too many of these left
Description:  There are plenty of SD 70Ms, but not many still gray. This one was in consist on a northbound M train.
Photo Date:  1/20/2019  Upload Date: 1/31/2019 3:55:11 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 3924(SD70MAC)
Views:  97   Comments: 0
Late light
Title:  Late light
Description:  Sometimes you win the light race. Today, I was able to get this northbound M train just as the light was dropping, catching the golden glow.
Photo Date:  1/20/2019  Upload Date: 1/31/2019 3:57:15 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4766(ES44AC) PRLX 648(CW44-6) KCS 3924(SD70MAC)
Views:  306   Comments: 1
Next life
Title:  Next life
Description:  CSX had a bunch of these AC44CWs come off lease, and they are now part of the Precision Leasing fleet. There have been quite a few on the KCS lately. Seems like every train has one.
Photo Date:  1/20/2019  Upload Date: 1/31/2019 4:00:23 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  PRLX 648(CW44-6)
Views:  313   Comments: 0
KCS 2018
Title:  KCS 2018
Description:  Kansas City Southern 2018 leading the southbound Dodger in Decatur, Arkansas on February 13, 2019.
Photo Date:  2/13/2019  Upload Date: 2/14/2020 4:11:27 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  David Sommer
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 2018(GP38-2)
Views:  380   Comments: 0
Kansas City Southern F7A 73D
Title:  Kansas City Southern F7A 73D
Description:  Kansas City Southern EMD F7A 73D and Caboose 385 on display at Decatur, Arkansas on February 13, 2019.
Photo Date:  2/13/2019  Upload Date: 2/9/2020 12:21:25 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  David Sommer
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  345   Comments: 2
Done at Petersons
Title:  Done at Petersons
Description:  The dodger has completed its work at Peterson Farms, now a Simmons plant, and rolls toward downtown Decatur.
Photo Date:  2/13/2019  Upload Date: 2/20/2019 5:35:15 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 2018(GP38-2) KCS 2917(GP40-2LW) KCS 2017(GP38-2)
Views:  529   Comments: 3
GBVKC passes the display equipment by the depot as the rain continues
Title:  GBVKC passes the display equipment by the depot as the rain continues
Description: 
Photo Date:  5/3/2019  Upload Date: 4/1/2020 5:27:04 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Jon Hall
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 4707(ES44AC) KCS 4794(ES44AC)
Views:  168   Comments: 0
KCS 73D
Title:  KCS 73D
Description: 
Photo Date:  5/3/2019  Upload Date: 4/1/2020 5:27:22 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Jon Hall
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  297   Comments: 0
KCS 4006
Title:  KCS 4006
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/9/2019  Upload Date: 9/9/2019 10:02:51 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Allen Roche
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 4006(SD70ACe) KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  423   Comments: 2
KCS 4006
Title:  KCS 4006
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/9/2019  Upload Date: 9/9/2019 10:03:09 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Allen Roche
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 4006(SD70ACe)
Views:  272   Comments: 2
KCS 73D
Title:  KCS 73D
Description: 
Photo Date:  9/15/2019  Upload Date: 9/15/2019 7:24:45 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Allen Roche
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  410   Comments: 1
Side by side
Title:  Side by side
Description:  The DPU on a northbound empty TXUX train passes the displayed F 7 at the Decatur station.
Photo Date:  9/23/2019  Upload Date: 11/12/2019 3:34:25 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6074(ES44AC) KCS 73(F7A)
Views:  391   Comments: 1
Old and new
Title:  Old and new
Description:  The DPU of an empty TXUX train rolls past the displayed F 7 at the station in Decatur.
Photo Date:  9/23/2019  Upload Date: 11/13/2019 4:54:10 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6074(ES44AC) KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  419   Comments: 1
Comparative paint
Title:  Comparative paint
Description:  The F 7 on display at Decatur shows the old black/rec/yellow scheme, while the new scheme in the same colors passes at left, just after the pair went into shadow.
Photo Date:  11/1/2019  Upload Date: 11/6/2019 5:03:51 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4717(ES44AC) KCS 3952(SD70MAC) KCSM 4597(AC44CW) KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  545   Comments: 1
Barely in the light
Title:  Barely in the light
Description:  This northbound empty TXUX train is just clear of the shadows of Simmons Foods plant as it passes the signal at MP 217
Photo Date:  11/9/2019  Upload Date: 11/13/2019 4:38:39 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6015(ES44AC) BNSF 6126(ES44AC)
Views:  224   Comments: 0
Going away
Title:  Going away
Description:  The DPU on the southbound H train rolling away from me.
Photo Date:  1/4/2020  Upload Date: 1/7/2020 4:18:57 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4685(ES44AC) KCS 4705(ES44AC)
Views:  201   Comments: 2
Coming to me
Title:  Coming to me
Description:  The DPU on the southbound H train rolls toward me as it pushes toward Gentry.
Photo Date:  1/4/2020  Upload Date: 1/7/2020 4:23:43 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4705(ES44AC) KCS 4685(ES44AC)
Views:  195   Comments: 2
New ties
Title:  New ties
Description:  Tie work has been done here, a few miles south of Decatur at Y City Rd, as evidenced by the old ties in the foreground.
Photo Date:  1/4/2020  Upload Date: 1/9/2020 5:41:46 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4651(ES44AC) KCSM 4744(ES44AC)
Views:  403   Comments: 5
Peeking over the top
Title:  Peeking over the top
Description:  The southbound H train struggles to get over the top of the rise south of Decatur, its four GEs and 17,600 horsepower strained with 153 cars in tow.
Photo Date:  1/4/2020  Upload Date: 1/9/2020 5:47:43 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4651(ES44AC) KCSM 4744(ES44AC)
Views:  266   Comments: 3
Not many of these left
Title:  Not many of these left
Description:  A hand me down 86 foot auto parts box rolls south on an H train. Once a staple of the railroad auto parts business, these cars are approaching their maximum interchange life, and wont be around much longer.
Photo Date:  1/4/2020  Upload Date: 1/12/2020 3:54:19 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  90   Comments: 1
Vera Sun
Title:  Vera Sun
Description:  This TILX car, owned by Trinity Leasing, is painted for Vera Sun, an ethanol producer.
Photo Date:  1/4/2020  Upload Date: 1/12/2020 4:00:02 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  113   Comments: 1
Station in snow
Title:  Station in snow
Description:  Southbound Q KCNL passes Decatur station and the stuffed and mounted F 7 there two days after a 5" snowfall, unusual for Arkansas. At least today its above freezing!!
Photo Date:  2/18/2021  Upload Date: 2/22/2021 6:53:12 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Station,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4049(SD70ACe) EMDX 7237(SD70AH-T4) KCS 4865(ES44AC) KCS 4134(SD70ACe)
Views:  294   Comments: 1
Down a snowy road
Title:  Down a snowy road
Description:  The Q KCNL heads down into the snow, going away from me as it confronts the remnants of a 5" snowfall earlier in the week.
Photo Date:  2/18/2021  Upload Date: 2/22/2021 6:56:54 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4865(ES44AC)
Views:  132   Comments: 1
Out in the cold
Title:  Out in the cold
Description:  The F 7 on display at Decatur sits cold and lonely in the snow following a hard week of winter weather. It was -12 here three days earlier.
Photo Date:  2/18/2021  Upload Date: 2/22/2021 6:24:34 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Roster,Station
Locomotives:  KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  307   Comments: 2
Y City Rd
Title:  Y City Rd
Description:  I didnt beat the train to Gentry, but I knew I could get ahead of him before he got to Decatur, and a spot with OK sun angle, since it was the middle of the day. I set up at Y City Road, just north of the new Simmons plant, which gave me enough room to get all six units.
Photo Date:  6/24/2021  Upload Date: 7/2/2021 4:35:01 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4827(ES44AC) BNSF 9244(SD70ACe) KCS 4617(AC44CW) KCS 5020(ET44AC) KCS 4761(ES44AC) KCSM 4730(ES44AC)
Views:  307   Comments: 1
Wider look
Title:  Wider look
Description:  A bit wider angle shows the full power consist and some of the train. When I crossed the tracks to set up this shot, I saw the signal just to the north flashing yellow, approach medium for the next signal in downtown Decatur, which would be displaying approach. That meant a meet at Dorsey, between Decatur and Gravette. I rolled the coal train by, and waited for the southbound.
Photo Date:  6/24/2021  Upload Date: 7/2/2021 4:48:44 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4827(ES44AC) BNSF 9244(SD70ACe) KCS 4617(AC44CW) KCS 5020(ET44AC) KCS 4761(ES44AC) KCSM 4730(ES44AC)
Views:  314   Comments: 1
Always like to shoot these
Title:  Always like to shoot these
Description:  KCS inherited a fleet of former National of Mexico cars when it took over part of that roads operations as part of the privatization of Mexican railroads. I recall seeing these years ago when I lived in NY. Now they are not so common. This one was northbound on an empty grain train.
Photo Date:  8/7/2021  Upload Date: 8/18/2021 5:56:29 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  114   Comments: 1
Anticipation
Title:  Anticipation
Description:  Most signals on the KCS are approach lit, and trains going opposite the current of traffic typically will not light a signal til they pass it. For some reason, this on will light when a train is in the block, so to see this one lit is a good indication something is up. An AEPX coal train will shortly pass here.
Photo Date:  8/8/2021  Upload Date: 8/11/2021 5:35:47 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  111   Comments: 1
What weve been waiting for
Title:  What weve been waiting for
Description:  The signal at Decatur was for this southbound AEPX coal train, which is en route to the Flint Creek plant in Gentry. Here it passes signal 219-1 as it crests the short but steep grade south of Decatur.
Photo Date:  8/8/2021  Upload Date: 8/11/2021 5:38:38 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 7621(ES44AC) UP 6497(AC44CW)
Views:  173   Comments: 1
Unusual aspect
Title:  Unusual aspect
Description:  A signal aspect I dont see often-it probably is displayed on a regular basis, Im just not there to see it-is on the approach signal to CP South Dorsey. The train will take the siding there, a red board at the north end.
Photo Date:  8/8/2021  Upload Date: 8/11/2021 5:03:04 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  83   Comments: 1
Past the station
Title:  Past the station
Description:  The northbound rolls past the Decatur station, now a museum, and the KCS F 7 outside.
Photo Date:  8/8/2021  Upload Date: 8/11/2021 5:09:36 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4818(ES44AC) KCS 4189(SD70ACe) KCS 4836(ES44AC) EMDX 7237(SD70AH-T4) KCSM 4882(ES44AC)
Views:  323   Comments: 1
Stop and proceed
Title:  Stop and proceed
Description:  The automatic at Decatur shows stop and proceed now that the northbound has passed.
Photo Date:  8/8/2021  Upload Date: 8/11/2021 5:17:31 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  73   Comments: 1
Now its clear
Title:  Now its clear
Description:  The automatic we saw a moment ago showing stop and proceed is now showing a clear indication. The southbound is now on the move from Dorsey, and will pass here shortly.
Photo Date:  8/8/2021  Upload Date: 8/11/2021 5:23:32 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  65   Comments: 1
Stop
Title:  Stop
Description:  The signal for northbound trains at Decatur is now showing stop, as the southbound is on its way.
Photo Date:  8/8/2021  Upload Date: 8/11/2021 5:30:22 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  93   Comments: 1
Unidentified
Title:  Unidentified
Description:  This car was in a northbound empty grain train. The MULX initials are not showing as belonging to any specific entitiy in my railroad reporting marks page. Any ideas??
Photo Date:  10/19/2021  Upload Date: 10/22/2021 5:08:39 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  84   Comments: 2
CP 7019
Title:  CP 7019
Description: 
Photo Date:  11/4/2021  Upload Date: 11/6/2021 11:16:13 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Allen Roche
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CP 7019(SD70ACU)
Views:  99   Comments: 0
North in the snow
Title:  North in the snow
Description:  Somehow I think Ive seen this show before...oh, yeah, I lived in upstate NY when CP ran the D&H. Lots of red diesels then, though not many GEs, just hordes of SD 40s and a few Alcos. This pair of GE rebuilds leads 114 cars of empty oil tanks north, just south of Decatur at Floyd Moore Rd.
Photo Date:  3/3/2022  Upload Date: 3/22/2022 6:11:49 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  CP 8177(AC4400CWM) CP 8048(AC4400CWM)
Views:  185   Comments: 2
Q train DPUs and the old guard
Title:  Q train DPUs and the old guard
Description:  The DPU on the southbound Q train passes the displayed KCS 73D at the Decatur station.
Photo Date:  3/3/2022  Upload Date: 3/20/2022 5:32:48 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Station,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4604(AC44CW) KCS 4798(ES44AC) KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  270   Comments: 1
Lift plow
Title:  Lift plow
Description:  The DPU on the Q train recedes past the sign indicating where a plow or spreader should life the blade to avoid a switch or crossing, in this case the Roller Av crossing in Decatur
Photo Date:  3/3/2022  Upload Date: 3/20/2022 5:37:53 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4798(ES44AC) KCS 4604(AC44CW)
Views:  159   Comments: 2
Oldest and newest
Title:  Oldest and newest
Description:  The southbound I was waiting for turned out to be the Q KCSH, led by a relatively new ET44AH, which I caught passing the displayed F 7 at the station.
Photo Date:  3/3/2022  Upload Date: 3/20/2022 5:42:27 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Station,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 5005(ET44AC) KCSM 4089(SD70ACe)
Views:  209   Comments: 2
KCSM 4726
Title:  KCSM 4726
Description:  A southbound loaded grain train on the Heavener sub passes the F-unit and caboose displayed next to the depot in Decatur.
Photo Date:  4/1/2022  Upload Date: 4/19/2022 4:05:18 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Mike Woodruff
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  106   Comments: 0
Caught him
Title:  Caught him
Description:  I heard a horn while I was working outside, and decided to give chase of a northbound. It turned out to be an empty TXUX train, with a pair of BNSF units on the rear. I caught him just south of Decatur, and set up for the shot passing the displayed F 7 at the station.
Photo Date:  4/14/2022  Upload Date: 4/16/2022 5:24:56 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 5711(AC44CW) KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  279   Comments: 2
KCS 73D
Title:  KCS 73D
Description:  Retired KCS F-unit and caboose displayed next to the depot in Decatur, AR.
Photo Date:  4/15/2022  Upload Date: 4/21/2022 12:51:41 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Jeff Van Cleve
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  243   Comments: 0
Former KCS depot
Title:  Former KCS depot
Description:  The former KCS depot in Decatur AR now houses a museum.
Photo Date:  4/15/2022  Upload Date: 4/21/2022 12:52:53 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Jeff Van Cleve
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  32   Comments: 0
KCSM 4874
Title:  KCSM 4874
Description:  DPU of a southbound manifest on the Heavener sub passes the caboose and F-unit displayed at Decatur, AR.
Photo Date:  4/15/2022  Upload Date: 4/21/2022 12:52:05 PM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Jeff Van Cleve
Categories: 
Locomotives:  KCSM 4874(ES44AC)
Views:  61   Comments: 0
Finally caught up
Title:  Finally caught up
Description:  I heard a horn in the distance, and knew there was a northbound approaching from Watts. I had to finish up a couple of things at home before I could take off, and the train was already clearing Lincoln Av by the time I got close enough to see it. What with school buses, traffic and lights, I was not able to catch up to him til Y City Rd south of Decatur. Three units lead north in late day sun.
Photo Date:  11/17/2022  Upload Date: 11/19/2022 5:50:44 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  KCSM 4755(ES44AC) KCS 4156(SD70ACe) KCS 4828(ES44AC)
Views:  204   Comments: 1
Going away
Title:  Going away
Description:  The down side of chasing this line in the afternoon is that for some shots, you have to cross to the west side of the tracks from Ark 59, and then wait for the train to pass. Such is the case here at Y City Rd. I got the last car pulling away past automatic 219-1 as it heads north.
Photo Date:  11/17/2022  Upload Date: 11/19/2022 6:15:07 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  60   Comments: 1
Belle Moon
Title:  Belle Moon
Description:  I followed a northbound empty grain train to a spot where I could get some sun. As I rolled by the 105 cars, I noticed the moon had come up. I was able to get a nicely lit shot of this Belle covered hopper with the moon overhead. Artsy, eh??
Photo Date:  1/4/2023  Upload Date: 1/11/2023 5:25:09 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Winter,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  46   Comments: 1
First train
Title:  First train
Description:  My wife got me a Canon T8i for Christmas, to replace a failing T1i-its a dozen years old, and probably obsolete by now(unlike my Nikkormats, which are 60 years old, and still work just fine. Too bad no more Kodachrome). So I took it out hoping to catch something, usually theres a southbound Q train in the afternoon. The Q train never materialized, but this empty grain train finally did, just as the light was going. I caught it at Y City Rd in Decatur, with enough sun to get some glint. So, this is my first train shot with the new camera. Looks like it performed well in iffy conditions. A trio of diesels, including an NS GE, roll 105 cars north
Photo Date:  1/4/2023  Upload Date: 1/11/2023 5:38:22 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  KCS 4779(ES44AC) KCS 4173(SD70ACe) NS 8088(ES44AC)
Views:  161   Comments: 2
Just caught him
Title:  Just caught him
Description:  After we saw the light power move, we came out to take a ride in the sun, stopping at nearby Crystal Lake to do some bird watching and enjoy the 60 degree day. As we were heading back to Ark 59, we saw a southbound rolling past. A quick dash into Decatur got me ahead of the train, but just enough to jump and get a grab shot. So we have BNSF 6359 leading a 125 car TXUX train, and a nice shot of a light pole with an F unit behind it,
Photo Date:  1/27/2023  Upload Date: 1/31/2023 5:32:12 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6359(ES44AC) BNSF 6076(ES44AC) KCS 73D(F7A)
Views:  165   Comments: 2


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